ADDITIVE VESSEL FOR A WASHING MACHINE APPLIANCE AND RELATED METHODS
A washing machine appliance includes a spray hose assembly fluidly connected to a water supply and configured for selectively providing a flow of wash fluid in a desired direction and location. A receptacle is defined in the spray hose assembly. The receptacle is configured to receive an additive vessel. The washing machine appliance also includes a controller in operative communication with the water supply and the spray hose assembly. The controller may be configured to receive a signal from the spray hose assembly. The signal from the spray hose assembly is indicative of a type of additive in the additive vessel. The controller is also configured to activate the water supply in response to the received signal to provide a flow of water to the spray hose assembly, whereby the flow of water mixes with the additive within the spray hose assembly to form the flow of wash fluid.
The present subject matter relates generally to washing machine appliances, and more particularly to accessories for washing machine appliances which provide improved formation and distribution of a wash fluid.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONWashing machine appliances generally form a wash fluid to clean clothing articles disposed within a wash basket of the appliance. The wash fluid can include water and various fluid additives, e.g., detergent, fabric softener, and/or bleach. The fluid additives can be mixed with water within a wash tub of the appliance in order to form the wash fluid.
During operation of certain washing machine appliances, a volume of wash fluid is directed into the tub in order to wash and/or rinse articles within the wash chamber. More specifically, a predetermined volume of wash fluid is typically provided through a stationary nozzle positioned at the center of the back wall of the washing machine appliance. However, in certain situations, a user may wish to have additional wash fluid dispensed into the tub and/or may wish to direct the flow of wash fluid onto a particular garment or within a specific region of the wash tub, e.g., to perform a pretreating operation, to saturate a particular article of clothing, or to accommodate an extra-large load. The ability to adjust the amount of water or wash fluid and its dispensing location is a commercially desirable feature and increases the user's positive perception of the wash process generally.
To introduce fluid additive into the wash tub, a user can manually add the fluid additive to the wash tub and/or the wash basket. For example, after starting the appliance, the user can pour detergent directly into the wash basket. Conversely, certain washing machine appliances include features for receiving fluid additives and dispensing the fluid additives during operation of the appliance. For example, a tray or container mounted to a top panel of a vertical axis washing machine appliance can receive a fluid additive and direct the fluid additive into a wash tub of the appliance. Similarly, a horizontal axis washing machine appliance can include a drawer with a container mounted therein that receives a fluid additive and directs the fluid additive into a wash tub of the appliance. However, through continuous use, the dispenser cup may build up an undesirable amount of residue from one or more of the fluid additives. The user may be required to remove the dispenser cup, transport the dispenser cup to, e.g., a kitchen sink, and manually wash the dispenser cup in order to remove the undesired residue.
Accordingly, a washing machine appliance that provides a user with more control over forming and dispensing wash fluid is desirable. For example, a washing machine appliance including one or more features to allow mixing an additive into a flow of water to form a wash fluid and dispensing the flow of wash fluid at any desired location would be useful.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a washing machine with a spray hose assembly for selectively mixing water and additive to create a flow of wash fluid and providing the flow of wash fluid in a desired direction and location. The additive is provided in an additive vessel. The additive vessel may be received within a receptacle in the spray hose assembly and the additive may mix with a flow of water to form the wash fluid in the spray hose assembly. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In one exemplary embodiment, a washing machine appliance is provided. The washing machine appliance includes a spray hose assembly fluidly connected to a water supply and configured for selectively providing a flow of wash fluid in a desired direction and location. A receptacle is defined in the spray hose assembly. The receptacle is configured to receive an additive vessel. The washing machine appliance also includes a controller in operative communication with the water supply and the spray hose assembly. The controller is configured to activate the water supply to provide a flow of water to the spray hose assembly, whereby the flow of water mixes with the additive within the spray hose assembly to form the flow of wash fluid.
In another exemplary embodiment, an additive vessel containing an additive for use in treating laundry articles is provided. The additive vessel includes a wall defining an interior volume of the additive vessel. The additive is contained within the interior volume. The additive vessel also includes an additive identifier formed on an exterior surface of the wall. The additive identifier corresponds to a type of the additive contained within the interior volume of the additive vessel.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, a method of providing a flow of wash fluid to a washing machine appliance is provided. The washing machine appliance includes a spray hose assembly fluidly connected to a water supply and configured for selectively providing the flow of wash fluid in a desired direction and location. The method includes receiving an additive vessel within a receptacle of the spray hose assembly. The method also includes providing a flow of water to the spray hose assembly and mixing the flow of water with the additive within the spray hose assembly to form the flow of wash fluid.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.
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.
Washing machine appliance 100 has a cabinet 102 that defines a lateral direction L, a transverse direction T, and a vertical direction V. The lateral direction L, transverse direction T, and vertical direction V are mutually perpendicular and define an orthogonal coordinate system. As shown, cabinet 102 extends between a top 103 and a bottom 104 along the vertical direction V. A wash basket 120 (
Cabinet 102 of washing machine appliance 100 may include an aperture 105 (
Cabinet 102 also defines at least one hole or opening 126 (
A control panel 110 with a plurality of input selectors 112 (
Various sensors may additionally be included in the washing machine appliance 100. For example, a pressure sensor 90 may be positioned in the tub 124 as illustrated. Any suitable pressure sensor 90, such as an electronic sensor, a manometer, or another suitable gauge or sensor may be utilized. The pressure sensor 90 may generally measure the pressure of water in the tub 124. This pressure can then be utilized to estimate the height or level of water in the tub 124. Additionally, a suitable speed sensor (not shown) can be provided to measure rotational speed of basket 120. Other suitable sensors, such as temperature sensors, etc., may additionally be provided in the washing machine appliance 100.
In an illustrative embodiment, laundry items may be loaded into wash chamber 121 through aperture 105, and washing operation may be initiated through operator manipulation of input selectors 112. Wash basket 120 (and/or wash tub 124 shown in
After the agitation phase of the wash cycle is completed, wash basket 120 may be drained. Laundry articles can then be rinsed by again adding fluid to wash basket 120, depending on the particulars of the cleaning cycle selected by a user, impeller may again provide agitation within wash chamber 121. One or more spin cycles may also be used. In particular, a spin cycle may be applied after the wash cycle and/or after the rinse cycle in order to wring wash fluid from the articles being washed. During a spin cycle, wash basket 120 is rotated at relatively high speeds. After articles disposed in wash basket 120 are cleaned and/or washed, the user can remove the articles from wash basket 120, e.g., by reaching into wash chamber 121 through aperture 105.
Wash tub 124 is configured for containing fluid, e.g., wash and rinse fluids, during operation of washing machine appliance 100 described above. Wash and rinse fluids disposed within wash tub 124 can be used to clean articles disposed in wash basket 120. Wash and rinse fluids can pass between wash basket 120 and wash tub 124 through a plurality of apertures defined by wash basket 120, e.g., during the wash and/or spin cycles described above.
A water supply 74 of the washing machine appliance 100 may include various valves which may regulate the flow of fluid into and through washing machine appliance 100 from water sources 76 and 77, e.g., water source 76 may include one or more fluid lines, pipes, conduits, etc. which provide hot water to washing machine appliance 100, e.g., from a residential water heater (not shown) and water source 77 may include one or more fluid lines, pipes, conduits, etc. which provide cold water to washing machine appliance 100. For example, a hot water valve 78 and a cold water valve 80 may be positioned in such fluid lines to flow hot water and cold water, respectively, to washing machine appliance 100.
As illustrated for example in
Referring still to
Spray hose assembly 300 includes a hose 302 and a spray head 308. Spray hose assembly 300 is generally configured for providing a flow of wash fluid, e.g., water and/or various additives, into wash tub 124. More specifically, the flow of wash fluid is provided through semi-rigid or flexible hose 302. Flexible hose 302 is generally any fluid conduit that extends from a fluid supply to a location suitable for discharging wash fluid into wash tub 124. In this regard, for example, flexible hose 302 may include an inlet 304 and an outlet 306. Inlet 304 is fluidly connected to a three-way valve 202 for receiving a flow of water. According to an exemplary embodiment, flexible hose 302 may be constructed from any suitably flexible conduit, such as vinyl or rubber. According to the illustrated embodiment, spray head 308 is attached to the outlet 306 of flexible hose 302. Spray head 308 is generally configured for directing the flow of wash fluid in the desired direction, generating the desired spray pattern, or otherwise controlling the flow of wash fluid. For example, as best seen in
As illustrated in
Operation of washing machine appliance 100 is controlled by a controller or processing device 50 that is operatively coupled to control panel 110 for user manipulation to select washing machine cycles and features. In response to user manipulation of control panel 110, the controller operates the various components of washing machine appliance 100 to execute selected machine cycles and features. The controller 50 may further be in operative communication with (e.g., electrically coupled to) various other components of washing machine appliance 100, such as water supply 74, spray hose assembly 300, pressure sensor 90, and one or more various other suitable sensors, etc. In response to user manipulation of the input selectors 112, controller 50 may operate the various components of washing machine appliance 100 to execute selected machine cycles and features. It should be understood that the controller 50 and the control panel 110 may each be positioned in a variety of locations throughout washing machine appliance 100. Further, it should be understood that a remote interface, such as but not limited to an app running on a smartphone which communicates with the controller 50 wirelessly, e.g., via WIFI or BLUETOOTH, etc., may be provided as well as or instead of the input selectors 112.
Controller 50 may include a memory and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a cleaning cycle. 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. For example, the instructions may include a software package configured to execute a portion of the example method 500, described below with reference to
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In various example embodiments, the additive vessel 400 may contain a type of additive which is particularly suited for treating a specific type of stain, e.g., blood, grass, chocolate, etc. The type of additive may also be particularly effective at a particular temperature, a particular exposure time, a particular agitation speed, and/or various combinations and ranges thereon. Accordingly, the spray hose assembly 300 may be configured to generate a signal in response to the placement of the additive vessel 400 within the receptacle 312, where the signal is indicative of the type of additive in the additive vessel 400. Further, the controller 50 may be in operative communication with the spray hose assembly 300. The controller 50 may receive the signal from the spray hose assembly 300. In response to the received signal, the controller 50 may activate and/or modify the operation of one or more components of the washing machine appliance 100 based on the type of additive in the additive vessel 400. For example, the controller 50 may activate the water supply 74 in response to the received signal to provide a flow of water W to the spray hose assembly 300, whereby the flow of water W mixes with the additive A within the spray hose assembly 300 to form the flow of wash fluid F. In the foregoing example, activating the water supply 74 may include opening or adjusting a position of one or more of the valves 78, 80, and/or 202. For example, the controller 50 may be configured to activate the water supply 74 by selectively adjusting the position of one or more of the valves 78, 80, and/or 202 to provide the flow of water W to the spray hose assembly 300 at a temperature corresponding to the indicated type of additive A in the additive vessel 400. For example, if the additive A is particularly effective at a high temperature, the controller 50 may provide a flow of hot water from hot water source 76 to the spray head assembly 300 in response to the signal from the spray head assembly 300, e.g., by opening or adjusting valve 76.
As illustrated for example in
As illustrated for example in
As illustrated for example in
As illustrated for example in
In various embodiments, the step 502 of placing the additive vessel 400 in the receptacle 312 may result in transmitting the signal indicative of the type of the additive A. For example, in some embodiments, the receptacle 312 may include a plurality of electrical contacts 322 and the additive vessel 400 may include two electrical contacts 410. In such embodiments, the step 502 of placing the additive vessel 400 within the receptacle 312 may include forming a closed circuit between the two electrical contacts 410 of the additive vessel 400 and two of the plurality of electrical contacts 322 of the receptacle 312, and the method 500 may further include transmitting the signal indicative of the type of the additive A when the closed circuit is formed. As another example, in some embodiments, the receptacle 312 may include a plurality of mechanical switches 324 and the additive vessel 400 may include a pattern of protrusions 414. In such embodiments, the step 502 of placing the additive vessel 400 within the receptacle 312 may include actuating selected mechanical switches 324 of the plurality of mechanical switches 324 with the pattern of protrusions 414, and the method 500 may further include transmitting the signal indicative of the type of the additive based on the actuated mechanical switches 324. As another example, in some embodiments, the receptacle 312 may include a plunger 326 and the additive vessel 400 may include an actuator 416. In such embodiments, the step 502 of placing the additive vessel 400 within the receptacle 312 may include actuating the plunger 326 of the receptacle 312 to a predetermined position with the actuator 416 of the additive vessel 400, and the method 500 may further include transmitting the signal indicative of the type of the additive based on the position of the plunger 326. As another example, in some embodiments, the receptacle 312 may include a radio-frequency identification tag reader 328 and the additive vessel 400 may include a radio-frequency identification tag 418. In such embodiments, the step 502 of placing the additive vessel 400 within the receptacle 312 may include positioning the radio-frequency identification tag 418 of the additive vessel 400 proximate to the radio-frequency identification tag reader 328 of the receptacle 312, and the method 500 may further include transmitting the signal indicative of the type of the additive in response to the radio-frequency identification tag 418 of the additive vessel 400.
In some embodiments, the additive vessel 400 may comprise a single wall 402, e.g., a cylindrical wall, or the wall 402 may be one of a plurality of walls. For example, as illustrated in
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.
Claims
1. A washing machine appliance comprising:
- a spray hose assembly fluidly connected to a water supply and configured for selectively providing a flow of wash fluid in a desired direction and location;
- a receptacle defined in the spray hose assembly, the receptacle configured to receive an additive vessel; and
- a controller in operative communication with the water supply and the spray hose assembly, the controller configured to activate the water supply to provide a flow of water to the spray hose assembly, whereby the flow of water mixes with the additive within the spray hose assembly to form the flow of wash fluid.
2. The washing machine appliance of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to:
- receive a signal from the spray hose assembly, the signal indicative of a type of additive in the additive vessel; and
- activate the water supply in response to the received signal to provide the flow of water to the spray hose assembly at a temperature corresponding to the indicated type of additive in the additive vessel.
3. The washing machine appliance of claim 2, wherein the receptacle comprises a plurality of electrical contacts and the spray hose assembly is configured to transmit the signal indicative of the type of additive in the additive vessel to the controller when a closed circuit is formed between two of the plurality of electrical contacts.
4. The washing machine appliance of claim 2, wherein the receptacle comprises a plurality of mechanical switches and the spray hose assembly is configured to transmit the signal indicative of the type of additive in the additive vessel to the controller when at least one of the plurality of mechanical switches of the receptacle is actuated.
5. The washing machine appliance of claim 2, wherein the receptacle comprises a plunger and the spray hose assembly is configured to transmit the signal indicative of the type of additive in the additive vessel to the controller in response to a position of the plunger.
6. The washing machine appliance of claim 2, wherein the receptacle comprises a radio-frequency identification tag reader and the spray hose assembly is configured to transmit the signal indicative of the type of additive in the additive vessel to the controller in response to a radio-frequency identification tag on the additive vessel.
7. An additive vessel containing an additive for use in treating laundry articles, the additive vessel comprising:
- a wall defining an interior volume of the additive vessel, the additive contained within the interior volume; and
- an additive identifier formed on an exterior surface of the wall, the additive identifier corresponding to a type of the additive contained within the interior volume of the additive vessel.
8. The additive vessel of claim 7, wherein the additive identifier comprises two electrical contacts configured to form a closed circuit with two of a plurality of electrical contacts of a receptacle of a spray hose assembly of a washing machine appliance.
9. The additive vessel of claim 7, wherein the additive identifier comprises a pattern of protrusions configured to actuate selected mechanical switches of a plurality of mechanical switches of a receptacle of a spray hose assembly of a washing machine appliance.
10. The additive vessel of claim 7, wherein the additive identifier comprises an actuator configured to actuate a plunger of a receptacle of a spray hose assembly of a washing machine appliance to a predetermined position.
11. The additive vessel of claim 7, wherein the additive identifier comprises a radio-frequency identification tag.
12. A method of providing a flow of wash fluid to a washing machine appliance, the washing machine appliance comprising a spray hose assembly fluidly connected to a water supply and configured for selectively providing the flow of wash fluid in a desired direction and location, the method comprising:
- receiving an additive vessel within a receptacle of the spray hose assembly;
- providing a flow of water to the spray hose assembly; and
- mixing the flow of water with the additive within the spray hose assembly to form the flow of wash fluid.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving a signal from the spray hose assembly, the signal indicative of a type of additive in the additive vessel and wherein the step of providing the flow of water to the spray hose assembly comprises providing the flow of water to the spray hose assembly in response to the received signal.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein providing the flow of water comprises providing the flow of water at a temperature corresponding to a type of the additive.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the receptacle comprises a plurality of electrical contacts and the additive vessel comprises two electrical contacts, wherein receiving the additive vessel within the receptacle comprises forming a closed circuit between the two electrical contacts of the additive vessel and two of the plurality of electrical contacts of the receptacle, the method further comprising transmitting the signal indicative of the type of the additive when the closed circuit is formed.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the receptacle comprises a plurality of mechanical switches and the additive vessel comprises a pattern of protrusions, wherein receiving the additive vessel within the receptacle comprises actuating selected mechanical switches of the plurality of mechanical switches with the pattern of protrusions, the method further comprising transmitting the signal indicative of the type of the additive based on the actuated mechanical switches.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein the receptacle comprises a plunger and the additive vessel comprises an actuator, wherein receiving the additive vessel within the receptacle comprises actuating the plunger of the receptacle to a predetermined position with the actuator of the additive vessel, the method further comprising transmitting the signal indicative of the type of the additive based on the position of the plunger.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the receptacle comprises a radio-frequency identification tag reader and the additive vessel comprises a radio-frequency identification tag, wherein receiving the additive vessel within the receptacle comprises positioning the radio-frequency identification tag of the additive vessel proximate to the radio-frequency identification tag reader of the receptacle, the method further comprising transmitting the signal indicative of the type of the additive in response to the radio-frequency identification tag of the additive vessel.
19. The method of claim 12, further comprising puncturing the additive vessel after receiving the additive vessel within the receptacle of the spray hose assembly and prior to providing the flow of water to the spray hose assembly.
20. The method of claim 12, further comprising squeezing the additive vessel after receiving the additive vessel within the receptacle of the spray hose assembly and prior to providing the flow of water to the spray hose assembly.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 12, 2018
Publication Date: Jul 18, 2019
Inventors: Troy Marshall Wright (Louisville, KY), Peter Hans Bensel (Louisville, KY)
Application Number: 15/869,155