Patent Grant
11035072
The present subject matter relates generally to washing machine appliances and more particularly to nozzle assemblies for washing machine appliances.
Washing machine appliances generally include a tub for containing water or wash fluid (e.g., water and detergent, bleach, or other wash additives). A basket is rotatably mounted within the 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 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.
During operation of certain washing machine appliances, a volume of wash fluid is directed into the tub in order to wash or rinse articles within the wash chamber. More specifically, a predetermined volume of wash fluid is typically provided through a stationary nozzle positioned at the center of the back wall of the washing machine appliance. However, in certain situations, a user may wish to have greater control over the wash fluid dispensed into the tub. For instance, a user may wish to direct the flow of wash fluid onto a particular garment or within a specific region of the wash tub (e.g., to perform a pretreating operation, to saturate a particular article of clothing). However, this ability may be limited by the increased complexity and wiring required to relocate existing stationary nozzles. Moreover, difficulties may arise with providing water at a desired temperature. Under certain circumstances, a slug of relatively cold water may form over time within the washing machine appliance (or at any other location between a hot water source and a nozzle of the washing machine appliance). Even when relatively warm or hot wire is desired, the slug of cold water may be dispensed. The ability to adjust the amount of water or wash fluid and its dispensing location is a commercially desirable feature and increases the user's positive perception of the wash process generally.
Accordingly, a washing machine appliance that provides a user with more control over the dispensing of wash fluid is desirable. In particular, a nozzle assembly that enables the dispensing of water at a desired temperature while preventing or reducing the effects of a cold water slug would be particularly 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 washing machine appliance is provided. The washing machine appliance may include a cabinet, a tub positioned within the cabinet, a wash basket, and a nozzle assembly. The wash basket may be rotatably mounted within the tub and may define a wash chamber for receiving articles for washing. The nozzle assembly may be mounted within the cabinet and configured to provide wash fluid to the tub. The nozzle assembly may include an extendable nozzle, a valve assembly, a retractable fluid supply conduit, a supplemental heater, and a temperature sensor. The extendable nozzle may be movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The extendable nozzle may define a fluid path extending in fluid communication between a nozzle inlet and a nozzle outlet. The valve assembly may be configured to provide a flow of wash fluid to the extendable nozzle. The retractable fluid supply conduit may extend in fluid communication between the valve assembly and the nozzle inlet extendable nozzle to direct the flow of wash fluid to the extendable nozzle. The supplemental heater may be positioned in thermal communication with the flow of wash fluid between the valve assembly and the nozzle outlet. The temperature sensor may be positioned in thermal communication with the flow of wash fluid downstream from the valve assembly to detect a temperature of the flow of wash fluid to the extendable nozzle.
In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a washing machine appliance is provided. The washing machine appliance may include a cabinet, a tub positioned within the cabinet, a wash basket, and a nozzle assembly. The wash basket may be rotatably mounted within the tub and may define a wash chamber for receiving articles for washing. The nozzle assembly may be mounted within the cabinet and configured to provide wash fluid to the tub. The nozzle assembly may include an extendable nozzle, a valve assembly, a retractable fluid supply conduit, a supplemental heater, and a temperature sensor. The extendable nozzle may be movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The extendable nozzle may define a fluid path extending in fluid communication between a nozzle inlet and a nozzle outlet. The valve assembly may be configured to provide a flow of wash fluid to the extendable nozzle. The retractable fluid supply conduit may extend in fluid communication between the valve assembly and the nozzle inlet of the extendable nozzle to direct the flow of wash fluid to the extendable nozzle. The supplemental heater may be positioned in thermal communication with the flow of wash fluid between the valve assembly and the nozzle outlet. The temperature sensor may be positioned in thermal communication with the flow of wash fluid between the valve assembly and the supplemental heater to detect a temperature of the flow of wash fluid to the extendable nozzle.
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.
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 component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the relative flow direction with respect to fluid flow in a fluid pathway. For example, “upstream” refers to the flow direction from which the fluid flows, and “downstream” refers to the flow direction to which the fluid flows.
Turning now to the figures,
While described in the context of a specific embodiment of vertical axis washing machine appliance 100, using the teachings disclosed herein it will be understood that washing machine appliance 100 is provided by way of example only. Other washing machine appliances having different configurations, different appearances, or different features may also be utilized with the present subject matter as well (e.g., horizontal axis washing machines). Moreover, aspects of the present subject matter may be used in any other consumer or commercial appliance where it is desirable to control the dispensing of water or another fluid.
As shown, washing machine appliance 100 has a cabinet 102 that extends between a top portion 103 and a bottom portion 104 along the vertical direction V. A wash basket 120 is rotatably mounted within cabinet 102. A motor (not shown) is in mechanical communication with wash basket 120 to selectively rotate wash basket 120 (e.g., during an agitation cycle or a rinse cycle of washing machine appliance 100). Wash basket 120 is received within a wash tub or wash chamber 121 and is configured for receipt of articles for washing. The wash tub 121 holds wash and rinse fluids for agitation in wash basket 120 within wash tub 121. An agitator or impeller (not shown) may extend into wash basket 120 while remaining in mechanical communication with the motor. The impeller generally assists agitation of articles disposed within wash basket 120 and may rotate or oscillate during operation of washing machine appliance 100.
Cabinet 102 of washing machine appliance 100 generally includes a top panel 140. Top panel 140 defines an opening 105 (
In certain embodiments, a control panel 110 with at least one input selector 112 extends from top panel 140. Control panel 110 and input selector 112 collectively form a user interface input for operator selection of machine cycles and features. A display (e.g., electronic indicator display 114) of control panel 110 indicates selected features, operation mode, a countdown timer, or other items of interest to appliance users regarding operation.
Operation of washing machine appliance 100 is generally controlled by a controller or processing device 108 that is attached to cabinet 102 (e.g., at control panel 110) and operatively coupled (e.g., electrically coupled via one or more conductive signal lines, wirelessly coupled via one or more wireless communications bands, etc.) to portions of control panel 110 for user manipulation to select washing machine cycles and features. In response to user manipulation of control panel 110, controller 108 receives one or more signals (e.g., user-input signals) and operates the various components of washing machine appliance 100 to execute selected machine cycles and features.
Controller 108 may include a memory (e.g., non-transitive storage media) 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 108 may be constructed without using a microprocessor (e.g., using a combination of discrete analog 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 110 and other components of washing machine appliance 100 may be in communication with controller 108 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.
During operation of washing machine appliance 100, laundry items are generally loaded into wash basket 120 through opening 105, and a washing operation is initiated through operator manipulation of input selectors 112. Wash basket 120 is filled with a fluid, such as water and detergent or other fluid additives (e.g., via a nozzle assembly 200—described in detail below). One or more valves can be controlled by washing machine appliance 100 to provide for filling wash basket 120 to the appropriate level for the amount of articles being washed or rinsed. By way of example, for a washing cycle, once wash basket 120 is properly filled with fluid, the contents of wash basket 120 can be agitated (e.g., with an impeller as discussed above) for washing laundry items in wash basket 120.
After the agitation phase of the wash cycle is completed, wash basket 120 can be drained. Laundry articles can then be rinsed by again adding fluid to wash basket 120 depending on the specifics of the cleaning cycle selected by a user. The impeller may again provide agitation within wash basket 120. One or more spin cycles also may be used. In particular, a spin cycle may be applied after the wash cycle or after the rinse cycle to wring wash fluid from the articles being washed. During a spin cycle, wash basket 120 is rotated at relatively high speeds. After laundry items or articles disposed in wash basket 120 are cleaned or washed, the user can remove the articles from wash basket 120 (e.g., by reaching into wash basket 120 through opening 105).
Referring now generally to
As illustrated, nozzle assembly 200 generally includes an extendable nozzle 202 mounted to a retractable fluid supply conduit 204. More specifically, retractable fluid supply conduit 204 provides fluid communication between extendable nozzle 202 and a valve assembly 206. In addition, valve assembly 206 is coupled to a supply of water or wash fluid and selectively provides a flow of wash fluid to extendable nozzle 202 so that a user may selectively dispense the wash fluid within wash tub 121. For example, according to the illustrated exemplary embodiments of
Turning briefly to
Returning to
Although the positioning and movement of nozzle assembly 200 is described herein according to exemplary embodiments, it should be appreciated that variations and modifications to the operation of nozzle assembly 200 may be made while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. For example,
Referring now specifically to
Referring now to
In some embodiments, telescoping sections 242 engage each other such that telescoping arm 240 and extendable nozzle 202 extends only in a single vertical plane above wash tub 121. In this manner, the risk of dropping extendable nozzle 202 into wash tub 121 may be reduced or eliminated. In addition, a user may move extendable nozzle 202 to the extended position and then be free to use two hands underneath extendable nozzle 202 (e.g., to, scrub, work, or otherwise clean an article of clothing). In order to further facilitate easy cleaning of articles of clothing, according to exemplary embodiments, extendable nozzle 202 may include one or more lights, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), positioned on (e.g., directly or indirectly on) extendable nozzle 202 and configured for illuminating when extendable nozzle 202 is moved toward the extended position.
According to the illustrated embodiments of
Referring again to
As shown in
User input button 270 may be any button or switch suitable for providing an indication to controller 108 that a particular action should be initiated. For example, buttons 270 may be push button switches, toggle switches, rocker switches, or any other suitable tactile switch, such as capacitive touch buttons. According to the illustrated embodiments, buttons 270 are momentary switches (sometimes referred to as mom-off-mom switches). In this regard, buttons 270 are biased switches that return to their unlatched or unpressed state when released (e.g., by spring force).
It should be appreciated that the amount of water or wash fluid added to wash tub 121 upon pressing buttons 270 may vary depending on the application or wash cycle. Similarly, the amount of water delivered may be preset such that pressing buttons 270 delivers the predetermined amount of water. Alternatively, valves 272 may be configured to remain open at all times when corresponding buttons 270 are depressed. In this manner, a user may precisely control the amount of water added to wash tub 121.
In some embodiments, a supplemental heater 370 is included within washing machine appliance 100 to selectively heat water or wash fluid therein. For example, supplemental heater 370 may be positioned in thermal communication with the flow of water or wash fluid to extendable nozzle 202 (e.g., downstream from valve assembly 206). Moreover, supplemental heater 370 may be in operable communication with (e.g., electrically connected to) controller 108. Generally, supplemental heater 370 may be or include any suitable heating element for selectively heating water or wash fluid within nozzle assembly 200. For instance, in exemplary embodiments, supplemental heater 370 includes a resistive heating element. Optionally, the resistive heating element of supplemental heater 370 may be positioned along the flow path of water or wash fluid between valve assembly 206 and nozzle outlet 314 (
In certain embodiments, supplemental heater 370 is positioned on (e.g., in direct or indirect conductive thermal communication or contact with) retractable fluid supply conduit 204. In additional or alternative embodiments, supplemental heater 370 is positioned above tub 121, notably supplying heat proximal to nozzle outlet 314 (
As shown, for example in
In certain embodiments, a first temperature sensor 372 is positioned downstream from the valve assembly 206. First temperature sensor 372 may thus detect the temperature (e.g., directly or indirectly) of water or wash fluid downstream from valve assembly 206. Additionally or alternatively, first temperature sensor 372 may be positioned upstream from supplemental heater 370, such that first temperature sensor 372 can detect the temperature of water or wash fluid upstream from supplemental heater 370. For instance, first temperature sensor 372 may be positioned on or along fluid conduit 204. As an example, as shown in
In optional embodiments, a second temperature sensor 374 is positioned downstream from the valve assembly 206, as well as supplemental heater 370, while remaining upstream from nozzle outlet 314 (
Referring now to
At 910, the method 900 includes receiving a first temperature signal from the first temperature sensor. As noted above, the first temperature sensor may be positioned along the flow path of water or wash fluid between the nozzle assembly and the supplemental heater. Thus, the signal received at 910 may correspond to or otherwise indicate the temperature of water or wash fluid downstream from the nozzle assembly and upstream from the supplemental heater.
Prior or subsequent to 910, the method 900 may include directing a flow of water or wash fluid from valve assembly. The flow may be generally directed at a targeted temperature (i.e., a desired or suitable temperature for water or wash fluid flowing from the extendable nozzle). Thus, the method 900 may include controlling or directing valve assembly to flow water (e.g., a volume of water) from the cold water source or hot water source, depending on the target temperature.
At 920, the method 900 includes comparing the first temperature signal to a predetermined temperature value. Generally, the predetermined temperature value may correspond to a minimum suitable temperature based on the desired water or wash flow temperature from the extendable nozzle. For example, the predetermined temperature value may be equal to the target temperature. Thus, the predetermined temperature value may be selected according to one or more user inputs. Moreover, the predetermined temperature value may correspond to the temperature below which a cold water slug may be considered present.
If the first temperature signal indicates a temperature value that is greater than the predetermined temperature value, the method 900 may repeat or continue receiving temperature signals from the first temperature sensor, as at 910. Optionally, the supplemental heater may maintained in an inactive or deactivated state such that no heat is generated at the supplemental heater when the first temperature signal is greater than the predetermined temperature value.
In optional embodiments, 920 further includes initiating a visual signal (e.g., at the electronic indicator display) in response to the first temperature signal being greater than the predetermined temperature value. A separate or unique visual signal may be initiated (e.g., at the electronic indicator display) in response to the first temperature signal being less than or equal to the predetermined temperature value.
If the first temperature signal indicates a temperature value that is less than or equal to the predetermined temperature value, the method 900 may proceed to 930.
At 930, the method 900 includes increasing heat output of the supplemental heater. For instance, 930 may include activating the supplemental heater in response to the first temperature signal being less than or equal to the predetermined temperature value. Activation of the supplemental heater will generally cause heat or thermal energy to be generated and output by the supplemental heater. That output heat will be received, at least in part, by water or wash fluid within the nozzle assembly (e.g., upstream from the extendable nozzle).
At 940, the method 900 includes receiving a second temperature signal from the first temperature sensor (e.g., subsequent to receiving the first temperature signal at 910). The received second temperature signal may thus provide an indication of the change in water or wash fluid temperature from the valve assembly over a set period of time.
At 950, the method 900 includes comparing the second temperature signal to the predetermined temperature value. If the second temperature signal indicates a temperature value that is less than or equal to the predetermined temperature value, the method 900 may repeat or continue receiving temperature signals from the first temperature sensor, as at 940. The supplemental heater may remain active, directing heat to the water or wash fluid within nozzle assembly. Moreover, new temperature signals may be continuously received (e.g., from the first temperature sensor). If the water or wash fluid within the nozzle assembly is never determined to exceed the predetermined temperature value, the supplemental heater may remain active for the entire flow operation (e.g., until a user ends the flow operation entirely). In optional embodiments, 950 further includes initiating or continuing the visual signal (e.g., at the electronic indicator display), thus indicating that the temperature value is less than or equal to the predetermined temperature value. If the first temperature signal indicates a temperature value that is greater than the predetermined temperature value, the method 900 may proceed to 960.
At 960, the method 900 includes reducing a heat output of the supplemental heater in response to the second temperature signal being greater than the predetermined temperature value. For instance, the supplemental heater may be deactivated such that no further heat is generated from the supplemental heater. Alternatively, the supplemental heater may be placed in a reduced heat output setting, thereby lowering the amount of heat generated and directed to water or wash fluid within the nozzle assembly.
Optionally, one or more supplementary temperature signals may be received from the second temperature sensor (e.g., simultaneously or subsequently to 940). Such supplementary temperature signals may be similarly compared to a temperature value (e.g., the predetermined temperature value). If it is determined that a supplementary temperature signal is greater than, for example, the predetermined temperature value, the method 900 may include reducing the heat output of the supplemental heater, regardless of the comparison at 950.
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.
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