Abstract: An appliance, such as a washing machine appliance, includes a cabinet comprising a wall defining an aperture configured for receiving support features during shipment of the appliance. When the appliance is installed, the support features are removed, leaving the aperture open and creating a path for noise transmission. Therefore, a sound reducing plug is configured for receipt within the aperture, the sound reducing plug being slightly oversized relative to the aperture such that an interference fit is formed between the sound reducing plug and the wall when the sound reducing plug is installed.

Abstract: A method of operating a washing machine appliance includes calculating a plaster speed of a load of articles in a basket, rotating the basket, and accelerating the basket to a first speed less than the calculated plaster speed and greater than zero during an initial ramp period. The method also includes accelerating the basket from the first speed to a second speed greater than the first speed. The second speed is within a predetermined margin of the calculated plaster speed. The method further includes monitoring a balance condition and accelerating the basket to full plaster speed when the monitored balance condition is within a predetermined tolerance range.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance, including one or more methods of operation, is provided herein. A method of operation may include rotating articles within a tub at a tumble speed for a first period and rotating articles within the tub at a pre-plaster speed for a second period following the first period. The pre-plaster speed may be greater than the tumble speed. The method may also include measuring movement of the tub during the second period. The method may further include determining whether a set condition is met based on the measured movement, and rotating articles within the tub at a plaster speed in response to determining the set condition is met based on the measured movement.

Abstract: An appliance, such as a washing machine appliance, includes a cabinet comprising a wall defining an aperture configured for receiving support features during shipment of the appliance. When the appliance is installed, the support features are removed, leaving the aperture open and creating a path for noise transmission. Therefore, a sound reducing plug is configured for receipt within the aperture, the sound reducing plug being slightly oversized relative to the aperture such that an interference fit is formed between the sound reducing plug and the wall when the sound reducing plug is installed.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance and method of operation for determining load size are provided herein. The washing machine appliance may include a cabinet, a tub, a wash basket, a measurement device, a motor, and a controller. The cabinet may include a front panel. The front panel may define an opening. The tub may be positioned within the cabinet. The wash basket may be rotatably mounted within the tub. The wash basket may define a wash chamber to receive an article load of one or more articles. The measurement device may detect movement of the tub. The motor may be in mechanical communication with the wash basket to selectively rotate the wash basket within the tub. The controller may be in operative communication with the measurement device and the motor.

Abstract: A washing machine operation and method for setting a plaster speed are provided herein. The washing machine appliance may include a tub, a wash basket, a valve, a nozzle, a measurement device, a motor, and a controller. The wash basket may be rotatably mounted within the tub to receive a load of one or more articles. The nozzle may be configured for flowing liquid from the valve into the tub. The measurement device may detect movement of the tub. The motor may be in mechanical communication with the wash basket. The motor may be configured for selectively rotating the wash basket within the tub. The controller may be in operative communication with the valve, the motor, and the measurement device.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance, including one or more methods of operation, is provided herein. A method of operation may include rotating articles within a tub at a tumble speed for a first period and rotating articles within the tub at a pre-plaster speed for a second period following the first period. The pre-plaster speed may be greater than the tumble speed. The method may also include measuring movement of the tub during the second period. The method may further include determining whether a set condition is met based on the measured movement, and rotating articles within the tub at a plaster speed in response to determining the set condition is met based on the measured movement.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance and method of operation for determining load size are provided herein. The washing machine appliance may include a cabinet, a tub, a wash basket, a measurement device, a motor, and a controller. The cabinet may include a front panel. The front panel may define an opening. The tub may be positioned within the cabinet. The wash basket may be rotatably mounted within the tub. The wash basket may define a wash chamber to receive an article load of one or more articles. The measurement device may detect movement of the tub. The motor may be in mechanical communication with the wash basket to selectively rotate the wash basket within the tub. The controller may be in operative communication with the measurement device and the motor.

Abstract: A washing machine operation and method for setting a plaster speed are provided herein. The washing machine appliance may include a tub, a wash basket, a valve, a nozzle, a measurement device, a motor, and a controller. The wash basket may be rotatably mounted within the tub to receive a load of one or more articles. The nozzle may be configured for flowing liquid from the valve into the tub. The measurement device may detect movement of the tub. The motor may be in mechanical communication with the wash basket. The motor may be configured for selectively rotating the wash basket within the tub. The controller may be in operative communication with the valve, the motor, and the measurement device.

Abstract: Methods for monitoring load balance in washing machine appliances, and washing machine appliances, are provided. A method includes accelerating rotation of a basket about a central axis within a tub of the washing machine appliance from a first speed to a second speed greater than the first speed. The method further includes detecting a plurality of speed changes during the accelerating step, and summing absolute values of speed differences for each of the plurality of detected speed changes to obtain an unfolded speed value.

Abstract: Methods for monitoring load balance in washing machine appliances, and washing machine appliances, are provided. A method includes accelerating rotation of a basket about a central axis within a tub of the washing machine appliance from a first speed to a second speed greater than the first speed. The method further includes detecting a plurality of speed changes during the accelerating step, and summing absolute values of speed differences for each of the plurality of detected speed changes to obtain an unfolded speed value.

Abstract: Washing machine appliances and associated methods for detecting periodic speed variation caused by an imbalanced load are provided. One example method for determining whether a load of a washing machine is imbalanced includes obtaining, by the washing machine, a sensor output signal describing a speed of a motor of the washing machine. The method includes determining, by the washing machine, a plurality of edge intervals. Each edge interval describes an interval of time between edges exhibited by the sensor output signal. The method includes determining, by the washing machine, a plurality of impulse values based on the plurality of edge intervals. The method includes determining, by the washing machine, whether the load of the washing machine is imbalanced based on the plurality of impulse values. One example washing machine includes one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for detecting periodic speed variation caused by an imbalanced load.

Abstract: A balance ring for washing machine devices as may be used in vertical and horizontal axis washing machines is provided. One structural arrangement of the ring comprises alternatively disposed positive and negative curved blades, as well as curved and straight blades, that in combination with the different heights of the blades, reduce the time and the amplitude of the vibrations of the transition state, thus enabling the washing basket to spin at higher velocities, and reducing the centrifugal cycle while increasing the centrifugal force applied to the objects being washed. Such an structural arrangement provides a superior drying of the clothes and further results in energy savings.

Abstract: A panel for a household appliance which comprises a member which includes an inner surface, an outer surface, at least one inlay on at least one of the two surfaces where said at least one inlay has a polygonal form.

Abstract: A link suspension coupled to a system is described which vibrates, which comprises at least four links supporting the system which vibrates by means of one Cardan joint and one foot, one articulation between the Cardan joint and the link, one articulation between each link, one articulation between the foot and a link; each articulation houses a spring. Further a cylinder and piston suspension is described coupled to a system which vibrates, which comprises a cylinder, a piston housed within the cylinder, an articulation fastened to an end of the cylinder and to a Cardan joint, an articulation fastened to another end of the piston and to a foot; a spring fastened to the cylinder and the piston, wherein the cylinder suspension is at an angle varying between 35° and 50° from the axis of symmetry of the system which vibrates.

Abstract: A balance ring for washing machine devices as may be used in vertical and horizontal axis washing machines is provided. One structural arrangement of the ring comprises alternatively disposed positive and negative curved blades, as well as curved and straight blades, that in combination with the different heights of the blades, reduce the time and the amplitude of the vibrations of the transition state, thus enabling the washing basket to spin at higher velocities, and reducing the centrifugal cycle while increasing the centrifugal force applied to the objects being washed. Such an structural arrangement provides a superior drying of the clothes and further results in energy savings.