Patent Application
20230392316
The present subject matter relates generally to laundry treatment appliances, and more particularly to sharing cycle settings between remotely connected laundry treatment appliances.
Laundry treatment appliances typically include washing machines, dryers, and combination washing machine/dryers. The laundry treatment appliances are configured to perform one or more laundry operations, such as washing, rinsing, soaking, or drying. For instance, within a washing operation, a plurality of phases may be incorporated, such as a water supply phase, an agitation phase, a drain phase, and a spin phase. Depending on the washing load supplied to the laundry treatment appliance, the phases may be adjusted accordingly to effectively perform the washing operation or laundry cycle. Recently, laundry treatment appliances are capable of extensively fine-tuned adjustments to perform specific and particular operations.
Certain users of laundry treatment appliances become accustomed to specific laundry cycles incorporating finely tuned phase adjustments. Moreover, users may move from one location to another location having a separate laundry treatment appliance. According to some instances, these users may be unfamiliar with the specific laundry cycles performed previously. For example, performing a washing operation on a particular washing load (such as a delicate load) can require specific attributes and phases so as not to damage the washing articles therein.
Accordingly, a laundry treatment appliance that obviates one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks would be beneficial. In particular, a laundry treatment appliance or method of operating a laundry treatment appliance that easily transfers finely tuned laundry operations between separate appliances would be useful.
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 laundry treatment appliance is provided. The laundry treatment appliance may include a tub provided in a cabinet, a user interface provided on the cabinet, a remote communication module provided within the cabinet, and a controller provided within the cabinet and operably coupled to the user interface and the remote communication module, the controller being configured to direct a laundry operation. The laundry operation may include establishing a remote connection between the laundry treatment appliance and a remote terminal, transmitting a laundry cycle request to the remote terminal, importing one or more predetermined cycle settings from the remote terminal in response to transmitting the laundry cycle request, and initiating a laundry cycle corresponding to the laundry cycle request within the laundry treatment appliance, the laundry cycle including the one or more predetermined cycle settings.
In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a method of operating a laundry treatment appliance is provided. The laundry treatment appliance may include a tub, a user interface, and a remote communication module. The method may include establishing a remote connection between the laundry treatment appliance and a remote terminal, transmitting a laundry cycle request to the remote terminal, importing one or more predetermined cycle settings from the remote terminal in response to transmitting the laundry cycle request, and initiating a laundry cycle corresponding to the laundry cycle request within the laundry treatment appliance, the laundry cycle comprising the one or more predetermined cycle settings.
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.
As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. 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”). In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “generally,” “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components and/or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin, i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. In this regard, for example, 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, e.g., “generally vertical” includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” In addition, references to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “an embodiment” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Moreover, 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.
Referring still to
As illustrated, each of first laundry treatment appliance 52 and second laundry treatment appliance 54 may include a controller 62 (described in more detail below). External communication system 60 permits controllers 62 of first laundry treatment appliance 52 and second laundry treatment appliance 54 to communicate with external devices either directly or through a network 64. For example, a consumer may use a consumer device 66 to communicate directly with first laundry treatment appliance 52 and/or second laundry treatment appliance 54. Alternatively, these appliances may include user interfaces for receiving such input (described below). For example, consumer devices 66 may be in direct or indirect communication with first laundry treatment appliance 52 and second laundry treatment appliance 54, e.g., directly through a local area network (LAN), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc. or indirectly through network 64. In general, consumer device 66 may be any suitable device for providing and/or receiving communications or commands from a user. In this regard, consumer device 66 may include, for example, a personal phone, a tablet, a laptop computer, or another mobile device.
In addition, a remote server 68 may be in communication with first laundry treatment appliance 52, second laundry treatment appliance 54, and/or consumer device 66 through network 64. In this regard, for example, remote server 68 may be a cloud-based server 68, and is thus located at a distant location, such as in a separate state, country, etc. In general, communication between the remote server 68 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).
In general, network 64 can be any type of communication network. For example, network 64 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. According to an exemplary embodiment, consumer device 66 may communicate with a remote server 68 over network 64, such as the internet, to provide user inputs, transfer operating parameters or performance characteristics, etc. In addition, consumer device 66 and remote server 68 may communicate with first laundry treatment appliance 52 and second laundry treatment appliance 54 to communicate similar information.
External communication system 60 is described herein according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. However, it should be appreciated that the exemplary functions and configurations of external communication system 60 provided herein are used only as examples to facilitate description of aspects of the present subject matter. System configurations may vary, other communication devices may be used to communicate directly or indirectly with one or more laundry appliances, other communication protocols and steps may be implemented, etc. These variations and modifications are contemplated as within the scope of the present subject matter.
Optionally, consumer device 66 may include or be able to access a software application for interacting with laundromat appliances (e.g., commercial, public use laundry appliances). For instance, consumer device 66 may be provided or associated with a particular user profile (e.g., an owner account) to interact with and operate each of the laundromat appliances. Thus, the user or operator of consumer device 66 may optionally upload or otherwise import one or more options to an elected laundromat appliance to perform stored or saved laundry cycles.
Referring now also to
While described in the context of a specific embodiment of vertical axis laundry treatment appliance 52, it should be appreciated that the vertical axis washing machine appliance 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 washing machine appliance, such as a horizontal axis washing machine appliance. Indeed, modifications and variations may be made to laundry treatment appliance 52, including different configurations, different appearances, and/or different features while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter. For another example, each of first laundry treatment appliance 52 and second laundry treatment appliance 54 may be dryer appliances.
Laundry treatment appliance 52 has a cabinet 102 that extends between a top portion 104 and a bottom portion 106 along the vertical direction V, between a first side (left) and a second side (right) along the lateral direction L, and between a front and a rear along the transverse direction T. As best shown in
In addition, laundry treatment appliance 52 includes a wash basket 114 that is positioned within wash tub 108 and generally defines an opening 116 for receipt of articles for washing. More specifically, wash basket 114 is rotatably mounted within wash 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 treatment appliance 52 is generally referred to as a “vertical axis” or “top load” washing machine appliance. However, it should be appreciated that aspects of the present subject matter may be used within the context of a horizontal axis or front load washing machine appliance as well.
As illustrated, cabinet 102 of laundry treatment appliance 52 has a top panel 118. Top panel 118 defines an opening (
As best shown in
An impeller or agitation element 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 114 and/or agitation element 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 or configuration 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 still to
Operation of laundry treatment appliance 52 is controlled by a controller or processing device 62 that is operatively coupled to control panel 150 for user manipulation to select washing machine cycles and features. In response to user manipulation of control panel 150, controller 62 operates the various components of laundry treatment appliance 52 to execute selected machine cycles and features. According to an exemplary embodiment, controller 62 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 62 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 treatment appliance 52 may be in communication with controller 62 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.
During operation of laundry treatment appliance 52, laundry items are loaded into wash basket 114 through opening 116, and washing operation is initiated through operator manipulation of input selectors 152. Wash basket 114 is filled with water and detergent and/or other fluid additives via primary dispenser 112. One or more valves can be controlled by laundry treatment appliance 52 to provide for filling wash tub 108 and wash basket 114 to the appropriate level for the number of articles being washed and/or rinsed. By way of example for a wash mode, once wash basket 114 is properly filled with fluid, the contents of wash basket 114 can be agitated (e.g., with agitation element 132 as discussed previously) for, e.g., washing of laundry items in wash basket 114.
More specifically, referring again to
After wash tub 108 is filled and the agitation phase of the wash cycle is completed, wash basket 114 can be drained, e.g., by drain pump assembly 130. Laundry articles can then be rinsed by again adding fluid to wash basket 114 depending on the specifics of the cleaning cycle selected by a user. The impeller or agitation element 132 may again provide agitation within wash basket 114. One or more spin cycles may also be used as part of the cleaning process. In particular, a spin cycle may be applied after the wash cycle and/or after the rinse cycle in order to wring wash fluid from the articles being washed. During a spin cycle, wash basket 114 is rotated at relatively high speeds to help wring fluid from the laundry articles through perforations 126. After articles disposed in wash basket 114 are cleaned and/or washed, the user can remove the articles from wash basket 114, e.g., by reaching into wash basket 114 through opening 116.
Now that the construction of system 50, laundry treatment appliance 52, and external communication system 60 have been presented according to exemplary embodiments, an exemplary method 300 of operating a system of laundry appliances will be described. Although the discussion below refers to the exemplary method 300 of operating system 50, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the exemplary method 300 is applicable to the monitoring and control of any suitable system of laundry appliances. In exemplary embodiments, the various method steps as disclosed herein may be performed by controllers 62, remote server 68, and/or a separate, dedicated controller.
Referring generally to
It is noted that the order of steps within method 300 are for illustrative purposes. Except as otherwise indicated, one or more steps in the below method 300 may be changed, rearranged, performed in a different order, or otherwise modified without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
At step 302, method 300 may include establishing a remote connection between the laundry treatment appliance and a remote terminal. As described above, the laundry treatment appliance may include a remote communication module (e.g., provided within a controller such as controller 62). The appliance may, through a network (e.g., external communication system 60), remotely communicate with a separate, remote terminal. According to some embodiments, the remote terminal is another laundry treatment appliance, such as a washing machine provided in a distant location. Additionally or alternatively, the remote terminal may be a remote server storing information, a mobile device, a different home appliance, or the like. As described above, and for reference hereinafter, the laundry treatment appliance to which method 300 of operation generally applies is referred to as a local laundry treatment appliance. Accordingly, the remote terminal in remote connection with the local laundry appliance may be referred to as a remote laundry treatment appliance.
While establishing the remote connection, the local laundry treatment appliance may enable an import function. In detail, a user may perform a selection (e.g., via a button or switch on the local laundry appliance or through a mobile device application) to allow an import of data into the local laundry treatment appliance. The local laundry treatment appliance may then allow for data transfer between the appliance and the remote device (e.g., remote laundry treatment appliance). Subsequently, a connection request may be sent to the remote terminal to participate in the data transfer.
The connection request may include a request to transfer data from the remote device to the local laundry treatment appliance. According to some embodiments, the connection request is a request to transfer data from the local laundry treatment appliance to the remote device as well as from the remote device to the local laundry treatment appliance. Moreover, a user (e.g., a second user or distant user) may perform a selection (e.g., via a button or switch on the remote device or through a mobile device application) to allow the data transfer between the remote device and the local laundry treatment appliance. The local laundry treatment appliance may then receive a connection confirmation from the remote terminal. For instance, the remote device may send, via the remote connection, a confirmation notification or instruction (e.g., data packet configured to initiate presentation of a notification or instruction message at the user interface of the local appliance). The controller of the local laundry appliance may then confirm that the remote connection is active, stable, and transferring data between the local laundry treatment appliance and the remote terminal (e.g., through receiving the confirmation notification).
At step 304, method 300 may include transmitting a laundry cycle request to the remote terminal (e.g., following 302). In detail, the controller of the local laundry treatment appliance may, via the remote connection, send a request to the remote terminal for information regarding one or more laundry cycles. According to this embodiment, the laundry cycle includes one or more laundry phases, such as a water supply phase, an agitation phase, a spin phase, a drain phase, or the like. Thus, the laundry cycle may be a washing operation, a drying operation, a combination operation, a dewrinkling operation, or the like.
The laundry cycle may include one or more predetermined cycle settings. For instance, the cycle settings may include a water temperature, a water amount, a detergent amount, an additive requirement, a phase list (e.g., a list of all of the laundry phases included within a corresponding laundry cycle), a phase order (e.g., the order or sequence in which the laundry phases will be executed for a corresponding laundry cycle), a length of time of the laundry cycle, a drum rotational speed, a heater setting, or the like. For example, the remote terminal has a specific stain cycle stored thereon, with one or more of the previously mentioned attributes or settings applied thereto. Additionally or alternatively, the remote terminal may have a plurality of laundry cycles stored thereon (e.g., within an onboard memory). Each of the laundry cycles may include specific constitutions, arrangements, attributes, formulations, or orders of the cycle settings, according to certain laundry load requirements (e.g., a delicates load, a towels load, a jeans load, etc.).
According to some embodiments, a single specific laundry cycle is transmitted to the local laundry treatment appliance in response to establishing the remote connection at 302. For instance, in response to enabling the import function, the user of the local laundry treatment appliance may request a specific laundry cycle for immediate performance (e.g., a specific stain cycle stored on the remote terminal). The specific stain cycle may be transmitted to the local laundry treatment appliance. The specific stain cycle may be stored on the local laundry treatment appliance (e.g., within the controller or an onboard memory system). Additionally or alternatively, a prompt may be displayed on the local laundry treatment appliance to perform the specific stain cycle.
According to another embodiment, a plurality of specific laundry cycles is transmitted to the local laundry treatment appliance in response to establishing the remote connection. For instance, in response to enabling the import function, the user of the local laundry treatment appliance may request a list or batch of laundry cycles for storage (e.g., normal cycles, light cycles, bedding cycles, delicate cycles, etc. stored on the remote terminal). The batch of laundry cycles may be transmitted to the local laundry treatment appliance. The batch of laundry cycles may be stored on the local laundry treatment appliance (e.g., within the controller or an onboard memory system). Additionally or alternatively, a prompt may be displayed on the local laundry treatment appliance to perform each of the batch of laundry cycles.
At step 306, method 300 may include importing the one or more predetermined cycle settings from the remote terminal. As described above, the user of the local laundry treatment appliance may input a request to transmit one or more laundry cycles, and each of the one or more laundry cycles may include specific and unique predetermined cycle settings. Accordingly, the local laundry treatment appliance may receive the predetermined cycle settings (e.g., via the controller, the wireless communication module, or the like). According to some embodiments, the local laundry treatment appliance receives or imports the predetermined cycle settings unassociated with a particular laundry cycle. For instance, the predetermined cycle settings stored on the remote terminal may be applicable to more than one laundry cycle. The predetermined cycle settings may include, for example, a stain fighting phase or setting. The stain fighting phase or setting may be incorporated into a plurality of laundry cycles (e.g., a colors cycle, a whites cycle, a towels cycles, etc.). Thus, the local laundry treatment appliance may import one or more predetermined cycle settings to be applied to more than one laundry cycle.
At step 308, method 300 may include initiating the laundry cycle corresponding to the laundry cycle request within the local laundry treatment appliance. In detail, upon receiving the one or more predetermined cycle settings, the controller may initiate a corresponding laundry cycle incorporating the predetermined cycles settings. As mentioned above, a single specific laundry cycle may be imported to the local laundry treatment appliance. According to this embodiment, the controller determines that the single specific laundry cycle is to be performed immediately. Accordingly, the controller may initiate the laundry cycle (with the predetermined cycle settings). Additionally or alternatively, the controller may prompt the user that the laundry cycle has been uploaded and is ready to be initiated. For instance, a notification may be presented or displayed on the appliance. Additionally or alternatively, the notification may be sent to a mobile device registered to the user and stored within the appliance. Advantageously, a user of a new laundry treatment appliance (e.g., at a new location) may connect with a previously used laundry treatment appliance (e.g., remote terminal) to obtain or import specific settings previously used in washing or laundry cycles or operations.
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.
