Abstract: A method for operating a washing machine appliance includes flowing a volume of liquid into a tub, agitating articles within the tub for a first period, the tub containing the volume of liquid, and measuring movement of the tub during agitation of the articles within the tub, the tub containing the volume of liquid. The movement is measured using an accelerometer and a gyroscope. The method further includes agitating articles within the tub for a second period when the final measured movement is greater than an out-of-balance movement threshold, the tub containing the volume of liquid. The method further includes draining liquid from the tub when the final measured movement is less than the out-of-balance movement threshold, and spinning a basket after draining liquid from the tub.

Abstract: A head mountable augmented reality see through near eye display system includes a see through augmented reality image focal distance modulator for changing a distance at which augmented reality images appear in focus and including at least one light transmissive surface through which real world objects are viewable. The system further includes a display for generating an augmented reality image and projecting the augmented reality image onto the see through augmented reality image focal distance modulator. The system further includes an augmented reality image focal distance controller for controlling the see through augmented reality image focal distance modulator to cause the augmented reality image to appear in focus a distance corresponding to a vergence distance and for changing the distance at which the augmented reality image appears to be in focus in correspondence with changes in the vergence distance.

Abstract: A method for operating a washing machine appliance includes flowing a volume of liquid into a tub, agitating articles within the tub for a first period, the tub containing the volume of liquid, and measuring movement of the tub during agitation of the articles within the tub, the tub containing the volume of liquid. The movement is measured using an accelerometer and a gyroscope. The method further includes agitating articles within the tub for a second period when the final measured movement is greater than an out-of-balance movement threshold, the tub containing the volume of liquid. The method further includes draining liquid from the tub when the final measured movement is less than the out-of-balance movement threshold, and spinning a basket after draining liquid from the tub.

Abstract: A method for operating a washing machine appliance includes flowing a volume of liquid into a tub, agitating articles within the tub for a first period, the tub containing the volume of liquid, and measuring movement of the tub during agitation of the articles within the tub, the tub containing the volume of liquid. The method further includes agitating articles within the tub for a second period when the final measured movement is greater than an out-of-balance movement threshold, the tub containing the volume of liquid. The method further includes draining liquid from the tub when the final measured movement is less than the out-of-balance movement threshold, and spinning a basket after draining liquid from the tub.

Abstract: A method for operating a washing machine appliance includes flowing a volume of liquid into a tub, and agitating articles within the tub for a first period and using a first agitation profile, the tub containing the volume of liquid. The method further includes measuring movement of the tub during agitation of the articles within the tub, wherein the step of measuring movement occurs after agitating articles within the tub for the first period and for an intermediate measurement period and using an intermediate agitation profile, and wherein the intermediate agitation profile is different from the first agitation profile. The method further includes agitating articles within the tub for a second period when the final measured movement is greater than an out-of-balance movement threshold. The method further includes draining liquid from the tub when the final measured movement is less than the out-of-balance movement threshold.

Abstract: A washing machine including a suspension system is provided. The suspension system includes a wash tub, a basket rotatably coupled within the wash tub, and a drive and motor assembly. The washing machine further includes a controller configured initiate a spin cycle by increasing a spin speed of the basket to a target spin speed, identify an out-of-balance load prior to reaching the target spin speed, and limit the spin speed of the basket to a spin speed lower than a natural frequency of the suspension system for a predefined period of time.

Abstract: An impeller for a washing machine appliance is provided. The impeller includes a stamped plate that is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The stamped plate also defines an opening at the axis of rotation. A mounting insert is received within the opening of the stamped plate in order to fix the mounting insert to the stamped plate.

Abstract: An appliance has a dispensing device that is configured for self-cleaning. In one embodiment, a flow regulator is fluidly connected to the dispensing device. The flow regulator has a first state in which a washing fluid is dispensed into the dispensing device and a second state in which the washing fluid is evacuated therefrom. To facilitate cleaning, the washing fluid flows through a spray device that is configured to direct the washing fluid onto a peripheral wall of a compartment in which an additive for the dispensing device can be disposed.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to facilitate in an appliance various operating modes including a spin mode and an agitation mode in a vertical-axis washing machine. The apparatus comprise a drive system with a shaft, on which is secured engagement features, and stops that are fixed with respect to the position of the engagement features. Engagement of the engagement features and the stops couple together elements of the appliance such as an agitation device and a wash basket. In one embodiment, the stops and engagement features are distributed on different contact planes located along the shaft, thereby permitting clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation of the shaft and the engagement features through an angle of at least about 180° and up to about 680°.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided herein. The apparatus includes, a clothes basket rotatable about an axis, a motor coupled to the clothes basket, an additive tank, a Venturi component comprising a hole connecting to a water inlet, a hole connecting to the additive tank, and a hole connecting to the clothes basket, a first valve, a second valve, and a processor coupled to the first valve and the second valve, the processor being operative to carry out a dispensing phase of the apparatus, wherein the dispensing phase comprises dispensing additive to the clothes basket, and carry out a self-cleaning phase of the apparatus, wherein the self-cleaning phase comprises washing the additive tank.

Abstract: An impeller for a washing machine appliance is provided. The impeller includes a stamped plate that is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The stamped plate also defines an opening at the axis of rotation. A mounting insert is received within the opening of the stamped plate in order to fix the mounting insert to the stamped plate.

Abstract: A clutch positioning assembly for a washing machine appliance is provided. The assembly uses a cam that can be rotated so as to position the clutch between different positions that provide for engaging or disengaging a motor from a wash basket. By engaging or disengaging the motor and wash basket, the rotation of a wash basket during various cycles of the appliance can be controlled as desired. For example, during a spin cycle the wash basket can be rotated whereas during a wash cycle the wash basket can be locked into position.

Abstract: A steam-augmented washing machine includes a casing, a tub disposed within the casing, and a basket configured for receipt of articles to be washed. A steam generator is disposed within the casing and is in communication with the tub to introduce steam into the wash basket. A plurality of fluid vanes are circumferentially spaced around the side wall adjacent the top end of the wash basket. The fluid vanes have a radial aspect so as to extend radially from side wall, wherein upon rotation of the wash basket within the tub, the fluid vanes generate a circulating vertically oriented steam flow path through the wash basket.

Abstract: A wash tub for a washing machine appliance is provided. The wash tub includes one or more features for controlling an overflow condition in which fluid is flowing over the side of the wash tub. These features can be used to help control the flow of fluid and/or direct the same away from the machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and techniques for detecting unbalanced load in a washing machine are provided. A clothes basket containing a load of clothing and rotatable about an axis is accelerated. As the clothes basket passes a first predetermined rotational speed, one of power and torque applied to the clothes basket is limited. It is determined whether the clothes basket accelerates from the first predetermined to a second predetermined rotational speed within a predetermined time. Failure to reach the second predetermined rotational speed within the predetermined time signifies an out-of-balance condition as to the load of clothing. No resonance of the machine lies between the first and second predetermined rotational speeds. In another aspect, a similar technique can be employed, with or without limiting power or torque, wherein a resonance does lie between the first and second predetermined rotational speeds.

Abstract: A steam-augmented washing machine includes a casing, a tub disposed within the casing, and a basket configured for receipt of articles to be washed. A steam generator is disposed within the casing and is in communication with the tub to introduce steam into the wash basket. A plurality of fluid vanes are circumferentially spaced around the side wall adjacent the top end of the wash basket. The fluid vanes have a radial aspect so as to extend radially from side wall, wherein upon rotation of the wash basket within the tub, the fluid vanes generate a circulating vertically oriented steam flow path through the wash basket.

Abstract: An appliance has a dispensing device that is configured for self-cleaning. In one embodiment, a flow regulator is fluidly connected to the dispensing device. The flow regulator has a first state in which a washing fluid is dispensed into the dispensing device and a second state in which the washing fluid is evacuated therefrom. To facilitate cleaning, the washing fluid flows through a spray device that is configured to direct the washing fluid onto a peripheral wall of a compartment in which an additive for the dispensing device can be disposed.

Abstract: An appliance comprises a wash tub and a wash basket in which clothes to be washed are positioned. In one embodiment, the wash basket has a first region that is permeable to the washing fluid and a second region in which washing fluid is retained. The wash basket comprises a first wall that forms an outer shell and in which is disposed a second wall that tapers towards the center axis from the first region to the bottom of the outer shell. The second wall forms an inner or first compartment and an outer or second compartment, which is adjacent to and in flow connection with the first compartment proximate the first region. When implemented in an appliance such as a washing machine, the second wall is configured so that the washing fluid moves from the second region to the first region in response to rotation of the wash basket.

Abstract: An appliance for washing objects is configured to dispense a first fluid, or hot wash fluid, into a wash zone to at least a first level. The appliance is further configured to dispense a second fluid into the wash zone, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid form a fluid mixture that reaches a fill level and has a mixture temperature that is less than the temperature of the first fluid. In one embodiment, the first level is less than the fill level and the appliance, in response to the first level being reached, implements a secondary operation that facilitates cleaning of objects that are positioned in the wash zone.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to facilitate in an appliance various operating modes including a spin mode and an agitation mode in a vertical-axis washing machine. The apparatus comprise a drive system with a shaft, on which is secured engagement features, and stops that are fixed with respect to the position of the engagement features. Engagement of the engagement features and the stops couple together elements of the appliance such as an agitation device and a wash basket. In one embodiment, the stops and engagement features are distributed on different contact planes located along the shaft, thereby permitting clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation of the shaft and the engagement features through an angle of at least about 180° and up to about 680°.