Method and apparatus for operating a washing machine

• US 20080155760A1
• Filed: 12/28/2006
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Hoppe, Christopher G.
• Application Number:
  US11/646,869
• Publication Number:
  US 20080155760A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 8/159
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/37 of metering of detergents or additives
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents

Abstract

A control system for a washing machine operable in a wash cycle is provided. The control system includes a foam sensor and a controller operatively coupled to the foam sensor. The washing machine includes a cabinet and a wash tub positioned within the cabinet for receiving laundry therein. The foam sensor is configured to detect a level of foam within the wash tub. The controller is configured to introduce a softener into the wash tub upon the foam sensor detecting a threshold level of foam within the wash tub.

Claims

1. A control system for a washing machine operable in a wash cycle, said washing machine comprising a cabinet and a wash tub positioned within the cabinet for receiving laundry therein, said control system comprising:

a foam sensor configured to detect a level of foam within the wash tub; and

a controller operatively coupled to said foam sensor, said controller configured to introduce a softener into the wash tub upon said foam sensor detecting a threshold level of foam within the wash tub.

2. A control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said controller is operatively coupled to at least one of a drive motor configured to drive the wash tub and a pump motor configured to facilitate draining water from the wash tub.

3. A control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said controller is configured to suspend the wash cycle upon detecting the threshold level.

4. A control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said controller is configured to initiate rotation of said wash tub and channel water through said wash tub after introducing the softener.

5. A control system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said controller is configured to detect the level of foam within said wash tub after channeling the water.

6. A control system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said controller is configured to continue the wash cycle with the level of foam below the threshold level.

7. A control system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said controller is configured to operate a foam reducing process upon detecting the level of foam at the threshold level.

8. A control system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said controller is configured to continue the wash cycle at a reduced rotational speed upon detecting the level of foam at the threshold level.

9. A control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said controller is configured to determine a foam threshold level based on an operational status of a pump motor.

10. A control system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a water level sensor configured to detect a water level within said wash tub, said controller configured to detect the operational status of a pump motor upon detecting the foam threshold level and the water level above a predetermined empty level.

11. A washing machine operable in a wash cycle, said washing machine comprising:

a cabinet;

a wash tub positioned within said cabinet and configured to receive laundry therein;

a dispenser positioned within said cabinet, said dispenser comprising a plurality of independent compartments, a first compartment of said plurality of independent compartments configured to receive an anti-foam component therein;

a foam sensor positioned within said cabinet and configured to detect a level of foam within said wash tub; and

a controller operatively coupled to said foam sensor, said controller configured to channel water through said first compartment and into said wash tub upon detecting a threshold level of foam within said wash tub.

12. A washing machine in accordance with claim 11 wherein said controller is configured to suspend the wash cycle upon detecting the threshold level.

13. A washing machine in accordance with claim 11 wherein said controller is configured to operate a foam reducing process upon detecting the threshold level.

14. A washing machine in accordance with claim 13 wherein said controller is configured to drain water from said wash tub during the foam reducing process.

15. A washing machine in accordance with claim 13 wherein said controller is configured to detect the level of foam within said wash tub after the foam reducing process.

16. A washing machine in accordance with claim 15 wherein said controller is configured to resume the wash cycle upon detecting the level of foam below the threshold level.

17. A washing machine in accordance with claim 15 wherein said controller is configured to continue operating the foam reducing process upon detecting the threshold level.

18. A washing machine in accordance with claim 15 wherein said controller is configured to continue the wash cycle at a reduced rotational speed upon detecting the threshold level.

19. A washing machine in accordance with claim 11 further comprising a pump motor configured to drain water through said wash tub, said controller configured to determine a foam level based on an operational status of said pump motor in a drain cycle.

20. A washing machine in accordance with claim 19 further comprising a water level sensor configured to detect a water level within said wash tub, said controller configured to detect an angle phase of said pump motor upon detecting the threshold level of foam and the water level at a predetermined level.

21. A method for reducing a foam level within a washing machine during a wash cycle, said method comprising:

positioning a foam sensor within a cabinet of the washing machine configured to detect a level of foam within a wash tub positioned within the cabinet;

positioning a dispenser within the cabinet and in fluid communication with a basket rotatably positioned within the wash tub, the dispenser including a first compartment configured to receive a washing detergent and an independent second compartment configured to receive a softener; and

operatively coupling a controller to the foam sensor, the controller configured to channel water through the second compartment and into the wash tub upon detecting a threshold level of foam within the wash tub.

22. A method in accordance with claim 21 wherein operatively coupling a controller comprises coupling a controller configured to suspend the wash cycle upon detecting the threshold level.

23. A method in accordance with claim 21 further comprising initiating a foam reducing process upon detecting the threshold level.

24. A method in accordance with claim 23 further comprising detecting the level of foam within the wash tub after the foam reducing process.

25. A method in accordance with claim 24 further comprising resuming the wash cycle at a reduced rotational speed of the basket upon detecting the threshold level.

26. A method in accordance with claim 21 further comprising detecting an operational status of a pump motor upon detecting the threshold level of foam and the water level at a predetermined level.