SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERCONNECTED APPLIANCES VALVE FAULT DETECTION

Description

FIELD

The present subject matter relates generally to appliances and methods for wireless communication and fault detection.

BACKGROUND

A user may realize that an appliance, such as washer appliances, has a faulty component, error, or other inability from operating normally, or performing certain operations, or operating in general. For commercial appliances, such as laundromat washing appliances, a user may realize such errors after paying for using the appliance. Additionally, or alternatively, after experiencing the inconvenience of loading laundry articles into the appliance just to need to remove the laundry articles and find another appliance.

Accordingly, systems and methods for determining an operational state of an appliance, or components thereof, is desired and would be advantageous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for determining an operational state of a plurality of appliances. A first appliance is communicatively coupled to a second appliance. The plurality of appliances are fluidly coupled to one another by a water supply valve. The method includes obtaining, at the first appliance, a fault condition signal of the first appliance; obtaining, via the first appliance from the second appliance, an operating condition signal of the second appliance; comparing, at the first appliance, the operating condition signal of the second appliance to the fault condition signal of the first appliance; generating, via the first appliance, a first communication signal to determine an operational state at a water supply valve when the compared operating condition signal corresponds to the fault condition signal of the first appliance; generating, via the first appliance, a second communication signal indicating a fault condition of the plurality of appliances when the determined operational state at the water supply valve corresponds to an open valve state; transmitting, from the first appliance, the second communication signal to the second appliance; and generating a third communication signal corresponding to a fault condition of the first appliance when comparing the operating condition signal does not correspond the fault condition signal of the first appliance to the fault condition signal of the second appliance.

An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to an interconnected system of appliances. The system includes a first appliance and a second appliance fluidly coupled to one another by a water supply valve. The first appliance and the second appliance each include a short range radio communications device communicatively coupling together the first appliance and the second appliance. The first appliance and the second appliance include a controller configured to execute instructions that cause the first appliance and the second appliance to perform operations. The operations include obtaining, at the first appliance, a fault condition signal of the first appliance; obtaining at the first appliance, via communicatively coupling the short range radio communications devices of the first appliance and the second appliance, an operating condition signal of the second appliance; comparing, at the first appliance, the operating condition signal of the second appliance to the fault condition signal of the first appliance; generating, via the first appliance, a first communication signal to determine an operational state at a water supply valve when the compared operating condition signal corresponds to the fault condition signal of the first appliance; generating, via the first appliance, a second communication signal indicating a fault condition of the plurality of appliances when the determined operational state at the water supply valve corresponds to an open valve state; transmitting, from the first appliance, the second communication signal to the second appliance; and generating a third communication signal corresponding to a fault condition of the first appliance when comparing the operating condition signal does not correspond the fault condition signal of the first appliance to the fault condition signal of the second appliance.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a schematic embodiment of an interconnected system of appliances in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 provides a schematic embodiment of an interconnected system of appliances in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 provides a schematic embodiment of an interconnected system of appliances in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 provides a flowchart outlining steps of a method for determining an operational state of a water valve for one or more appliances in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “generally,” “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin (i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value). In this regard, for example, when used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction (e.g., “generally vertical” includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, such as, clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V).

Embodiments of an interconnected system of appliances and a computer-implemented method for valve fault detection are provided herein that address one or more issues described above. Embodiments provided herein include a plurality of appliances, such as washer appliances, having a valve assembly configured to supply water to the plurality of appliances. The plurality of appliances generally includes a first appliance and a second appliance each coupled in common to a main water supply valve assembly. The first and second appliances include a short range communications device communicatively coupling together the first and second appliances. Embodiments of the system and method permit the first appliance to initiate, transmit, and obtain a component check routine (e.g., water valve check, flow check, etc.) at the second appliance to determine whether the second appliance has a similar fault as the first appliance.

In various embodiments, the computer-implemented method includes obtaining, at the first appliance, a fault condition signal of the first appliance. The first appliance then solicits, from the second appliance, an operating condition signal of the second appliance.

The operating condition signal is compared to the fault condition of the first appliance. When the obtained operating condition signal corresponds to the fault condition signal of the first appliance (e.g., the second appliance has a fault condition similar to the fault condition at the first appliance), the first appliance generates a first communication signal to determine an operational state at the main water supply valve. When the determined operational state at the main water supply valve corresponds to a closed valve state, the first appliance may re-initiate a wash cycle. When the determined operational state at the main water supply valve corresponds to an open valve state, a second communication signal is generated communicating a fault condition at the plurality of appliances coupled in common to the main supply valve.

In some embodiments, the system and method may further transmit, to the second appliance, the second communication signal to all of the plurality of appliances coupled in common to the main supply valve.

When the obtained operating condition signal does not correspond to the fault condition signal of the first appliance (i.e., the second appliance does not have a fault condition, or does not have a fault condition similar to the fault condition at the first appliance), the first appliance generates a third communication signal a fault condition at the first appliance.

In some embodiments, the system and method may further generate the third communication signal directing the user to an operable washer appliance.

For instance, the first appliance may correspond to one of the plurality of appliances communicatively interconnected to one another and coupled in common to the main water valve. The second appliance may correspond to one or more of the remaining plurality of appliances. The second appliance may include all other appliances of the plurality of appliances coupled in common to the main water valve and communicatively interconnected to one another. As such, steps for obtaining and transmitting signals such as described herein may include obtaining from, and transmitting to, one or more, or all, of the second appliances of the plurality of appliances. Such steps may facilitate a single appliance to determine a fault and remedy in common to the plurality of appliances, or a fault limited substantially to the single appliance.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a schematic exemplary embodiment of an interconnected system of appliances (hereinafter, “system 90”). Embodiments of the system 90 form a system for determining an operational state of an appliance. Embodiments of the system 90 are configured to perform operations or steps of a method for determining an operational state of an appliance, or a component thereof, at one or more appliances (hereinafter, “method 1000”). Embodiments of system 90 may additionally, or alternatively, be configured to perform operations or steps of a method for data transmission over two or more appliances.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, embodiments of the system 90 includes a plurality of appliances 80 including two or more appliances 100, 200 positioned within communicative range of one another relative to a short range radio communications device, such as depicted in FIG. 3 at short range radio communications devices 130, 230 at respective appliances 100, 200. The short range radio communications devices 130, 230 are configured to allow direct wireless communication between one another. Devices 130, 230 are configured to use a radio frequency to share data over a short distance (e.g., up to approximately 3 meters, or up to approximately 30 meters). Embodiments of the system 90 are configured to communicatively couple together the devices 130, 230 at respective appliances 100, 200. Embodiments of the devices 130, 230 may be configured in accordance with Bluetooth® wireless communications standards, such as Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE), or other appropriate short range, low-power, wireless protocols, such as, but not limited to, Unison, Xender, Xigbee®, and the like. Accordingly, appliances 100, 200 may be positioned in relatively short range.

Devices 130, 230 may be configured for direct wireless communication in contrast to internet communications devices 128, 228 at respective appliances 100, 200 configured to communicatively couple to a remote or cloud-based server 150 or computing network 132. Network 132 may include one or more of a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a personal area network (PAN), the Internet, a cellular network, or any other suitable wireless network. Internet communications devices 128, 228 are configured to transmit and receive, signals, data packets, information, datasets, and the like, over the network 132 and between the appliance 100, 200 and the server 150. The server 150 may be configured to store and transmit data in a database, or providing computational processing, relating to controls, control signals, software patches or updates, or other Over-the-Air (OTA) processes as may be appropriate for appliances 100, 200. In addition, such communication may use a variety of communication protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, HTTP, SMTP, FTP), encodings or formats (e.g., HTML, XML), and/or protection schemes (e.g., VPN, secure HTTP, SSL).

It should be appreciated that devices 130, 230 may form radio communications devices configured to allow for direct communication or pairing of one another (e.g., depicted schematically via line 138 in FIG. 2), such as may contrast with devices 128, 228 forming relatively long-range radio communications devices as may be configured to communicate through a wired or wireless network 132 (e.g., Internet, Intranet, LAN, WAN, PAN, etc.).

Appliances 100, 200 form washer appliances, or combination washer-dryer appliances, or appliances generally fluidly coupled together by a water valve 95. Water valve 95 is configured to receive water from a water supply 300 (FIG. 3), such as through a main supply conduit 395. Appliances 100, 200 include respective water supply conduits 195, 295 configured to flow water from the water valve 95 to each appliance 100, 200 of the plurality of appliances 80. It should be appreciated that water valve 95 may form a main water supply valve configured to supply water to the plurality of appliances 80, in contrast to one or more valves at each appliance 100, 200 configured to control the supply of water provided from water valve 95.

Generally, the plurality of appliances 80 may include a plurality of washer appliances, such as at a laundromat, dormitory, commercial operation, or other instance at which a plurality of washer appliances may be utilized. However, embodiments may include the plurality of appliances 80 generally configured to receive water from the water valve 95 to operate one or more cycles. For instance, the plurality of appliances 80 may include a dryer appliance including a steam or sanitizing cycle, or a dishwasher appliance, or icemaker appliance, or water dispenser.

Operational components for executing appliance cycles at each of the plurality of appliances 80, such as, but not limited to, control valves, pumps, motors, etc., for performing cleaning and wash cycles, are included at appliances 100, 200 and configured as generally understood in the art for household or commercial appliances.

Appliances 100, 200 each include a respective controller 120, 220 configured to regulate, allow, inhibit, articulate, or otherwise operate appliances 100, 200. Controller 120, 220 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout appliance 100, 200 (e.g., a control panel area, at a door, etc.). In some embodiments, input/output (“I/O”) signals are routed between controller 120, 220 and various operational components of appliance 100, 200 along wiring harnesses that may be routed. Controller 120, 220 may include a user interface panel through which a user may select various operational features and operating modes and monitor progress of the appliance 100, 200. The user interface may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. Additionally, the user interface may include input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical, or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. The user interface may also include a display component, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. The user interface may be in communication with the controller 120, 220 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.

Controllers 120, 220 include one or more processing devices 122, 222 and memory devices 124, 224. As used herein, the terms “processing device,” “computing device,” “controller,” or the like may generally refer to any suitable processing device, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor, a microcontroller, an integrated circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a logic device, one or more central processing units (CPUs), a graphics processing units (GPUs), processing units performing other specialized calculations, semiconductor devices, etc. In addition, these “controllers” are not necessarily restricted to a single element but may include any suitable number, type, and configuration of processing devices integrated in any suitable manner to facilitate appliance operation. Alternatively, controller 120, 220 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND/OR gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.

Memory devices 124, 224 may include non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, EPROM, flash memory devices, magnetic disks, or other suitable memory devices (including combinations thereof). These memory devices may be a separate component from the processing device 122, 222 or may be included onboard within the processor. In addition, these memory devices 124, 224 can store information and/or data accessible by the one or more processors 122, 222, including instructions 126, 226 that can be executed by the one or more processors, such as one or more steps of method 1000. It should be appreciated that instructions 126, 226 can be software written in any suitable programming language or can be implemented in hardware. Additionally, or alternatively, instructions 126, 226 can be executed logically and/or virtually using separate threads on one or more processors 122, 222. Executed instructions 126, 226 cause the system 90, the appliances 100, 200, or server 150 to perform operations, such as one or more steps of method 1000 provided further herein.

For example, controller 120, 220 may be operable to execute programming instructions 126, 226 or micro-control code associated with an operating cycle or operating mode of appliance 100, 200, or a controls update (e.g., OTA data transmission, such as to/from server 150 over network 132). In this regard, the instructions 126, 226 may be software or any set of instructions that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations, such as running one or more software applications, displaying a user interface, receiving user input signals, processing user input signals, or permitting or disabling operation of the appliance 100, 200.

Moreover, it should be noted that controller 120, 220 as disclosed herein is additionally, or alternatively, configured to transmit signals, store, execute, or otherwise operate or perform any one or more methods, method steps, or portions of methods as disclosed herein. For example, in some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be embodied in programming instructions stored in the memory device at one or more of controller 120, 220 or server 150. The memory devices may also store data that can be retrieved, manipulated, created, or stored by the one or more processors or portions of controller 120, 220.

The plurality of appliances 80 include the controller communicatively coupled to a short range radio communications device (e.g., device 130, 230), or additionally, an internet communications device (e.g., device 128, 228). In some embodiments, the short range communications device is coupled in parallel to the controller relative to the internet communications device. For instance, the short range communications device is coupled to the controller such as to allow for communication between the controller and the short range communications device without requiring operation or operability of the internet communications device at the appliance.

In various embodiments, the plurality of appliances 80 include a communications bus 134 between the controller and short range radio communications device (e.g., between controller 120 and device 128, between controller 220 and device 228), such as a direct communications bus. In still various embodiments, the plurality of appliances 80 include a communications bus 136 between the internet communications device and the short range radio communications device (e.g., between device 128 and 130, between device 228 and 230), such as a direct communications bus. In some embodiments, the internet communications device may be configured to direct communicative coupling with the controller (e.g., device 128 to controller 120, device 228 to controller 220).

Referring now to FIG. 4, a flowchart outlining steps of the method 1000 is provided. Steps of the method 1000 may be stored and executed at one or more controllers, such as controller 120, 220 described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, steps of the method 1000 may be stored at a remote computing device, such as cloud-based server 150 or computing network 132, and transmitted to one or more appliances for execution, in whole or in part. However, it should be appreciated that embodiments of the system 90 depicted and described herein may advantageously and beneficially execute steps of the method 1000 via short range communications devices (e.g., short range radio communications devices 130, 230) without requiring internet connection (e.g., via internet communications devices 128, 228) or connection to a remote device (e.g., server 150) or computing network (e.g., computing network 132). As such, failures, complexities, and security challenges associated with remote devices and internet communications are mitigated or removed.

Method 1000 includes at 1010 obtaining, at a first appliance (e.g., appliance 100), a fault condition signal of the first appliance. The fault condition corresponds to a failure to receive water or supply water to a wash chamber. For instance, the fault condition signal may correspond to a failure or inhibit for a pump to supply water, a fault in obtaining a change in water pressure or flow rate, a fault in obtaining a load change at the wash chamber associated with receiving water, or other fault as may be associated with a failure at the first appliance to receive water.

After obtaining the fault condition signal of the first appliance, method 1000 includes at 1020 obtaining, requesting, soliciting, or commanding transmission, by the first appliance from a second appliance (e.g., appliance 200), an operating condition signal of the second appliance. The operating condition signal may include a fault condition signal of the second appliance such as described regarding the first appliance. Additionally, or alternatively, the operating condition signal may indicate normal operation (e.g., no fault) or a different fault condition not corresponding substantially to the fault condition at the first appliance. For instance, a non-corresponding fault condition may include a display error or other condition not corresponding to a failure to receive water or supply water to a wash chamber.

Method 1000 includes at 1030, comparing the obtained operating condition signal to the fault condition signal of the first appliance. In some embodiments, method 1000 at 1030 is performed at the first appliance, such as via controller 120 at first appliance 100. In still some embodiments, method 1000 may include at 1020 transmitting the fault condition of the first appliance to one or more second appliances and, at 1030, comparing, at the second appliance, the operating condition of the second appliance to the fault condition of the first appliance.

Method 1000 includes at 1040 generating a first communication signal to determine an operational state at a main water supply valve (e.g., water valve 95) when the compared operating condition signal corresponds to the fault condition signal of the first appliance (e.g., the second appliance 200 has a fault condition similar to the fault condition at the first appliance 100). Method 1000 may include at 1040 generating, at the first appliance, the first communication signal, such as corresponding to the appliance at which the user is presently attempting to utilize. Determining the operational state at the water supply valve may include a user visual inspection to determine whether the valve is open or closed. In still some embodiments, a computing device at the water supply valve may transmit a signal indicative of an open or closed state of the water valve.

Method 1000 may include at 1042 re-initiating, at the first appliance, a wash cycle when the determined operational state at the water supply valve corresponds to a closed valve state. For instance, in some embodiments, method 1000 may include at 1002 initiating, at the first appliance, a wash cycle. Method 1000 may include at 1012 pausing, at the first appliance, the wash cycle. For instance, pausing the wash cycle may occur after obtaining the fault condition indicative of water supply fault at the first appliance.

Method 1000 includes at 1044 generating a second communication signal indicating a fault condition at the plurality of appliances when the determined operational state at the main water supply valve corresponds to an open valve state. For instance, the first appliance generates the second communication signal corresponding to the fault condition in common with the plurality of appliances coupled in common to the main supply valve (e.g., plurality of appliances 80 coupled to water valve 95). Method 1000 includes at 1046 transmitting the second communication signal to the second appliance, or plurality thereof. The plurality of appliances receive the second communication signal, indicating the fault condition in common across the plurality of appliances.

In some embodiments, the second communication signal includes an inhibit signal inhibiting use of the plurality of appliances. The inhibit signal may include a communication signal to the user (e.g., an audible signal, such as voice or sound, or visual signal, such as light or message) to prevent use of, or attempts to use, one or more of the appliances of the plurality of appliances. In still some embodiments, the plurality of appliances configured as commercial appliances may be inhibited from receiving payment and initiating a wash cycle. As such, the second communications signal may direct the user to a second plurality of appliances, or an appliance thereof, not having the fault condition and inhibition of the first plurality of appliances.

Method 1000 includes at 1050 generating a third communication signal corresponding to a fault condition of the first appliance when comparing the obtained operating condition signal at 1030 does not correspond the fault condition signal of the first appliance to the fault condition signal of the second appliance. For instance, method 1000 at 1050 may include generating, at the first appliance, the third communication signal corresponding to a local fault condition at the first appliance (e.g., at appliance 100), in contrast to a common fault condition across the plurality of appliances (e.g., the plurality of appliances 80 including first and second appliances 100, 200). As such, the second appliance does not have a fault condition, or does not have a fault condition similar to the fault condition at the first appliance.

In some embodiments, method 1000 at 1050 further generates the third communication signal directing the user to an operable appliance (e.g., one or more second appliances 200 of the plurality of appliances 80).

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, in an exemplary embodiment of operation of the system 90 and method 1000, the first appliance 100 is communicatively interconnected to one or more second appliances 200 of the plurality of appliances 80 via communications devices 130, 230. The plurality of appliances 80 including the first and second appliances 100, 200 are further fluidly coupled to one another to the main supply water valve 95. The second appliance 200 corresponds to one or more, or all, of the remainder of the plurality of appliances 80.

First appliance 100 obtains, such as via running a self-diagnostic mode included as instructions 126 of the controller 120, a fault condition signal of the first appliance 100 (e.g., method at 1010).

First appliance 100 solicits or commands transmission (e.g., via communicative pairing 138), from the second appliance 200, an operating condition signal of the second appliance 200 (e.g., method at 1020). For instance, first appliance 100 may command the second appliance 200 to run a self-diagnostic mode at the second appliance 200 via instructions 228 at controller 220 at the second appliance 200, or via transmitting instructions 126 from controller 120 of the first appliance 100.

First appliance 100 compares the obtained operating condition signal of the second appliance 200 to the fault condition signal of the first appliance 100 (e.g., method at 1030).

First appliance 100 generates and transmits a first communication signal (e.g., to a user interface or display) to determine an operational state at the water valve when the compared operating condition signal of the second appliance 200 corresponds to the fault condition signal of the first appliance 100 (e.g., method at 1040).

First appliance 100 generates a second communication signal communicating a fault condition at the plurality of appliances 80 when the determined operational state at the water valve 95 corresponds to an open valve state (e.g., method at 1044), indicating the fault condition applies to the plurality of appliances 80.

First appliance 100 generates a third communication signal corresponding to a fault condition of the first appliance 100 when comparing the obtained operating condition signal at 1030 does not correspond to the fault condition signal of the first appliance 100 to the fault condition signal of the second appliance 200 (e.g., method at 1050). As such, the fault condition of the first appliance 100 is a local fault condition of the first appliance 100 in contrast to a common fault condition across the plurality of appliances 80.

As such, system 90 and method 1000 may facilitate a single appliance (e.g., first appliance 100) to determine a fault and remedy in common to the plurality of appliances 80, or a fault limited substantially to the single appliance (e.g., the first appliance 100). A user may transfer their laundry load to an appliance recommended by the method 1000, or avoid one or more appliances that may have a fault condition in common with the appliance the user initially attempted to utilize. The user may avoid losing money, requesting refunds, or losing time, by attempting to utilize one or more non-functioning appliances. Additionally, or alternatively, a user may avoid utilizing an appliance that may not have desired functionalities (e.g., a steam cycle) that may require using the water supplied from the water valve.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.