SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A WASHER APPLIANCE

Abstract

A system for appliance communication and method for washer appliance operation include determining a fault condition at a dryer appliance, transmitting to the washer appliance a communications signal corresponding to the fault condition at the dryer appliance, and adjusting, at the washer appliance, a washer mode based on the communications signal. The system includes a washer appliance having a first controller having a first communications device, and a dryer appliance having a second controller having a second communications device configured to communicatively couple to the first communications device to form an interconnected pair of washer and dryer appliances.

Claims

1. A system for appliance communication, the system comprising: a washer appliance comprising a first controller comprising a first communications device; a dryer appliance comprising a second controller comprising a second communications device configured to communicatively couple to the first communications device to form an interconnected pair of washer and dryer appliances; wherein one or both of the first and second controllers is configured to execute instructions that cause the washer appliance and the dryer appliance to perform operations, the operations comprising: determining a fault condition at the dryer appliance; transmitting, to the washer appliance, a communications signal corresponding to the fault condition at the dryer appliance; and adjusting, at the washer appliance, a washer mode based on the communications signal.

2. The system of claim 1, the operations comprising: communicatively coupling the dryer appliance to the washer appliance.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein communicatively coupling the dryer appliance to the washer appliance comprises communicatively coupling the first communications device of the washer appliance to the second communications device of the dryer appliance.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second communications devices comprises short range radio communications devices.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein determining the fault condition at the dryer appliance comprises determining an operational state at a heater system.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein determining the operational state at the heater system comprises determining a temperature after commanding heat generation at the heater system.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein determining the operational state at the heater system comprises determining an ignition status after commanding heat generation at the heater system.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein adjusting the washer mode based on the communications signal comprises adjusting a period of time of a spin cycle.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein adjusting the washer mode based on the communications signal comprises limiting a load size at the washer appliance.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein adjusting the washer mode based on the communications signal comprises limiting a wash cycle type at the washer appliance.

11. The system of claim 1, the operations comprising: adjusting, at the dryer appliance, a dryer mode based on transmitting the communications signal to the washer appliance.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein adjusting the dryer mode comprises adjusting a period of time of a tumble cycle at the dryer appliance.

13. A computer-implemented method for operating a washer appliance, the method comprising: determining, at a dryer appliance, a fault condition at the dryer appliance; transmitting, from the dryer appliance to the washer appliance, a communications signal corresponding to the fault condition at the dryer appliance; and adjusting, at the washer appliance, a washer mode based on the communications signal.

14. The method of claim 13, the method comprising: communicatively coupling the dryer appliance to the washer appliance, wherein communicatively coupling the dryer appliance to the washer appliance comprises communicatively coupling the first communications device of the washer appliance to the second communications device of the dryer appliance.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the fault condition at the dryer appliance comprises determining an operational state at a heater system.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein determining the operational state at the heater system comprises determining a temperature after commanding heat generation at the heater system.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein determining the operational state at the heater system comprises determining an ignition status after commanding heat generation at the heater system.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein adjusting the washer mode based on the communications signal comprises one or more of adjusting a period of time of a spin cycle, limiting a load size at the washer appliance, or limiting a wash cycle type at the washer appliance.

19. The method of claim 13, the method comprising: adjusting, at the dryer appliance, a dryer mode based on transmitting the communications signal to the washer appliance.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein adjusting the dryer mode comprises adjusting a period of time of a tumble cycle at the dryer appliance.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] 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.

[0009] FIG. 1 provides a schematic embodiment of an interconnected system of appliances in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 2 provides a schematic embodiment of an interconnected system of appliances in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; and

[0011] FIG. 3 provides a flowchart outlining steps of a method for determining a washer setting in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] 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.

[0013] As used herein, the terms first, second, and third may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms includes and including are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising. Similarly, the term or is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., A or B is intended to mean A or B or both). In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms a, an, and the include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0014] Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as generally, about, approximately, and substantially, are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin (i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value). In this regard, for example, when used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction (e.g., generally vertical includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, such as, clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V).

[0015] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a schematic exemplary embodiment of an interconnected system of appliances (hereinafter, system 90). Embodiments of the system 90 form a system for appliance communication and a system for determining an operational state of an appliance. Embodiments of the system 90 may be configured to perform operations or steps of a method for operating a washer appliance (hereinafter, method 1000).

[0016] Embodiments of the system 90 includes two or more appliances 100, 200 positioned within communicative range of one another relative to a short range radio communications device, such as depicted in FIG. 2 at short range radio communications devices 130, 230 at respective appliances 100, 200. The short range radio communications devices 130, 230 are configured to allow direct wireless communication between one another. Devices 130, 230 are configured to use a radio frequency to share data over a short distance (e.g., up to approximately 3 meters, or up to approximately 30 meters). Embodiments of the system 90 are configured to communicatively couple together the devices 130, 230 at respective appliances 100, 200. Embodiments of the devices 130, 230 may be configured in accordance with Bluetooth wireless communications standards, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), or other appropriate short range, low-power, wireless protocols, such as, but not limited to, Unison, Xender, Xigbee, and the like.

[0017] Devices 130, 230 may be configured for direct wireless communication in contrast to internet communications devices 128, 228 at respective appliances 100, 200 configured to communicatively couple to a remote or cloud-based server 150 or computing network 132. Network 132 may include one or more of a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a personal area network (PAN), the Internet, a cellular network, or any other suitable wireless network. Internet communications devices 128, 228 are configured to transmit and receive signals, data packets, information, datasets, and the like, over the network 132 and between the appliance 100, 200 and the server 150. The server 150 may be configured to store and transmit data in a database, or providing computational processing, relating to controls, control signals, software patches or updates, or other Over-the-Air (OTA) processes as may be appropriate for appliances 100, 200. In addition, such communication may use a variety of communication protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, HTTP, SMTP, FTP), encodings or formats (e.g., HTML, XML), and/or protection schemes (e.g., VPN, secure HTTP, SSL).

[0018] It should be appreciated that devices 130, 230 may form radio communications devices configured to allow for direct communication or pairing of one another (e.g., depicted schematically via line 138 in FIG. 2), such as may contrast with devices 128, 228 forming relatively long-range radio communications devices as may be configured to communicate through a wired or wireless network 132 (e.g., Internet, Intranet, LAN, WAN, PAN, etc.). Accordingly, communicative coupling via devices 130, 230 may allow for receipt and transmission of data and signals, such as described herein, without requiring operation or communication through devices 128, 228 or computing network 132. When applied to various steps of method 1000, advantages and benefits may be provided, such as local transmission, receipt, or adjustment of signals, parameters, and operations such as further described herein.

[0019] In some embodiments, appliances 100, 200 form a washer-dryer appliance pair. For example, appliances 100, 200 may form a washing machine appliance positioned adjacent to a dryer appliance. Accordingly, appliances 100, 200 may be positioned in relatively short range (e.g., within up to approximately 3 meters or up to 10 meters of one another).

[0020] In various embodiments, appliances 100, 200 may generally form an interconnected pair of appliances positioned in relatively short range of one another such as described herein, such as positioned within the same household or commercial facility as one another. Appliances 100, 200 may be configured as generally understood in the art as any household or commercial laundry appliance such as generally provided herein. For instance, the laundry appliance may be configured as, but not limited to, front opening or top opening, with or without agitator, in top-bottom configuration, or other configurations of washer and dryer appliance.

[0021] For instance, appliance 100 may form a laundry washing appliance including a wash chamber 112 at which clothing articles are positioned for washing during a wash cycle, such as generally understood in the art. Appliance 200 may form a laundry dryer appliance including a drying chamber 212 at which clothing articles from the washer appliance are positioned at the dryer appliance for drying during a drying cycle, such as generally understood in the art. It should be appreciated that a user may generally utilize the dryer appliance by inserting into the drying chamber 212 a laundry load of washed clothes removed from the washing chamber 112 at the washer appliance. For instance, insertion of a laundry load for drying at the dryer appliance may generally follow completion of a wash cycle at the washer appliance.

[0022] Appliances 100, 200 generally include respective sensors 110, 210 configured to determine a laundry load size, a washer load type or base cycle type, a dry load size at the washer appliance and dryer appliance, a wet load size at the washer appliance and the dryer appliance, or combinations thereof. For instance, sensors 110, 210 may form load sensors or pressure sensors configured to determine weight of laundry articles at the chamber 112, 212. For instance, sensors 110, 210 may form delta weight or delta pressure sensors configured to determine a difference between an empty chamber weight and a laundry-loaded weight, or between a dry laundry load weight and a wet laundry load weight, or between a dry laundry load weight and an empty chamber weight, or between a wet laundry load weight and an empty chamber weight. However, sensors 110, 210 may include any appropriate configuration for determining weight of laundry load at the respective chamber 112, 212.

[0023] Appliances 100, 200 each include a respective controller 120, 220 configured to regulate, allow, inhibit, articulate, or otherwise operate appliances 100, 200. In various embodiments, sensors 110, 210 are operably coupled to respective controllers 120, 220 at respective appliances 100, 200. Controller 120, 220 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout appliance 100, 200 (e.g., a control panel area, at a door, etc.). In some embodiments, input/output (I/O) signals are routed between controller 120, 220 and various operational components of appliance 100, 200 along wiring harnesses that may be routed. Controller 120, 220 may include a user interface panel through which a user may select various operational features and operating modes and monitor progress of the appliance 100, 200. The user interface may represent a general purpose I/O (GPIO) device or functional block. Additionally, the user interface may include input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical, or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. The user interface may also include a display component, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. The user interface may be in communication with the controller 120, 220 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.

[0024] Controllers 120, 220 include one or more processing devices 122, 222 and memory devices 124, 224. As used herein, the terms processing device, computing device, controller, or the like may generally refer to any suitable processing device, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor, a microcontroller, an integrated circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a logic device, one or more central processing units (CPUs), a graphics processing units (GPUs), processing units performing other specialized calculations, semiconductor devices, etc. In addition, these controllers are not necessarily restricted to a single element but may include any suitable number, type, and configuration of processing devices integrated in any suitable manner to facilitate appliance operation. Alternatively, controller 120, 220 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND/OR gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.

[0025] Memory devices 124, 224 may include non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, EPROM, flash memory devices, magnetic disks, or other suitable memory devices (including combinations thereof). These memory devices may be a separate component from the processing device 122, 222 or may be included onboard within the processor. In addition, these memory devices 124, 224 can store information and/or data accessible by the one or more processors 122, 222, including instructions 126, 226 that can be executed by the one or more processors, such as one or more steps of method 1000. It should be appreciated that instructions 126, 226 can be software written in any suitable programming language or can be implemented in hardware. Additionally, or alternatively, instructions 126, 226 can be executed logically and/or virtually using separate threads on one or more processors 122, 222. Executed instructions 126, 226 cause the system 90, the appliances 100, 200, or server 150 to perform operations, such as one or more steps of method 1000 provided further herein.

[0026] For example, controller 120, 220 may be operable to execute programming instructions 126, 226 or micro-control code associated with an operating cycle or operating mode of appliance 100, 200, or a controls update. In this regard, the instructions 126, 226 may be software or any set of instructions that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations, such as running one or more software applications, displaying a user interface, receiving user input signals, processing user input signals, pr permitting or disabling operation of the appliance 100, 200.

[0027] Moreover, it should be noted that controller 120, 220 as disclosed herein is additionally, or alternatively, configured to transmit signals, store, execute, or otherwise operate or perform any one or more methods, method steps, or portions of methods as disclosed herein. For example, in some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be embodied in programming instructions stored in the memory device at one or more of controller 120, 220 or server 150. The memory devices may also store data that can be retrieved, manipulated, created, or stored by the one or more processors or portions of controller 120, 220.

[0028] Referring still to FIG. 2, one or more of the appliances includes the controller communicatively coupled to an internet communications device (e.g., device 128, 228) and a short range radio communications device (e.g., device 130, 230). In some embodiments, the short range communications device is coupled in parallel to the controller relative to the internet communications device. For instance, the short range communications device is coupled to the controller such as to allow for communication between the controller and the short range communications device without requiring operation or operability of the internet communications device at the appliance.

[0029] In various embodiments, such as schematically depicted in FIG. 2, the appliance includes a communications bus 134 between the controller and short range radio communications device (e.g., between controller 120 and device 128, between controller 220 and device 228), such as a direct communications bus. In still various embodiments, the appliance includes a communications bus 136 between the internet communications device and the short range radio communications device (e.g., between device 128 and 130, between device 228 and 230), such as a direct communications bus. In some embodiments, the internet communications device may be configured to direct communicative coupling with the controller (e.g., device 128 to controller 120, device 228 to controller 220).

[0030] Respective controllers 120, 220 are operably and communicatively coupled to respective operational components 140, 240 at appliances 100, 200. Operational components 140, 240 include any component, system, or sub-system that can be modulated, articulated, or actuated, such as, but not limited to, a motor or a heat exchanger. Operational components 140, 240 can articulate a speed, agitation, or duration of operation of a tub or basket. Controller 120, 220 selectively controls and operates the operational components based on a washer mode or dryer mode. As further described herein, method 1000 commands, permits, inhibits, or adjusts speeds, frequencies, oscillations, temperatures, or periods of time of operation of the operational component 140, 240 based on steps of method 1000.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 3, a flowchart outlining exemplary steps of the method 1000 are provided. It should be appreciated that steps provided herein may be rearranged, iterated, performed in series or parallel, or omitted. As provided above, embodiments of the method 1000, or portions thereof, may form steps or instructions executable via a controller (e.g., controller 120, 220), that, when executed, causes an interconnected system of appliances (e.g., appliances 100, 200), to perform operations.

[0032] Method 1000 may include at 1010 communicatively coupling the dryer appliance (e.g., second appliance 200) to the washer appliance (e.g., first appliance 100). Method 1000 at 1010 may include communicatively coupling the washer and dryer appliances together to form an interconnected pair of washer and dryer appliance via a first short-range communications device (e.g., device 130) to a second short-range communications device (e.g., device 230).

[0033] Method 1000 includes at 1020 determining a fault condition at the dryer appliance. The fault condition can include any operational state or condition that may be diagnosed or determined by a controller at the dryer (e.g., controller 220). Fault conditions may include a delta temperature fault indicative of an inoperable heater system or insufficient heat generation. For instance, a fault condition may include ignition failure after commanding heat generation at the heater system, or an electrical failure inhibiting generation of heat, or a communications failure preventing transmission of signals to command heat generation, or a timer or sensor failure, or other failure mode relative to operation of the dryer appliance.

[0034] In various embodiments, determining the fault condition at the dryer appliance includes determining an operational state at a heater system (e.g., operational component 240). Determining the operational state at the heater system may include determining a temperature (e.g., a downstream temperature, an ignition or light-off temperature, a delta temperature over a period of time or between an ambient and light-off condition, etc.) after commanding heat generation at the heater system. Determining the operational state at the heater system may include determining an ignition status after commanding heat generation at the heater system.

[0035] Method 1000 includes at 1030 transmitting a communications signal corresponding to the fault condition to the washer appliance. For instance, dryer appliance, in interconnected communicative coupling with the washer appliance, can transmit the communications signal from the second controller 220 to the first controller 120. As such, the fault condition at the dryer appliance is communicated to the washer appliance.

[0036] Method 1000 includes at 1040 adjusting, at the washer appliance, a washer mode based on the communications signal. The washer mode can include any one or more wash cycles or settings, including, but not limited to, agitation speed, spin cycle speed, water level (e.g., height or pressure or other quantity of water), a detergent amount, or combinations thereof. Adjusting the washer mode can include adjusting a period of time or duration of any one or more of wash cycles or settings. In various embodiments, adjusting the washer mode based on the communications signal may include adjusting an operational component (e.g., operational component 140), such as a period of time of a spin cycle, limiting a load size at the washer appliance, or limiting a wash cycle type at the washer appliance.

[0037] Adjusting the washer mode after receiving the communications signal corresponding to the fault condition at the dryer can limit operations, modes, or cycles at the washer appliance to commensurate to the capability of the dryer appliance with the fault condition. For instance, adjusting the washer mode can limit operation of the washer, or user-selectable options, to a delicate cycle, a small-load or medium-load cycle, etc. The limited load size or washer mode may correspond to an available capability of dryer appliance with the fault condition. In another instance, adjusting the washer mode may increase a spin cycle duration to facilitate a decreased moisture extraction capability of the dryer appliance with the fault condition.

[0038] In various embodiments, method 1000 includes at 1050 adjusting, at the dryer appliance, a dryer mode based on transmitting the communications signal to the washer appliance. Adjusting the dryer mode may include adjusting a period of time of a tumble cycle at the dryer appliance. For instance, method 1000 may send the communications signal to the washer appliance indicating a fault condition at the dryer appliance. The washer mode is adjusted commensurate with the limited operating state at the dryer appliance. Additionally, method 1000 at 1050 may adjust the dryer mode to facilitate operation based on the fault condition and the adjusted washer mode. For instance, method 1000 may decrease the load size at the washer appliance or increase the spin cycle, and the decreased load or increased moisture extraction at the washer appliance may be sufficient for the dryer mode (e.g., in the decreased operating condition commensurate with the fault condition) to dry the laundry articles.

[0039] In still various embodiments, the adjusted washer mode may include disabling one or more washer modes, such as to inhibit a user from using the washer appliance while the dryer appliance is unable to dry the load. Such inhibiting may mitigate having clothes that may reside too long in the washer appliance (e.g., resulting in mildew or other undesired condition) due to the unavailability of the dryer appliance.

[0040] Embodiments of the appliances 100, 200 and method 1000 may include a obtaining and transmitting a user override signal or obtaining and transmitting a fault-clear signal permitting full operation of the washer appliance or dryer appliance.

[0041] 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.