Patent ID: 12221737

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 or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

In order to aid understanding of this disclosure, several terms are defined below. The defined terms are understood to have meanings commonly recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the arts relevant to the present invention. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). The terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one element from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual elements. Terms such as “inner” and “outer” refer to relative directions with respect to the interior and exterior of the washing machine appliance, and in particular the wash basket therein. For example, “inner” or “inward” refers to the direction towards the interior of the washing machine appliance. Terms such as “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” or “bottom” are used with reference to the perspective of a user accessing the washing machine appliance. For example, a user stands in front of the washing machine appliance to open the door and reaches into the wash basket to access items therein. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that as used herein, terms of approximation, such as “approximately,” “substantially,” or “about,” refer to being 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.

Referring now to the figures,FIG.1is a perspective view of an exemplary horizontal axis washing machine appliance100andFIG.2is a side cross-sectional view of washing machine appliance100. As illustrated, washing machine appliance100generally 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 generally defined. Washing machine appliance100includes a cabinet102that extends between a top104and a bottom106along the vertical direction V, between a left side108and a right side110along the lateral direction L, and between a front112and a rear114along the transverse direction T.

Referring toFIG.2, a wash tub120is positioned within cabinet102and is generally configured for retaining wash fluids during an operating cycle. As used herein, “wash fluid” may refer to water, detergent, fabric softener, bleach, or any other suitable wash additive or combination thereof. A wash basket122is received within wash tub120and defines a wash chamber124that is configured for receipt of articles for washing. More specifically, wash basket122is rotatably mounted within wash tub120such that it is rotatable about an axis of rotation AR. According to the illustrated embodiment, the axis of rotation is substantially parallel to the transverse direction T. In this regard, washing machine appliance100is generally referred to as a “horizontal axis” or “front load” washing machine appliance100. However, it should be appreciated that aspects of the present subject matter may be used within the context of a vertical axis or top load washing machine appliance as well.

Wash basket122may define one or more agitator features that extend into wash chamber124to assist in agitation and cleaning articles disposed within wash chamber124during operation of washing machine appliance100. For example, as illustrated inFIG.2, a plurality of ribs126extends from basket122into wash chamber124. In this manner, for example, ribs126may lift articles disposed in wash basket122during rotation of wash basket122.

Washing machine appliance100includes a drive assembly128which is coupled to wash tub120and is generally configured for rotating wash basket122during operation, e.g., such as during an agitation or spin cycle. More specifically, as best illustrated inFIG.2, drive assembly128may include a motor assembly130that is in mechanical communication with wash basket122to selectively rotate wash basket122(e.g., during an agitation or a rinse cycle of washing machine appliance100). According to the illustrated embodiment, motor assembly130is a pancake motor. However, it should be appreciated that any suitable type, size, or configuration of motors may be used to rotate wash basket122according to alternative embodiments. In addition, drive assembly128may include any other suitable number, types, and configurations of support bearings or drive mechanisms.

Referring generally toFIGS.1and2, cabinet102also includes a front panel140that defines an opening142that permits user access to wash basket122. More specifically, washing machine appliance100includes a door144that is positioned over opening142and is rotatably, e.g., pivotably, mounted to front panel140(e.g., about a door axis that is substantially parallel to the vertical direction V). In this manner, door144permits selective access to opening142by being movable between an open position (not shown) facilitating access to a wash tub120and a closed position (FIG.1) prohibiting access to wash tub120. For example, when the door144is in the closed position, the wash tub120may be generally enclosed (e.g., at least 90% enclosed and at least 90% surrounded on all sides, such as fully enclosed with the exception of a vent line190and/or vent aperture202as will be described below) by the door144and the cabinet102. A gasket200may be provided in the opening142and the gasket200may sealingly engage the door144when the door144is in the closed position. For example, the gasket200may extend between the tub120and the front panel140, e.g., generally along the transverse direction T and may extend about or around the opening142such that the gasket200is covered by the door144when the door144is in the closed position, and the gasket200may promote sealing between the door144and the cabinet102, e.g., the front panel140of the cabinet102.

In some embodiments, a window146in door144permits viewing of wash basket122when door144is in the closed position (e.g., during operation of washing machine appliance100). Door144also includes a handle (not shown) that, for example, a user may pull when opening and closing door144. Further, although door144is illustrated as mounted to front panel140, it should be appreciated that door144may be mounted to another side of cabinet102or any other suitable support according to alternative embodiments.

Referring again toFIG.2, wash basket122also defines a plurality of perforations152in order to facilitate fluid communication between an interior of basket122and wash tub120. A sump154is defined by wash tub120at a bottom of wash tub120along the vertical direction V. Thus, sump154is configured for receipt of, and generally collects, wash fluid during operation of washing machine appliance100. For example, during operation of washing machine appliance100, wash fluid may be urged (e.g., by gravity) from basket122to sump154through the plurality of perforations152. A pump assembly156is located beneath wash tub120for gravity assisted flow when draining wash tub120(e.g., via a drain158). Pump assembly156is also configured for recirculating wash fluid within wash tub120. Accordingly, pump assembly156may also be referred to or include a drain pump and/or a circulation pump.

Referring still toFIGS.1and2, in some embodiments, washing machine appliance100may include an additive dispenser or spout170. For example, spout170may be in fluid communication with a water supply (not shown) in order to direct fluid (e.g., clean water) into wash tub120. Spout170may also be in fluid communication with the sump154. For example, pump assembly156may direct wash fluid disposed in sump154to spout170in order to circulate wash fluid in wash tub120.

As illustrated, a detergent drawer172may be slidably mounted within front panel140. Detergent drawer172receives 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 appliance100. According to the illustrated embodiment, detergent drawer172may also be fluidly coupled to spout170to facilitate the complete and accurate dispensing of wash additive.

In some embodiments, an optional bulk reservoir174may be disposed within cabinet102. Bulk reservoir174may be configured for receipt of fluid additive for use during operation of washing machine appliance100. Moreover, bulk reservoir174may be sized such that a volume of fluid additive sufficient for a plurality or multitude of wash cycles of washing machine appliance100(e.g., five, ten, twenty, fifty, or any other suitable number of wash cycles) may fill bulk reservoir174. Thus, for example, a user can fill bulk reservoir174with fluid additive and operate washing machine appliance100for a plurality of wash cycles without refilling bulk reservoir174with fluid additive. A reservoir pump176may be configured for selective delivery of the fluid additive from bulk reservoir174to wash tub120.

A control panel180including a plurality of input selectors182may be coupled to front panel140. Control panel180and input selectors182collectively form a user interface input for operator selection of machine cycles and features. A display184of control panel180indicates selected features, operation mode, a countdown timer, and/or other items of interest to appliance users regarding operation.

Operation of washing machine appliance100is controlled by a processing device or a controller186that is operatively coupled to control panel180for user manipulation to select washing machine cycles and features. In response to user manipulation of control panel180, controller186operates the various components of washing machine appliance100to execute selected machine cycles and features. Controller186may include a memory and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with methods described herein. 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, controller186may 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. Control panel180may be in communication with controller186via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses to provide signals to and/or receive signals from the controller186.

In addition, the memory or memory devices of the controller186can store information and/or data accessible by the one or more processors, including instructions that can be executed by the one or more processors. It should be appreciated that the instructions can be software written in any suitable programming language or can be implemented in hardware. Additionally, or alternatively, the instructions can be executed logically and/or virtually using separate threads on one or more processors.

For example, controller186may be operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with an operating cycle of washing machine appliance100. In this regard, the instructions may be software or any set of instructions that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations, such as running one or more software applications, displaying a user interface, receiving user input, processing user input, etc. Moreover, it should be noted that controller186as disclosed herein is capable of and may be operable to perform any methods, method steps, or portions of methods as disclosed herein. For example, in some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be embodied in programming instructions stored in the memory and executed by controller186.

The memory devices may also store data that can be retrieved, manipulated, created, or stored by the one or more processors or portions of controller186. The data can include, for instance, data to facilitate performance of methods described herein. The data can be stored locally (e.g., on controller186) in one or more databases and/or may be split up so that the data is stored in multiple locations. In addition, or alternatively, the one or more database(s) can be connected to controller186through any suitable network(s), such as through a high bandwidth local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). In this regard, for example, controller186may further include a communication module or interface that may be used to communicate with one or more other component(s) of washing machine appliance100, controller186, an external appliance controller, or any other suitable device, e.g., via any suitable communication lines or network(s) and using any suitable communication protocol. The communication interface can include any suitable components for interfacing with one or more network(s), including for example, transmitters, receivers, ports, controllers, antennas, or other suitable components.

In exemplary embodiments, during operation of washing machine appliance100, laundry items are loaded into wash basket122through opening142, and a wash operation is initiated through operator manipulation of input selectors182. For example, a wash cycle may be initiated such that wash tub120is filled with water, detergent, or other fluid additives (e.g., via detergent drawer172or bulk reservoir174). One or more valves (not shown) can be controlled by washing machine appliance100to provide for filling wash basket122to the appropriate level for the amount of articles being washed or rinsed. By way of example, once wash basket122is properly filled with fluid, the contents of wash basket122can be agitated (e.g., with ribs126) for an agitation phase of laundry items in wash basket122. During the agitation phase, the basket122may be motivated about the axis of rotation AR at a set speed (e.g., first speed or tumble speed). As the basket122is rotated, articles within the basket122may be lifted and permitted to drop therein.

After the agitation phase of the washing operation is completed, wash tub120can be drained, e.g., by drain pump assembly156. Laundry articles can then be rinsed (e.g., through a rinse cycle) by again adding fluid to wash tub120, depending on the particulars of the cleaning cycle selected by a user. Ribs126may again provide agitation within wash basket122. One or more spin cycles may also be used. In particular, a spin cycle may be applied after the wash cycle or after the rinse cycle in order to wring wash fluid from the articles being washed. During a spin cycle, basket122is rotated at relatively high speeds. For instance, basket122may be rotated at one set speed (e.g., second speed or pre-plaster speed) before being rotated at another set speed (e.g., third speed or plaster speed). As would be understood, the pre-plaster speed may be greater than the tumble speed and the plaster speed may be greater than the pre-plaster speed. Moreover, agitation or tumbling of articles may be reduced as basket122increases its rotational velocity such that the plaster speed maintains the articles at a generally fixed position relative to basket122. After articles disposed in wash basket122are cleaned (or the washing operation otherwise ends), a user can remove the articles from wash basket122(e.g., by opening door144and reaching into wash basket122through opening142).

During such operations, the gasket200may help to contain wash fluid within the cabinet102, particularly within the tub120. As generally shown inFIG.2, the gasket200may be positioned between the door144and the tub120, e.g., when the door144is in the closed position as inFIG.2. Thus, the gasket200may sealingly engage the door144when the door144is in the closed position. In general, the gasket200sealingly engages the cabinet102, in particular the opening142thereof, the tub120, and the door144. For example, the gasket200may extend around the opening142along a perimeter, e.g., circumference, of the opening142and may extend between the cabinet102and the wash tub120along a longitudinal axis, such as along or generally parallel to the transverse direction T.

It should be appreciated that the present subject matter is not limited to any particular style, model, or configuration of washing machine appliance. The exemplary embodiment depicted inFIGS.1and2is simply provided for illustrative purposes only. While described in the context of a specific embodiment of horizontal axis washing machine appliance100, it will be understood that horizontal axis washing machine appliance100is provided by way of example only. Other washing machine appliances having different configurations, different appearances, and/or different features may also be utilized with the present subject matter as well. For example, different locations may be provided for the user interface, different configurations may be provided, e.g., vertical axis washing machines, and other differences may be applied as well.

As illustrated inFIG.3, in some embodiments, a ventilation line190is provided within washing machine appliance100. In particular, ventilation line190may be enclosed within cabinet102. As shown inFIG.3, exemplary embodiments include ventilation line190at a position in fluid communication between tub120and the surrounding region (e.g., the ambient environment outside of or immediately surrounding cabinet102, the enclosed volume of cabinet102surrounding tub120, etc.). Generally, it is understood that ventilation line190may be provided as any suitable pipe or conduit (e.g., having non-permeable wall) for directing air therethrough. When assembled, ventilation line190defines an air path192from tub120and within or through cabinet102(e.g., to the ambient environment outside of cabinet102). Specifically, air path192extends from a ventilation inlet194, through cabinet102, and to a ventilation outlet196. In some embodiments, ventilation inlet194is defined through a top portion of wash tub120and ventilation outlet196is defined through an upper portion of cabinet102. Thus, air path192may extend from the top portion of tub120to an upper portion of cabinet102. Optionally, ventilation inlet194may be positioned below ventilation outlet196along a vertical direction V. Advantageously, a convective airflow may be naturally motivated from wash tub120, through air path192, and to the ambient environment. Also, such airflow may be aided or urged through the washing machine appliance100by rotating the wash basket122.

Although a convective airflow may be facilitated, optional embodiments further include a fan or blower198. Specifically, fan198may be provided in fluid communication with ventilation line190to motivate an active airflow therethrough. For instance, fan198may be mounted within ventilation line190to selectively rotate and draw air from wash tub120, through ventilation inlet194, and to ventilation outlet196(e.g., to output an airflow from tub120to the ambient environment).

A cabinet aperture202may be defined through front panel140as an inlet for ambient air to flow from outside of the cabinet102to the inside of the cabinet102, e.g., to and through the tub120. Notably, in the disclosed embodiments, air1000(e.g., an ambient airflow) may flow between tub120and the ambient environment through cabinet aperture202and/or vent line190even while door144remains closed.

A vent damper210may be provided to selectively control an airflow between tub120and, for example, the ambient environment. Generally, vent damper210is in communication with wash tub120and/or ventilation line190(i.e., in fluid communication with air path192). In certain embodiments, vent damper210is enclosed, at least in part, within cabinet102. Vent damper210may be selectively controlled or operated to limit or obstruct the flow of air from the ambient environment into the interior of the cabinet102, such as to the wash tub120, via the aperture202during certain operations, phases, or cycles. Thus, vent damper210may selectively limit airflow between tub120and the ambient environment, such as airflow from the ambient environment via the aperture202.

The damper210may be positioned downstream of the aperture202, e.g., between the aperture202and the wash tub120and/or between the aperture202and the gasket200. Thus, opening the damper210may permit fluid communication, e.g., air flow, between internal components of the washing machine appliance100, e.g., the wash tub120and/or the wash basket122, and the ambient environment external to the cabinet102. Thus, the damper210may be upstream of the internal components, e.g., wash basket122, with respect to a flow of ambient air1000from the ambient environment external to the cabinet102through the washing machine appliance100. As may be seen inFIG.3, the flow of ambient air1000from the ambient environment external to the cabinet102through the washing machine appliance100may enter the washing machine appliance100through the aperture202, flow through the damper210, into and through the wash tub120, e.g., wash basket122and wash chamber124therein, and may exit the washing machine appliance100via the vent line190, e.g., by flowing into the vent line190at the ventilation inlet194from the wash tub120, flowing through the vent line190, and returning to the ambient environment from the vent line190via the ventilation outlet196. In some embodiments, such air flow may be aided or urged by fan198. In additional embodiments, the air flow through the washing machine appliance100, as illustrated by arrows1000, may be provided by convective flow and/or rotation of the wash basket122without the use or presence of a fan. Such rotation of the wash basket122, including the ribs126therein, may push the air1000around to promote circulation of the ambient air1000through the washing machine appliance100, e.g., into and through the wash basket122. In some embodiments, the fan198may not be included, and the flow of ambient air1000through the washing machine appliance100may be provided solely by natural convection and/or rotation of the wash basket122.

FIGS.4-6illustrate enlarged views of a portion of the washing machine appliance100ofFIG.3, the portion is generally indicated by the oval A inFIG.3. As illustrated inFIGS.4-6, the washing machine appliance100may also include a humidity sensor208. In some embodiments, the humidity sensor208may be a single humidity sensor208, e.g., may be the only humidity sensor provided in the washing machine appliance100, and may be operable to measure both an internal humidity level, e.g., a humidity within the washing machine appliance100(such as within the cabinet102thereof, such as within the wash tub120and/or wash basket122) and a external humidity level, e.g., a humidity outside of the cabinet102, such as a humidity of an ambient environment external to the cabinet102. Humidity sensor208may be positioned in any suitable location within washing machine appliance100. Humidity sensor208may be any suitable sensor capable of sensing or measuring the humidity or relative humidity in the air. For instance, humidity sensor208may be a capacitive, resistive, or thermal sensor.

As mentioned above, the controller186may be in operative communication with various other components of the washing machine appliance100. In particular, controller186is in operative communication with humidity sensor208, fan198(when the fan198is provided), damper210, and motor130. Accordingly, controller186may receive signals from and route signals to these various components. For instance, controller186may receive signals from humidity sensor208that are indicative of the humidity or relative humidity of the air measured by the humidity sensor208. Such signals may be used to make decisions as to whether to activate motor130to rotate wash basket122, e.g., to facilitate air flow through the wash tub120. Controller186can receive the signals directly or indirectly from sensor208. Moreover, controller186may send signals to motor130, e.g., to rotate basket122, to fan198, e.g., to blow air within and/or through vent line190, or controller186may send signals to damper210to open or close.

In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated inFIG.4, humidity sensor208may be positioned proximate the ambient environment, such as proximate the ventilation outlet196. For example, in embodiments which include the fan198, the humidity sensor208may be proximate the ambient environment in that the humidity sensor208is downstream of the fan198, e.g., is between the fan198and the ventilation outlet196. As another example, the humidity sensor208may be proximate the ambient environment in that the humidity sensor208is closer to the ventilation outlet196than to the ventilation inlet194, such as, where a length of the ventilation line190is defined from the ventilation inlet194to the ventilation outlet196, the humidity sensor208may be positioned at the ventilation outlet196or separated from the ventilation outlet196by a distance which is ten percent or less of the length of the ventilation line190. In such embodiments, the humidity sensor208may be operable to measure ambient humidity whenever the washing machine appliance100is idle, e.g., when the washing machine appliance100is not performing a cycle such as a wash cycle. In particular, it may be advantageous to measure the ambient humidity when the washing machine appliance100is idle prior to the first wash cycle of the day, and such ambient humidity measurement may be stored or recorded, e.g., in a memory of the controller186.

In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated inFIGS.5and6, humidity sensor208may be positioned inside the vent line190and away from the ambient environment. For example, in embodiments such asFIG.5which include the fan198, the humidity sensor208may be away from the ambient environment in that the humidity sensor208is upstream of the fan198, e.g., where the fan198is between the humidity sensor208and the ventilation outlet196, such that the humidity sensor208is separated from the ambient environment by the fan198. As another example, the humidity sensor208may be away from the ambient environment in that the humidity sensor208is separated from the ventilation outlet196by a distance which is more than ten percent of the length of the ventilation line190. In such embodiments, the humidity sensor208may be operable to measure ambient humidity whenever the washing machine appliance100is idle, assuming that the ambient humidity and the humidity inside the washing machine appliance are approximately the same given sufficient time to equilibrate after a most recent wash cycle. In particular, it may be advantageous to measure the ambient humidity when the washing machine appliance100is idle prior to the first wash cycle of the day in order to ensure sufficient time for the humidity to equilibrate, and such ambient humidity measurement may be stored or recorded, e.g., in a memory of the controller186.

Additionally, in at least some embodiments, in particular those embodiments where the humidity sensor208is positioned away from the outlet196, the humidity sensor208may be operable to measure the ambient humidity when ambient air is drawn into the vent line190, e.g., in the reverse direction of the normal air flow path through the washing machine appliance100. For example, in embodiments which include the fan198, the fan198may be operable in two directions, e.g., may be a reversible fan, whereby the fan198may be operable to spin in a reverse direction in order to draw ambient air into the vent line190via the ventilation outlet196, whereby the humidity sensor208may measure an ambient humidity when the fan198is operating in the reverse direction. In additional embodiments, such as but not limited to embodiments where there is no fan in the vent line190, e.g., as illustrated inFIG.6, the washing machine appliance100may be operable to draw ambient air in through the ventilation outlet196(which, as noted above, is opposite the normal flow direction of the flow of air through the washing machine appliance100) when the door144is closed, by closing the damper210and activating the pump assembly156, e.g., activating a drain pump. With the door144and the damper210both closed, the vent line190is the only point of ingress or egress for air to or from the interior of the washing machine appliance100. Thus, activating the pump creates a negative pressure within the wash tub120, thereby drawing ambient air in through the vent line190, e.g., past the humidity sensor208whereby the humidity sensor208may measure an ambient humidity when the door144and the damper210are both closed and the pump156is activated.

In some embodiments, the washing machine appliance100may include more than one humidity sensor, e.g., a second humidity sensor. In such embodiments, the second or other additional humidity sensor may be positioned proximate to the damper210, such as immediately upstream or immediately downstream of the damper210, e.g., between the damper210and the gasket200or between the damper210and the aperture202. In such embodiments, exemplary methods of evaluating the humidity sensor may be used to evaluate either or both of the first humidity sensor and the second humidity sensor.

As mentioned above, the flow of ambient air1000(e.g.,FIG.3) through the washing machine appliance100may be facilitated by rotating the wash basket122. In some embodiments, such rotation may include, e.g., during a ventilation cycle, rotating the basket122for an ON period followed by stopping the basket122for an OFF period. In various embodiments, the rotational speed during the ON period or periods may be any suitable speed, such as between about 50 revolutions per minute (RPM) and about 200 RPM, such as about 150 RPM or about 100 RPM. The rotational speed during the ON period may be generally constant, e.g., apart from an inherent acceleration time to reach the set speed. As is understood, the rotational speed is zero during the OFF period.

FIG.7provides a plot700of measured humidity values over time during an exemplary washing operation of a washing machine appliance, such as but not limited to the exemplary washing machine appliance100described above. The exemplary washing operation represented by plot700includes a fill stage and a soak stage, e.g., where the humidity within the washing machine appliance increases at and/or near the beginning of the washing operation. As may be seen inFIG.7, the humidity may generally decrease over time at least through a first portion of the washing operation, e.g., beginning at a drain stage following the soak stage. For example, the humidity may generally decrease over time throughout the wash cycle and rinse cycle of the washing operation, e.g., prior to a spin cycle of the washing operation. As illustrated inFIG.7, the humidity may reach a first inflection point702, e.g., at the start of a first spin cycle of the washing operation. Following the first inflection point702, the humidity value may be a spike704, e.g., a large and rapid increase in humidity, such as a humidity over time with a large positive slope, such as a slope of between about sixty degrees and about ninety degrees (referring to standard measuring convention wherein, e.g., zero degrees would be flat and to the right and one hundred eighty degrees would be flat and to the left, etc.). For example, the spike704may correspond to an increase in humidity of at least about thirty percentage points in about three hundred seconds or less. The increase in humidity during the spike may be, for example, an increase in humidity of between about thirty five percentage points and about eighty percentage points, such as between about forty percentage points and about seventy five percentage points, such as between about forty five percentage points and about seventy percentage points, such as between about fifty percentage points and about sixty five percentage points. Also by way of example, the increase may occur over a time period (e.g., the time to the peak of the spike704) of between about two hundred fifty seconds and about sixty seconds, such as between about two hundred seconds and about one hundred seconds, such as about one hundred fifty seconds.

FIG.8provides a flow diagram of an exemplary method800of operating a washing machine appliance, according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Method800may be implemented using any suitable appliance, including for example, horizontal axis washing machine appliance100ofFIGS.1and2. Accordingly, to provide context to method800, reference numerals utilized to describe the features of washing machine appliance100inFIGS.1and2will be used below.

The method800may be begun or commenced in various ways. For example, method800may be performed during a wash cycle, or after or between wash cycles of washing machine appliance100. For example, the method800may be performed after wash liquid has been introduced into the wash tub, or the method800may include a step of flowing a liquid into the tub, e.g., where the expected humidity response correlates to a drying process as such liquid is removed. The method800may be commenced in a number of suitable ways. For instance, a user may manually commence the method800. For example, a user may manipulate one or more input selectors182of control panel180. As another example, a user may activate the method800by utilizing an application on a remote user device, e.g., smartphone, tablet, etc., communicatively coupled with controller186of washing machine appliance100. Another suitable manner for commencing the method800includes automatically commencing the method800without a specific user input. For example, the method800may be commenced automatically at a predetermined interval, such as, e.g., every week, every month, etc. As another example, the method800may be commenced automatically during each cycle of the washing machine appliance, or every Nth cycle of the washing machine appliance. In this manner, the method800may be performed without user interaction with washing machine appliance100and it may be ensured that the functionality and accuracy of the humidity sensor is verified or checked at regular intervals. Yet another suitable manner for commencing the method800includes embedding the method800into another cycle, such as, e.g., a special diagnostic cycle which is overall shorter in duration than a wash cycle of the washing machine appliance, e.g., where components are activated sequentially during the diagnostic cycle only for as long as needed to gather test data related to the functionality of such components, e.g., the motor, the humidity sensor, and/or other components in various combinations.

As mentioned, method800may be implemented using any suitable washing machine appliance, such as a washing machine appliance including a cabinet, a wash tub positioned within the cabinet, a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash tub, and a humidity sensor positioned and configured to measure a humidity within the wash tub. As illustrated inFIG.8, the method800may include a step810of measuring a humidity value with the humidity sensor. The method800may further include a step820of comparing the measured humidity value to an expected humidity value and a step830of flagging a fault in response to the measured humidity value differing from the expected humidity value by at least a predetermined threshold. Thus, the fault may indicate that the humidity sensor, although functional, is not functioning accurately, e.g., is not accurately measuring the humidity in the wash tub. As such, method800may advantageously provide an improved humidity sensor evaluation in a washing machine appliance, e.g., evaluating the accuracy of the measurements taken by the humidity sensor instead of only verifying the basic functionality of the humidity sensor.

As mentioned, controller186may be operable to measure air humidity, e.g., by receiving a signal indicative of a relative humidity of the air within the washing machine appliance100. Based on the signals received, controller186may determine the relative humidity of such air. Thus, for example, the foregoing steps such as step810may be performed by controller186.

In some exemplary embodiments, the method800may include rotating the wash basket within the wash tub. In such embodiments, measuring the humidity value may include measuring the humidity value with the humidity sensor while rotating the wash basket within the wash tub. When the wash tub and/or the wash basket therein include some residual moisture, e.g., remaining water or other wash liquid, rotating the wash basket may result in distributing the liquid around within the wash tub, such as spraying or splashing such liquids, thereby resulting in an increase in the measured humidity within the wash tub. For example, such motion may accelerate the vaporization of the liquids, e.g., through increased contact between the surface of the liquids and the air within the wash tub. Additionally, the increase in the measured humidity within the wash tub may be generally proportional to the temperature of the liquids and the speed of rotation of the wash basket, e.g., a larger increase in measured humidity for hotter liquids and/or faster rotation of the wash basket. However, it should be noted that high temperatures or high-speed rotations are not required, exemplary methods of the present disclosure may also effectively identify humidity sensor faults or verify accurate humidity readings with cooler wash liquids and/or slower rotations as well.

In various embodiments, where the method800includes rotating the wash basket while measuring the humidity, rotating the wash basket may include rotating the wash basket at a speed between about four hundred revolutions per minute (400 RPM) and about one thousand five hundred revolutions per minute (1500 RPM). In some embodiments, for example, such rotation may be or include rotating the wash basket as a part of a spin cycle of the washing machine appliance.

In some embodiments, the expected humidity value may be a spike, e.g., a rapid increase in humidity, such as spike704described above with respect toFIG.7. As discussed above, the humidity within the wash tub may be expected to increase when water or other wash liquid is present within the wash tub and the wash basket is rotated. Thus, for example, the expected humidity value may be a spike in embodiments where the humidity value is measured while rotating the wash basket.

In some embodiments, method800may include flowing a volume of water into the wash tub prior to measuring the humidity value. In such embodiments, the expected humidity value is proportional to a temperature of the volume of water. For example, where the expected humidity value is a spike, a larger spike or more rapid increase in the humidity measurement may be expected for warmer water, as compared to an expected spike in humidity for cooler water may be smaller, e.g., a lower peak, and/or slower, e.g., a longer time to reach the peak value.

In various embodiments, method800may be incorporated into a standard cycle, such as any wash cycle, of the washing machine appliance. In additional embodiments, method800may also or instead be a special diagnostic cycle, or a part of a special diagnostic cycle. For example, as noted above, the special diagnostic cycle may include parameters which are suitable for testing one or more components of the washing machine appliance, such as the humidity sensor, but which are not optimal for cleaning laundry articles, such as flowing a relatively small volume of water into the wash tub in order to test the humidity sensor, where the volume of water may be less than would be used in washing a load of articles, and/or such as rotating the wash basket long enough to take and evaluate a humidity measurement, which may not be long enough to satisfactorily extract moisture from a load of articles. For example, the wash basket may be spun during a special diagnostic cycle only long enough to reach a peak value in a measured humidity and thereby evaluate the humidity sensor, without any additional spins during the diagnostic cycle such as would be included in a wash cycle.

In some embodiments, the washing machine may include ventilation features and may be operable to perform a ventilation cycle, such as is generally described above with reference toFIGS.3through6. In such embodiments, the ventilation cycle may include a humidity target or threshold, e.g., the ventilation cycle may be terminated when the humidity threshold is reached. Accordingly, verifying the accuracy of the humidity sensor may permit the ventilation cycle to be based on the measured humidity, e.g., as opposed to running the ventilation cycle for a fixed, predetermined time. Thus, for example, some exemplary methods according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include terminating a vent cycle of the washing machine appliance based on the measured humidity value when the measured humidity value is within the predetermined threshold of the expected humidity value.

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.