Abstract: A stain removal tool for a laundry washing machine. The stain removal tool may be deployed from a stowed position and may be adapted to receive at least a portion of an article to substantially remove or treat a stain with water. The stain removal tool may have one or more nozzles upstream of the article.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method implement dynamic damping force optimization during a wash cycle to optimize a force-generating operation such as a spin operation performed during the wash cycle. The dynamic damping force optimization may utilize inputs from a suspension force sensor in combination with an accelerometer to dynamically determine a damping capability for a suspension of a laundry washing machine such that damping in the suspension system may be maintained within the damping capability of the suspension system to balance operation performance against the generation of undesirable forces and vibrations.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method automate the selection of one or more parameters of a wash cycle of a laundry washing machine based in part on a color detection sensor disposed proximate an opening of the wash tub and configured to capture color composition data of one or more items added to the wash tub and a weight sensor operatively coupled to the wash tub, where the weight sensor is configured to detect the addition of an item among the one or more items to the wash tub and initiate capturing of the color composition data, and a controller is configured to configure one or more parameters for a wash cycle based upon the captured color composition data.

Abstract: A stain removal tool for a laundry washing machine. The stain removal tool may be deployed from a stowed position and may be adapted to receive at least a portion of an article to substantially remove or treat a stain with water. The stain removal tool may have one or more nozzles upstream of the article.

Abstract: An appliance, e.g., a refrigerator, and method utilize a transitioning handle that is usable in both a recessed and an extended position. As an example, a refrigerator may include a housing that defines at least a food compartment, a door attached to the housing that provides access to the food compartment and includes an exterior surface and a handle recess extending inwardly from the exterior surface of the door, and a handle attached to the at least one door and movably mounted within the handle recess between a recessed position and an extended position, where the handle is manually grippable in both the recessed position and the extended position.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method utilize a fluid property sensor to dynamically select between different types of rinse operations, e.g., fill rinse operations or spin rinse operations, performed during a wash cycle.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method automate the selection of one or more parameters of a wash cycle of a laundry washing machine based in part on a color detection sensor disposed proximate an opening of the wash tub and configured to capture color composition data of one or more items added to the wash tub and a weight sensor operatively coupled to the wash tub, where the weight sensor is configured to detect the addition of an item among the one or more items to the wash tub and initiate capturing of the color composition data, and a controller is configured to configure one or more parameters for a wash cycle based upon the captured color composition data.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method utilize a fluid property sensor to dynamically select between different types of rinse operations, e.g., fill rinse operations or spin rinse operations, performed during a wash cycle.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method automate the selection of a load type for a laundry washing machine during an initial fill phase of a wash cycle and based in part on weight and fluid level sensed by weight and fluid level sensors operatively coupled to a wash tub and after a selected amount of water has been dispensed into the wash tub.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method may use a distance sensor to determine dry and wet distance values associated with a load disposed in a wash tub, and dynamically configure a wash cycle based upon the determined values. In some instances, the distance sensor may also be used to detect an excessive fluid level, excessive foaming, or a floating item in the wash tub.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method implement dynamic damping force optimization during a wash cycle to optimize a force-generating operation such as a spin operation performed during the wash cycle. The dynamic damping force optimization may utilize inputs from a suspension force sensor in combination with an accelerometer to dynamically determine a damping capability for a suspension of a laundry washing machine such that damping in the suspension system may be maintained within the damping capability of the suspension system to balance operation performance against the generation of undesirable forces and vibrations.

Abstract: An appliance, e.g., a refrigerator, and method utilize a transitioning handle that is usable in both a recessed and an extended position. As an example, a refrigerator may include a housing that defines at least a food compartment, a door attached to the housing that provides access to the food compartment and includes an exterior surface and a handle recess extending inwardly from the exterior surface of the door, and a handle attached to the at least one door and movably mounted within the handle recess between a recessed position and an extended position, where the handle is manually grippable in both the recessed position and the extended position.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method may use a distance sensor to determine dry and wet distance values associated with a load disposed in a wash tub, and dynamically configure a wash cycle based upon the determined values. In some instances, the distance sensor may also be used to detect an excessive fluid level, excessive foaming, or a floating item in the wash tub.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method automate the selection of a load type for a laundry washing machine during an initial fill phase of a wash cycle and based in part on weight and fluid level sensed by weight and fluid level sensors operatively coupled to a wash tub and after a selected amount of water has been dispensed into the wash tub.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method implement dynamic damping force optimization during a wash cycle to optimize a force-generating operation such as a spin operation performed during the wash cycle. The dynamic damping force optimization may utilize inputs from a suspension force sensor in combination with an accelerometer to dynamically determine a damping capability for a suspension of a laundry washing machine such that damping in the suspension system may be maintained within the damping capability of the suspension system to balance operation performance against the generation of undesirable forces and vibrations.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method utilize weight, fluid level and fluid property sensors to dynamically select a load type, control a wash cycle and control an amount of detergent dispensed during a wash cycle.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method automate the selection of one or more parameters of a wash cycle of a laundry washing machine based in part on a color detection sensor disposed proximate an opening of the wash tub and configured to capture color composition data of one or more items added to the wash tub and a weight sensor operatively coupled to the wash tub, where the weight sensor is configured to detect the addition of an item among the one or more items to the wash tub and initiate capturing of the color composition data, and a controller is configured to configure one or more parameters for a wash cycle based upon the captured color composition data.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method utilize a fluid property sensor to determine a detergent deficit subsequent to manual addition of detergent by a user, such that additional detergent may be automatically dispensed.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method utilize weight, fluid level and fluid property sensors to dynamically select a load type, control a wash cycle and control an amount of detergent dispensed during a wash cycle.

Abstract: A wash drum apparatus and method of adjusting the wash capacity for a laundry washing machine. The wash drum may include one or more rear cover inserts that may adjust the wash capacity of the wash drum. The rear cover insert may include one or more impellers. The wash drum may include a rear cover.