Water supply circuit for a laundry treating appliance

A laundry treating appliance and method of operating a laundry treating appliance includes a treating chamber receiving laundry for treating, a dispenser fluidly coupled to the treating chamber and a faucet. A water supply circuit includes a hot water inlet and a cold water inlet supplying hot water, cold water, or a mixture of hot and cold water to the faucet.

BACKGROUND

Laundry treating appliances, such as washing machines, typically include a rotatable drum defining a treating chamber in which laundry items are placed for treatment according to an automatic cycle of operation implemented by the appliance. Liquid, such as water or a mixture of water and one or more treatment aids, is supplied to the treating chamber during the automatic cycle of operation to treat the laundry. The liquid is collected within a tub surrounding the drum and is either drained from the appliance or recirculated for application to the laundry items.

In some scenarios, it may be desirable to treat a laundry item by hand prior to or instead of treating the laundry item according to an automatic cycle of operation. The laundry treating appliance may include a faucet for dispensing water that is accessible by a user for pre-treating or hand washing a laundry item. The water dispensed by the faucet can be collected in the tub for subsequent draining from the appliance.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a laundry treating appliance and method of operating a laundry treating appliance includes a treating chamber receiving laundry for treatment, a dispenser having at least first and second treating chemistry reservoirs fluidly coupled to the treating chamber, and a faucet. A water supply circuit includes a hot water inlet and a cold water supply supplying at least one of hot or cold water to the first and second treating chemistry reservoirs and hot water, cold water, or a mixture of hot and cold water to the faucet.

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a schematic view of a laundry treating appliance according to a first embodiment. The laundry treating appliance may be any appliance which performs a cycle of operation to clean or otherwise treat items placed therein, non-limiting examples of which include a horizontal or vertical axis clothes washer or washing machine; a combination washing machine and dryer; a tumbling or stationary refreshing/revitalizing machine; an extractor; a non-aqueous washing apparatus; and a revitalizing machine.

As used herein, the term “vertical axis” washing machine refers to a washing machine having a rotatable drum that rotates about a generally vertical axis relative to a surface that supports the washing machine. However, the rotational axis need not be perfectly vertical to the surface. The drum may rotate about an axis inclined relative to the vertical axis, with fifteen degrees of inclination being one example of the inclination. Similar to the vertical axis washing machine, the term “horizontal axis” washing machine refers to a washing machine having a rotatable drum that rotates about a generally horizontal axis relative to a surface that supports the washing machine. The drum may rotate about the axis inclined relative to the horizontal axis, with fifteen degrees of inclination being one example of the inclination.

FIG. 1is a schematic view of a laundry treating appliance in the form of a vertical axis washing machine. While aspects of the present disclosure are described in the context of a vertical axis washing machine, it will be understood that the embodiments may be used with a horizontal axis washing machine in a similar manner. Still referring toFIG. 1, the laundry treating appliance is illustrated as a washing machine10, which may include a structural support system comprising a cabinet12which defines a housing within which a laundry holding system resides. The cabinet12may be a housing having a chassis and/or a frame, defining an interior enclosing components typically found in a conventional washing machine, such as motors, pumps, fluid lines, controls, sensors, transducers, and the like. Such components will not be described further herein except as necessary for a complete understanding of the aspects of the present disclosure.

The laundry holding system comprises a tub14supported within the cabinet12by a suitable suspension system and a drum16provided within the tub14, the drum16defining at least a portion of a laundry treating chamber18. The drum16may include a plurality of perforations (not shown) such that liquid may flow between the tub14and the drum16through the perforations. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure for the laundry holding system to comprise only a tub with the tub defining the laundry treating chamber. A rotatable clothes mover20may be provided within the treating chamber18for imparting mechanical energy to the laundry items during a cycle of operation. The clothes mover20may be an agitator, impeller, nutator, or the like for imparting mechanical energy to the laundry items. The laundry holding system may further include a door24which may be movably mounted to the cabinet12to selectively close both the tub14and the drum16.

The washing machine10may further include a liquid supply system for supplying water to the washing machine10for use in treating laundry during a cycle of operation. The liquid supply system may be fluidly coupled to a source of water, such as a household water supply40, through separate valves42and44for controlling the flow of hot and cold water, respectively. Water may be supplied through hot and cold water inlet conduits46and48directly to the tub14or to a water supply circuit50for distribution to one or more components of the washing machine10.

The washing machine10may also be provided with a dispensing system for dispensing treating chemistry to the treating chamber18for use in treating the laundry according to a cycle of operation. The dispensing system may include a dispenser52which may be a single use dispenser, a bulk dispenser or a combination of a single and bulk dispenser. Non-limiting examples of suitable dispensers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,196,441 to Hendrickson et al., filed Jul. 1, 2008, entitled “Household Cleaning Appliance with a Dispensing System Operable Between a Single Use Dispensing System and a Bulk Dispensing System,” U.S. Pat. No. 8,388,695 to Hendrickson et al., filed Jul. 1, 2008, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Controlling Laundering Cycle by Sensing Wash Aid Concentration,” U.S. Pat. No. 8,397,328 to Hendrickson et al., filed Jul. 1, 2008, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Controlling Concentration of Wash Aid in Wash Liquid,” U.S. Pat. No. 8,813,526 to Doyle et al., filed Jul. 1, 2008, entitled “Water Flow Paths in a Household Cleaning Appliance with Single Use and Bulk Dispensing,” U.S. Pat. No. 8,397,544 to Hendrickson, filed Jun. 23, 2009, entitled “Household Cleaning Appliance with a Single Water Flow Path for Both Non-Bulk and Bulk Dispensing,” and U.S. Pat. No. 8,438,881, filed Apr. 25, 2011, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Dispensing Treating Chemistry in a Laundry Treating Appliance,” which are herein incorporated by reference in full.

Regardless of the type of dispenser used, the dispenser52may be configured to dispense a treating chemistry directly to the tub14or treating chamber18or mixed with water from the liquid supply system through a suitable dispensing nozzle (not shown). The dispensing nozzle may be configured to dispense the treating chemistry into the tub14or treating chamber18in a desired pattern and under a desired amount of pressure, the details of which are not germane to the present disclosure.

Non-limiting examples of treating chemistries that may be dispensed by the dispensing system during a cycle of operation include one or more of the following: water, enzymes, fragrances, stiffness/sizing agents, wrinkle releasers/reducers, softeners, antistatic or electrostatic agents, stain repellants, water repellants, energy reduction/extraction aids, antibacterial agents, medicinal agents, vitamins, moisturizers, shrinkage inhibitors, and color fidelity agents, and combinations thereof.

The washing machine10may also include a recirculation and drain system for recirculating liquid within the laundry holding system and draining liquid from the washing machine10. Liquid supplied to treating chamber18typically enters a space between the tub14and the drum16and may flow by gravity to a sump60formed in part by a lower portion of the tub14. The sump60may also be formed by a sump conduit62that may fluidly couple the lower portion of the tub14to a pump64. The pump64may direct liquid to a drain conduit66, which may drain the liquid from the washing machine10, or to a recirculation conduit68, which may direct the liquid from the sump60into the drum16. The recirculation conduit68may introduce the liquid into the drum16in any suitable manner, such as by spraying, dripping, or providing a steady flow of liquid. In this manner, liquid provided to the tub14, with or without treating chemistry may be recirculated into the treating chamber18for treating the laundry within.

The liquid supply and/or recirculation and drain system may be provided with a heating system which may include one or more devices for heating laundry and/or liquid supplied to the tub14, the details of which are not germane to the present description. Non-limiting examples of heating systems include a steam generator and a sump heater. Additionally, the liquid supply, recirculation, drain systems may differ from the configuration shown inFIG. 1, such as by inclusion of other valves, conduits, treating chemistry dispensers, sensors, such as water level sensors and temperature sensors, and the like, to control the flow of liquid through the washing machine10and for the introduction of more than one type of treating chemistry.

The washing machine10also includes a drive system for rotating the drum16within the tub14. The drive system may include a motor72, which may be directly coupled with the drum16through a belt74and a drive shaft76to rotate the drum16, as is known in the art. Alternatively, the motor may be a brushless permanent magnet (BPM) motor, an induction motor, or a permanent split capacitor (PSC) motor. The motor72may rotate the drum16at various speeds in either rotational direction.

The washing machine10also includes a control system for controlling the operation of the washing machine10to implement one or more cycles of operation. The control system may include a controller96located within the cabinet12and a user interface98that is operably coupled with the controller96. The user interface98may include one or more knobs, dials, switches, displays, touch screens and the like for communicating with the user, such as to receive input and provide output. The user may enter different types of information including, without limitation, cycle selection and cycle parameters, such as cycle options.

The controller96may include the machine controller and any additional controllers provided for controlling any of the components of the washing machine10. For example, the controller96may include the machine controller and a motor controller. Many known types of controllers may be used for the controller96. It is contemplated that the controller is a microprocessor-based controller that implements control software and sends/receives one or more electrical signals to/from each of the various working components to effect the control software. As an example, proportional control (P), proportional integral control (PI), and proportional derivative control (PD), or a combination thereof, a proportional integral derivative control (PID control), may be used to control the various components.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the controller96may be provided with a memory105and a central processing unit (CPU)102. The memory105may be used for storing the control software that is executed by the CPU102in completing a cycle of operation using the washing machine10and any additional software. Examples, without limitation, of cycles of operation include: wash, heavy duty wash, delicate wash, quick wash, pre-wash, refresh, rinse only, and timed wash. The memory105may also be used to store information, such as a database or table, and to store data received from one or more components of the washing machine10that may be communicably coupled with the controller96. The database or table may be used to store the various operating parameters for the one or more cycles of operation, including factory default values for the operating parameters and any adjustments to them by the control system or by user input.

The controller96may be operably coupled with one or more components of the washing machine10for communicating with and controlling the operation of the component to complete a cycle of operation. For example, the controller96may be operably coupled with the motor72, the pump64, the dispenser52, a steam generator, and a sump heater to control the operation of these and other components to implement one or more of the cycles of operation.

The controller96may also be coupled with one or more sensors104provided in one or more of the systems of the washing machine10to receive input from the sensors, which are known in the art and not shown for simplicity. Non-limiting examples of sensors104that may be communicably coupled with the controller96include: a treating chamber temperature sensor, a moisture sensor, a weight sensor, a chemical sensor, a position sensor and a motor torque sensor, which may be used to determine a variety of system and laundry characteristics, such as laundry load inertia or mass.

Referring now toFIG. 3, the water supply circuit50includes a faucet106configured to selectively dispense water for use independent of a cycle of operation. The faucet106is fluidly coupled with the household water supply40for dispensing water into the treating chamber18in a manner that is accessible to a user of the washing machine10when the door24is opened. The faucet106may be supported by at least one of the cabinet12and/or the tub14and is configured to dispense the water through an open top of the tub14and the drum16and into the treating chamber18. The faucet106is configured to supply a flow of water for use in treating a laundry item independent from an automatic cycle of operation implemented by the washing machine10. For example, a user may wish to rinse a laundry item before washing in an automatic cycle of operation or hand wash the item. The faucet106may be configured to supply a flow of water as a stream, a spray, a drip, or any other suitable flow pattern. The faucet106may supply a fixed flow pattern of water or be configured to allow a user to select a desired flow pattern.

Referring now toFIG. 4, an exemplary water supply circuit50is illustrated. The water supply circuit50can be fluidly coupled with the household water supply40for selectively providing hot and/or cold water to the dispenser52or to the faucet106. The water supply circuit50can include a hot water supply conduit110, a first cold water supply conduit112, and a second cold water supply conduit114. The hot water supply conduit110and the first cold water supply conduit112can be fluidly coupled with the faucet106and at least a first treating chemistry reservoir120of the dispenser52to supply water at a predetermined temperature to the faucet106and/or the first treating chemistry reservoir120. The second cold water supply conduit114can be coupled with a second treating chemistry reservoir122of the dispenser52and/or directly to the tub14to provide cold water to the second treating chemistry reservoir122and/or the tub14.

In the example embodiment illustrated inFIG. 4, the first treating chemistry reservoir120can be a detergent dispenser and the second treating chemistry reservoir122can be configured to dispense an optional treatment aid, such as a fabric softener, a whitener, or a pre-treatment aid. Alternatively, the second cold water conduit114can be fluidly coupled with the tub14rather than the second treating chemistry reservoir122and the second treating chemistry reservoir122may be an optional component. In another example, additional cold water supply conduits can be provided for supplying cold water to one or more additional or alternative components of the washing machine10, non-limiting examples of which include additional dispenser components and a steam generator. While the embodiment ofFIG. 4is described in the context of a dispenser52having a first treating chemistry reservoir120and a second treating chemistry reservoir122, respectively, it will be understood that the water supply circuit50can be used in a similar manner with a dispenser having only a single reservoir or more than two reservoirs.

The water supply circuit50can include a diverter valve130fluidly coupled with the hot water supply conduit110and the first cold water supply conduit112. The diverter valve130is configured to selectively supply hot and/or cold water to the faucet106through a faucet supply conduit132and/or the first treating chemistry reservoir120through a detergent supply conduit134. The controller96can be operably coupled to the diverter valve130to control the flow of water to the faucet106and the first treating chemistry reservoir120. For example, the controller96can control the diverter valve130to supply water to the first treating chemistry reservoir120according to a selected cycle of operation. In another example, the controller96can control the diverter valve130to supply water to the faucet106independent of a cycle of operation, at the request of a user.

The water supply circuit50can include additional optional components for controlling the flow of water through the system. For example, each of the hot water supply conduit110and first and second cold water supply conduits112and114can include a flow restrictor140to control a flow rate of water through each conduit. Flow restrictors140can be configured to provide the same or a different flow rate through each of the hot water supply conduit110and first and second cold water supply conduits112and114. The faucet supply conduit132can optionally include a flow restrictor142, which may be the same or different than the flow restrictor140. Fewer or additional flow restrictors may be used as desired. In one example, the flow restrictor142is configured to provide a slower flow rate than the flow restrictors140on the hot water supply conduit110and first and second cold water supply conduits112,114. In another example, the hot water supply conduit110and first and second cold water supply conduits112,114are restricted to a flow rate of about 8 liters per minute and the faucet supply conduit132is restricted to a flow rate of about 1 liter per minute.

One or more check valves144may optionally be included, as desired, to prevent water from back flowing to the hot and cold water valves42,44. For example, check valves144may be included on the hot water supply conduit110and the first cold water supply conduit112.

One or more temperature sensors (not shown) may be provided for determining a temperature of the water supplied to the faucet106and/or the first treating chemistry reservoir120. The temperature sensor may be any suitable type of sensor for determining a temperature of the water flowing the supply conduits. Non-limiting examples of temperature sensors include various types of thermocouples, thermometers, or a mechanical thermostats, such as a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor or a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor. The temperature sensor(s) may be communicably coupled with the controller96to provide information to the controller96regarding the temperature of the water flowing through the associated conduit. The controller96may be programmed to receive the temperature information as input to a data table or algorithm for determining a ratio of hot and cold water to supply from the household water supply40to provide water at a predetermined temperature. The controller96may be programmed to control the hot water supply valve42and the cold water supply valve44to provide the desired ratio of hot and cold water.

In one example, controller96is programmed to control the hot water supply valve42and the cold water supply valve44to provide water to the first treating chemistry reservoir120at a predetermined temperature according to an automatic cycle of operation selected by the user through the user interface98. In another example, the controller96is programmed to control the hot water supply valve42and the cold water valve44to provide water to the faucet106at a predetermined temperature selected by the user through the user interface98. In still another example, the controller96is programmed to supply water to either or both of the first treating chemistry reservoir120and the faucet106at a predetermined temperature based on input received through the user interface98.

The water supply circuit50allows a user to utilize the faucet106to dispense hot, cold, or warm water (a mixture of hot and cold water) independent of an automatic cycle of operation implemented by the washing machine10. In this manner, the faucet106can be used to pre-treat, rinse, or hand-wash a laundry item, for example. The water supply circuit50also supplies hot, cold, or warm water to the dispensing system for use in implementing a selected automatic cycle of operation.

Still referring toFIG. 4, a user can select an automatic cycle of operation through the user interface98and the controller96is configured to control the components of the washing machine10to implement the selected cycle of operation. When the selected cycle of operation calls for water to be supplied to the first treating chemistry reservoir120, the controller96controls the hot water supply valve42to supply hot water to the hot water supply conduit110and/or controls the cold water valve44to supply cold water to the first cold water supply conduit112.

If the selected automatic cycle of operation calls for only cold water to be supplied to the first treating chemistry reservoir120, then only the cold water valve44is actuated. If the selected automatic cycle of operation calls for only hot water to be supplied to the first treating chemistry reservoir120, then only the hot water supply valve42is actuated. If the selected automatic cycle of operation calls for warm water, both the hot water supply valve42and the cold water valve44are actuated. The controller96can be programmed to control the ratio of hot and cold water according to a predetermined algorithm and/or based on data received from a temperature sensor configured to determine the temperature of water supplied to the first treating chemistry reservoir120.

The hot and/or cold water flows through the hot water supply conduit110and/or the first cold water supply conduit112to the diverter valve130. The controller96can control the diverter valve130to direct the water to the detergent supply conduit134through which the water is ultimately supplied to the first treating chemistry reservoir120for use during the selected automatic cycle of operation. The diverter valve130is configured to allow the hot and cold water to mix prior to supplying the water to the detergent supply conduit134. When the selected automatic cycle of operation calls for water to be supplied to the second treating chemistry reservoir122, the controller96actuates the cold water valve44to supply water to the second cold water supply conduit114, which supplies the cold water to the second treating chemistry reservoir122.

Still referring toFIG. 4, to use the faucet106, the user provides input to the controller96through the user interface98(FIG. 1) to actuate the faucet106. The user interface98can include a touch screen, push button, knob, or dial which the user can manipulate to turn the faucet106on and off independent of selecting an automatic cycle of operation. Optionally, the user interface98can be configured to receive input regarding a desired temperature of water to be dispensed by the faucet106. The user interface98can be configured to allow the user to select a desired temperature within a predetermined range of temperatures or to select a temperature from a set of predetermined options, such as hot, cold, and warm. The controller96can be programmed to control the ratio of hot and cold water according to a predetermined algorithm and/or based on data received from a temperature sensor configured to determine the temperature of water supplied to the faucet106.

To supply water to the faucet106, the controller96controls the hot water supply valve42to supply hot water to the hot water supply conduit110and/or controls the cold water valve44to supply cold water to the first cold water supply conduit112based on the temperature selected by the user. The controller96actuates the diverter valve130to supply water flowing through the hot water supply conduit110and/or the first cold water supply conduit112to the faucet supply conduit132, which is subsequently dispensed through the faucet106. The optional flow restrictor142can be configured to restrict the flow rate of the dispensed water to a flow rate that is suitable for use in hand treating laundry items. The use of the water supply circuit50with the diverter valve130allows a user to selectively dispense water through the faucet106, independent of operating the washing machine10to implement a selected automatic cycle of operation.

The controller96can be configured to automatically stop the supply of water to the faucet106or to manually stop the supply of water based on input received through the user interface98. In one example, the supply of water to the faucet106may be stopped after a predetermined period of time has elapsed and/or after a predetermined amount of water has been dispensed. The controller96can also be configured to actuate the pump64to drain the water dispensed by the faucet106and collected in the tub14. The pump64can be actuated automatically when the faucet106is actuated. In another example, the pump64can be actuated based on an amount of water dispensed by the faucet106. For example, a water level sensor may be configured to detect a level of water in the tub/sump area and the controller96may be configured to actuate the pump64based on the detected level of water. In another example, the pump64can be actuated after a predetermined period of time has elapsed or after a predetermined amount of water has been dispensed by the faucet106.

FIG. 5illustrates another embodiment of a liquid supply system for supplying liquid to the dispenser52and the faucet106that includes a water supply circuit250. The water supply circuit250utilizes a different configuration of supply conduits and valves to selectively provide water to the faucet106without the use of the multi-way diverter valve130ofFIG. 4. Therefore, elements of the water supply circuit250that are similar to the water supply circuit50are labeled with similar part numbers increased by 200. The water supply circuit250may be used with the washing machine10to selectively supply water to the faucet106.

The liquid supply system includes hot water valve242and first and second cold water valves244aand244bcontrolling a flow of hot and cold water, respectively, from the household water supply40. The hot water valve242controls the flow of hot water from the household water supply40to a mixing chamber330through the hot water supply conduit310. The first cold water valve244ais coupled with the first cold water supply conduit312to supply cold water to the mixing chamber330. The second cold water valve244bis coupled with the second cold water supply conduit314and supplies cold water to the second treating chemistry reservoir122.

As described above with respect to the water supply circuit50ofFIG. 4, the water supply circuit250can optionally include one or more flow restrictors and/or check valves to control the flow of water through the water supply circuit250. For example, the hot water supply conduit310, the first cold water supply conduit312, and the second cold water supply conduit314can each include a flow restrictor340limiting the flow rate of water through each of the supply conduits310,312, and314. Each of the flow restrictors340may restrict the flow rate of water to the same or different flow rates, as needed. One or more check valves344can also be provided to prevent water from back flowing to the hot and cold water valves242,244a, and/or244b. The water supply circuit250may include additional or fewer flow restrictors and/or check valves based on the intended use of the water supply circuit250.

The mixing chamber330is fluidly coupled with a supply conduit333supplying water to the faucet supply conduit332and fluidly coupled with the detergent supply conduit334for supplying water to the first treating chemistry reservoir120. The mixing chamber330may be configured as a mixing valve or a chamber defining a space within which water supplied from the hot and first cold water supply conduits310and312can mix. The detergent supply conduit334includes a dispenser valve404for selectively controlling the flow of water through the detergent supply conduit334to the first treating chemistry reservoir120.

The faucet supply conduit332may include a flow restrictor342limiting the flow of water dispensed from the faucet106to a predetermined flow rate. In one example, the flow restrictor342limits the flow rate of water to a rate suitable for treating laundry items by hand. The flow restrictor342optionally limits the flow rate of water to a rate that is less than the flow rate of water supplied to the first treating chemistry reservoir120and the second treating chemistry reservoir122. The detergent supply conduit334optionally includes a flow restrictor340to limit the flow rate of water supplied to the first treating chemistry reservoir120to a predetermined flow rate.

One or more temperature sensors (not shown) may optionally be provided for determining a temperature of the water supplied to the faucet106and/or the first treating chemistry reservoir120. The temperature sensor may be any suitable type of sensor for determining a temperature of the water flowing the supply conduits. Non-limiting examples of temperature sensors include various types of thermocouples, thermometers, or a mechanical thermostats, such as a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor or a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor. The temperature sensor(s) may be communicably coupled with the controller96to provide information to the controller96regarding the temperature of the water flowing through the associated conduit. The controller96may be programmed to receive the temperature information as input to a data table or algorithm for determining a ratio of hot and cold water to supply from the household water supply40to provide water at a predetermined temperature. The controller96may be programmed to control the hot water supply valve242and the first cold water supply244ato provide the desired ratio of hot and cold water.

In one example, the controller96is programmed to control the hot water supply valve242and the first cold water valve244ato provide water to the first treating chemistry reservoir120at a predetermined temperature according to an automatic cycle of operation selected by the user through the user interface98. In another example, the controller96is programmed to control the hot water supply valve42and the cold water valve244ato provide water to the faucet106at a predetermined temperature selected by the user through the user interface98. In still another example, the controller96is programmed to supply water to either or both of the first treating chemistry reservoir120and the faucet106at a predetermined temperature based on input received through the user interface98.

Still referring toFIG. 5, the water supply circuit250allows a user to utilize the faucet106to dispense hot, cold, or warm water independent of an automatic cycle of operation implemented by the washing machine10. In this manner, the faucet106can be used to pre-treat, rinse, or hand-wash a laundry item, for example. The water supply circuit250also supplies hot, cold, and warm water to the dispensing system for use in implementing a selected automatic cycle of operation. The water supply circuit250includes a series of valves—hot water valve242, first and second cold water valves244aand244b, and dispenser valve404—which are controllable by the controller96to selectively supply water to the faucet106, independent of implementing an automatic cycle of operation by the washing machine10.

A user can select an automatic cycle of operation through the user interface98and the controller96is configured to control the components of the washing machine10to implement the selected automatic cycle of operation. When the selected automatic cycle of operation calls for water to be supplied to the first treating chemistry reservoir120, the controller96controls the hot water valve242to supply hot water to the hot water supply conduit310and/or controls the first cold water valve244ato supply cold water to the first cold water supply conduit312.

If the selected automatic cycle of operation calls for only cold water to be supplied to the first treating chemistry reservoir120, then only the first cold water valve244ais actuated. If the selected automatic cycle of operation calls for only hot water to be supplied to the first treating chemistry reservoir120, then only the hot water valve242is actuated. If the selected automatic cycle of operation calls for warm water, both the hot water valve242and the first cold water valves244aare actuated. The controller96can be programmed to control the ratio of hot and cold water according to a predetermined algorithm and/or based on data received from a temperature sensor configured to determine the temperature of water supplied to the first treating chemistry reservoir120.

The hot and/or cold water flows through the hot water supply conduit310and/or the first cold water supply conduit312to the mixing chamber330. The mixing chamber330is configured to allow the hot and cold water to mix prior to supplying the water to the supply conduit333. Water supplied to the supply conduit333flows through the faucet supply conduit332and is dispensed through the faucet106. The controller96actuates the dispenser valve404to supply water from the supply conduit333to the detergent supply conduit334where it is then supplied to the first treating chemistry reservoir120according to the selected automatic cycle of operation. In this manner, when water is supplied to the first treating chemistry reservoir120in the course of implementing a selected automatic cycle of operation by the washing machine10, water is also always supplied to the faucet106. However, water can be selectively supplied only to the faucet106by controlling dispenser valve404.

When the selected automatic cycle of operation calls for water to be supplied to the second treating chemistry reservoir122, the controller96actuates the second cold water valve244bto supply water to the second cold water supply conduit314, which supplies the cold water to the second treating chemistry reservoir122.

Still referring toFIG. 5, to use the faucet106independent of an automatic cycle of operation implemented by the washing machine10, the user provides input to the controller96through the user interface98(FIG. 1) to actuate the faucet106. The user interface98can include a touch screen, push button, knob, or dial which the user can manipulate to turn the faucet106on and off independent of selecting an automatic cycle of operation. Optionally, the user interface98can be configured to receive input regarding a desired temperature of water to be dispensed by the faucet106. The user interface98can be configured to allow the user to select a desired temperature within a predetermined range of temperatures or to select a temperature from a set of predetermined options, such as hot, cold, and warm. The controller96can be programmed to control the ratio of hot and cold water according to a predetermined algorithm and/or based on data received from a temperature sensor configured to determine the temperature of water supplied to the faucet106.

To supply water to the faucet106, the controller96controls the hot water valve242to supply hot water to the hot water supply conduit310and/or controls the first cold water valve244ato supply cold water to the first cold water supply conduit312based on the temperature selected by the user. The water flows through the hot water supply conduit310and/or the cold water supply conduit312to the mixing chamber330. The mixing chamber330is configured to allow the hot and cold water to mix prior to supplying the water to the supply conduit333. Water supplied to the supply conduit333flows through the faucet supply conduit332and is dispensed through the faucet106. The dispenser valve404remains unactuated and thus water is not supplied to the first treating chemistry reservoir120. In this manner, water is supplied to the faucet106only when requested by a user, independent of an automatic cycle of operation implemented by the washing machine10.

The controller96is configured to actuate one or more of the valves242,244a,244b, and404in various combinations based on the input received through the user interface98to actuate the faucet106or implement an automatic cycle of operation. For example, the controller96is configured to actuate hot water valve242to supply hot water to the faucet106and first cold water valve244ato supply cold water to the faucet106. To supply warm water to the faucet106, the controller96is configured to actuate the hot water valve242and the first cold water valve244a.

The controller96is also configured to actuate hot water valve242, first cold water valve244a, and dispenser valve404to supply warm water to the first treating chemistry reservoir120during implementation of a selected automatic cycle of operation. The controller96is configured to actuate hot water valve242and dispenser valve404to supply hot water to the first treating chemistry reservoir120and to actuate the first cold water valve244aand the dispenser valve404to supply cold water to the first treating chemistry reservoir120. The water supply circuit250is configured such that whenever water is supplied to the first treating chemistry reservoir120, water is also supplied to the faucet106. In one example, the flow rate of water to the faucet106is less than the flow rate of water to the first treating chemistry reservoir120and does not negatively impact dispensing from the first treating chemistry reservoir120. The water flowing through the faucet106is supplied to the drum16from which it flows to the tub14where it may be utilized in implementing the automatic cycle of operation, as needed.

The water supply circuit250utilizes a combination of valves242,244a,244b, and404positioned throughout the water supply circuit250to control the flow of water to selectively supply water to the faucet106, independent of an automatic cycle of operation implemented by the washing machine10. Multiple valves can be configured in a particular pattern or array, such as that illustrated inFIG. 5, to control the flow of water to the faucet106without the use of a multi-way diverter valve, such as the diverter valve130described with respect to the embodiment ofFIG. 4. Multi-way diverter valves can be more expensive and/or may utilize more energy in operation than a configuration that relies on multiple valves, such as that illustrated inFIG. 5. In addition, a multi-way diverter valve may require additional or more complex programming to the controller96than the array of valves of water supply circuit250. One example of a type of valve suitable for use in the water supply circuit250is a pilot valve. The combination of pilot valves in the water supply circuit250can provide a more cost effective and simpler to control water supply circuit than one which utilizes a multi-way diverter valve. Pilot valves may also optionally be used in the water supply circuit50, in combination with the diverter valve130.

To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various embodiments may be used in combination with each other as desired. That one feature may not be illustrated in all of the embodiments is not meant to be construed that it cannot be, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different embodiments may be mixed and matched as desired to form new embodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are expressly described. For example, components of the water supply circuit50and water supply circuit250can be combined in various combinations to form additional examples of hydraulic assemblies to selectively supplying water to the faucet106independent of an automatic cycle of operation implemented by the washing machine10without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.