Patent Application
20240158976
The present subject matter relates generally to methods to suggest operation of a washing machine appliance to a user.
Washing machine appliances generally include a wash tub for containing water or wash fluid (e.g., water, detergent, bleach, or other wash additives). A basket is rotatably mounted within the wash tub and defines a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing. During normal operation of such washing machine appliances, the wash fluid is directed into the wash 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, to wring wash fluid from articles within the wash chamber, etc.
Some existing washing machine appliances, such as horizontal axis washing machines, are provided with one or more ventilation features. Further, some existing washing machines are equipped to dry articles in the appliance as well. In order to effectively dry articles in the appliance, the moisture from the wash cycle must be removed from the basket. Thus, drain pumps traditionally operate to reduce the moisture from accumulating within the tub. Additionally, such features may allow a washing machine appliance to exchange air between the wash tub and the ambient environment. However, using these features is not always intuitive to users.
Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In one example embodiment, a method of operating a washing machine appliance. The washing machine appliance is configured for communication with an external device. The method includes monitoring, from the external device, a new wash cycle activation. The method also includes measuring a load weight of the washing machine appliance and identifying a time of day of the new wash cycle activation. The method further includes comparing a cycle history of the washing machine appliance to the new wash cycle activation and suggesting an operation mode of the washing machine appliance in response to the load weight, the time of day, and the cycle history.
In another example embodiment, a method of operating a washing machine appliance. The washing machine includes a controller that is configured for signal communication with an external device. The method includes monitoring, by a controller, a new wash cycle activation, and measuring, by the controller, a load weight of the washing machine appliance. The method also includes identifying, by the external device, a time of day of the new wash cycle activation, and comparing, by the external device, a cycle history of the washing machine appliance to the new wash cycle activation. The method further includes suggesting, by the external device, an operation mode of the washing machine appliance in response to the load weight, the time of day, and the cycle history.
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 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.
In order to aid understanding of this disclosure, several terms are defined below. The defined terms are understood to have meanings commonly recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the arts relevant to the present invention. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). The terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one element from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual elements. Terms such as “inner” and “outer” refer to relative directions with respect to the interior and exterior of the washing machine appliance, and in particular the wash basket therein. For example, “inner” or “inward” refers to the direction towards the interior of the washing machine appliance. Terms such as “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” or “bottom” are used with reference to the perspective of a user accessing the washing machine appliance. For example, a user stands in front of the washing machine appliance to open the door and reaches into the wash basket to access items therein. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that as used herein, terms of approximation, such as “approximately,” “substantially,” or “about,” refer to being within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. When used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction. For example, “generally vertical” includes directions within ten degrees of vertical in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise.
Referring now to the figures,
Referring to
Wash basket 122 may define one or more agitator features that extend into wash chamber 124 to assist in agitation and cleaning articles disposed within wash chamber 124 during operation of washing machine appliance 100. For example, as illustrated in
Washing machine appliance 100 includes a drive assembly 128 which is coupled to wash tub 120 and is generally configured for rotating wash basket 122 during operation, e.g., such as during an agitation or spin cycle. More specifically, as best illustrated in
Referring generally to
In some embodiments, a window 146 in door 144 permits viewing of wash basket 122 when door 144 is in the closed position (e.g., during operation of washing machine appliance 100). Door 144 also includes a handle (not shown) that, for example, a user may pull when opening and closing door 144. Further, although door 144 is illustrated as mounted to front panel 140, it should be appreciated that door 144 may be mounted to another side of cabinet 102 or any other suitable support according to alternative embodiments.
Referring again to
Referring still to
As illustrated, a detergent drawer 172 may be slidably mounted within front panel 140. Detergent drawer 172 receives a wash additive (e.g., detergent, fabric softener, bleach, or any other suitable liquid or powder) and directs the fluid additive to wash chamber 124 during operation of washing machine appliance 100. According to the illustrated embodiment, detergent drawer 172 may also be fluidly coupled to spout 170 to facilitate the complete and accurate dispensing of wash additive.
In some embodiments, an optional bulk reservoir 174 may be disposed within cabinet 102. Bulk reservoir 174 may be configured for receipt of fluid additive for use during operation of washing machine appliance 100. Moreover, bulk reservoir 174 may be sized such that a volume of fluid additive sufficient for a plurality or multitude of wash cycles of washing machine appliance 100 (e.g., five, ten, twenty, fifty, or any other suitable number of wash cycles) may fill bulk reservoir 174. Thus, for example, a user can fill bulk reservoir 174 with fluid additive and operate washing machine appliance 100 for a plurality of wash cycles without refilling bulk reservoir 174 with fluid additive. A reservoir pump 176 may be configured for selective delivery of the fluid additive from bulk reservoir 174 to wash tub 120.
A control panel 180 including a plurality of input selectors 182 may be coupled to front panel 140. Control panel 180 and input selectors 182 collectively form a user interface input for operator selection of machine cycles and features. A display 184 of control panel 180 indicates selected features, operation mode, a countdown timer, and/or other items of interest to appliance users regarding operation.
Operation of washing machine appliance 100 is controlled by a processing device or a controller 186 that is operatively coupled to control panel 180 for user manipulation to select washing machine cycles and features. In response to user manipulation of control panel 180, controller 186 operates the various components of washing machine appliance 100 to execute selected machine cycles and features. Controller 186 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. 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 186 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 180 may be in communication with controller 186 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses to provide signals to and/or receive signals from the controller 186.
In addition, the memory or memory devices of the controller 186 can store information and/or data accessible by the one or more processors, including instructions that can be executed by the one or more processors. It should be appreciated that the instructions can be software written in any suitable programming language or can be implemented in hardware. Additionally, or alternatively, the instructions can be executed logically and/or virtually using separate threads on one or more processors.
For example, controller 186 may be operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with an operating cycle of washing machine appliance 100. In this regard, the instructions may be software or any set of instructions that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations, such as running one or more software applications, displaying a user interface, receiving user input, processing user input, etc. Moreover, it should be noted that controller 186 as disclosed herein is capable of and may be operable to perform any methods, method steps, or portions of methods as disclosed herein. For example, in some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be embodied in programming instructions stored in the memory and executed by controller 186.
The memory devices may also store data that can be retrieved, manipulated, created, or stored by the one or more processors or portions of controller 186. The data can include, for instance, data to facilitate performance of methods described herein. The data can be stored locally (e.g., on controller 186) in one or more databases and/or may be split up so that the data is stored in multiple locations. In addition, or alternatively, the one or more database(s) can be connected to controller 186 through any suitable network(s), e.g., network WC, such as through a high bandwidth local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). In this regard, for example, controller 186 may further include a communication module or interface that may be used to communicate with one or more other component(s) of washing machine appliance 100, controller 186, an external appliance controller, or any other suitable device, e.g., via any suitable communication lines or network(s) and using any suitable communication protocol. The communication interface can include any suitable components for interfacing with one or more network(s), including for example, transmitters, receivers, ports, controllers, antennas, or other suitable components.
In example embodiments, during operation of washing machine appliance 100, laundry items are loaded into wash basket 122 through opening 142, and a wash operation is initiated through operator manipulation of input selectors 182. For example, a wash cycle may be initiated such that wash tub 120 is filled with water, detergent, or other fluid additives (e.g., via detergent drawer 172 or bulk reservoir 174). One or more valves (not shown) can be controlled by washing machine appliance 100 to provide for filling wash basket 122 to the appropriate level for the amount of articles being washed or rinsed. By way of example, once wash basket 122 is properly filled with fluid, the contents of wash basket 122 can be agitated (e.g., with ribs 126) for an agitation phase of laundry items in wash basket 122. During the agitation phase, the basket 122 may be motivated about the axis of rotation AR at a set speed (e.g., first speed or tumble speed). As the basket 122 is rotated, articles within the basket 122 may be lifted and permitted to drop therein.
After the agitation phase of the washing operation is completed, wash tub 120 can be drained, e.g., by drain pump assembly 156. Operation of drain pump assembly will be described further below. Laundry articles can then be rinsed (e.g., through a rinse cycle) by again adding fluid to wash tub 120, depending on the particulars of the cleaning cycle selected by a user. Ribs 126 may again provide agitation within wash basket 122. One or more spin cycles may also be used. In particular, a spin cycle may be applied after the wash cycle or after the rinse cycle in order to wring wash fluid from the articles being washed. During a spin cycle, basket 122 is rotated at relatively high speeds. For instance, basket 122 may be rotated at one set speed (e.g., second speed or pre-plaster speed) before being rotated at another set speed (e.g., third speed or plaster speed). As would be understood, the pre-plaster speed may be greater than the tumble speed and the plaster speed may be greater than the pre-plaster speed. Moreover, agitation or tumbling of articles may be reduced as basket 122 increases its rotational velocity such that the plaster speed maintains the articles at a generally fixed position relative to basket 122. After articles disposed in wash basket 122 are cleaned (or the washing operation otherwise ends), a user can remove the articles from wash basket 122 (e.g., by opening door 144 and reaching into wash basket 122 through opening 142).
During such operations, the gasket 200 may help to contain wash fluid within the cabinet 102, particularly within the tub 120. As generally shown in
After completion of the wash cycle, as described above, moisture can become trapped within the washing machine appliance 100, e.g., in wash tub 120 and/or gasket 200. This may promote growth and/or spread of odors, mold, and/or mildew on the components of washing machine appliance 100 and on the laundry articles within wash basket 122. Accordingly, in accordance with example aspects of the present disclosure, after or between such wash cycles, washing machine appliance 100 may be operated in a ventilation cycle to remove moisture from within the washing machine appliance 100.
It should be appreciated that the present subject matter is not limited to any particular style, model, or configuration of washing machine appliance. The example embodiment depicted in
As illustrated in
Although a convective airflow may be facilitated, additional example embodiments may further include a fan or blower 198. Specifically, fan 198 may be provided in fluid communication with ventilation line 190 to motivate an active airflow therethrough. For instance, fan 198 may be mounted within ventilation line 190 to selectively rotate and draw air from wash tub 120, through ventilation inlet 194, and to ventilation outlet 196, e.g., to output an airflow from tub 120 to the ambient environment.
A cabinet aperture 202 may be defined through front panel 140 as an inlet for ambient air to flow from outside of the cabinet 102 to the inside of the cabinet 102, e.g., to and through the tub 120. Notably, in the disclosed embodiments, air 1000 (e.g., an ambient airflow) may flow between tub 120 and the ambient environment through cabinet aperture 202 and/or vent line 190 even while door 144 remains closed.
A vent damper 210 may be provided to selectively control an airflow between tub 120 and, for example, the ambient environment. Generally, vent damper 210 is in communication with wash tub 120 and/or ventilation line 190 (i.e., in fluid communication with air path 192). In certain embodiments, vent damper 210 is enclosed, at least in part, within cabinet 102. Vent damper 210 may be selectively controlled or operated to limit or obstruct the flow of air from the ambient environment into the interior of the cabinet 102, such as to the wash tub 120, via the aperture 202 during certain operations, phases, or cycles. Thus, vent damper 210 may selectively limit airflow between tub 120 and the ambient environment, such as airflow from the ambient environment via the aperture 202.
The damper 210 may be positioned downstream of the aperture 202, e.g., between the aperture 202 and the wash tub 120 and/or between the aperture 202 and the gasket 200. Thus, opening the damper 210 may permit fluid communication, e.g., air flow, between internal components of the washing machine appliance 100, e.g., the wash tub 120 and/or the wash basket 122, and the ambient environment external to the cabinet 102. Thus, the damper 210 may be upstream of the internal components, e.g., wash basket 122, with respect to a flow of ambient air 1000 from the ambient environment external to the cabinet 102 through the washing machine appliance 100. As may be seen in
In additional embodiments, the air flow through the washing machine appliance 100, as illustrated by arrows 1000, may be provided by convective flow and/or rotation of the wash basket 122 without the use or presence of a fan. Such rotation of the wash basket 122, including the ribs 126 therein, may push the air 1000 around to promote circulation of the ambient air 1000 through the washing machine appliance 100, e.g., into and through the wash basket 122. In some embodiments, the fan 198 may not be included, and the flow of ambient air 1000 through the washing machine appliance 100 may be provided solely by natural convection and/or rotation of the wash basket 122.
Washing machine appliance 100 may be in operative communication directly or indirectly with a separate or external computing device 402. Moreover, external device 402, such as a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, etc., may be in operative communication with washing machine appliance 100 through network WC. Specifically, according to an example embodiment, network WC is configured for signal communication between washing machine appliance 100, a user via external device 402, and/or a remote server 400, e.g., a cloud-based sever. According to example embodiments, washing machine appliance 100 may communicate with external device 402 either directly (e.g., through a local area network (LAN), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, etc.) or indirectly (e.g., via a mesh network), as well as with remote server 400 to receive notifications, provide confirmations, input operational data, transmit sound signals and sound signatures, etc., on network WC.
In general, external device 402 may be any suitable device for providing and/or receiving communications or commands from a user. In this regard, external device 402 may include, for example, a personal phone, a tablet, a laptop computer, a smart home assistant (e.g., Google® Assistant or Amazon® Alexa) or another mobile device. In addition, or alternatively, communication between washing machine appliance 100 and the user may be achieved directly through the control panel 180 on appliance 100. In general, network WC can be any type of communication network. For example, network WC can include one or more of a wireless network, a wired network, a personal area network, a local area network, a wide area network, the internet, a cellular network, etc. In general, communication with network may use any of 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).
In some example embodiments, remote server 400 may be the external device 402. Thus, remote server 400, e.g., a cloud-based server, may be configured to perform various operations. For example, remote server 400 may be configured to acquire a load weight 404 measured by washing machine appliance 100. Remote server 400 may also identify a time of day 406, as well as compare a cycle history 408 of the washing machine appliance 100. Each of these operations may be considered by remote server 400, e.g., in response to the load weight 404, the time of day 406, and the cycle history 408 washing machine appliance 100 may suggest an operation mode of the washing machine appliance 100. Each of these operations may be triggered by a new wash cycle activation at the washing machine appliance 100. For example, the user may activate a new wash cycle, and in response, remote server 400 may acquire a load weight 404, identify a time of day 406, compare a cycle history 408, and suggest an operation mode of the washing machine appliance 100. The suggested operating mode may be displayed on display 184 of washing machine appliance 100. Further, the suggested operating mode may be sent to external device 402.
Moreover, the operation mode may be determined in response to the load weight 404 being less than a set weight, the time of day 406 being after a set time, and the cycle history 408 indicating a subsequent cycle is unlikely. For example, the set weight may be at most three kilograms (3 kg), and the set time may any programmable time of day programmed by the user, e.g., nine-thirty in the afternoon (9:30 pm). Further, the cycle history 408 may be a record of past cycles of the washing machine appliance 100. The record of past cycles may be stored on the memory of the external device, e.g., on remote server 400.
In other alternative embodiments, controller 186 may be configured to monitor for the new wash cycle activation, measure the load weight 404, identify a time of day 406, compare a cycle history 408 of the washing machine appliance to the new wash cycle activation, and suggest an operation mode of the washing machine appliance in response to the load weight 404, the time of day 406, and the cycle history 408. Moreover, operations may be distributed between controller 186 and external device 402. For example, controller 186 may monitor for the new wash cycle activation and measure the load weight 404 of the washing machine appliance 100, and external device 402, e.g., remote server 400, may identify a time of day 406, compare a cycle history 408, and suggest an operation mode of the washing machine appliance 100.
As may be seen from the above, methods 500, 600 depict washing machine appliance 100 operation mode suggestions generated based upon the laundry load size 404, the time of doing laundry 406, and the user's historical laundry pattern 408. The suggestions may be generated from external device 402 or remote server 400 and may be activated remotely, e.g., from external device 402, by the user. As such, using particular modes and features of washing machine appliance 100 may be more convenient and intuitive to users.
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.
