US 12,442,122 B2
Systems and methods for performing additive dispenser diagnostics in a washing machine appliance
Wonmyung Seo, Seongnam (KR); and Hyoyeol Maeng, Bucheon-si (KR)
Assigned to Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US)
Filed by Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US)
Filed on Oct. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/961,982.
Prior Publication US 2024/0117545 A1, Apr. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. D06F 33/37 (2020.01); D06F 23/04 (2006.01); D06F 33/47 (2020.01); D06F 34/04 (2020.01); D06F 34/24 (2020.01); D06F 34/28 (2020.01); D06F 39/02 (2006.01); D06F 39/08 (2006.01); D06F 103/16 (2020.01); D06F 103/20 (2020.01); D06F 105/02 (2020.01); D06F 105/42 (2020.01); D06F 105/58 (2020.01); D06F 105/62 (2020.01)
CPC D06F 33/47 (2020.02) [D06F 23/04 (2013.01); D06F 33/37 (2020.02); D06F 34/04 (2020.02); D06F 34/24 (2020.02); D06F 34/28 (2020.02); D06F 39/022 (2013.01); D06F 39/085 (2013.01); D06F 2103/16 (2020.02); D06F 2103/20 (2020.02); D06F 2105/02 (2020.02); D06F 2105/42 (2020.02); D06F 2105/58 (2020.02); D06F 2105/62 (2020.02)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A washing machine appliance, comprising:
a wash tub positioned within a cabinet;
a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash tub and defining a wash chamber configured for receiving a load of clothes;
a water supply configured to selectively dispense wash fluid into the wash tub;
a bulk dispenser for selectively adding a wash additive to the wash fluid;
a conductivity sensor for measuring an electrical conductivity of the wash fluid collected in the wash tub; and
a controller operably coupled to the water supply, the bulk dispenser, and the conductivity sensor, the controller being configured to:
operate the water supply to dispense the wash fluid into the wash tub;
measure a first conductivity of the wash fluid in the wash tub using the conductivity sensor;
operate the bulk dispenser to dispense the wash additive into the wash tub;
measure a second conductivity of the wash fluid in the wash tub using the conductivity sensor, wherein the second conductivity is obtained after the wash additive is dispensed and prior to agitating the load of clothes;
calculating a conductivity difference between the second conductivity and the first conductivity;
determine that the wash additive was not dispensed by determining that the conductivity difference falls below a predetermined difference threshold; and
implement a responsive action in response to determining that the wash additive was not dispensed.