WASHING MACHINE APPLIANCE AND A METHOD FOR DETECTING AN OVERSUDS CONDITION

1 . A method for detecting an oversuds condition in a washing machine appliance, the washing machine appliance having a tub and a basket rotatably mounted within the tub, the basket defining a chamber for receipt of articles for washing, the method comprising:

measuring a pressure within the tub during a spin cycle;

comparing the pressure to a threshold oversuds pressure level; and

pausing the spin cycle and enacting an oversuds removal cycle if the pressure exceeds the threshold oversuds pressure level.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising continuing the spin cycle if the pressure does not exceed the threshold oversuds pressure level.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising continuing the spin cycle after the oversuds removal cycle has concluded.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the oversuds removal cycle comprises:

adding a fluid to the tub;

agitating the basket; and

draining the fluid from the tub.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the fluid is water.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the threshold oversuds pressure level is a positive pressure relative to an atmospheric pressure level in the tub.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the threshold oversuds pressure level is a negative pressure relative to an atmospheric pressure level in the tub.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the pressure is measured in a pressure chamber defined in the tub.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein a deflector is disposed in the tub adjacent to the pressure chamber.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the washing machine appliance is a vertical axis washing machine appliance.

11 . A washing machine appliance, comprising:

a tub;

a basket rotatably mounted within the tub, the basket defining a chamber for receipt of articles for washing;

a valve;

a spout configured for directing fluid from the valve into the tub;

a motor in mechanical communication with the basket, the motor configured for selectively rotating the basket within the tub;

a pressure sensor configured for measuring a pressure within the tub; and

a controller in operative communication with the valve, the motor and the pressure sensor, the controller configured for:

comparing the pressure measured during a spin cycle to a threshold oversuds pressure level; and

pausing the spin cycle and enacting an oversuds removal cycle if the pressure exceeds the threshold oversuds pressure level.

12 . The washing machine appliance of claim 11 , wherein a pressure chamber is defined in the tub, and wherein the pressure sensor measures the pressure within the pressure chamber.

13 . The washing machine appliance of claim 12 , further comprising a deflector, the deflector mounted to the tub.

14 . The washing machine appliance of claim 13 , wherein an inner opening of the pressure chamber is defined adjacent to the deflector.

15 . The washing machine appliance of claim 11 , wherein the controller is further configured for continuing the spin cycle if the pressure does not exceed the threshold oversuds pressure level.

16 . The washing machine appliance of claim 11 , wherein the controller is further configured for continuing the spin cycle after the oversuds removal cycle has concluded.

17 . The washing machine appliance of claim 11 , wherein the threshold oversuds pressure level is a positive pressure relative to an atmospheric pressure level in the tub.

18 . The washing machine appliance of claim 11 , wherein the threshold oversuds pressure level is a negative pressure relative to an atmospheric pressure level in the tub.

19 . The washing machine appliance of claim 11 , wherein the basket defines a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings permitting fluid flow between the chamber of the basket and the tub.

20 . The washing machine appliance of claim 11 , wherein the washing machine appliance is a vertical axis washing machine appliance.