Travel cycle for a washing machine appliance

Abstract

A washing machine appliance includes a wash tub positioned within a cabinet, a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash tub, and a user interface panel positioned on the cabinet for facilitating user interaction with the washing machine appliance. A controller is configured to receive a command to initiate an appliance travel cycle and implement a responsive action to prepare the washing machine appliance for travel. The responsive action may be the automated adjustment of one or more operating parameters of the washing machine, such as performing a load sensing procedure, rinsing the wash tub, closing the water supply valves, etc. In addition, the responsive action may include providing a user instruction to prepare the washing machine appliance, e.g., by plugging bulk reservoirs, removing hoses, addressing any error codes, etc.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine appliance comprising:
 a cabinet;   a wash tub positioned within the cabinet;   a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash tub and defining a wash chamber configured for receiving a load of clothes;   a user interface panel positioned on the cabinet for facilitating user interaction with the washing machine appliance; and   a controller operably coupled to the user interface panel, the controller being configured to:
 receive a command to initiate an appliance travel cycle; and 
 implement a responsive action to prepare the washing machine appliance for travel. 
   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , wherein implementing the responsive action comprises:
 performing a load sensing algorithm to verify that the wash basket is empty.   
     
     
         3 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , wherein implementing the responsive action comprises:
 performing a rinse cycle when the wash basket is empty.   
     
     
         4 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , wherein implementing the responsive action comprises:
 performing a timed drain cycle to empty wash fluid from the wash tub.   
     
     
         5 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more water supply valves, and wherein implementing the responsive action comprises closing the one or more water supply valves or confirming that the one or more water supply valves are closed.   
     
     
         6 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet for providing selective access to a wash chamber; and   a door lock for selectively locking the door in a closed position, wherein implementing the responsive action comprises verifying the door is closed and locked.   
     
     
         7 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , wherein implementing the responsive action comprises:
 alerting a user of any service codes or error faults.   
     
     
         8 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , wherein implementing the responsive action comprises:
 providing a user instruction to take a preparatory action for travel.   
     
     
         9 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the preparatory action comprises emptying or plugging bulk storage reservoirs. 
     
     
         10 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the preparatory action comprises cleaning a pump filter. 
     
     
         11 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the preparatory action comprises disconnecting all water supply hoses. 
     
     
         12 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the user instruction is provided through the user interface panel. 
     
     
         13 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the controller is in operative communication with a remote device through an external network, and wherein the user instruction is provided through the remote device. 
     
     
         14 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the command to initiate the appliance travel cycle is received from a user through the user interface panel. 
     
     
         15 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 determine that the responsive action has been implemented; and   power down the washing machine appliance.   
     
     
         16 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 receive a command to terminate the appliance travel cycle; and   return all operating parameters of the washing machine appliance to a normal mode.   
     
     
         17 . A method of operating a washing machine appliance, the washing machine appliance comprising a wash tub positioned within a cabinet, a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash tub, and a user interface panel positioned on the cabinet for facilitating user interaction with the washing machine appliance, the method comprising:
 receiving a command to initiate an appliance travel cycle; and   implementing a responsive action to prepare the washing machine appliance for travel.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein implementing the responsive action comprises at least one of performing a load sensing algorithm to verify that the wash basket is empty, performing a timed drain cycle to empty wash fluid from the wash tub, or performing a rinse cycle when the wash basket is empty. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein implementing the responsive action comprises at least one of closing one or more water supply valves, confirming the one or more water supply valves are closed, or verifying a door is closed and locked. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein implementing the responsive action comprises at least one of alerting a user of any service codes or error faults or providing a user instruction to take a preparatory action for travel.