Washing machine appliance and a method for operating the same

Abstract

A washing machine appliance and a method for operating a washing machine appliance are provided. The method includes steps to determine the absorptivity of the articles received in the washing machine appliance for washing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for operating a washing machine appliance, the washing machine appliance having a wash basket positioned within a tub, the wash basket configured to receive a load of articles for washing, the method comprising the steps of:
 estimating a mass of articles within the wash basket;   determining a height h load  of the load of articles;   directing liquid to the wash basket through a fluid additive dispenser and a spray nozzle of the washing machine appliance for a portion of a predetermined time interval t int ;   dispensing liquid to the wash basket through only the spray nozzle for a remaining portion of the predetermined time interval t int ;   counting a time t absp  to fill the tub with a volume of liquid to a predetermined height h pre ; and   establishing an absorptivity of the articles in the load.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 selecting the portion of the predetermined time interval t int  based at least in part on the height h load  of the load of articles.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 repeating the steps of directing and dispensing until the tub is filled to the predetermined height h pre .   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the absorptivity of the articles in the load is established at least in part using the time t absp  to fill the tub to the predetermined height h pre . 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein height h load  of the load of articles is determined at least in part using the mass of articles from the step of estimating. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of directing comprises opening one or more valves of the washing machine appliance to provide a flow of water to the fluid additive dispenser and the spray nozzle. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of dispensing comprises opening one or more valves of the washing machine appliance to provide a flow of water to the spray nozzle. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined time interval t int  is less than or equal to the time t absp  to fill the tub with the volume of liquid. 
     
     
         9 . A washing machine appliance, comprising:
 a tub;   a wash basket positioned within the tub, the wash basket configured to receive articles for washing;   a plurality of valves configured for directing a flow of water to the tub;   a fluid additive dispenser;   a spray nozzle; and   a controller in operative communication with the plurality of valves, the controller configured for
 estimating a mass of articles within the wash basket; 
 determining a height h load  of the load of articles; 
 directing liquid to the wash basket through the fluid additive dispenser and the spray nozzle for a portion of a predetermined time interval t int ; 
 dispensing liquid to the wash basket through only the spray nozzle for a remaining portion of the predetermined time interval t int ; 
 counting a time t absp  to fill the tub with a volume of liquid to a predetermined height h pre ; and 
 establishing an absorptivity of the articles in the load. 
   
     
     
         10 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured for selecting the portion of the predetermined time interval t int  based at least in part on the height h load  of the load of articles. 
     
     
         11 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured for repeating the steps of directing and dispensing until the tub is filled to the predetermined height h pre . 
     
     
         12 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 9 , wherein the absorptivity of the articles in the load is established at least in part using the time t absp  to fill the tub to the predetermined height h pre . 
     
     
         13 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 9 , wherein height h load  of the load of articles is determined at least in part using the mass of articles from the step of estimating. 
     
     
         14 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 9 , wherein the controller operates one or more of the plurality of valves to provide water to the fluid additive dispenser and the spray nozzle for directing and dispensing liquid to the wash basket. 
     
     
         15 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 9 , wherein the predetermined time interval t int  is less than or equal to the time t absp  to fill the tub with the volume of liquid. 
     
     
         16 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 9 , wherein the fluid additive dispenser further comprises a dispenser drawer defining one or more compartments for the receipt of fluid additives. 
     
     
         17 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 16 , wherein the spray nozzle is positioned adjacent the dispenser drawer. 
     
     
         18 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 9 , wherein the predetermined height h pre  is based at least in part on the height h load  of the load of articles. 
     
     
         19 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 9 , wherein the spray nozzle is in fluid communication with a supply of cold water.