Patent Application
20190177897
The present subject matter relates generally to washing machine appliances and more particularly to washing machine features and methods for improved soaking of articles therein.
Washing machine appliances generally include a tub contained within a cabinet for containing water or wash fluid (e.g., water and detergent, bleach, fabric softener, 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, a 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 (e.g., clothes) within the wash chamber, to wring wash fluid from articles within the wash chamber, etc.
In some instances, it may be desirable to temporarily stop or pause a wash cycle of a washing machine appliance. For instance, during or after a fill operation in which water fills the tub, it may be useful for the appliance to hold water or wash fluid within the tub instead of allowing the washing machine to continue with the next step of the wash cycle. By allowing the tub to hold the wash fluid within the tub, articles within the wash chamber may soak for an extended period, which may serve to lift stains or foreign objects that have accumulated on the articles. Existing systems typically require a user to manually start and end any such operations. Thus, a specific button may be provided for a user to manually pause and resume a wash cycle. Alternatively, in some existing appliances (e.g., certain vertical axis washing machine appliances), a user may be required to manually lift a lid of the washing machine, thus uncovering the wash chamber and forcing the appliance to stop any wash cycle being performed.
However, problems often arise with using existing appliances or methods to temporarily stop or pause a wash cycle. For instance, articles within the tub must usually stagnate (i.e., remain static) during the pause. Although some articles may be submersed in the wash fluid within the tub, other articles may be held above the “water line” of wash fluid within the tub. Thus, certain articles may begin to dry out as fluid drains or evaporates from those articles. This problem may be especially pronounced in so-called “high-efficiency” washing machine appliances, which generally minimize the use of large volumes of water. Another problem that may arise is that any additives (e.g., detergent, bleach, fabric softener) within the tub may begin to settle or separate from water or the rest of the wash fluid within the tub.
Therefore, there is a need for improved washing machine appliances. In particular, it would be advantageous to provide a washing machine appliance or method of operation addressing one or more of the above-described problems with temporarily pausing a wash cycle.
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 washing machine appliance is provided. The method may include receiving a wash signal from a user interface. The method may also include initiating a wash cycle in response to receiving the wash signal, the wash cycle comprising flowing a volume of liquid into a tub of the washing machine appliance. The method may further include receiving a pause signal from the user interface while the volume of liquid is within the tub. The method may still further halting the wash cycle for a pause period in response to receiving the pause signal. The method may still further include agitating articles and the volume of liquid within the basket during the pause period. The method may additionally include resuming the wash cycle following agitating articles.
In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a washing machine appliance is provided. The washing machine appliance may include a cabinet, a user interface, a tub, a rotation element, a motor, and a controller. The user interface may be mounted to the cabinet. The tub may be housed within the cabinet. The rotation element may be rotatably mounted within the tub. The motor may be in mechanical communication with the rotation element to selectively rotate the rotation element within the tub. The controller may be in operative communication with the motor and the user interface. The controller may be configured to initiate a washing operation. The washing operation may include receiving a wash signal from the user interface, initiating a wash cycle in response to receiving the wash signal, flowing a volume of liquid into the tub during the wash cycle, receiving a pause signal from the user interface while the volume of liquid is within the tub, halting the wash cycle for a pause period in response to receiving the pause signal, agitating articles and the volume of liquid with the tub during the pause period, and resuming the wash cycle following agitating articles.
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”), except as otherwise indicated.
Turning now to the figures,
A lid 62 is mounted to cover 54 and is rotatable about a hinge (not shown) between an open position (not shown) facilitating access to a basket 70 within a wash tub 64 located within cabinet 52, and a closed position (shown in
As illustrated in
Generally, appliance 50 defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L and a transverse direction T when mounted in a level position. As illustrated, the vertical direction V is perpendicular to a level support surface on which the cabinet 52 is mounted. Moreover, the vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system.
Tub 64 includes a bottom wall 66 and a sidewall 68, and basket 70 is rotatably mounted within wash tub 64. A pump assembly 72 is located beneath tub 64 and basket 70 for gravity assisted flow when draining tub 64. Pump assembly 72 includes a pump 74 and a motor 76. A pump inlet hose 80 extends from a wash tub outlet 82 in tub bottom wall 66 to a pump inlet 84, and a pump outlet hose 86 extends from a pump outlet 88 to an appliance washing machine water outlet 90 and ultimately to a building plumbing system discharge line (not shown) in flow communication with outlet 90.
A hot liquid valve 102 and a cold liquid valve 104 deliver fluid, such as water, to basket 70 and wash tub 64 through a respective hot liquid hose 106 and cold liquid hose 108. Liquid valves 102, 104 and liquid hoses 106, 108 together form a liquid supply connection for washing machine appliance 50 and, when connected to a building plumbing system (not shown), provide a fresh water supply for use in washing machine appliance 50. Liquid valves 102, 104 and liquid hoses 106, 108 are connected to a basket inlet tube 110, and fluid is dispersed from inlet tube 110 through a nozzle assembly 112 having a number of openings therein to direct washing liquid into basket 70 at a given trajectory and velocity. A dispenser (not shown in
In some embodiments, an agitation element 116, such as a vane agitator, impeller, auger, or oscillatory basket mechanism, or some combination thereof is disposed in basket 70 to impart an oscillatory motion to articles and liquid in basket 70. In various exemplary embodiments, agitation element 116 may be a single action element (oscillatory only), double action (oscillatory movement at one end, single direction rotation at the other end) or triple action (oscillatory movement plus single direction rotation at one end, single direction rotation at the other end). As illustrated in
In some embodiments, basket 70 and agitator 116 are driven by a motor 120 (i.e., rotated about the vertical axis 118) through a transmission and clutch system 122. The motor 120 drives shaft 126 to rotate basket 70 within wash tub 64. Clutch system 122 facilitates driving engagement of basket 70 and agitation element 116 for rotatable movement within wash tub 64, and clutch system 122 facilitates relative rotation of basket 70 and agitation element 116 for selected phases of a wash cycle. Motor 120 and transmission and clutch system 122 collectively are referenced herein as a motor assembly 148.
As illustrated, basket 70, tub 64, and motor assembly 148 may be supported by a vibration damping suspension system 92. The damping suspension system 92 can include a plurality of damping elements, such as piston-casing damping elements, coupled to the wash tub 64. The damping suspension system 92 can include other elements, such as a balance ring 94 disposed around the upper circumferential surface of the wash basket 70. The balance ring 94 can be used to counterbalance an out of balance condition for the wash machine as the basket 70 rotates within the wash tub 64. The wash basket 70 could also include a balance ring 96 located at a lower circumferential surface of the wash basket 70. During washing operations, damping suspension system 92 generally function to dampen dynamic motion as the wash basket 70 rotates within the wash tub 64.
Operation of washing machine appliance 50 is generally controlled by a controller 150 that is operatively coupled (e.g., electrically coupled or wirelessly coupled) to the user interface located on washing machine backsplash 56 (
Controller 150 may include a memory (e.g., non-transitory storage media) and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a washing operation (including a wash 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 (e.g., as software). The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 150 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 58 and other components of washing machine appliance 50 (such as motor assembly 148, measurement devices 130, pump assembly 72, heating element 160, etc.) may be coupled to, or otherwise in communication with, controller 150 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses to provide signals to or receive signals from the controller 150.
Optionally, a measurement device 130 may be included with controller 150. Moreover, measurement devices 130 may include a microprocessor that performs the calculations specific to the measurement of motion with the calculation results being used by controller 150. Additionally or alternatively, measurement device 130 may include one or more sensors (e.g., temperature sensors, such as a thermistor, thermocouple, etc.) configured to detect a temperature of water or wash fluid within tub 64, as is generally understood.
In an illustrative embodiment, articles (e.g., laundry items) are loaded into basket 70, and washing operation (including a wash cycle) is initiated through operator manipulation of control input selectors 60 (shown in
Additionally or alternatively, the rotation element may include basket 70, which may be rotated about the vertical axis 118. In some such embodiments, basket 70 is rotated back and forth in an oscillatory back and forth motion. In particular, basket 70 may be rotated clockwise a specified amount about the vertical axis 118 of the machine, and then rotated counterclockwise by a specified amount. The clockwise/counterclockwise reciprocating motion may be referred to as a stroke, and the agitation phase of the wash cycle constitutes a number of strokes in sequence. Acceleration and deceleration of basket 70 during the strokes imparts mechanical energy to articles in basket 70 for cleansing action. The strokes may be obtained in different embodiments with a reversing motor, a reversible clutch, or other known reciprocating mechanism.
In some embodiments, after the agitation phase of the wash cycle is completed, tub 64 is drained with pump assembly 72. Laundry items are then rinsed (e.g., as part of a rinse phase). Upon being rinsed, basket 70 may be rotated in a spin phase. Subsequently, portions of the cycle may be repeated, including the agitation phase and the rinse phase, depending on the particulars of the wash cycle selected by a user.
In certain embodiments, the wash cycle of a washing operation may be temporarily paused. In other words, the preset sequence of phases may be interrupted such that the appliance 50 is prevented from continuing with the initiated wash cycle (e.g., as part of a pause period for a predetermined amount of time). As an example, after the tub 64 is filled with a volume of liquid (e.g., water or wash fluid), a user may select a pause input selector (e.g., “PAUSE” button—not pictured) from the input selectors 60 on control panel 58 to transmit a pause signal to the controller 150. Subsequently (e.g., in direct response to the pause signal), the controller 150 may interrupt the wash cycle for a pause period. During the pause period, the controller 150 may initiate or direct one or more steps, such as an isolated agitation phase (e.g., separate and independent of the preset phases of the wash cycle).
In optional embodiments, a heating element 160 (e.g., resistive heating element) is mounted within the appliance 50. For instance, heating element 160 may be positioned inside, or otherwise in thermal communication with, wash tub 64. Optionally, heating element 160 may be mounted within a bottom portion (e.g., sump) of wash tub 64 beneath wash basket 70. Moreover, heating element 160 may be in operable communication (e.g., electrical communication or wireless communication) with the controller 150. In turn, controller 150 may selectively activate heating element 160, thereby generating or directing additional heat energy to a volume of liquid within wash tub 64. During certain operations (e.g., during a pause period), heating element 160 may be activated to advantageously maintain liquid within wash tub 64 at a desired temperature.
In additional or alternative embodiments, a recirculation assembly 170 is mounted within the appliance 50. For instance, recirculation assembly 170 may include one or more circulation hoses (e.g., circulation hose 172) in fluid communication with wash tub 64. In turn, a recirculation inlet upstream from a recirculation outlet may selectively receive liquid (e.g., water or wash fluid) from the tub 64 before returning the liquid to the wash tub 64 (i.e., through recirculation outlet). It is noted that although circulation hose 172 is illustrated as providing the returned liquid directly to the wash tub 64 (i.e., providing a recirculation outlet directly upstream from wash tub 64), additional or alternative embodiments may provide a hose outlet or nozzle above basket 70, such that returned liquid is provided directly from circulation hose 172 to basket 70. In other words, a recirculation outlet of circulation hose 172 may be positioned above and directly upstream of basket 70. Additionally or alternatively, circulation hose 172 may be in fluid communication with nozzle assembly 112 such that returned liquid is provided from circulation hose 172 to basket 70 through nozzle assembly 112. Optionally, pump assembly 72 (in addition or alternative to or one or more valves) may selectively flow fluid from wash tub 64 to a circulation hose 172 (e.g., instead of outlet hose 86), as directed by controller 150. During certain operations (e.g., during a pause period), recirculation assembly 170 may advantageously recirculate fluid within wash tub 64 to maintain liquid within wash tub 64 at desired state (e.g., a desired suspension of wash fluid within water).
Referring now to
Turning specifically to
In certain embodiments, the wash signal includes article type data (e.g., cotton, linen, silk, etc.) for articles within the basket. Thus, various portions of a wash operation, such as agitation (e.g., oscillation speed, oscillation frequency, motor torque, agitation duration, etc.), may be varied according to the specified article type for articles within the basket.
In additional or alternative embodiments, the wash signal includes load size data. For instance, the load size data may include a general estimation of relative size (e.g., small, medium, large, etc.) or may correspond to a specific volume or mass. Thus, various portions of a wash operation, such as agitation (e.g., oscillation speed, oscillation frequency, motor torque, agitation duration, etc.), may be varied according to the specified load size for articles within the basket.
At 320, the method 300 includes initiating a wash cycle in response to receiving the wash signal at 310. In particular, the initiated wash cycle may include flowing a volume of a liquid (e.g., water or wash fluid) into the tub. The liquid may include water, and may further include one or more additives as discussed above. The water may be flowed through the hot liquid hose or cold liquid hose, the basket inlet tube, and nozzle assembly into the tub and onto articles that are disposed in the basket for washing. The volume of liquid may be dependent upon the size of the load of articles and other variables which may, for example, be included in the wash signal received at 310.
As described above, the wash cycle may further include draining the tub such that the volume of liquid is evacuated by the pump. Additionally or alternatively, the wash cycle may further include one or more predetermined phases (e.g., a separate and sequential agitation phase, rinse phase, and spin phase). Each predetermined phase is generally set or programmed according to the wash signal received at 310. In turn, the predetermined phases may follow a predetermined order associated with the particular wash cycle of 320.
At 330, the method 300 includes receiving a pause signal from the user interface. In particular, the pause signal may be received while the volume of liquid is within the tub (e.g., during the wash cycle of 320). The pause signal may be transmitted from the control panel, for instance. In some such embodiments, an associated input selector (e.g., “PAUSE” button) on the control panel may be engaged or depressed by the user. In additional or alternative embodiments, the associated input selector may be provided at a secondary device in wireless communication with the controller. In further additional or alternative embodiments, a user may lift the lid (i.e., such that the lid is moved from the closed position to the open position). A lid switch in operable communication (e.g., mechanical communication) with the lid may detect that the lid has been moved from the closed position, and may transmit a corresponding pause signal in response.
At 340, the method 300 may include halting the wash cycle for a pause period in response to receiving the pause signal. Thus, receiving the pause signal may initiate the halting of the wash cycle at 340 (e.g., for the duration of the pause period immediately following receipt of the pause signal). In some embodiments, 340 includes stopping or preventing the flow of liquid or wash fluid into the tub. Furthermore, 340 may include holding the volume of liquid or wash fluid within the washing machine appliance. In other words, the pump may be prevented from draining or otherwise motivating the volume of liquid or wash fluid out of the washing machine appliance through the outlet hose. In addition, the sequence of the wash cycle (i.e., the progression to sequential predetermined phases) may be interrupted.
During the pause period, controller may be restricted from advancing to the predetermined agitation phase, rinse phase, spin phase, etc. In some embodiments, the pause period is a predetermined time period. In other words, the pause period may be a defined subset of time (e.g., 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, etc.) that begins to run at 340 (e.g., upon halting the wash cycle). Optionally, the pause period may be ended or cut short (e.g., before the expiration of the defined subset of time) in response to a subsequently-received signal, such as resume signal received from the user interface, as will be further described below.
At 350, the method 300 includes agitating articles and the volume of liquid within the basket during the pause period. Although the washing machine appliance is prevented from advancing to the predetermined agitation phase, 350 may provide agitation to the articles while they remain in the basket for the pause period. For instance, articles within the basket may be oscillated in an alternating clockwise/counterclockwise motion, as described above. Advantageously, articles within the basket may be prevented from drying out or otherwise losing moisture during the pause period. Optionally, 350 may only begin after the expiration of a sub-period that is initiated at 340. Thus, the sub-period may expire in the time between when 340 is initiated and when 350 is initiated.
In some embodiments, 350 includes rotating (e.g., oscillating) the basket within the tub. In additional or alternative embodiments, 350 includes rotating (e.g., oscillating) the agitation element within the basket. In optional embodiments, 350 is based on the wash signal received at 310. For instance, the wash signal may include one or more conditions or data that are either manually specified at the user interface or automatically determined by the controller after a user engages one or more input selectors. Moreover, the speed of rotation (e.g., oscillation), frequency of oscillation, torque applied at the motor, or duration of agitation may be contingent upon data (e.g., article type, load size, etc.) included in the wash signal. In certain embodiments, the method 300 includes determining a basket pause speed based on the wash signal. The basket pause speed may generally specify the speed at which the associated motor will rotate (e.g., oscillate) the basket or agitation element. Thus, 350 may include rotating the motor at the determined basket pause speed.
In some embodiments, the method 300 includes directing one or more treatment actions within the washing machine appliance during the pause period. As an example, some embodiments include activating the heating element during the pause period. Advantageously, the heating element may ensure the liquid within the tub is maintained at a desired temperature (e.g., the temperature at which it was introduced to the tub) for the duration of the pause period. As another example, some embodiments include motivating the volume of liquid through the recirculation assembly. The liquid may thus be motivated out of the tub (e.g., by the pump) before being returned to the tub (e.g., directly to the tub or to the tub through the basket). Advantageously, additives (e.g., detergent, bleach, etc.) within the liquid may be prevented from settling or separating from the rest of the liquid (e.g., wash fluid).
At 360, the method 300 includes resuming the wash cycle following 350. In other words, after the pause period has ended. In some embodiments, the pause period is ended because the predetermined time period has expired. In other words, the wash cycle may resume upon completion of the predetermined time period. In other embodiments the pause period is cut short by an intervening signal. For instance, the method 300 may include receiving a resume signal after (i.e., subsequent to) receiving the pause signal. The resume signal may be transmitted from the control panel, for instance. In some such embodiments, an associated input selector (e.g., “PAUSE” button) on the control panel or secondary device may be engaged or depressed by the user. In additional or alternative embodiments, a user may return the lid to the closed position. In such embodiments, the lid switch in operable communication (e.g., mechanical communication) may detect that the lid has been returned to the closed position, and may transmit a corresponding resume signal in response.
Turning now to
At 410 of the method 400, the controller receives a pause signal after a wash cycle has been started. In some embodiments, the pause signal is received after a volume of liquid is directed within the tub (e.g., during the wash cycle) and while at least a portion of the volume remains within the tub.
The pause signal may be transmitted from the control panel, for instance. In some such embodiments, an associated input selector (e.g., “PAUSE” button) on the control panel may be engaged or depressed by the user. In additional or alternative embodiments, the associated input selector may be provided at a secondary device in wireless communication with the controller. In further additional or alternative embodiments, a user may lift the lid (i.e., such that the lid is moved from the closed position to the open position). A lid switch in operable communication (e.g., mechanical communication) may detect that the lid has been moved from the closed position, and may transmit a corresponding pause signal in response.
At 420 of the method 400, the controller halts the wash cycle for a pause period. The halt in the wash cycle may be made while at least a portion of the volume remains within the tub. Moreover, the halt may be performed in response (e.g., direct response) to receiving the pause signal. Thus, receiving the pause signal may initiate the halting of the wash cycle at 420 (e.g., for the duration of the pause period). In turn, the sequence of the wash cycle (i.e., the progression to sequential predetermined phases) may be interrupted. During the pause period, controller may be restricted from advancing to the predetermined agitation phase, rinse phase, and spin phase, as described above.
At 430 of the method 400, the controller initiates a pause period countdown. The countdown may be initiated simultaneous to or in tandem with the halting of the wash cycle at 420. In some embodiments, the pause period is a predetermined time period. In other words, the pause period may be a defined subset of time (e.g., 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, etc.) that begins to run at 430 (e.g., upon halting the wash cycle).
At 440 of the method 400, the controller determines if the wash cycle should be resumed. In particular, 440 provides for evaluating whether either (a) the pause period countdown has ended or (b) a resume signal has been received. If one or both of (a) or (b) is true, the wash cycle may be resumed. In other words, the wash cycle may be resumed at the expiration of the pause period, or the pause period may be cut short before the expiration of the predetermined period (e.g., in response to a subsequently-received signal, such as resume signal received from the user interface). If neither (a) nor (b) is true, the method 400 may continue to 450.
At 450 of the method 400, the controller holds the volume of water within the wash appliance. In particular, the pump may be prevented from draining or otherwise motivating the volume of liquid or wash fluid out of the washing machine appliance through the output hose. Additionally or alternatively, 450 may include stopping or preventing the flow of liquid or wash fluid into the tub.
In some embodiments, at 450, the controller activates the heating element to direct heat to the volume of liquid within the appliance. Advantageously, the heating element may ensure the liquid and articles within the tub are maintained at a desired temperature (e.g., the temperature at which it was introduced to the tub) for the duration of the pause period.
In additional or alternative embodiments, at 450, the controller motivates the volume of liquid through the recirculation assembly. The liquid (e.g., wash fluid) may thus be motivated out of the tub (e.g., by the pump) before being returned to the tub (e.g., directly to the tub or to the tub through the basket). Advantageously, additives (e.g., detergent, bleach, etc.) within the liquid may be prevented from settling or separating from the rest of the liquid (e.g., wash fluid).
At 460 of the method 400, the controller agitates the articles within the tub. The rotating element may rotate (e.g., oscillate) within the tub. For example, the motor may be activated to rotate (e.g., oscillate) the basket within the tub. As another example, the motor may be activated to rotate (e.g., oscillate) the agitation element within the basket. In optional embodiments, 460 is based on the wash cycle being paused. For instance, the speed of rotation (e.g., oscillation), frequency of oscillation, torque applied at the motor, or duration of agitation may be contingent upon data (e.g., article type, load size, etc.) included in a wash signal. As described above, the included data may be manually specified at the user interface or automatically determined by the controller after a user engages one or more input selectors. In certain embodiments, the method 400 includes determining a basket pause speed based on the wash signal. The basket pause speed may generally specify the speed at which the associated motor will rotate (e.g., oscillate) the basket or agitation element. Thus, 460 may include rotating the motor at the determined basket pause speed. As 460 is being performed, or following a predetermined agitation period after 460 has been initiated, the method 400 may return to 440 to determine if the wash cycle should be resumed, or if 450 and 460 should be repeated.
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.
