Patent · US Active

Water level detection system for a washing machine appliance and methods for operating the same

US11248326B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
3References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 3, 2020
Grant dateFeb 15, 2022
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 3, 2040

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
  • CPC primaryD06F2105/08
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A washing machine appliance includes a sump for collecting wash fluid and a water supply valve for supplying the wash fluid during a fill cycle. A controller is configured for detecting when a pressure sensor of a water level detection system is partially blocked and implementing an incremental fill process. Specifically, the controller is configured for determining a remaining fill volume for the wash fluid to reach the target fill volume, opening the supply valve to provide a fraction of the remaining fill volume into the sump and then closing the supply valve, determining that a sump pressure measured by the water level detection system has stabilized, and repeating these steps until a stopping criterion occurs, such as when a fill cycle limit or a target volume is achieved.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.