Washing machine appliances and methods of operation

Abstract

A washing machine appliance, including methods for operation thereof, is provided herein. The washing machine appliance may include a cabinet, a user interface, a tub, a rotation element, a motor, and a controller. The user interface may be mounted to the cabinet. The tub may be housed within the cabinet. The rotation element may be rotatably mounted within the tub. The motor may be in mechanical communication with the rotation element to selectively rotate the rotation element within the tub. The controller may be in operative communication with the motor and the user interface. The controller may be configured to initiate a washing operation.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present subject matter relates generally to washing machine appliances and more particularly to washing machine features and methods for improved soaking of articles therein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Washing machine appliances generally include a tub contained within a cabinet for containing water or wash fluid (e.g., water and detergent, bleach, fabric softener, or other wash additives). A basket is rotatably mounted within the tub and defines a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing. During normal operation of such washing machine appliances, a wash fluid is directed into the tub and onto articles within the wash chamber of the basket. The basket or an agitation element can rotate at various speeds to agitate articles (e.g., clothes) within the wash chamber, to wring wash fluid from articles within the wash chamber, etc.[0003]In some instances, it may be desirable to temporarily stop or pause a wash cycle of a washing machine applia...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a washing machine appliance with a user interface, motor, and controller that can initiate a wash cycle by receiving a wash signal and flow a volume of liquid into the tub. The appliance can also stop the wash cycle in response to a pause signal and agitate articles within the basket during the pause period to improve washing efficiency. Ultimately, the appliance can resume the wash cycle after agitating the articles. This technology allows for improved washing results and a better user experience.

Problems solved by technology

However, problems often arise with using existing appliances or methods to temporarily stop or pause a wash cycle.

Thus, certain articles may begin to dry out as fluid drains or evaporates from those articles.

This problem may be especially pronounced in so-called “high-efficiency” washing machine appliances, which generally minimize the use of large volumes of water.

Another problem that may arise is that any additives (e.g., detergent, bleach, fabric softener) within the tub may begin to settle or separate from water or the rest of the wash fluid within the tub.

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