US 12,467,181 B2
Detecting a presence of a cleaning agent during a self-clean cycle of a washing machine appliance
Yoojeong Lee, Seongnam-si (KR); Wonmyung Seo, Seongnam-si (KR); and James Quentin Pollett, Louisville, KY (US)
Assigned to Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US)
Filed by Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US)
Filed on Jul. 26, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/359,589.
Prior Publication US 2025/0034775 A1, Jan. 30, 2025
Int. Cl. D06F 33/37 (2020.01); D06F 33/43 (2020.01); D06F 101/20 (2020.01); D06F 103/22 (2020.01); D06F 103/44 (2020.01); D06F 105/42 (2020.01); D06F 105/54 (2020.01)
CPC D06F 33/37 (2020.02) [D06F 33/43 (2020.02); D06F 2101/20 (2020.02); D06F 2103/22 (2020.02); D06F 2103/44 (2020.02); D06F 2105/42 (2020.02); D06F 2105/54 (2020.02)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for operating a washing machine appliance, the method comprising:
monitoring, with a sensor, a conductivity measurement of a fluid in a tub of the washing machine appliance;
receiving an input indicative of a selection of a self-clean cycle of the washing machine appliance;
activating the self-clean cycle of the washing machine appliance;
recording the conductivity measurement of the fluid in the tub in response to the self-clean cycle being activated;
comparing the recorded conductivity measurement to a first reference conductivity value;
determining, based on the compared recorded conductivity measurement and the first reference conductivity value, a cleaning agent is not present within the tub;
determining a presence of a heater in response to determining the cleaning agent is not present within the tub; and
providing a first user notification in response to it being determined that the heater is present, the first user notification comprising a first prompt comprising a request to continue the self-clean cycle with hot water.