Method and apparatus for operating a washing machine

Abstract

A control system for a washing machine operable in a wash cycle is provided. The control system includes a foam sensor and a controller operatively coupled to the foam sensor. The washing machine includes a cabinet and a wash tub positioned within the cabinet for receiving laundry therein. The foam sensor is configured to detect a level of foam within the wash tub. The controller is configured to introduce a softener into the wash tub upon the foam sensor detecting a threshold level of foam within the wash tub.

1 . A control system for a washing machine operable in a wash cycle, said washing machine comprising a cabinet and a wash tub positioned within the cabinet for receiving laundry therein, said control system comprising:
 a foam sensor configured to detect a level of foam within the wash tub; and   a controller operatively coupled to said foam sensor, said controller configured to introduce a softener into the wash tub upon said foam sensor detecting a threshold level of foam within the wash tub.   
   
   
       2 . A control system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said controller is operatively coupled to at least one of a drive motor configured to drive the wash tub and a pump motor configured to facilitate draining water from the wash tub. 
   
   
       3 . A control system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said controller is configured to suspend the wash cycle upon detecting the threshold level. 
   
   
       4 . A control system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said controller is configured to initiate rotation of said wash tub and channel water through said wash tub after introducing the softener. 
   
   
       5 . A control system in accordance with  claim 4  wherein said controller is configured to detect the level of foam within said wash tub after channeling the water. 
   
   
       6 . A control system in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said controller is configured to continue the wash cycle with the level of foam below the threshold level. 
   
   
       7 . A control system in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said controller is configured to operate a foam reducing process upon detecting the level of foam at the threshold level. 
   
   
       8 . A control system in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said controller is configured to continue the wash cycle at a reduced rotational speed upon detecting the level of foam at the threshold level. 
   
   
       9 . A control system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said controller is configured to determine a foam threshold level based on an operational status of a pump motor. 
   
   
       10 . A control system in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a water level sensor configured to detect a water level within said wash tub, said controller configured to detect the operational status of a pump motor upon detecting the foam threshold level and the water level above a predetermined empty level. 
   
   
       11 . A washing machine operable in a wash cycle, said washing machine comprising:
 a cabinet;   a wash tub positioned within said cabinet and configured to receive laundry therein;   a dispenser positioned within said cabinet, said dispenser comprising a plurality of independent compartments, a first compartment of said plurality of independent compartments configured to receive an anti-foam component therein;   a foam sensor positioned within said cabinet and configured to detect a level of foam within said wash tub; and   a controller operatively coupled to said foam sensor, said controller configured to channel water through said first compartment and into said wash tub upon detecting a threshold level of foam within said wash tub.   
   
   
       12 . A washing machine in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said controller is configured to suspend the wash cycle upon detecting the threshold level. 
   
   
       13 . A washing machine in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said controller is configured to operate a foam reducing process upon detecting the threshold level. 
   
   
       14 . A washing machine in accordance with  claim 13  wherein said controller is configured to drain water from said wash tub during the foam reducing process. 
   
   
       15 . A washing machine in accordance with  claim 13  wherein said controller is configured to detect the level of foam within said wash tub after the foam reducing process. 
   
   
       16 . A washing machine in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said controller is configured to resume the wash cycle upon detecting the level of foam below the threshold level. 
   
   
       17 . A washing machine in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said controller is configured to continue operating the foam reducing process upon detecting the threshold level. 
   
   
       18 . A washing machine in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said controller is configured to continue the wash cycle at a reduced rotational speed upon detecting the threshold level. 
   
   
       19 . A washing machine in accordance with  claim 11  further comprising a pump motor configured to drain water through said wash tub, said controller configured to determine a foam level based on an operational status of said pump motor in a drain cycle. 
   
   
       20 . A washing machine in accordance with  claim 19  further comprising a water level sensor configured to detect a water level within said wash tub, said controller configured to detect an angle phase of said pump motor upon detecting the threshold level of foam and the water level at a predetermined level. 
   
   
       21 . A method for reducing a foam level within a washing machine during a wash cycle, said method comprising:
 positioning a foam sensor within a cabinet of the washing machine configured to detect a level of foam within a wash tub positioned within the cabinet;   positioning a dispenser within the cabinet and in fluid communication with a basket rotatably positioned within the wash tub, the dispenser including a first compartment configured to receive a washing detergent and an independent second compartment configured to receive a softener; and   operatively coupling a controller to the foam sensor, the controller configured to channel water through the second compartment and into the wash tub upon detecting a threshold level of foam within the wash tub.   
   
   
       22 . A method in accordance with  claim 21  wherein operatively coupling a controller comprises coupling a controller configured to suspend the wash cycle upon detecting the threshold level. 
   
   
       23 . A method in accordance with  claim 21  further comprising initiating a foam reducing process upon detecting the threshold level. 
   
   
       24 . A method in accordance with  claim 23  further comprising detecting the level of foam within the wash tub after the foam reducing process. 
   
   
       25 . A method in accordance with  claim 24  further comprising resuming the wash cycle at a reduced rotational speed of the basket upon detecting the threshold level. 
   
   
       26 . A method in accordance with  claim 21  further comprising detecting an operational status of a pump motor upon detecting the threshold level of foam and the water level at a predetermined level.