Washing appliance and methods of operating

Abstract

An appliance for washing objects is configured to dispense a first fluid, or hot wash fluid, into a wash zone to at least a first level. The appliance is further configured to dispense a second fluid into the wash zone, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid form a fluid mixture that reaches a fill level and has a mixture temperature that is less than the temperature of the first fluid. In one embodiment, the first level is less than the fill level and the appliance, in response to the first level being reached, implements a secondary operation that facilitates cleaning of objects that are positioned in the wash zone.

1 . A method implemented on an appliance comprising a wash zone in which objects are positioned to be washed, said method comprising:
 forming a fluid mixture in the wash zone, the fluid mixture comprising a first fluid and a second fluid dispensed during an operational cycle so that the fluid mixture reaches a fill level in the wash zone,   wherein the first fluid is dispensed to a first level that is less than the fill level and has a temperature that is greater than a mixture temperature for the fluid mixture, and   wherein a secondary operation is initiated in response to the first fluid reaching the first level.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid comprises a first washing fluid and an additive mixed with the first washing fluid. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the first washing fluid is dispensed from a hot fluid inlet. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the second fluid comprises a second washing fluid that is dispensed from a cold fluid inlet. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the second fluid further comprises a first percentage of the first washing fluid and a second percentage of the second washing fluid, and wherein a value for each of the first percentage and the second percentage is selected in response to the mixture temperature. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid mixture is formed during a wash cycle of the operational cycle. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , further comprising activating an agitation device during the wash cycle, wherein the agitation device is configured to agitate the first fluid. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 6 , further comprising rotating a wash basket in which the wash zone is formed during the wash cycle, wherein the second fluid is dispensed into the wash zone after initiating rotation 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the secondary operation occurs before the second fluid is dispensed into the wash zone. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising dispensing an additive into the fluid mixture in the wash zone. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are dispensed at different time of the operational cycle. 
     
     
         12 . In a washing machine having a fluid inlet and a wash tub forming a wash zone in which objects are positioned to be washed, a method implemented on the washing machine comprising:
 dispensing a first fluid from the fluid inlet into the wash zone;   dispensing a second fluid from the fluid inlet into the wash zone;   wherein the first fluid and the second fluid form a fluid mixture with a mixture temperature and that reaches a fill level in the wash zone,   wherein the first fluid is dispensed to at least a first level that is less than the fill level and has a temperature that is greater than the mixture temperature, and   wherein a secondary operation is initiated in response to the first fluid reaching the first level.   
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the second fluid comprises a first washing fluid from a hot fluid inlet and a second washing fluid from a cold fluid inlet. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 12 , further comprising agitating the first fluid. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are dispensed at different times during an operational cycle. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 12 , further comprising dispensing an additive into the wash zone, wherein the additive mixes with the first fluid in the wash zone. 
     
     
         17 . An appliance, comprising:
 a wash zone in which objects are positioned to be washed;   a flow regulator in communication with the wash zone; and   a controller coupled to the flow regulator,   wherein the controller is operatively configured to execute an operational cycle during which a fluid mixture is formed in the wash zone,   wherein the fluid mixture comprises a first fluid and a second fluid dispensed from the flow regulator during the operational cycle,   wherein the first fluid is dispensed to at least a first level that is less than a fill level for the fluid mixture and has a temperature that is greater than a mixture temperature for the fluid mixture, and   wherein a secondary operation is initiated in response to the first fluid reaching the first level.   
     
     
         18 . An appliance according to  claim 17 , further comprising a hot fluid inlet and a cold fluid inlet, each coupled to the flow regulator, wherein the first fluid comprises a first washing fluid dispensed from the hot fluid inlet. 
     
     
         19 . An appliance according to  claim 18 , wherein the second fluid comprises a second washing fluid dispensed from the cold fluid inlet. 
     
     
         20 . An appliance according to  claim 17 , further comprising a wash basket and an agitation device disposed in the wash basket, wherein the controller is configured to activate the agitation device before the second fluid is dispensed into the wash zone. 
     
     
         21 . A method implemented on an appliance comprising a wash zone in which objects are positioned to be washed, said method comprising:
 dispensing a first fluid having a first temperature into the wash zone to a first level that is less than a fill level;   initiating a first operation in response to the first fluid reaching the first level;   dispensing a second fluid into the wash zone to mix with said first fluid following said first operation, the second fluid bringing the resultant fluid mixture to the fill level, said second fluid having a second temperature less than said first temperature, whereby the fluid mixture has a third temperature which is less than said first temperature and greater than said second temperature; and   initiating a second operation in response to the fluid mixture reaching the fill level.   
     
     
         22 . An appliance, comprising:
 a wash basket forming a wash zone into which objects can be positioned to be washed;   a flow regulator; and   a controller connectable to the flow regulator,   wherein the controller is operatively configured to execute an operational cycle comprising steps for,
 dispensing a first fluid having a first temperature into the wash zone to a first level that is less than a fill level; 
 initiating a first operation in response to the first fluid reaching the first level; 
 dispensing a second fluid into the wash zone to mix with said first fluid following said first operation, the second fluid bringing the resultant fluid mixture to the fill level, said second fluid having a second temperature less than said first temperature, whereby the fluid mixture has a third temperature which is less than said first temperature and greater than said second temperature; and 
 initiating a second operation in response to the fluid mixture reaching the fill level. 
   
     
     
         23 . An appliance according to  claim 22 , further comprising a wash basket and an agitation device disposed in the wash basket, wherein the controller operatively configured to activate the agitation device during the first operation. 
     
     
         24 . An appliance according to  claim 22 , wherein the controller is further operatively configured to dispense an additive into the wash zone. 
     
     
         25 . An appliance according to  claim 24 , wherein the additive mixes with the first fluid during the first operation.