HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE WITH PERSONALIZED FEATURES

A method of operating an appliance includes receiving a user input including a selected operating parameter. The method may also include storing the selected operating parameter in a user profile or incrementing a selection count of the selected operating parameter. The method may further include comparing the user profile or the selection count to a plurality of features. The method also includes generating a list of recommended features comprising one or more features of the plurality of features. The list may be generated based on the comparison of the user profile to the plurality of features. The selected operating parameter may be associated with the one or more features on the list. The method further includes downloading a feature from the list of recommended features to the appliance and activating the appliance according to the downloaded feature.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to household appliances with features that are customized to a specific user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Household appliances are utilized generally for a variety of tasks by a variety of users. For example, a household may include such appliances as laundry appliances, e.g., a washer and/or dryer, kitchen appliances, e.g., a refrigerator, a microwave, and/or a coffee maker, along with room air conditioners and other various appliances. Generally, a user must manually activate such appliances in order to utilize the basic functions of the appliances.

Some appliances are capable of more advanced or specialized functions as well as the basic functions. Such advanced or specialized functions may be downloaded and installed to enhance and expand the capabilities of the household appliance. However, such downloadable functions may be numerous and widely varied, which may make it difficult for users to locate and select the particular features which may be most of interest to them.

Accordingly, there exists a need for an appliance with greater responsiveness to a specific user, such as methods of operating an appliance that include, or an appliance that is configured for, generating a curated list of available features specific to a particular user would be desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of operating a household appliance is provided. The method includes receiving a user input from a user interface of the household appliance. The user input includes a selected operating parameter of the household appliance. The method also includes storing the selected operating parameter in a user profile and comparing the user profile to a plurality of features. Each feature of the plurality of features has one or more operating parameters associated therewith. The method further includes generating a list of recommended features comprising one or more features of the plurality of features based on the comparison of the user profile to the plurality of features. The method also includes downloading a feature from the list of recommended features to the appliance and activating the appliance according to the downloaded feature.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of operating a household appliance is provided. The method includes receiving a user input from a user interface of the household appliance. The user input includes a selected operating parameter of the household appliance. The method also includes incrementing a selection count of the selected operating parameter. The method further includes comparing the selection count to a plurality of features. Each feature of the plurality of features has one or more operating parameters associated therewith. The method also includes generating a list of recommended features comprising one or more features from the plurality of features. The selected operating parameter is associated with the one or more features. The method further includes downloading a feature from the list of recommended features to the appliance and activating the appliance according to the downloaded feature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, terms of approximation, such as “generally,” or “about” include values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. When used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction. For example, “generally vertical” includes directions within ten degrees of vertical in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise.

As may be seen inFIGS.1through7, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present subject matter, a household appliance is provided. Specific examples of such household appliances are each described in turn below to illustrate various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that such examples are non-limiting and the household appliance of the present disclosure may include a variety of appliances with various features operable to perform household and/or domestic tasks.

It should be understood that “household appliance” and/or “appliance” are used herein to describe appliances typically used or intended for common domestic tasks, such as a laundry appliance, e.g., as illustrated inFIGS.1through3, or a dishwasher appliance (see, e.g.,FIGS.4and5), an oven appliance (see, e.g.,FIGS.6and7), a refrigerator, a water heater, etc., and any other household appliance which performs similar functions in addition to network communication and data processing. Thus, devices such as a personal computer, router, and other similar devices the primary functions of which are network communication and/or data processing are not considered household appliances as used herein.

As may be seen generally throughoutFIGS.1through7, a user interface panel100and a user input device102may be positioned on an exterior of the appliance. The user input device102is generally positioned proximate to the user interface panel100, and in some embodiments, the user input device102may be positioned on the user interface panel100.

In various embodiments, the user interface panel100may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In some embodiments, the user interface panel100may include or be in operative communication with user input device102, such as one or more of a variety of digital, analog, electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, control knobs, push buttons, and touch pads. The user interface panel100may include a display component104, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. The display component104may also be a touchscreen capable of receiving a user input, such that the display component104may also be a user input device in addition to or instead of the user input device102.

Generally, the appliance may include a controller210in operative communication with the user input device102. The user interface panel100and the user input device102may be in communication with the controller210via, for example, one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. Input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between controller210and various operational components of the appliance. Operation of the appliance can be regulated by the controller210that is operatively coupled to the user interface panel100. A user interface panel100may for example provide selections for user manipulation of the operation of an appliance, e.g., via user input device102and/or display104. In response to user manipulation of the user interface panel100and/or user input device102, the controller210may operate various components of the appliance. Controller210may include a memory and one or more microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of the appliance. 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, a controller210may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.

The controller210may be programmed to operate the appliance by executing instructions stored in memory. For example, the instructions may be software or any set of instructions that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations. Controller210can include one or more processor(s) and associated memory device(s) configured to perform a variety of computer-implemented functions and/or instructions (e.g. performing the methods, steps, calculations and the like and storing relevant data as disclosed herein). It should be noted that controllers210as disclosed herein are capable of and may be operable to perform any methods and associated method steps as disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, for example, as illustrated inFIG.1, either appliance or both appliances of a pair of laundry appliances10and11may be the household appliance. In embodiments such as illustrated inFIG.1, the user input device102of each appliance10and11may be positioned on the user interface panel100. The embodiment illustrated inFIG.1also includes a display104on the user interface panel100of each household appliance10and11.

As generally seen throughoutFIGS.1through3, in at least some embodiments, each appliance10and11includes a cabinet12which defines a vertical direction V and a lateral direction L that are mutually perpendicular. Each cabinet12extends between a top side16and a bottom side14along the vertical direction V. Each cabinet12also extends between a left side18and a right side20, e.g., along the lateral direction L.

Additional exemplary details of the laundry appliances are illustrated inFIGS.2and3. For example,FIG.2provides a cross-sectional view of the exemplary washing machine appliance10. As illustrated inFIG.2, a wash tub124is non-rotatably mounted within cabinet12. As may be seen inFIG.2, the wash tub124defines a central axis101. In the example embodiment illustrated byFIG.2, the central axis101may be oriented generally along or parallel to the transverse direction T of the washing machine appliance10. Accordingly, the washing machine appliance10may be referred to as a horizontal axis washing machine.

Referring again toFIG.2, a wash basket120is rotatably mounted within the tub124such that the wash basket120is rotatable about an axis of rotation, which generally coincides with central axis101of the tub124. A motor122, e.g., such as a pancake motor, is in mechanical communication with wash basket120to selectively rotate wash basket120(e.g., during an agitation or a rinse cycle of washing machine appliance10). Wash basket120defines a wash chamber126that is configured for receipt of articles for washing. The wash tub124holds wash and rinse fluids for agitation in wash basket120within wash tub124. As used herein, “wash fluid” may refer to water, detergent, fabric softener, bleach, or any other suitable wash additive or combination thereof. The wash basket120and the tub124may collectively define at least a portion of a tub assembly for the washing machine appliance10.

Wash basket120may define one or more agitator features that extend into wash chamber126to assist in agitation and cleaning of articles disposed within wash chamber126during operation of washing machine appliance10. For example, as illustrated inFIG.2, a plurality of ribs128extends from basket120into wash chamber126. In this manner, for example, ribs128may lift articles disposed in wash basket120during rotation of wash basket120.

Referring generally toFIGS.1and2, cabinet12also includes a front panel130which defines an opening132that permits user access to wash basket120within wash tub124. More specifically, washing machine appliance10includes a door134that is positioned in front of opening132and is rotatably mounted to front panel130. Door134is rotatable such that door134permits selective access to opening132by rotating between an open position (not shown) facilitating access to a wash tub124and a closed position (FIG.1) prohibiting access to wash tub124.

A window136in door134permits viewing of wash basket120when door134is in the closed position, e.g., during operation of washing machine appliance10. Door134also includes a handle (not shown) that, e.g., a user may pull when opening and closing door134. Further, although door134is illustrated as mounted to front panel130, it should be appreciated that door134may be mounted to another side of cabinet12or any other suitable support according to alternative embodiments.

Referring again toFIG.2, wash basket120also defines a plurality of perforations140in order to facilitate fluid communication between an interior of basket120and wash tub124. A sump142is defined by wash tub124at a bottom of wash tub124along the vertical direction V. Thus, sump142is configured for receipt of and generally collects wash fluid during operation of washing machine appliance10. For example, during operation of washing machine appliance10, wash fluid may be urged by gravity from basket120to sump142through plurality of perforations140. A pump assembly144is located beneath tub124for gravity assisted flow when draining tub124, e.g., via a drain146. Pump assembly144may be configured for recirculating wash fluid within wash tub124.

A spout150is configured for directing a flow of fluid into wash tub124. For example, spout150may be in fluid communication with a water supply (not shown) in order to direct fluid (e.g., clean water) into wash tub124. Spout150may also be in fluid communication with the sump142. For example, pump assembly144may direct wash fluid disposed in sump142to spout150in order to circulate wash fluid in wash tub124.

As illustrated inFIG.2, a detergent drawer152is slidably mounted within front panel130. Detergent drawer152receives a wash additive (e.g., detergent, fabric softener, bleach, or any other suitable liquid or powder) and directs the fluid additive to wash chamber124during operation of washing machine appliance10. According to the illustrated embodiment, detergent drawer152may also be fluidly coupled to spout150to facilitate the complete and accurate dispensing of wash additive.

Additionally, a bulk reservoir154is disposed within cabinet12. Bulk reservoir154is also configured for receipt of fluid additive for use during operation of washing machine appliance10. Bulk reservoir154is sized such that a volume of fluid additive sufficient for a plurality or multitude of wash cycles of washing machine appliance10(e.g., five, ten, twenty, fifty, or any other suitable number of wash cycles) may fill bulk reservoir154. Thus, for example, a user can fill bulk reservoir154with fluid additive and operate washing machine appliance10for a plurality of wash cycles without refilling bulk reservoir154with fluid additive. A reservoir pump156is configured for selective delivery of the fluid additive from bulk reservoir154to wash tub124.

During operation of washing machine appliance10, laundry items are loaded into wash basket120through opening132, and washing operation is initiated through operator manipulation of input selectors102. Wash tub124is filled with water, detergent, and/or other fluid additives, e.g., via spout150and/or detergent drawer152. One or more valves (not shown) can be controlled by washing machine appliance10to provide for filling wash basket120to the appropriate level for the amount of articles being washed and/or rinsed. By way of example for a wash mode, once wash basket120is properly filled with fluid, the contents of wash basket120can be agitated (e.g., with ribs128) for washing of laundry items in wash basket120.

After the agitation phase of the wash cycle is completed, wash tub124can be drained. Laundry articles can then be rinsed by again adding fluid to wash tub124, depending on the particulars of the cleaning cycle selected by a user. Ribs128may again provide agitation within wash basket120. One or more spin cycles may also be used. In particular, a spin cycle may be applied after the wash cycle and/or after the rinse cycle in order to wring wash fluid from the articles being washed. During a spin cycle, basket120is rotated at relatively high speeds. After articles disposed in wash basket120are cleaned and/or washed, the user can remove the articles from wash basket120, e.g., by opening door134and reaching into wash basket120through opening132.

While described in the context of a specific embodiment of horizontal axis washing machine appliance10, using the teachings disclosed herein it will be understood that horizontal axis washing machine appliance10is provided by way of example only. It should be appreciated that the present subject matter is not limited to any particular style, model, or configuration of washing machine appliance. Other washing machine appliances having different configurations, different appearances, and/or different features may also be utilized with the present subject matter as well, e.g., vertical axis washing machine appliances.

FIG.3provides a perspective view of the dryer appliance11ofFIG.1, which is an example embodiment of a household appliance, with a portion of a cabinet or housing12of dryer appliance11removed in order to show certain components of dryer appliance11. Dryer appliance11generally defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T, each of which is mutually perpendicular, such that an orthogonal coordinate system is defined. While described in the context of a specific embodiment of dryer appliance11, using the teachings disclosed herein, it will be understood that dryer appliance11is provided by way of example only. Other dryer appliances having different appearances and different features may also be utilized with the present subject matter as well.

Cabinet12includes a front side22and a rear side24spaced apart from each other along the transverse direction T. Within cabinet12, an interior volume29is defined. A drum or container26is mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis within the interior volume29. Drum26defines a chamber25for receipt of articles of clothing for tumbling and/or drying. Drum26extends between a front portion37and a back portion38. Drum26also includes a back or rear wall34, e.g., at back portion38of drum26. A supply duct41may be mounted to rear wall34and receives heated air that has been heated by a heating assembly or system40.

As used herein, the terms “clothing” or “articles” includes but need not be limited to fabrics, textiles, garments, linens, papers, or other items from which the extraction of moisture is desirable. Furthermore, the term “load” or “laundry load” refers to the combination of clothing that may be washed together in a washing machine or dried together in a dryer appliance11(e.g., clothes dryer) and may include a mixture of different or similar articles of clothing of different or similar types and kinds of fabrics, textiles, garments and linens within a particular laundering process.

A motor31is provided in some embodiments to rotate drum26about the horizontal axis, e.g., via a pulley and a belt (not pictured). Drum26is generally cylindrical in shape, having an outer cylindrical wall28and a front flange or wall30that defines an opening32of drum26, e.g., at front portion37of drum26, for loading and unloading of articles into and out of chamber25of drum26. A plurality of lifters or baffles27are provided within chamber25of drum26to lift articles therein and then allow such articles to tumble back to a bottom of drum26as drum26rotates. Baffles27may be mounted to drum26such that baffles27rotate with drum26during operation of dryer appliance11.

The rear wall34of drum26may be rotatably supported within the cabinet12by a suitable fixed bearing. Rear wall34can be fixed or can be rotatable. Rear wall34may include, for instance, a plurality of holes that receive hot air that has been heated by heating system40. The heating system40may include, e.g., a heat pump, an electric heating element, and/or a gas heating element (e.g., gas burner). Moisture laden, heated air is drawn from drum26by an air handler, such as blower fan48, which generates a negative air pressure within drum26. The moisture laden heated air passes through a duct44enclosing screen filter46, which traps lint particles. As the air passes from blower fan48, it enters a duct50and then is passed into heating system40. In some embodiments, the dryer appliance11may be a conventional dryer appliance, e.g., the heating system40may be or include an electric heating element, e.g., a resistive heating element, or a gas-powered heating element, e.g., a gas burner. In other embodiments, the dryer appliance may be a condensation dryer, such as a heat pump dryer. In such embodiments, heating system40may be or include a heat pump including a sealed refrigerant circuit. Heated air (with a lower moisture content than was received from drum26), exits heating system40and returns to drum26by duct41. After the clothing articles have been dried, they are removed from the drum26via opening32. A door (FIG.1) provides for closing or accessing drum26through opening32.

In some embodiments, one or more selector inputs102, such as knobs, buttons, touchscreen interfaces, etc., may be provided or mounted on the cabinet12(e.g., on a backsplash71) and are in operable communication (e.g., electrically coupled or coupled through a wireless network band) with the processing device or controller210. Controller210may also be provided in operable communication with components of the dryer appliance11including motor31, blower48, or heating system40. In turn, signals generated in controller210direct operation of motor31, blower48, or heating system40in response to the position of inputs102. As used herein, “processing device” or “controller” may refer to one or more microprocessors, microcontroller, ASICS, or semiconductor devices and is not restricted necessarily to a single element. The controller210may be programmed to operate dryer appliance11by executing instructions stored in memory (e.g., non-transitory media). The controller56may include, or be associated with, one or more memory elements such as RAM, ROM, or electrically erasable, programmable read only memory (EEPROM). For example, the instructions may be software or any set of instructions that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations. It should be noted that controllers as disclosed herein are capable of and may be operable to perform any methods and associated method steps as disclosed herein. For example, in some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be embodied in programming instructions stored in the memory and executed by the controller210.

Turning now toFIGS.4and5, in some embodiments, the household appliance may be a dishwasher or dishwashing appliance, such as the exemplary dishwashing appliance300, that may be configured in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Generally, dishwasher300defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T. Each of the vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular to one another and form an orthogonal direction system.

Dishwasher300includes a tub304that defines a wash chamber306therein. As shown inFIG.5, tub304extends between a top307and a bottom308along the vertical direction V, between a pair of side walls310along the lateral direction L, and between a front side311and a rear side312along the transverse direction T.

Tub304includes a front opening314at the front side311. In some embodiments, the dishwashing appliance300may also include a door316at the front opening314. The door316may, for example, be coupled to the tub304by a hinge200at its bottom for movement between a normally closed vertical position (FIG.5), wherein the wash chamber306is sealed shut for washing operation, and a horizontal open position (not shown, while a partially open position is illustrated inFIG.4) for loading and unloading of articles from dishwasher300. A door closure mechanism or assembly318, e.g., a latch, may be provided to lock and unlock door316for accessing and sealing wash chamber306.

In exemplary embodiments, tub side walls310accommodate a plurality of rack assemblies. For instance, guide rails320may be mounted to side walls310for supporting a lower rack assembly322and an upper rack assembly326. In some such embodiments, upper rack assembly326is positioned at a top portion of wash chamber306above lower rack assembly322along the vertical direction V.

Generally, each rack assembly322,326may be adapted for movement between an extended loading position (not shown) in which the rack is substantially positioned outside the wash chamber306, and a retracted position (shown inFIG.5) in which the rack is located inside the wash chamber306. In some embodiments, movement is facilitated, for instance, by rollers328mounted onto rack assemblies322,326, respectively.

Although guide rails320and rollers328are illustrated herein as facilitating movement of the respective rack assemblies322,326, it should be appreciated that any suitable sliding mechanism or member may be used according to alternative embodiments.

In optional embodiments, some or all of the rack assemblies322,326are fabricated into lattice structures including a plurality of wires or elongated members330(for clarity of illustration, not all elongated members making up rack assemblies322,326are shown). In this regard, rack assemblies322,326are generally configured for supporting articles within wash chamber306while allowing a flow of wash liquid to reach and impinge on those articles (e.g., during a cleaning or rinsing cycle). According to additional or alternative embodiments, a silverware basket (not shown) may be removably attached to a rack assembly (e.g., lower rack assembly322), for placement of silverware, utensils, and the like, that are otherwise too small to be accommodated by the rack assembly.

Generally, dishwasher300includes one or more spray assemblies for urging a flow of fluid (e.g., wash liquid) onto the articles placed within wash chamber306.

In exemplary embodiments, dishwasher300includes a lower spray arm assembly334disposed in a lower region336of wash chamber306and above a sump338so as to rotate in relatively close proximity to lower rack assembly322. In this regard, lower spray arm assembly334may generally be configured for urging a flow of wash liquid up through lower rack assembly322.

In some embodiments, an upper spray assembly342may be located proximate to and, e.g., below, upper rack assembly326along the vertical direction V. In this manner, upper spray assembly342may be generally configured for urging of wash liquid up through upper rack assembly326.

The various spray assemblies and manifolds described herein may be part of a fluid distribution system or fluid circulation assembly350for circulating wash liquid in tub304. In certain embodiments, fluid circulation assembly350includes a circulation pump352for circulating wash liquid in tub304. Circulation pump352may be mounted to sump338and in fluid communication with the sump338through a circulation outlet351from the sump338.

When assembled, circulation pump352may be in fluid communication with an external water supply line (not shown) and sump338. A water inlet valve (not shown) can be positioned between the external water supply line and circulation pump352(e.g., to selectively allow water to flow from the external water supply line to circulation pump352). Additionally or alternatively, water inlet valve can be positioned between the external water supply line and sump338(e.g., to selectively allow water to flow from the external water supply line to sump338). During use, water inlet valve may be selectively controlled to open to allow the flow of water into dishwasher300and may be selectively controlled to close and thereby cease the flow of water into dishwasher300. Further, fluid circulation assembly350may include one or more fluid conduits or circulation piping for directing wash fluid from circulation pump352to the various spray assemblies and manifolds. In exemplary embodiments, such as that shown inFIG.5, a primary supply conduit354extends from circulation pump352, along rear side312of tub304along the vertical direction V to supply wash liquid throughout wash chamber306.

In optional embodiments, circulation pump352urges or pumps wash liquid to a diverter356(FIG.5). In some such embodiments, diverter356is positioned within sump338of dishwashing appliance300). Diverter356may include a diverter disk (not shown) disposed within a diverter chamber358for selectively distributing the wash liquid to the spray assemblies334,342, or other spray manifolds or assemblies. For instance, the diverter disk may have at least one aperture configured to align with one or more outlet ports (not shown) at the top of diverter chamber358. In this manner, the diverter disk may be selectively rotated to provide wash liquid to the desired spray device(s).

In exemplary embodiments, diverter356is configured for selectively distributing the flow of wash liquid from circulation pump352to various fluid supply conduits—only some of which are illustrated inFIG.5for clarity. In certain embodiments, diverter356includes two or more outlet ports (not shown) for supplying wash liquid to a first conduit for rotating lower spray arm assembly334and a second conduit for supplying upper spray assembly342(e.g., supply conduit354). Additional embodiments may also include one or more additional conduits, e.g., a third conduit for spraying an auxiliary rack such as a silverware rack, etc.

In some embodiments, a supply conduit354is used to supply wash liquid to one or more spray assemblies (e.g., to upper spray assembly342). It should be appreciated, however, that according to alternative embodiments, any other suitable plumbing configuration may be used to supply wash liquid throughout the various spray manifolds and assemblies described herein. For instance, according to another exemplary embodiment, supply conduit354could be used to provide wash liquid to lower spray arm assembly334and a dedicated secondary supply conduit (not shown) could be utilized to provide wash liquid to upper spray assembly342. Other plumbing configurations may be used for providing wash liquid to the various spray devices and manifolds at any location within dishwashing appliance300.

Each spray assembly334and342, or other spray device as may be included in dishwashing appliance300, may include an arrangement of discharge ports or orifices for directing wash liquid received from circulation pump352onto dishes or other articles located in wash chamber306. The arrangement of the discharge ports, also referred to as jets, apertures, or orifices, may provide a rotational force by virtue of wash liquid flowing through the discharge ports. Alternatively, spray assemblies334,342may be motor-driven, or may operate using any other suitable drive mechanism. Spray manifolds and assemblies may also be stationary. The resultant movement of the spray assemblies334,342and the spray from fixed manifolds provides coverage of dishes and other dishwasher contents with a washing spray. Other configurations of spray assemblies may be used as well. For instance, dishwasher300may have additional spray assemblies for cleaning silverware, for scouring casserole dishes, for spraying pots and pans, for cleaning bottles, etc.

Drainage of soiled wash liquid within sump338may by provided, for instance, by a drain pump368(e.g., during or as part of a drain cycle). In particular, wash liquid may exit sump338through a drain outlet367and may flow through a drain conduit or directly to the drain pump368. Thus, drain pump368is downstream of sump338and facilitates drainage of the soiled wash liquid by urging or pumping the wash liquid to a drain line external to dishwasher300.

In some embodiments, a filter assembly may be provided, e.g., in the sump338and/or at a top entrance into the sump338, e.g., to filter fluid to circulation assembly350and/or drain pump368. Generally, the filter assembly removes soiled particles from the liquid that flows to the sump338from the wash chamber306during operation of dishwashing appliance300. In exemplary embodiments, the filter assembly may include both a first filter (also referred to as a “coarse filter”) and a second filter (also referred to as a “fine filter”).

Although a separate circulation pump352and drain pump368are described herein, it is understood that other suitable pump configurations (e.g., using only a single pump for both recirculation and draining) may be provided.

Dishwashing appliance300may also include ventilation features, e.g., to promote improved, e.g., more rapid, drying of articles therein after the wash and rinse cycles. For example, one or more vents370may be provided in the tub304for introducing relatively dry air from outside of the tub304into the wash chamber306and/or for removing relatively humid air from the wash chamber306to the outside of the tub304. In some embodiments, a fan372may be provided. The fan372may be operable to urge air through the wash chamber306, such as to promote air circulation and/or ventilation within and through the wash chamber. Such air movement may increase the rate of evaporation of moisture from articles in the wash chamber306after a wash and/or rinse cycle.

In certain embodiments, dishwasher300includes a controller210configured to regulate operation of dishwasher300(e.g., initiate one or more wash operations). Controller210may include one or more memory devices and one or more microprocessors, etc., as described above. It should be noted that controllers as disclosed herein are capable of and may be operable to perform any methods and associated method steps as disclosed herein.

Controller210may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout dishwasher300. In optional embodiments, controller210is located within a control panel area362of door316(e.g., as shown inFIG.4). Input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between the control system and various operational components of dishwasher300along wiring harnesses that may be routed through the bottom of door316. Typically, the controller210includes or is operatively coupled to a user interface panel/controls102through which a user may select various operational features and modes and monitor progress of dishwasher300. In some embodiments, the user interface includes a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In additional or alternative embodiments, user interface includes input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. In further additional or alternative embodiments, the user interface may include a display component, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. When assembled, the user interface may be in operative communication with the controller210via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.

It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to any particular style, model, or configuration of dishwasher300. The exemplary embodiments depicted inFIGS.4and5are for illustrative purposes only. For instance, different locations may be provided for user input devices102, different configurations may be provided for rack assemblies322,326, different spray assemblies334,342and spray manifold configurations may be used, different sensors may be used, and other differences may be applied while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIGS.6and7illustrate another exemplary household appliance, which in this example is an oven appliance400according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Oven appliance400includes an insulated cabinet402which defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions V, L, and T are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system. Cabinet402extends between a top portion401and a bottom portion430along the vertical direction V. Cabinet402extends between a left side462and a right side464along the lateral direction L and between a front portion407and a back portion409along the transverse direction T.

As shown inFIG.6, oven appliance400includes a cooktop450. Cooktop450is disposed on and is attached to or integral with cabinet402. Cooktop450includes a top panel452, which by way of example may be constructed of glass, ceramics, enameled steel, or combinations thereof. One or more burners454extend through top panel452. A utensil (e.g., pots, pans, etc.) holding food and/or cooking liquids (e.g., oil, water, etc.) may be placed onto grates456disposed adjacent burners454. Burners454provide thermal energy to cooking utensils placed on grates456. Burners454can be any suitable type of burners, including e.g., gas, electric, electromagnetic, a combination of the foregoing, etc. It will be appreciated that the configuration of cooktop450is provided by way of example only and that other suitable configurations are contemplated.

Still referring toFIGS.6and7, for this exemplary embodiment, oven appliance400includes an insulated cabinet402with an interior cooking chamber404defined by a top wall412, a floor or bottom wall414, a back wall416, and a pair of opposing side walls418. Cooking chamber404is configured for the receipt of one or more food items to be cooked. Oven appliance400includes a door408pivotally mounted to cabinet402at the opening406of cabinet402to permit selective access to cooking chamber404through opening406. A handle410is mounted to door408and assists a user with opening and closing door408. For example, a user can pull on handle410to open or close door408and access cooking chamber404.

Oven appliance400can include a seal (not shown) between door408and cabinet402that assists with maintaining heat and cooking vapors within cooking chamber404when door408is closed as shown inFIGS.6and7. Multiple parallel glass panes422provide for viewing the contents of cooking chamber404when door408is closed and assist with insulating cooking chamber404. A baking rack442is positioned in cooking chamber404for the receipt of food items or utensils containing food items. Baking rack442is slidably received onto embossed ribs or sliding rails444such that rack442may be conveniently moved into and out of cooking chamber404when door408is open.

One or more heating elements may be included at the top, bottom, or both of cooking chamber404to provide heat to cooking chamber404for cooking. Such heating element(s) can be gas, electric, microwave, or a combination thereof. For example, in the embodiment shown inFIG.7, oven appliance400includes a top heating element424which, in the illustrated example embodiment is an electric resistance heating element424, and a bake heating element or bottom heating element426, which, in the illustrated example embodiment is a gas burner426, and bottom heating element426is positioned adjacent to and below bottom wall414.

Also as may be seen inFIG.7, the gas burner426is positioned within the cabinet402and outside of the chamber404. In some embodiments, for example as illustrated inFIG.7, the gas burner426may be a bake heating element or bottom heating element and may be positioned below the chamber404and separated from the chamber404by a partition, e.g., the bottom wall414of the chamber404. The gas burner426may be in thermal communication and in fluid communication with the chamber by a flow path extending through one or more apertures or openings460in the bottom wall414. In at least some embodiments, the flow path may extend from the gas burner426, e.g., from ports thereof, through the opening(s)460, and into the cooking chamber404.

In the illustrated example embodiment, oven appliance400also has a convection heating element436and convection fan438positioned adjacent back wall416of cooking chamber404. Convection fan438is powered by a convection fan motor439. Further, convection fan438can be a variable speed fan—meaning the speed of fan438may be controlled or set anywhere between and including, e.g., zero and one hundred percent (0%-100%). In certain embodiments, oven appliance400may also include a bidirectional triode thyristor (not shown), i.e., a triode for alternating current (TRIAC), to regulate the operation of convection fan438such that the speed of fan438may be adjusted during operation of oven appliance400. The speed of convection fan438can be determined by controller210(not specifically illustrated inFIGS.6and7, but which is similar to the controllers210described above). In addition, a sensor437such as, e.g., a rotary encoder, a Hall effect sensor, or the like, may be included at the base of fan438, for example, between fan438and motor439as shown in the exemplary embodiment ofFIG.7, to sense the speed of fan438. The speed of fan438may be measured in, e.g., revolutions per minute (“RPM”). In some embodiments, the convection fan438may be configured to rotate in two directions, e.g., a first direction of rotation and a second direction of rotation opposing the first direction of rotation. For example, in some embodiments, reversing the direction of rotation, e.g., from the first direction to the second direction or vice versa, may still direct air from the back of the cavity. As another example, in some embodiments reversing the direction results in air being directed from the top and/or sides of the cavity rather than the back of the cavity. Additionally, the convection heating features are optional and are shown and described herein solely by way of example. In other embodiments the oven appliance400may include different convection heating features or may not include convection heating features at all.

In various embodiments, more than one convection heater, e.g., more than one convection heating elements436and/or convection fans438, may be provided. In such embodiments, the number of convection fans and convection heaters may be the same or may differ, e.g., more than one convection heating element436may be associated with a single convection fan438. Similarly, more than one top heating element424and/or more than one bottom heating element426may be provided in various combinations, e.g., one top heating element424with two or more bottom heating elements426, two or more bottom heating elements426with no top heating element424, etc.

Oven appliance400includes a user interface164having a display104positioned on an interface panel100and having a variety of controls102. Interface164allows the user to select various options for the operation of oven400including, e.g., various cooking and cleaning cycles. Operation of oven appliance400can be regulated by a controller210that is operatively coupled to, i.e., in communication with, user interface164, heating elements424,426, and other components of oven400as will be further described. In some embodiments, display104can also be used as an input device. For instance, in such embodiments, display104can be a touchscreen device. In some embodiments, display104is the only input device on interface panel164, e.g., the controls102may be omitted and the input functionality may be provided by the touchscreen display104.

For example, in response to user manipulation of the user interface164, the controller can operate the heating element(s). The controller can receive measurements from one or more temperature sensors (not shown) which are in or in thermal communication with the cooking chamber404. The controller may also provide information such as a status indicator, e.g., a temperature indication, to the user with display104.

Although shown with touch type controls102, it should be understood that controls102and the configuration of oven appliance400shown inFIGS.6and7is provided by way of example only. More specifically, user interface164may include various input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical, or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. User interface164may include other display components, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. User interface164may be in communication with the controller via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.

The present invention could also be used with other cooking appliances such as, e.g., a wall over, a stand-alone oven, a cooktop, or other configurations of such cooking appliances. Numerous variations in the oven configuration are possible within the scope of the present subject matter. For example, variations in the type and/or layout of the controls102on the interface164, as mentioned above, are possible. As another example, the oven appliance400may include multiple doors408instead of or in addition to the single door408illustrated. Such examples include a dual cavity oven, a French door oven, and others. As still another example, one or more of the illustrated heating elements may be substituted with microwave heating elements, or any other suitable heating elements. The examples described herein are provided by way of illustration only and without limitation.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a household appliance may take the form of any of the examples described above, or may be any other household appliance where improved user responsiveness is desired. Thus, it will be understood that the present subject matter is not limited to any particular household appliance.

Turning now toFIG.8, a general schematic of a household appliance, generally designated by reference number10(without intending to limit the appliance10ofFIG.8to any particular household appliance, e.g., the appliance10ofFIG.5may be the washing machine10described above which is one example embodiment of a household appliance, but is not limited to that particular example) and communication features thereof.FIG.8schematically illustrates an appliance10, which may be, for example, one of the laundry appliances10or11ofFIGS.1through3, the dishwashing appliance300ofFIGS.4and5, or the oven appliance400ofFIGS.6and7, among other possible example household appliances, which communicates wirelessly with a remote user interface device1000. For example, as illustrated inFIG.8, the household appliance10may include an antenna90by which the household appliance10communicates with, e.g., sends and receives signals to and from, the remote user interface device1000. The appliance10may communicate with the remote user interface device1000over a direct wireless communication link or over an indirect wireless communication link, such as via a remote server, a network, or cloud1100. The remote user interface device1000may be a laptop computer, smartphone, tablet, personal computer, wearable device, smart home system, and/or various other suitable devices.

The appliance10may be in communication with the remote user interface device1000device through various possible communication connections and interfaces. The appliance10and the remote user interface device1000may be matched in wireless communication, e.g., connected to the same wireless network. The appliance10may communicate with the remote user interface device1000via short-range radio such as BLUETOOTH® or any other suitable wireless network having a layer protocol architecture. As used herein, “short-range” may include ranges less than about ten meters and up to about one hundred meters. For example, the wireless network may be adapted for short-wavelength ultra-high frequency (UHF) communications in a band between 2.4 GHz and 2.485 GHz (e.g., according to the IEEE 802.15.1 standard). In particular, BLUETOOTH® Low Energy, e.g., BLUETOOTH® Version 4.0 or higher, may advantageously provide short-range wireless communication between the appliance10and the remote user interface device1000. For example, BLUETOOTH® Low Energy may advantageously minimize the power consumed by the exemplary methods and devices described herein due to the low power networking protocol of BLUETOOTH® Low Energy.

The remote user interface device1000is “remote” at least in that it is spaced apart from and not physically connected to the appliance10, e.g., the remote user interface device1000is a separate, stand-alone device from the appliance10which communicates with the appliance10wirelessly. Any suitable device separate from the appliance10that is configured to provide and/or receive communications, information, data, or commands from a user may serve as the remote user interface device1000, such as a smartphone (e.g., as illustrated inFIG.8), smart watch, personal computer, smart home system, or other similar device. For example, the remote user interface device1000may be a smartphone operable to store and run applications, also known as “apps,” and some or all of the method steps disclosed herein may be performed by a smartphone app.

The remote user interface device1000may include a memory for storing and retrieving programming instructions. Thus, the remote user interface device1000may provide a remote user interface which may be an additional user interface to the user interface panel100. For example, the remote user interface device1000may be a smartphone operable to store and run applications, also known as “apps,” and the remote user interface may be provided as a smartphone app.

As mentioned above, the appliance10may also be configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote database1100. The remote database1100may be, e.g., a cloud-based data storage system. For example, the appliance10may communicate with the remote database1100over the Internet, which the appliance10may access via WI-FI®, such as from a WI-FI® access point in a user's home. For example, the household appliance10may send, e.g., feature requests or selections to the cloud1100and may receive, e.g., download, features from the cloud1100to the household appliance10.

As illustrated inFIG.9, embodiments of the present disclosure also include methods for operating a household appliance, where the household appliance may include any of the foregoing exemplary appliances, e.g., laundry appliance10or11, dishwasher appliance300, or oven appliance400, described above. Further, methods of operating a household appliance according to the present disclosure are not necessarily limited to the exemplary appliances described or illustrated. For example, the cooking appliance may include various combinations of heating modules and/or heating elements as in any of the foregoing examples, such as an oven appliance with only electric radiant heating (e.g., without convection), an oven appliance with gas bake heating element and convection heating, an oven appliance with ceramic heating modules and heat lamps, among numerous other possible combinations.

Exemplary methods according to the present subject matter include the method500illustrated inFIG.9. As illustrated inFIG.9, the method500may include a step510of receiving a user input from a user interface of the household appliance. The user interface may be directly and physically connected to the appliance, e.g., may be one of the user input devices102described above, and/or may be a remote user interface, such as a smartphone app, as mentioned above in reference toFIG.8. The user input may include a selected operating parameter of the household appliance. For example, the user input may be a directly selected operating parameter, such as a cooking temperature in the example of a cooking appliance, or may be a selected cycle or feature that includes one or more predetermined operating parameters associated therewith. For example, an ECO cycle of a dishwashing appliance which may include such parameters as a predetermined pump speed and/or pump operating time, or a predetermined water temperature, etc. As another example, the user input may be a cycle of an oven appliance and the predetermined operating parameters included therewith may include a heating element selection, such as a bake element, broil element, and/or convection element selection.

Method500may further include a step520of storing the selected operating parameter in a user profile. The user profile may be stored in a local memory, e.g., onboard the controller210of the household appliance, and/or remotely, e.g., in the cloud1100. The user profile may include a list of operating parameters and/or features that have been selected by the user via a plurality of received user inputs over time. For example, as the consumer uses the household appliance, a custom user profile for the consumer is built or developed, and the custom user profile reflects the consumer's tastes, habits, and preferences, e.g., the consumer's most-used features or favorite features of the connected household appliance or each connected household appliance.

Still referring toFIG.9, the method500may also include a step530of comparing the user profile to a plurality of features. Each feature of the plurality of features may have one or more operating parameters associated therewith. Thus, for example, the step530of comparing the user profile to the plurality of features may include cross-referencing the operating parameters in the user profile, e.g., those associated with the consumer's favorite features in the user profile, with the operating parameters associated with each feature of the plurality of features.

Based on such comparison, the method500may then include a step540of generating a list of recommended features. The list of recommended features may include one or more features of the plurality of features, such as selected features from the plurality of features which include the same operating parameters as those found in the user profile.

Method500may also include a step550of downloading one of the recommended features. For example, the list of recommended features may be presented to the user on a display, such as a display of the household appliance (e.g., display104as described above) or on the remote user interface device1000(also described above). The step550of downloading one of the recommended features may then be performed in response to a user input such as a selection of the one recommended feature from the list of recommended features. After the one recommended feature, e.g., the selected feature from the list of recommended features, has been downloaded, the appliance may then be activated according to the downloaded feature, such as the method500may then proceed to step560as indicated inFIG.9. For example, the feature may be downloaded to the controller of the appliance, such as a memory thereof, and the downloaded feature may include instructions and parameters for operating the appliance, whereby activating the appliance according to the downloaded feature includes activating one or more components of the appliance, such as a pump or motor in a laundry appliance or dishwashing appliance, or a heating element of a cooking appliance, etc., according to the downloaded instructions and with the downloaded operating parameters in the one recommended feature.

Turning now toFIG.10, another exemplary method600of operating a household appliance is illustrated therein. The method600may include a step610of receiving a user input from a user interface of the household appliance. Step610may be generally similar to step510, which has already been described above.

Method600may further include a step620of incrementing a selection count of the selected operating parameter. The selection count, similar to the user profile described above with respect toFIG.9, may be stored locally on the appliance and/or in the cloud. For example, multiple selection counts for various operating parameters may be stored, and, in some embodiments, the multiple operating parameters may be sorted or ranked based on their selection count, e.g., operating parameters that are used more frequently and thus have a higher selection count may be ranked higher than other parameters that are used less frequently and thus have a lower selection count. Thus, the selection count may permit customization of the household appliance by indicating which features the consumer prefers based on which features have operating parameters associated therewith having a high selection count, e.g., weighting features according to the selection count(s) of one or more associated operating parameters.

For example, method600may further include a step630of comparing the selection count to a plurality of features. Similar to step530discussed above, each feature of the plurality of features may have one or more operating parameters associated therewith. Thus, in some embodiments, the comparison may include identifying features of the plurality of features with which operating parameters having the highest selection count are associated. Further, when one or more of the features has more than one operating parameter associated therewith, the cumulative selection count for each operating parameter associated with the feature(s) may be used in the comparison, e.g., to sort or rank the features of the plurality of features.

Method600may then include a step640of generating a list of recommended features comprising one or more features from the plurality of features. The selected operating parameter from the user input in step610may be associated with each of the recommended features. Thus, the list of recommended features may be reflective of the user's preferences, e.g., may be responsive to the particular selection or input received from the user by providing a list of recommended features that are associated with the user-selected operating parameter.

Also as shown inFIG.10, the method600may further include a downloading step650and an activating step660, which are similar to steps550and560described above with reference toFIG.9.

The selected operating parameter of the user input may be any one of a variety of operating parameters for each household appliance. For example, in embodiments where the household appliance is an oven appliance, the operating parameter may be a bake cycle, an oven light activation, or a heating element selection and level, such as broil high. Additional examples include, e.g., in embodiments where the household appliance is a dishwasher appliance, high heat rinse, a sanitize feature, a pots and pans cycle or setting, etc. In such examples, the features which may be included in the list of recommended features include, for the oven appliance example, an oven light blinks when preheated feature, which may include or be associated with operating parameters such as bake cycle, oven light activates, and a preheat done parameter, or a convection roast feature, which may include or be associated with operating parameters such as convection roast and oven light. For the dishwasher example, the features which may be included in the list of recommended features may include a heavy duty dish cycle which may include or be associated with operating parameters such as high heat rinse and pots and pans.

Referring now generally toFIGS.9and10, the methods500and/or600may be interrelated and/or may have one or more steps from one of the methods500and600combined with the other method500or600. For example, in some embodiments, the selection count of the selected operating parameter may be stored in the user profile, and the stored selection count in the user profile may be incremented each time a user input comprising the operating parameter is received.

In some embodiments, the user input may be a first user input including a first selected operating parameter of the household appliance. In such embodiments, the method may further include receiving a second user input including a second selected operating parameter of the household appliance. Further, such embodiments may also include storing the second selected operating parameter in the user profile, and incrementing a selection count of the second selected operating parameter in the user profile.

In some embodiments, the list of recommended features is ranked by weight. For example, the weighting may be based on (e.g., either directly based on or derived from) the selection count(s) of one or more operating parameters associated with each of the recommended features.

In some embodiments, the comparing step may include cross-referencing the selected operating parameter in the user profile with the operating parameters associated with each feature of the plurality of features. In such embodiments, the list of recommended features may include features having the selected operating parameter in the user profile associated therewith.

The methods described herein may also be useful with more than one connected household appliance. For example, the user profile stored in the cloud may include operating parameters for multiple appliances owned and/or used by the same user. Thus, in some embodiments, the household appliance may be a first household appliance, and the method may also include storing a selected operating parameter of a second household appliance in the user profile and/or incrementing a selection count of an operating parameter for the second household appliance, where the selection count for the operating parameter for the second household appliance may also be stored in the same user profile as the selection count for the first household appliance.

In some embodiments, generating the list of recommended features may include selecting features from the plurality of features based on an appliance type of the household appliance. For example, when multiple household appliances are connected to the user profile, the list of recommended features may include features specific to the connected appliance which was most recently selected or activated, e.g., the household appliance for which the operating parameter in the user input was selected. The appliance type may, for example, correspond to the appliance model. In some embodiments, one of the parameters associated with one or more features of the plurality of features may be the appliance model, e.g., a model name and/or model number. In such embodiments, the model parameter, e.g., name and/or number, may also be stored in the user profile. Thus, the list of recommended features may also include features that are specific to a particular model of appliance, based on the model parameter being both present in the user profile and associated with the feature. Such model-specific features may be identified, e.g., during the comparing step530and/or630in various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

As mentioned above, the step550and/or650of downloading may be performed in response to another user input. For example, the additional user input may be a feature request input. The feature request input may be received after generating the list of recommended features. The feature request input may indicate a selected feature from the list of recommended features. Thus, the step550or650of downloading the feature from the list of recommended features may include downloading the selected feature from the list of recommended features which is the feature indicated by the feature request input.