Patent Publication Number: US-2023151523-A1

Title: Method of controlling a filtration system in a laundry treatment appliance

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter relates generally to laundry appliances, and more particularly to methods for performing washing operations in a washing machine appliance. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Laundry treatment appliances generally perform cleaning and/or drying operations on laundry loads, such as clothing, towels, linens, and the like. Some laundry treatment appliances, such as washing machines, may include a plurality of washing options available to users to provide ideal settings and parameters for specific laundry loads. Users may select a particular option which incorporates preset options depending on the type of laundry load being washed. For instance, some laundry loads require hot water, high spin speed, long spin times, extra draining, and the like. 
     Some laundry treatment appliances incorporate one or more filters, for instance, for filtering out particles from the wash water used in washing the laundry load. Some laundry loads require more robust or thorough filtration than other laundry loads, leading to adjustments to operating parameters. As one example, synthetic fibers may produce harmful waste during a washing cycle which may in turn be drained to aquatic environments, contributing to dangerous pollution. Conversely, some laundry loads benefit from forgoing filtration, such as heavy lint-producing loads or certain unsanitary loads. Unnecessary filtering may lead to increased filter changes, which may be undesirable to users. However, existing appliances exhibit deficiencies in properly applying filtering to washing operations. 
     Accordingly, a laundry treatment appliance that obviates one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks would be beneficial. Particularly, a method for operating a laundry treatment appliance to selectively apply a filter operation would be useful. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a method of operating a laundry treatment appliance is provided. The laundry treatment appliance may include a tub, a wash basket rotatably provided within the tub, a user interface, and a filter fluidly connected with the tub. The method may include receiving an input for a selected washing operation for a laundry load; determining a filtration requirement of the laundry load of the selected washing operation; changing an activation state of a selector input on the user interface in accordance with the determined filtration requirement; and performing the selected washing operation according to a determined set of operating parameters. 
     In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry treatment appliance is provided. The laundry treatment appliance may define a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The laundry treatment appliance may include a cabinet forming a receiving space; a user interface provided on the cabinet, the user interface including a selector input; a tub provided within the receiving space; a wash basket rotatably provided within the tub and configured to hold a laundry load and a wash fluid; a filter in fluid communication with the tub, the filter selectively filtering the wash fluid; a first drain line fluidly connected with the tub; a second drain line fluidly connected with the tub, the second drain line being in fluid parallel with the first drain line; and a controller provided within the cabinet and configured to perform a series of operations. The series of operations may include receiving an input for a selected washing operation for the laundry load; determining a filtration requirement of the laundry load of the selected washing operation; changing an activation state of the selector input in accordance with the determined filtration requirement; and performing the selected washing operation according to a determined set of operating parameters. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures. 
         FIG.  1    provides a front, perspective view of a laundry treatment appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    provides a side, cross-sectional view of the exemplary laundry treatment appliance of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    provides a partial exploded perspective view of the dispensing assembly of the laundry treatment appliance of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    provides a rear perspective view of the laundry treatment appliance of  FIG.  1    showing an interior of the cabinet. 
         FIG.  5    provides a schematic view of an embodiment of a circulation system of a laundry treatment appliance. 
         FIG.  6    provides a schematic view of another embodiment of a circulation system of a laundry treatment appliance. 
         FIG.  7    provides a flow chart illustrating a method of operating a laundry treatment appliance according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    provides a flow chart illustrating a control method of operating a laundry treatment appliance according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
       FIGS.  1  and  2    provide various views of an exemplary laundry treatment apparatus  100  according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular,  FIG.  1    provides a front, perspective view of horizontal axis laundry treatment apparatus  100  and  FIG.  2    provides a side, section view of laundry treatment apparatus  100 . As shown in  FIG.  1   , laundry treatment apparatus  100  includes a cabinet  102  that extends between a top  103  and a bottom  105 , e.g., along a vertical direction V. Cabinet  102  also extends between a first side  123  and a second side  125 , e.g., along a lateral direction L, and between a front  127  and a rear  129 , e.g., along a transverse direction T. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions V, L, T defined by laundry treatment apparatus  100  are mutually perpendicular and together define an orthogonal direction system. Cabinet  102  may form a receiving space. 
     Cabinet  102  includes a front panel  104 . A door  112  may be mounted to front panel  104  and may be rotatable between an open position (not shown) facilitating access to a wash drum or basket  120  ( FIG.  2   ) located within cabinet  102 , and a closed position (shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   ) hindering access to basket  120 . A user may pull on a handle  113  in order to selectively adjust door  112  between the open and closed positions. Cabinet  102  also includes a top panel  106  positioned at top  103  of cabinet  102 . 
     A control panel  108  including a plurality of input selectors  110  may be coupled to front panel  104 . Control panel  108  and input selectors  110  collectively form a user interface input for operator selection of machine cycles and features. For example, in some embodiments, control panel  108  includes a display  111  ( FIG.  1   ) configured to present or indicate selected features, a countdown timer, and/or other items of interest to machine users. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , a tub  114  defines a wash fluid compartment  119  configured for receipt of a washing fluid. Thus, tub  114  is configured for containing washing fluid, e.g., during operation of laundry treatment apparatus  100 . Washing fluid disposed within tub  114  may include, for example, at least one of water, fabric softener, bleach, and detergent. Tub  114  includes a back wall  116  and a sidewall  118  and extends between a top  115  and a bottom  117 , e.g., along the vertical direction V. Further, tub  114  extends between a front  132  and a rear  134 , e.g., along the transverse direction T. 
     Basket  120  is rotatably mounted within tub  114  in a spaced apart relationship from tub sidewall  118  and tub back wall  116 . One or more bearing assemblies may be placed between basket  120  and tub  114  and may allow for rotational movement of basket  120  relative to tub  114 . Basket  120  defines a wash chamber  121  and an opening  122 . Opening  122  of basket  120  permits access to wash chamber  121  of basket  120 , e.g., in order to load articles into basket  120  and remove articles from basket  120 . Basket  120  also defines a plurality of perforations  124  to facilitate fluid communication between an interior of basket  120  and tub  114 . A sump  107  is defined by tub  114  and is configured for receipt of washing fluid during operation of appliance  100 . For example, during operation of appliance  100 , washing fluid may be urged by gravity from basket  120  to sump  107  through plurality of perforations  124 . 
     A spout  130  is configured for directing a flow of fluid into tub  114 . Spout  130  may be in fluid communication with a water supply (not shown) in order to direct fluid (e.g., clean water) into tub  114 . A pump assembly  150  (shown schematically in  FIG.  2   ) is located beneath tub  114  for draining tub  114  of fluid. Pump assembly  150  is in fluid communication with sump  107  of tub  114  via a conduit  170 . Thus, conduit  170  directs fluid from tub  114  to pump assembly  150 . Pump assembly  150  is also in fluid communication with a drain  140  via piping  174 . Pump assembly  150  can urge fluid disposed in sump  107  to drain  140  during operation of appliance  100  in order to remove fluid from tub  114 . Fluid received by drain  140  from pump assembly  150  is directed out of appliance  100 , e.g., to a sewer or septic system. 
     In addition, pump assembly  150  is configured for recirculating washing fluid within tub  114 . Thus, pump assembly  150  is configured for urging fluid from sump  107 , e.g., to spout  130 . For example, pump assembly  150  may urge washing fluid in sump  107  to spout  130  via hose  176  during operation of appliance  100  in order to assist in cleaning articles disposed in basket  120 . It should be understood that conduit  170 , piping  174 , and hose  176  may be constructed of any suitable mechanism for directing fluid, e.g., a pipe, duct, conduit, hose, or tube, and are not limited to any particular type of mechanism. 
     A motor  128  is in mechanical communication with basket  120  in order to selectively rotate basket  120 , e.g., during an agitation or a rinse cycle of laundry treatment apparatus  100  as described below. In particular, a shaft  136  mechanically couples motor  128  with basket  120  and drivingly rotates basket  120  about a shaft or central axis A, e.g., during a spin cycle. Ribs  126  may extend from basket  120  into wash chamber  121 . Ribs  126  may assist agitation of articles disposed within wash chamber  121  during operation of laundry treatment apparatus  100 . For example, ribs  126  may lift articles disposed in basket  120  during rotation of basket  120 . 
     Also shown in  FIG.  2    is a balancing apparatus  190 . Balancing apparatus  190  can include a balancing ring, for example. The balancing ring can have an annular cavity in which a balancing material is free to rotate and move about. For example, the balancing material can be a fluid such as water or can be balancing balls. The balancing ring can include one or more interior baffles. Although a single balancing ring or apparatus  190  is shown in  FIG.  2   , any number of such rings or apparatuses can be included in laundry treatment apparatus  100  and can be placed according to any known or desirable configuration. For example, two balancing rings can be respectively placed at the front and back of basket  120 . 
     As further shown in  FIG.  2   , laundry treatment apparatus  100  includes a detergent dispenser  200 . Detergent dispenser  200  may include features for receiving various wash treatment additives (e.g., fluid detergent, powder detergent, fabric softener, bleach, powder or any other suitable liquid) and dispensing or directing them to wash fluid compartment  119  of tub  114  during operation of laundry treatment apparatus  100 . Detergent dispenser  200  will be described in further detail herein. 
     Operation of laundry treatment apparatus  100  is controlled by a processing device or controller  180  that is operatively coupled to control panel  108  for user manipulation to select washing cycles and features. In response to user manipulation of control panel  108 , controller  180  operates the various components of laundry treatment apparatus  100  to execute selected machine cycles and features, which will be described in further detail herein. 
     Controller  180  may include a memory and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a cleaning cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller  180  may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software. Control panel  108  and other components of laundry treatment apparatus  100  may be in communication with controller  180  via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. 
     In an illustrative example of operation of laundry treatment apparatus  100 , laundry items are loaded into basket  120 , and a washing operation is initiated through operator manipulation of input selectors  110 . Tub  114  may be filled with water and one or more wash treatment additives from detergent dispenser  200  to form a wash fluid. One or more valves of a water inlet valve  195  can be actuated by controller  180  to provide for filling tub  114  to the appropriate level for the amount (or number) of articles being washed. Water inlet valve  195  is in fluid communication with a water source, such as e.g., a hot water heater and/or a municipal water line. Once tub  114  is properly filled with wash fluid, the contents of basket  120  may be agitated with ribs  126  for cleansing of laundry items in basket  120 . 
     After the agitation phase (e.g., first agitation phase, second agitation phase, etc.) of the wash cycle is completed, tub  114  may be drained. Laundry articles may then be rinsed by again adding wash fluid to tub  114  depending on the particulars of the cleaning cycle selected by a user, and ribs  126  may again provide agitation within wash chamber  121 . 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 the spin cycle, basket  120  is rotated at relatively high speeds. 
     While described in the context of a specific embodiment of horizontal axis laundry treatment apparatus  100 , it will be understood that horizontal axis laundry treatment apparatus  100  is provided by way of example only. Other laundry treatment apparatuses having different configurations, different appearances, and/or different features may also be utilized with the present subject matter as well, including, for example, vertical axis laundry treatment apparatuses. Thus, the teachings of the present disclosure are not limited to use with laundry treatment apparatus  100 . 
       FIG.  3    provides a view of a detergent dispenser  200  of the laundry treatment apparatus of  FIGS.  1  and  2    according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. More specifically,  FIG.  3    provides a partial exploded perspective view of detergent dispenser  200 . As shown in  FIG.  3   , detergent dispenser  200  may include a diffuser assembly  210  and drawer assembly  250 . Diffuser assembly  210  may have a manifold  212  that has a generally rectangular shape. Manifold  212  may extend between a front and a back, e.g., along the transverse direction T, between a top and a bottom, e.g., along the vertical direction V, and between a first side and a second side, e.g., along the lateral direction L. 
     Further, manifold  212  may define an interior volume. The interior volume of manifold  212  may be sized to receive at least portion of drawer assembly  250 . Drawer assembly  250  may be slidably received within manifold  212  (i.e., within the interior volume of manifold  212 ) between a withdrawn position and a retracted position. That is, drawer assembly  250  may be movable between the withdrawn position and the retracted position, e.g., along the transverse direction T. In the withdrawn position, drawer assembly  250  may be at least partially withdrawn from manifold  212  so that a user may readily access one or more additive compartments of drawer assembly  250 , e.g., to fill one of the compartments with an additive. In the retracted position, drawer assembly  250  may be received within manifold  212 , e.g., so that one or more of the additive compartments of drawer assembly  250  are in fluid communication with water inlet valve  195  and tub  114  during operation of laundry treatment apparatus  100 . Generally, drawer assembly  250  may include a drawer  252  and a handle  254 . A user may grasp handle  254  of drawer assembly  250  to slide or move drawer assembly  250  between the withdrawn and retracted positions. An opening defined by front panel  104  may allow drawer assembly  250  to slide or move between the withdrawn and retracted positions. 
     Laundry treatment appliance  100  may include a filter  260 . In detail, filter  260  may be in fluid communication with hose  176 . Wash fluid from wash tub  114  may pass through filter  260  via hose  176 . For instance, during a selected washing operation, wash fluid may be periodically cycled from wash tub  114  via hose  176  through filter  260 . The filtered wash fluid may then be supplied back to wash tub  114  (e.g., with supplemental wash water and/or detergent). Thus, during the washing operation, the wash fluid is filtered to remove contaminants therefrom. 
     In at least some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  3   , filter  260  is provided within drawer  252 . Accordingly, when the wash fluid is circulated through hose  176  and supplied to drawer  252 , the wash fluid may be filtered through filter  260 . In some embodiments, filter  260  is provided as a gravity filter or an open filter. Thus, the wash fluid supplied via hose  176  may simply fall onto or into filter  260  and seep through due to gravity toward a bottom of drawer  252 . According to another embodiment, filter  260  is a closed filter. Accordingly, the wash fluid may be supplied to filter  260  in a pressurized state. It should be understood that filter  260  may be any suitable filter. 
     Filter  260  may include a fine filter  262  and a coarse filter  264 . In detail, fine filter  262  may be configured to provide filtration for small particles (e.g., between about 1 micron and about 50 micron). The wash fluid may be selectively supplied to fine filter  262 , e.g., according to selected washing operations. For instance, in particular washing operations that produce particles under a certain limit, controller  180  may instruct laundry treatment appliance  100  to circulate the wash fluid through fine filter  262 . The process of supplying the wash fluid to filter  260  (e.g., fine filter  262 ) may be performed repeatedly throughout the selected washing operation. 
     Coarse filter  264  may be located adjacent to fine filter  262 . For instance, coarse filter  264  may be located in front of fine filter  262  (e.g., along the transverse direction T near handle  254 ). In some embodiments, fine filter  262  and coarse filter  264  are provided as a single filter piece  260 ). Coarse filter  264  may be configured to provide filtration for relatively large particles (e.g., between about 50 micron and about 200 micron). Accordingly, fine filter  262  may filter relatively smaller particles as compared to those filtered by coarse filter  264 . The wash fluid may be selectively supplied to fine filter  262 , e.g., according to selected washing operations. For instance, in particular washing operations that typically produce large contaminant particles (e.g., lint), controller  180  may instruct laundry treatment appliance  100  to circulate the wash fluid through coarse filter  264 . In some embodiments, the wash water is supplied first to coarse filter  264  and subsequently to fine filter  262 . Accordingly, fine filter  262  may not be overwhelmed or clogged with relatively large particles. 
     As described briefly above, the wash fluid may be circulated (or recirculated) through the tub (e.g., via hose  176  and pump assembly  150 ). For instance, laundry treatment appliance  100  may include a fluid recirculation system  270  through which the wash fluid from tub  114  is recirculated to tub  114  (e.g., after having passed through filter  260 ). Fluid recirculation system  270  may include pump assembly  150  and hose  176 , as well as dispenser drawer  252 . Accordingly, the wash fluid may be drained from tub  114  into hose  176  (e.g., a recirculation hose), pumped through hose  176  via pump assembly  150  through filter  260  provided within drawer  252 . Filter  260  may remove particles, contaminants, foreign bodies, or the like before resupplying the wash fluid to tub  114  (e.g., via spout  130 ). As shown in  FIG.  3   , spout  130  may be provided at or near a front of tub  114  (e.g., near front panel  104 ). It should be noted that the specific location of spout  330  is not limited to the examples described herein. 
     Hose  176  may include a supply section  272 . For instance, the wash fluid may be supplied to drawer  252  (and subsequently filter  260 ) via supply section  272 . Supply section  272  may include a fine supply section  274  and a coarse supply section  276 . In detail, a diverter valve (or any type of switching valve)  278  may be provided on hose  176  to divert the wash fluid to one of fine supply section  274  or coarse supply section  276 . Diverter valve  278  may receive signals from controller  180  during a washing operation to supply the wash fluid to the proper supply section. Accordingly, the wash fluid may be easily supplied to the correct filter (e.g., fine  262  or coarse  264 ). 
       FIG.  5    provides a schematic view of one embodiment of the present disclosure featuring a recirculating filter, and  FIG.  6    provides a schematic view of another embodiment of the present disclosure featuring a drain filter. The embodiment provided in  FIG.  6    includes two drain lines, which will be explained in detail below. Moreover, each of the embodiment in  FIG.  5    and the embodiment in  FIG.  6    may incorporate two pumps (e.g., a drain pump and a circulation pump, two drain pumps, etc.). It should be noted that the disclosure is not limited to these examples, and certain embodiments may incorporate one or more of the following features. 
     Referring now briefly to  FIG.  5   , laundry treatment appliance  100  may include pump assembly  150 . According to this embodiment, pump assembly  150  includes recirculation pump  152  and drain pump  154 . Recirculation pump  152  may selectively pump the wash fluid (e.g., from sump  107 ) through a recirculation hose (e.g., hose  176 ) to filter  260  (e.g., within drawer  252 ). As described above, the wash fluid may be supplied to fine filter  262  or coarse filter  264  via fine supply section  274  or coarse supply section  276 . The wash fluid may then be filtered through filter  260  and resupplied to tub  114  via spout  330 . In some instances, this may be referred to as an internal recirculation filter arrangement or assembly. 
     Drain pump  154  may selectively pump the wash fluid (e.g., from sump  107 ) out of cabinet  102 . For instance, drain piping  174  may be fluidly connected with drain pump  174 . According to this embodiment, the wash fluid is selectively drained from laundry treatment appliance  100  without passing through filter  260 . In some embodiments, an optional additional filter is provided along piping  174 . Advantageously, certain washing loads that do not require filtration or which may produce excess material capable of clogging a filtration system may be drained without passing through filter  260 , thus increasing a lifespan of filter  260  and reducing the possibility of damage to appliance  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  6   , laundry treatment appliance  100  may include pump assembly  150 . Pump assembly  150  may include drain pump  154 . In some instances, pump assembly includes two separate drain pumps  154 , each with a dedicated drain line. In detail, a first drain pump  154  may selectively pump the wash fluid (e.g., from sump  107 ) through a first drain line  156 . First drain line may be hose  176 . Additionally or alternatively, first drain line  156  may be a separate hose similar to hose  176 . First drain line  156  may be fluidly connected with filter  260 . For instance, first drain line  156  may allow the wash fluid from flow from sump  107  (via first drain pump  154 ) into a filter housing  266 , the filter housing  266  having filter  260  provided therein. Filter housing may be provided within cabinet  102  of appliance  100 . 
     Filter housing  266  may be separate from drawer  252 . In detail, filter housing  266  may not be in fluid communication with tub  114 . Accordingly, the wash fluid supplied to filter housing  266  may not be resupplied to tub  114 . At the conclusion of the selected washing operation, the wash fluid may be motivated through first drain line  156  into filter housing  266 . Filter  260  (e.g., fine filter  262  and/or coarse filter  264 ) may then filter out foreign substances. From filter housing  266 , the wash fluid may be expelled from cabinet  102  (e.g., via a drain line such as piping  174 ). 
     Second drain pump  154  may have a second drain line  158  fluidly attached thereto. Second drain pump  154  may selectively pump the wash fluid (e.g., from sump  107 ) through second drain line  158 . Second drain line  158  may not be in fluid communication with filter housing  266 . In detail, second drain line  158  may pass directly out of cabinet  102  of appliance  100  without passing through filter housing  266 . Accordingly, the wash fluid pumped through second drain line  158  does not pass through filter  260  and thus is not filtered before being drained from appliance  100 . Controller  180  may selectively operate one of the first or second drain pump  154  according to a selected washing operation, which will be explained below. In some embodiments, a single drain pump  154  is provided. According to these embodiments, a switching valve (not shown) may be provided on a primary drain line. The switching valve may selectively direct the draining wash fluid to one of first drain line  156  or second drain line  158 . 
     Now that the general descriptions of an exemplary appliance has been described in detail, a method  400  of operating an appliance (e.g., laundry treatment appliance  100 ) will be described in detail. Although the discussion below refers to the exemplary method  400  of operating laundry treatment appliance  100 , one skilled in the art will appreciate that the exemplary method  400  is applicable to any suitable domestic appliance capable of performing a washing operation (e.g., such as a combination washing machine/dryer, a stand-alone washer, etc.). In exemplary embodiments, the various method steps as disclosed herein may be performed by controller  180  and/or a separate, dedicated controller.  FIGS.  7  and  8    provide flow charts illustrating methods of operating a laundry treatment appliance. Hereinafter, method  400  will be described with specific reference to  FIG.  7   . 
     With reference now to  FIG.  7   , at step  402 , method  400  may include receiving an input for a selected washing operation for a laundry load. In detail, a controller (e.g., controller  180 ) of a laundry treatment appliance (e.g., appliance  100 ) may receive an input via a user interface (e.g., control panel  108 ) on the appliance. In some embodiments, the input is received remotely, such as from a connected device (e.g., mobile phone). A user may select a washing operation via an input selector (e.g., input selector  110 ), such as a rotary dial, for example. The input selector may allow the user to select a particular washing operation from a plurality of washing operations. For example, the plurality of washing operations include normal, whites, towels, bulky, sanitize, power clean, quick wash, delicates, cold wash, synthetics, rinse and spin, and self clean. It should be understood the examples given herein are not exhaustive, and that the plurality of washing operations may include additional potential operations. 
     At step  404 , method  400  may include determining a filtration requirement of the laundry load of the selected washing operation. In detail, the controller may determine whether or not a filtration operation or cycle is deemed to be required for the selected washing operation. A table may be stored onboard the appliance including a list of washing operations that require filtration, from which the controller may obtain the required information to determine the filtration requirements. In at least one example, the synthetics washing operation may require a filtration (e.g., before draining the washing fluid from the wash tub). 
     For instance, the controller may determine that filtration is required (e.g., for the synthetics washing operation). As described above, the filtration of the laundry load (or the filtration of the wash fluid used to wash the laundry load) may be performed in the midst of the washing operation or during a draining operation. In some embodiments, the controller may further determine whether the filtration requirement calls for multiple filtration cycles or a single filtration cycle. Moreover, the controller may determine whether a required filtration should be performed during the washing operation or during the draining cycle. Depending on the construction of the appliance, only one option may be accessible. 
     At step  406 , method  400  may include changing an activation state of a selector input on the user interface in accordance with the determined filtration requirement. In detail, the user interface (or control panel) may include an option to select whether or not to perform a filtration of the laundry load or wash fluid. For instance, the option may be a button, such as a touch button, a push button, a toggle switch, or the like. In order to select whether to have the appliance perform a filter cycle or not perform a filter cycle, the user may push, switch, toggle, or otherwise manipulate the input. 
     As at least one example, the input is a touch button. The touch button may be located prominently on the user interface of the appliance. As would be understood, the touch button may be a capacitive touch button, a pressure touch button, a proximity touch button, or the like. Thus, a user may contact the touch button to indicate a desire for a filtration of the wash fluid. In at least one example, the touch button is presented as a “filtration on” button. Additionally or alternatively, a separate touch button may be provided on the user interface. The separate touch button may be presented as a “filtration off” button. In at least some embodiments, a single touch button is presented with the capability to toggle between an “on” and an “off” setting for filtration. A light emitting diode (LED) may accompany the touch button. For instance, the touch button may be backlit by the LED so as to identify the button to the user. Accordingly, changing the activation state of the selector input may include one or more of enabling or disabling the touch sensitivity of the button and activating or deactivating the LED. 
     Continuing from the above example, upon receiving the input for the washing operation, the controller may determine that a filtration is required (e.g., for the synthetics operation). Accordingly, the controller may determine that the user is unable to select the option to forego or not perform the filtration option. The controller may thus deactivate the selector input (e.g., the touch button). The deactivation may take place at the button itself or within the controller. In detail, the controller may restrict any input (e.g., electrical, etc.) from being recognized. Additionally or alternatively, the controller may simply ignore any input received from the button. Moreover, the controller may deactivate the LED provided at the touch button. Thus, the LED is not illuminated, further indicating to the user that they are unable to deselect the filtration option. 
     According to another example, the controller may determine that the selected washing operation does not require filtration. Accordingly, the controller may activate the button (e.g., the touch button) associated with the filtration option. The button may be activated such that the user may press the button to select the option to perform the filtration. Additionally or alternatively, the controller may activate the LED to illuminate the button. According to this example, the washing load is one for which filtration is optional but not required. Filtration optional or eligible washing operations may include normal, whites, towels, bulky, sanitize, delicates, cold wash, and self clean, for example. Thus, before initiating the washing operation, the user may optionally select whether to have the appliance perform the filtration cycle. Again, as described above, the filtration may occur during the washing operation or during the draining cycle. 
     According to still another embodiment, the controller may determine that the selected washing load is ineligible for filtration. In detail, some washing loads may be restricted from having a filtration cycle performed for various reasons. Some loads may regularly produce a large amount of potentially clogging by-products (such as excessive lint), some loads may be biohazardly dangerous to filter, some loads may be deteriorated by a filtration cycle, some loads may simply not require filtration due to not producing contaminants, or the like. For example, filtration ineligible washing operations may include power clean, quick wash, and rinse and spin. Accordingly, the controller may deactivate the button. In deactivating the button, the user is not able to select the filtration option. Similar to above, the deactivation may include not allowing the button to register an input and/or deactivating the LED associated with the button. 
     At step  408 , method  400  may include performing the selected washing operation according to a determined set of operating parameters. In detail, upon implementing the activated or deactivated state of the filtration selection button, the controller may finalize the operating parameters for the washing operation. The operating parameters may include cycles to be performed (e.g., rinse, agitation, drain, spin, etc.). Particularly, the operating parameters may include the filtration cycle. Upon determining that the filtration cycle is required, the controller may incorporate the filtration cycle within the operating parameters of the washing operation. As described above, the filtration cycle may be performed in the midst of the washing operation (e.g., together with a drain and resupply of the wash fluid). Moreover, the filtration cycle may be performed multiple times during the washing operation. For instance, the wash fluid may be supplied to the filter (e.g., filter  260 ) two or more times (e.g., during repeated drain and resupply cycles). 
     According to other embodiments, as described above, the filtration cycle is performed together with the drain cycle. For instance, the controller may determine that the selected washing load requires a drain filtration. Additionally or alternatively, the appliance may incorporate a drain filter (e.g., filter housing  266 ) together with two drain lines. Thus, the filtration cycle may be performed as the wash fluid is being drained from the wash tub. In some embodiments, the controller may retrieve an algorithm including a standard set of operating parameters. For example, when the filtration option is either ineligible or not selected, the controller may incorporate the standard algorithm with the standard set of operating parameters. 
       FIG.  8    provides a flow chart illustrating a control method for a laundry treatment appliance. The control method  500  may start by determining whether the laundry treatment appliance is powered on for operation. Subsequently, the controller may determine that the course selection input has been input. As described above, the controller may determine that a course has been selected by a user, e.g., via the user input. The controller may then determine which washing operation has been selected. The controller may then determine whether the selected washing operation has a required filtration. If the selected washing course required filtration, the controller may disable the input selector that allows the user to deselect a filtration option. Additionally or alternatively, the controller may activate the LED associated with the input selector (e.g., to notify the user that filtration will be performed). 
     If the selected washing operation does not require filtration, the controller may determine if the selected washing operation is eligible for filtration. In detail, the controller determines if the selected washing course involves a laundry load which may be filtered during the washing operation. If the washing operation is not eligible for filtration, the controller may disable the input selector that allows the user to select a filtration option. As described above, this may be the same input selector that deselects the filtration option, or may be a separate input selector. The controller may then deactivate the LED associated with the input selector. If the selected washing operation is eligible for filtration, the controller enables the input selector to select and/or deselect the filtration option and activates the LED associated with the input selector. The controller may then initiate the corresponding algorithm including the filtration cycle or omitting the filtration cycle. 
     According to the disclosure, a laundry treatment appliance may manipulate a user interface thereof to allow or disallow a user from selecting certain options. A controller of the appliance may receive an input to perform a specific selected washing operation. The controller may determine whether a filtration cycle is required, optional, or ineligible for the selected washing operation. When the filtration cycle is required, the controller may deactivate a button on the user interface that allows a user to deselect the filtration cycle. When the filtration cycle is ineligible, the controller may deactivate a button on the user interface that allows a user to select the filtration cycle. The select button and the deselect button may be the same button. When the filtration cycle is eligible or optional, the controller may activate the button on the user interface, allowing a selection or deselection of the filtration cycle. The controller may then implement a control algorithm incorporating operating parameters commensurate with the washing cycle, including a selected or deselected filtration cycle. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.