U.S. patent application number 17/073541 was filed with the patent office on 2022-04-21 for machine appliance and a method for preventing an oversuds condition.
The applicant listed for this patent is Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jose Efren Rodriguez Munoz.
Application Number | 20220120006 17/073541 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220120006 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rodriguez Munoz; Jose
Efren |
April 21, 2022 |
MACHINE APPLIANCE AND A METHOD FOR PREVENTING AN OVERSUDS
CONDITION
Abstract
A method for preventing an oversuds condition in a washing
machine appliance includes a tub and a basket rotatably mounted
within the tub. The basket defines a chamber for receipt of
articles for washing. The method includes obtaining, via a
controller, one or more detergent parameters from one or more
previous wash cycles of the washing machine appliance. Further, the
method includes analyzing, via the controller, the one or more
detergent parameters to predict an amount of suds that will be
generated in a future wash cycle of the washing machine appliance.
Moreover, the method includes automatically adjusting, via the
controller, at least one operating parameter for the future wash
cycle based on the predicted amount of suds to prevent the amount
of suds from exceeding a suds threshold.
Inventors: |
Rodriguez Munoz; Jose Efren;
(Louisville, KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. |
Wilmington |
DE |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/073541 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2020 |
International
Class: |
D06F 33/37 20060101
D06F033/37; D06F 21/08 20060101 D06F021/08; D06F 33/34 20060101
D06F033/34 |
Claims
1. A method for preventing an oversuds condition in a washing
machine appliance, the washing machine appliance having a tub and a
basket rotatably mounted within the tub, the basket defining a
chamber for receipt of articles for washing, the method comprising:
obtaining, via a controller, one or more detergent parameters from
one or more previous wash cycles of the washing machine appliance;
analyzing, via the controller, the one or more detergent parameters
to predict an amount of suds that will be generated in a future
wash cycle of the washing machine appliance; and automatically
adjusting, via the controller, at least one operating parameter for
the future wash cycle based on the predicted amount of suds to
prevent the amount of suds from exceeding a suds threshold.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more detergent
parameters comprises at least one of an amount of detergent, a type
of detergent, suds generation, a number of oversuds events, or a
fluid temperature for the one or more previous wash cycles.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising determining the suds
generation from the one or more previous wash cycles using an
existing algorithm of the washing machine appliance.
4. The method of claim 2, further comprising determining the fluid
temperature using at least one thermistor.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising analyzing the one or
more detergent parameters to predict the amount of suds that will
be generated in the future wash cycle of the washing machine
appliance using at least one of an algorithm, one or more look-up
tables, or a machine learning process.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one operating
parameter comprises at least one of an amount of detergent, a
target temperature, or a target water level.
7. The method of claim 2, wherein automatically adjusting the at
least one operating parameter for the future wash cycle based on
the predicted amount of suds further comprises: automatically
adjusting the at least one operating parameter for the future wash
cycle based on the predicted amount of suds and an amount of
detergent selected for the future wash cycle.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein automatically adjusting the at
least one operating parameter for the future wash cycle based on
the predicted amount of suds further comprises: determining, via
the controller, the amount of suds that will be generated in the
future wash cycle of the washing machine appliance based on the
suds generation, the fluid temperature, and the amount of detergent
selected for the future wash cycle.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically adjusting the at
least one operating parameter for the future wash cycle based on
the predicted amount of suds further comprises: correlating the one
or more detergent parameters from one or more previous wash cycles
with an adjustment factor for the amount of detergent for the
future wash cycle; and applying the adjustment factor to the amount
of detergent for the future wash cycle.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the adjustment factor
to the amount of detergent for the future wash cycle further
comprises: sending, via the controller, a signal to a smart
detergent dispenser of the washing machine appliance to increase,
decrease, or maintain the at least one operating parameter for the
future wash cycle based on the adjustment factor.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising limiting the
adjustment factor using upper and lower limits.
12. The method of claim 1, further comprising continuously tuning
the at least one operating parameter for the future wash cycle
based on the one or more detergent parameters from a plurality of
previous wash cycles.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the washing machine appliance is
a vertical axis washing machine appliance.
14. A washing machine appliance, comprising: a tub; a basket
rotatably mounted within the tub, the basket defining a chamber for
receipt of articles for washing; a valve; a spout configured for
directing fluid from the valve into the tub; a dispenser configured
for dispensing detergent into the tub; a motor in mechanical
communication with the basket, the motor configured for selectively
rotating the basket within the tub; and a controller configured for
controlling the washing machine appliance, the controller
configured to perform a plurality of operations, the plurality of
operations comprising: obtaining one or more detergent parameters
from one or more previous wash cycles of the washing machine
appliance; analyzing the one or more detergent parameters to
predict an amount of suds that will be generated in a future wash
cycle of the washing machine appliance; and automatically adjusting
at least one operating parameter for the future wash cycle based on
the predicted amount of suds to prevent the amount of suds from
exceeding a suds threshold.
15. The washing machine appliance of claim 14, wherein the one or
more detergent parameters comprises at least one of an amount of
detergent, a type of detergent, suds generation, a number of
oversuds events, or a fluid temperature for the one or more
previous wash cycles, wherein the at least one operating parameter
comprises at least one of an amount of detergent, a target
temperature, or a target water level.
16. The washing machine appliance of claim 15, further comprising
determining the suds generation from the one or more previous wash
cycles using an existing algorithm of the washing machine
appliance.
17. The washing machine appliance of claim 15, further comprising
at least one thermistor for determining the fluid temperature.
18. The washing machine appliance of claim 14, wherein analyzing
the one or more detergent parameters to predict the amount of suds
that will be generated in the future wash cycle of the washing
machine appliance further comprises: analyzing the one or more
detergent parameters to predict the amount of suds that will be
generated in the future wash cycle of the washing machine appliance
using at least one of an algorithm, one or more look-up tables, or
a machine learning process.
19. The washing machine appliance of claim 15, wherein
automatically adjusting the at least one operating parameter for
the future wash cycle based on the predicted amount of suds further
comprises: automatically adjusting the amount of detergent for the
future wash cycle based on the predicted amount of suds and an
amount of detergent selected for the future wash cycle.
20. The washing machine appliance of claim 15, wherein
automatically adjusting the at least one operating parameter for
the future wash cycle based on the predicted amount of suds further
comprises: correlating the one or more detergent parameters with an
adjustment factor for the amount of detergent for the future wash
cycle; applying the adjustment factor to the amount of detergent
for the future wash cycle; and sending a signal to the dispenser to
increase, decrease, or maintain the amount of detergent for the
future wash cycle based on the adjustment factor.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to washing
machine appliances and more particularly to methods for preventing
oversuds conditions therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Washing machine appliances generally include a tub for
containing wash fluid, e.g., water, detergent, and/or bleach. A
basket is rotatably mounted within the tub and defines a wash
chamber for receipt of articles for washing. During operation of
such washing machine appliances, wash fluid is directed into the
tub and onto articles within the wash chamber of the basket. The
basket can rotate at various speeds to agitate articles within the
wash chamber in the wash fluid, to wring wash fluid from articles
within the wash chamber, etc.
[0003] During operation of certain washing machine appliances, a
spin cycle is performed to wring wash fluid from the articles
within the wash chamber. The spin cycle typically entails rotating
the basket at a relatively high rate of speed for a period of time.
Typically, and desirably, the tub is generally empty of wash fluid
and suds (caused by interaction between water and detergent, etc.).
In some cases, however, an oversuds condition can occur, when suds
remain in the tub during the spin cycle. If an oversuds condition
occurs, the suds can overflow from the washing machine appliance
and potentially damage, for example, surrounding floor areas and/or
nearby electrical conditions. Such overflowing may also damage
components of the washing machine appliance due to the extra stress
placed on the appliance to handle the increased suds.
[0004] Furthermore, such oversuds conditions may result in a wet
load because the washing machine appliance is not able to spin up
to the recommended speed. As such, at the end of the cycle the
articles may be soapy due to the washing machine appliance being
unable to fully rinse the load. In addition, oversuds conditions
may increase cycle time due to the washing machine appliance trying
to solve the extra suds by adding extra rinse steps. Moreover,
oversuds conditions may cause excessive drained current given the
efforts to move the washing machine appliance under sudsing
conditions.
[0005] As such, attempts have been made to reduce the risk of
oversuds conditions in washing machine appliances. For example,
additional water has been added before spin cycles in attempts to
reduce suds within the tub and basket. In other instances, the
speed at which the basket rotates during the spin cycle has been
reduced. Further, in certain instances, the spin cycle ramp up
period has been lengthened and/or reductions in recirculation have
been made. However, these attempts have not suitably reduced the
risk of oversuds conditions occurring and are often reactive rather
than preventative.
[0006] Accordingly, improved washing machine appliances and methods
for preventing oversuds conditions in washing machine appliances
are desired.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in
part in the following description, or may be obvious from the
description, or may be learned through practice of the
invention.
[0008] In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a
method for preventing an oversuds condition in a washing machine
appliance. The washing machine appliance includes a tub and a
basket rotatably mounted within the tub. The basket defines a
chamber for receipt of articles for washing. The method includes
obtaining, via a controller, one or more detergent parameters from
one or more previous wash cycles of the washing machine appliance.
Further, the method includes analyzing, via the controller, the one
or more detergent parameters to predict an amount of suds that will
be generated in a future wash cycle of the washing machine
appliance. Moreover, the method includes automatically adjusting,
via the controller, at least one operating parameter for the future
wash cycle based on the predicted amount of suds to prevent the
amount of suds from exceeding a suds threshold.
[0009] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a
washing machine appliance. The washing machine appliance includes a
tub and a basket rotatably mounted within the tub. The basket
defines a chamber for receipt of articles for washing. The washing
machine appliance also includes a valve, a spout configured for
directing fluid from the valve into the tub, a dispenser configured
for dispensing detergent into the tub, and a motor in mechanical
communication with the basket. Thus, the motor is configured for
selectively rotating the basket within the tub. The washing machine
appliance also includes a controller configured for controlling the
washing machine appliance. In particular, the controller is
configured to perform a plurality of operations, but not limited to
obtaining one or more detergent parameters from one or more
previous wash cycles of the washing machine appliance, analyzing
the one or more detergent parameters to predict an amount of suds
that will be generated in a future wash cycle of the washing
machine appliance, and automatically adjusting at least one
operating parameter for the future wash cycle based on the
predicted amount of suds to prevent the amount of suds from
exceeding a suds threshold.
[0010] 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] 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.
[0012] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a washing machine
appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
subject matter.
[0013] FIG. 2 provides a front, cross-sectional view of the
exemplary washing machine appliance of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 provides a flow diagram illustrating a method
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 4 provides an example table of a number of previous
cycle suds events correlated with a respective reduction factor
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 5 provides an example table of a previous cycle target
temperature correlated with a respective reduction factor according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 6 provides a flow chart of an implementation of the
controller to prevent an oversuds condition in a washing machine
appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] 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.
[0019] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a
perspective view of a washing machine appliance 50 according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. As may be seen
in FIG. 1, the washing machine appliance 50 includes a cabinet 52
and a cover 54. A backsplash 56 extends from the cover 54, and a
control panel 58 including a plurality of input selectors 60 is
coupled to backsplash 56. The control panel 58 and input selectors
60 collectively form a user interface input for operator selection
of machine cycles and features, and in one embodiment, a display 61
indicates selected features, a countdown timer, and/or other items
of interest to machine users. A lid 62 is mounted to the cover 54
and is rotatable between an open position (not shown) facilitating
access to a wash tub 64 (FIG. 2) located within the cabinet 52 and
a closed position (shown in FIG. 1) forming an enclosure over the
tub 64.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 2, a front, cross-sectional view of
the washing machine appliance 50 is illustrated. As may be seen in
FIG. 2, the tub 64 includes a bottom wall 66 and a sidewall 68. A
wash basket or wash drum 70 is rotatably mounted within the tub 64.
In exemplary embodiments as shown, the basket 70 is rotatable about
a vertical axis V. Thus, the washing machine appliance 50 in these
embodiments is generally referred to as a vertical axis washing
machine appliance. Further, as shown, the basket 70 defines a wash
chamber 73 for receipt of articles for washing and extends, e.g.,
vertically, between a bottom portion 80 and a top portion 82. The
basket 70 includes a plurality of openings or perforations 71
therein to facilitate fluid communication between an interior of
the basket 70 and the tub 64.
[0021] A spout 72 is configured for directing a flow of fluid into
the tub 64. In particular, the spout 72 may be positioned at or
adjacent to the top portion 82 of the basket 70. The spout 72 may
be in fluid communication with a water supply (not shown) in order
to direct fluid (e.g., liquid water) into the tub 64 and/or onto
articles within the chamber 73 of the basket 70. A valve 74
regulates the flow of fluid through the spout 72. For example, the
valve 74 can selectively adjust to a closed position in order to
terminate or obstruct the flow of fluid through the spout 72. A
pump assembly 90 (shown schematically in FIG. 2) is located beneath
the tub 64 and the basket 70 for gravity assisted flow to drain the
tub 64.
[0022] Still referring to FIG. 2, an agitation element 92, shown as
an impeller in FIG. 2, is disposed in the basket 70 to impart an
oscillatory motion to articles and liquid in the chamber 73 of the
basket 70. In various embodiments, the agitation element 92
includes a single action element (i.e., oscillatory only), double
action (oscillatory movement at one end, single direction rotation
at the other end) or triple action (oscillatory movement plus
single direction rotation at one end, singe direction rotation at
the other end). As illustrated in FIG. 2, the agitation element 92
is oriented to rotate about vertical axis V. The basket 70 and the
agitation element 92 are driven by a pancake motor 94. Thus, as a
motor output shaft 98 is rotated, the basket 70 and the agitation
element 92 are operated for rotatable movement within the tub 64,
e.g., about vertical axis V. Further, the washing machine appliance
50 may also include a brake assembly (not shown) selectively
applied or released for respectively maintaining the basket 70 in a
stationary position within the tub 64 or for allowing the basket 70
to spin within the tub 64.
[0023] Operation of the washing machine appliance 50 is controlled
by a processing device or controller 100, that is operatively
coupled to the user interface input located on washing machine
backsplash 56 (shown in FIG. 1) for user manipulation to select
washing machine cycles and features. As such, in response to user
manipulation of the user interface input, the controller 100
operates the various components of the washing machine appliance 50
to execute selected machine cycles and features.
[0024] The controller 100 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. The memory may be a separate component from the
processor or may be included onboard within the processor.
Alternatively, controller 100 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 gates, and the like) to perform
control functionality instead of relying upon software. Control
panel 58 and other components of washing machine appliance 50 may
be in communication with controller 100 via one or more signal
lines or shared communication busses.
[0025] In an illustrative embodiment, laundry items are loaded into
the chamber 73 of the basket 70, and washing operation is initiated
through operator manipulation of control input selectors 60. The
tub 64 is filled with water and mixed with detergent to form a wash
fluid. The valve 74 can be opened to initiate a flow of water into
the tub 64 via the spout 72, and the tub 64 can be filled to the
appropriate level for the amount of articles being washed. In
certain embodiments, the detergent may be poured directly into the
basket 70 via a user. In alternative embodiments, the washing
machine appliance 50 may be further equipped with a detergent
dispenser 102 (FIG. 2) in which the detergent may be poured. In
certain embodiments, as an example, the dispenser 102 may be a
smart dispenser than can be controlled via the controller 100 as
further described herein. Once the tub 64 is properly filled with
wash fluid, the contents of the basket 70 are agitated with the
agitation element 92 for cleaning of laundry items in the basket
70. More specifically, the agitation element 92 is moved back and
forth in an oscillatory motion.
[0026] After the agitation phase of the wash cycle is completed,
the tub 64 is drained. Laundry articles can then be rinsed by again
adding fluid to the tub 64, depending on the particulars of the
cleaning cycle selected by a user, the agitation element 92 may
again provide agitation within the basket 70. 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, the
basket 70 is rotated at relatively high speeds.
[0027] While described in the context of a specific embodiment of
the washing machine appliance 50, using the teachings disclosed
herein it will be understood that the washing machine appliance 50
is provided by way of example only. Other washing machine
appliances having different configurations (such as horizontal-axis
washing machine appliances), different appearances, and/or
different features may also be utilized with the present subject
matter as well.
[0028] Referring still to FIG. 2, a pressure chamber 110 may be
defined in the tub 64. The pressure chamber 110 may be provided for
facilitating tub pressure measurements. For example, a hose 112 may
connect the pressure chamber 110 to a pressure sensor 114. The
pressure sensor 114 may measure the pressure in the pressure
chamber 110 or at another suitable location within the tub 64, and
may be in operative communication with the controller 100. The
pressure sensor 114 may be a component of the controller 100, or
may be a separate component from the controller 100 which is in
communication with the controller 100 through a suitable wired or
wireless connection. The pressure sensor 114 may, for example, be
an analog pressure sensor, a digital pressure sensor, a mechanical
pressure switch, or any other suitable device capable of measuring
pressure as required herein. The pressure chamber 110 may include
an inner opening 120 and an outer opening 122, and may extend
between these openings to place the interior of the tub 64 and the
hose 112 in fluid communication. The inner opening 120 may thus be
defined in a sidewall 68 of the tub 64.
[0029] Further, a deflector 130 may be disposed within and mounted
to the tub 64, such as to a sidewall 68 and/or tub bottom 66
thereof. The deflector 130 generally extends inwardly from the
sidewall 68 and the tub bottom 66 between the tub 64 and the basket
70, and deflects and redirects water therein. The inner opening 120
may be defined adjacent to the deflector 130, such that the
deflector 130 redirects water from the inner opening 120.
[0030] As discussed, improved methods and apparatus for preventing
oversuds conditions are desired in the art. The present disclosure
is thus further directed to methods for preventing oversuds
conditions in washing machine appliances. Such methods may
advantageously reduce leakages and other issues caused by oversuds
conditions by efficiently preventing such conditions. As used
herein, an oversuds condition generally refers to a condition
wherein excess fluids, such as wash fluids and suds, are present in
a tub. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3, a flow diagram of one
embodiment of a method 200 for preventing an oversuds condition in
a washing machine appliance is illustrated. In general, the method
200 is described herein as relating to washing machine appliance
50. However, it should be appreciated that the disclosed method 200
may be implemented using any other suitable washing machine
appliance now known or later developed in the art. In addition,
although FIG. 3 depicts steps performed in a particular order for
purposes of illustration and discussion, the methods described
herein are not limited to any particular order or arrangement. One
skilled in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, will
appreciate that various steps of the methods can be omitted,
rearranged, combined and/or adapted in various ways.
[0031] As shown at (202), the method 200 includes obtaining, via
the controller 100, one or more detergent parameters from one or
more previous wash cycles of the washing machine appliance 50. For
example, in an embodiment, the detergent parameter(s) described
herein may include an amount of detergent, a type of detergent,
suds generation, a number of oversuds events, and/or a fluid
temperature for the one or more previous wash cycles. The detergent
parameter(s) may be determined using any suitable methods. For
example, in an embodiment, the method 200 may include determining
the suds generation from the previous wash cycle(s) using an
existing algorithm of the washing machine appliance. Further, in an
embodiment, the method 200 may include determining the fluid
temperature using at least one thermistor 104.
[0032] As shown at (204), the method 200 includes analyzing, via
the controller 100, the one or more detergent parameters to predict
an amount of suds that will be generated in a future wash cycle of
the washing machine appliance 50. For example, in an embodiment,
the controller 100 may analyze the detergent parameter(s) using at
least one of an algorithm, one or more look-up tables, or a machine
learning process.
[0033] As shown at (206), the method 200 includes automatically
adjusting, via the controller 100, at least one operating parameter
for the future wash cycle based on the predicted amount of suds to
prevent the amount of suds from exceeding a suds threshold. For
example, in an embodiment, the operating parameter(s) may include
at least one of an amount of detergent, a target temperature, or a
target water level. As such, in an embodiment, the controller 100
may automatically adjust the operating parameter(s) for the future
wash cycle based on the predicted amount of suds and an amount of
detergent selected for the future wash cycle. More specifically, in
an embodiment, the controller 100 may determine the amount of suds
that will be generated in the future wash cycle of the washing
machine appliance based on the suds generation, the fluid
temperature, and the amount of detergent selected for the future
wash cycle.
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, in certain embodiments, the
controller 100 may correlate the detergent parameter(s) (e.g. the
previous number of suds events or the previous cycle target
temperature) with an adjustment factor (such as a reduction factor)
for the operating parameter(s) that should be used for the future
wash cycle. Thus, in such embodiments, the controller 100 may apply
the adjustment factor to the operating parameter(s) for the future
wash cycle. For example, in an embodiment, the controller 100 may
apply the adjustment factor (e.g. 0%, 5%, 10%, etc.) to the amount
of detergent for the future wash cycle by sending a signal to the
detergent dispenser 102 of the washing machine appliance 50 to
increase, decrease, or maintain the amount of detergent for the
future wash cycle based on the adjustment factor. Moreover, in
particular embodiments, the controller 100 may also be configured
to limit the adjustment factor using upper and lower limits.
[0035] In still further embodiments, the controller 100 may
continuously tune the operating parameter(s) for the future wash
cycle based on the one or more detergent parameters from a
plurality of previous wash cycles.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 6, a flow chart 300 of another
implementation of the controller 100 to prevent an oversuds
condition in a washing machine appliance according to the present
disclosure is illustrated. As shown at 302, the controller 100
starts the wash cycle. As shown at 304, the controller 100
initiates the cycle steps of the wash cycle. As shown at 306, the
controller 100 defines the detergent amount. For example, as shown
at 308, in order to determine the appropriate amount of detergent
for the initiated wash cycle, the controller 100 determines whether
sudsing existed in a previous cycle. If so, as shown at 310 and
312, the controller 100 determines one or more reduction factors,
e.g. from a table (such as the example tables shown in FIGS. 4 and
5). For example, as shown in the illustrated embodiments, the
controller 100 determines a reduction factor based on previous
sudsing and a reduction factor based on previous temperature. Then,
as shown at 314, the controller 100 ensures that the reduction
factor(s) are within prescribed limits. If so, as shown at 316, the
controller 100 applies the reduction factor to the limit.
Accordingly, as shown at 318, the controller 100 determines the
amount of detergent needed for the wash cycle as a function of the
baseline amount and the reduction factor. Alternatively, if there
was no sudsing in previous cycles, as shown at 320, the reduction
factor may be set to zero.
[0037] Thus, as shown at 322 and 324, the dispenser 102 dispenses
the appropriate amount of detergent and continues the wash cycle.
The cycle ends at 326.
[0038] 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.
* * * * *