Washing machine appliance and a method for detecting an oversuds condition

Abstract

Washing machine appliances and methods for detecting oversuds conditions in washing machine appliances are provided. A washing machine appliance has a tub and a basket rotatably mounted within the tub, the basket defining a chamber for receipt of articles for washing. A method includes measuring a pressure within the tub during a spin cycle, comparing the pressure to a threshold oversuds pressure level, and pausing the spin cycle and enacting an oversuds removal cycle if the pressure exceeds the threshold oversuds pressure level.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for detecting 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:
 measuring a pressure within the tub during a spin cycle;   comparing the pressure to a threshold oversuds pressure level; and   pausing the spin cycle and enacting an oversuds removal cycle if the pressure exceeds the threshold oversuds pressure level.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising continuing the spin cycle if the pressure does not exceed the threshold oversuds pressure level. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising continuing the spin cycle after the oversuds removal cycle has concluded. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oversuds removal cycle comprises:
 adding a fluid to the tub;   agitating the basket; and   draining the fluid from the tub.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the fluid is water. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the threshold oversuds pressure level is a positive pressure relative to an atmospheric pressure level in the tub. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the threshold oversuds pressure level is a negative pressure relative to an atmospheric pressure level in the tub. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure is measured in a pressure chamber defined in the tub. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a deflector is disposed in the tub adjacent to the pressure chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the washing machine appliance is a vertical axis washing machine appliance. 
     
     
         11 . 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 motor in mechanical communication with the basket, the motor configured for selectively rotating the basket within the tub;   a pressure sensor configured for measuring a pressure within the tub; and   a controller in operative communication with the valve, the motor and the pressure sensor, the controller configured for:
 comparing the pressure measured during a spin cycle to a threshold oversuds pressure level; and 
 pausing the spin cycle and enacting an oversuds removal cycle if the pressure exceeds the threshold oversuds pressure level. 
   
     
     
         12 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 11 , wherein a pressure chamber is defined in the tub, and wherein the pressure sensor measures the pressure within the pressure chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 12 , further comprising a deflector, the deflector mounted to the tub. 
     
     
         14 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 13 , wherein an inner opening of the pressure chamber is defined adjacent to the deflector. 
     
     
         15 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 11 , wherein the controller is further configured for continuing the spin cycle if the pressure does not exceed the threshold oversuds pressure level. 
     
     
         16 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 11 , wherein the controller is further configured for continuing the spin cycle after the oversuds removal cycle has concluded. 
     
     
         17 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 11 , wherein the threshold oversuds pressure level is a positive pressure relative to an atmospheric pressure level in the tub. 
     
     
         18 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 11 , wherein the threshold oversuds pressure level is a negative pressure relative to an atmospheric pressure level in the tub. 
     
     
         19 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 11 , wherein the basket defines a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings permitting fluid flow between the chamber of the basket and the tub. 
     
     
         20 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 11 , wherein the washing machine appliance is a vertical axis washing machine appliance.