Washing machine appliances generally include a cabinet which receives a tub for containing wash and rinse water. A wash basket is rotatably mounted within the wash tub. A drive assembly is coupled to the wash tub and configured to rotate the wash basket within the wash tub in order to cleanse articles within the wash basket. Upon completion of a wash cycle, a pump assembly can be used to rinse and drain soiled water to a draining system.
Washing machine appliances include vertical axis washing machine appliances and horizontal axis washing machine appliances, where “vertical axis” and “horizontal axis” refer to the axis of rotation of the wash basket within the wash tub. Irrespective of the axis, washing machine appliances may include multiple corners or support feet on which a particular appliance rests. In certain situations, a washing machine appliance may become tilted from its support feet and fall over. For example, an extreme imbalance (e.g., caused by an inappropriately sized or distributed load within the washing machine appliance) may rock the cabinet until the washing machine falls on one of its sides. As another example, the support surface on which the cabinet rests (e.g., the floor) may crack or break, causing the washing machine to become imbalanced and fall. Once the washing machine appliance has fallen, one or more moving or electrified portions of the washing machine appliance may become exposed to the user. This may include the drive assembly, which rotates the basket within the tub. Aside from potentially damaging the washing machine appliance itself, exposure of such portions may risk damaging or injuring nearby appliances or users.
Some existing washing machine appliances may include features for confirming that the cabinet of a washing machine appliance is level before operations begin (e.g., during installation). However, typical existing appliances fail to provide any features for ensuring appliance or user safety once the washing machine appliance has fallen. In many cases, a user is required to turn off or unplug the washing machine appliance once the cabinet has moved onto its side. Furthermore, typical existing appliances fail to provide any features for preventing such unsafe conditions from occurring.
Accordingly, a need exists for a washing machine appliance that includes features for addressing one or more of the above-identified issues. In particular, a washing machine appliance that includes features for minimizing the potential or risk of the appliance in a fallen state be advantageous.