Washing machine appliance and a method for operating a washing machine appliance

Abstract

A washing machine appliance and a method for operating a washing machine appliance are provided. The method includes initiating a learning cycle of the washing machine appliance. During the learning cycle, at least one of a flow rate and a temperature of a heated water supply, a flow rate and a temperature for a cold water supply and a drain rate of a drain pump is determined or established and stored within a memory of the washing machine appliance. The method can assist with improving a performance and/or efficiency of the washing machine appliance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for operating a washing machine appliance, comprising:
 initiating a learning cycle of the washing machine appliance;   determining a flow rate and a temperature of a heated water supply of the washing machine appliance during the learning cycle;   establishing a flow rate and a temperature for a cold water supply the washing machine appliance during the learning cycle;   ascertaining a drain rate of a drain pump of the washing machine during the learning cycle; and   storing the flow rate of the heated water supply, the temperature of the heated water supply, the flow rate of the cold water supply, the temperature of the cold water supply and the drain rate of the drain pump in a memory of the washing machine appliance during the learning cycle.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising calculating a system drag of a basket of the washing machine appliance during the learning cycle, the basket having no articles for washing therein during said step of calculating. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said step of calculating comprises:
 spinning the basket with a motor of the washing machine appliance;   decreasing an angular velocity of the basket after said step of spinning; and   computing the system drag of the basket based at least in part on a change in inertia of the basket during said step of decreasing.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of determining comprises:
 directing a volume of heated water from the heated water supply into a tub of the washing machine appliance over a time interval; and   calculating the flow rate of the heated water supply based at least in part on the volume of heated water and the time interval.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of determining comprises:
 directing a first volume of heated water from the heated water supply into a tub of the washing machine appliance; and   measuring a temperature of the first volume of heated water in order to establish a transition temperature of the heated water supply.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said step of determining further comprises:
 draining the first volume of heated water from the tub;   refilling the tub with a second volume of heated water from the heated water supply after said step of draining;   gauging a temperature of the second volume of heated water in order to establish a steady state temperature of the heated water supply.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of establishing comprises:
 directing a volume of cold water from the cold water supply into a tub of the washing machine appliance over a time interval; and   calculating the flow rate of the cold water supply based at least in part on the volume of cold water and the time interval.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of establishing comprises:
 directing a first volume of cold water from the cold water supply into a tub of the washing machine appliance; and   measuring a temperature of the first volume of cold water in the tub in order to establish a transition temperature of the cold water supply.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said step of establishing further comprises:
 draining the first volume of cold water from the tub;   refilling the tub with a second volume of cold water from the cold water supply after said step of draining;   gauging a temperature of the second volume of cold water in the tub in order to establish a steady state temperature of the cold water supply.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising verifying whether the heated water supply and the cold water supply are reversed based at least in part on at least one of the temperature of the heated water supply and the temperature of the cold water supply. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said step of verifying comprises:
 comparing the temperature of the heated water supply to a threshold temperature; and   reversing the heated water supply and the cold water supply if the temperature of the heated water supply does not exceed the threshold temperature at said step of comparing.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said step of verifying comprises:
 comparing the temperature of the cold water supply to a threshold temperature; and   reversing the heated water supply and the cold water supply if the temperature of the cold water supply exceeds the threshold temperature at said step of comparing.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of ascertaining comprises:
 directing a volume of water from at least one of the heated water supply and the cold water supply into a tub of the washing machine appliance;   removing the volume of water from the tub with a drain pump of the washing machine appliance over a time interval; and   establishing a drain rate of the drain pump based at least in part on the volume of water and the time interval.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising repeating said steps of initiating, determining, establishing, ascertaining and storing after a period of time in order to update the flow rate of the heated water supply, the temperature of the heated water supply, the flow rate of the cold water supply, the temperature of the cold water supply and the drain rate of the drain pump within the memory of the washing machine appliance. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of initiating comprises initiating the learning cycle of the washing machine appliance during installation of the washing machine appliance. 
     
     
         16 . A washing machine appliance, comprising:
 a tub;   a basket rotatably mounted within the tub;   a motor configured for selectively rotating the basket within the tub;   a heated water supply conduit having an outlet positioned at the tub, the heated water supply conduit configured for directing a flow of heated water into the tub at the outlet of the heated water supply conduit;   a heated water supply valve configured for regulating the flow of heated water though the heated water supply conduit;   a drain conduit having an inlet positioned at the tub;   a drain pump configured for selectively urging a flow of liquid out of the tub through the drain conduit;   a temperature sensor positioned proximate the tub, the temperature sensor configured for measuring a temperature of liquid within the tub or within the heated water supply conduit; and   a controller in operative communication with the motor, the heated water supply valve, the drain pump and the temperature sensor, the controller configured for
 working the heated water supply valve in order to direct heated water into the tub though the outlet of the heated water conduit, a first volume of heated water being disposed within the tub after said step of actuating; 
 measuring a temperature of the first volume of heated water with the temperature sensor; 
 operating the drain pump in order to drain the first volume of heated water from the tub; 
 actuating the heated water supply valve in order to direct heated water into the tub though the outlet of the heated water conduit, a second volume of heated water being disposed within the tub after said step of actuating; 
 determining a heated water flow rate based at least in part on at least one of a time interval of said step of working and a time interval of said step of actuating; 
 gauging a temperature of the second volume of heated water with the temperature sensor; 
 establishing a temperature of heated water within the heated water supply based at least in part on at least one of the temperature of the first volume of heated water and the temperature of the second volume of heated water; 
 running the drain pump in order to drain the second volume of heated water from the tub; 
 ascertaining a drain rate of the drain pump based at least in part on at least one of a time interval of said step of operating and a time interval of said step of running; and 
 storing the heated water flow rate, the temperature of heated water within the heated water supply and the drain rate within a memory of the controller. 
   
     
     
         17 . The appliance of  claim 13 , wherein the controller is further configured for:
 repeating said steps of working, measuring, operating, actuating, determining, gauging, establishing, running, ascertaining and storing after a period of time in order to update the heated water flow rate, the temperature of heated water within the heated water supply and the drain rate within the memory of the washing machine appliance.   
     
     
         18 . A method for operating an appliance, comprising:
 initiating a learning cycle of the appliance;   establishing an operational parameter of the appliance during the learning cycle; and   storing the operational parameter of the appliance in a memory of the appliance during the learning cycle.