Methods for dispensing a treating chemistry in a dishwasher

• US 10,028,635 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2013
• Issued: 07/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Vanderroest, Chad T.
• Primary Examiner(s): CARRILLO, BIBI SHARIDAN
• Application Number:
  US13/869,104
• Publication Number:
  US 20140318579A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,917 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0055 Metering or indication of used products, e.g. type or quantity of detergent, rinse aid or salt; for measuring or controlling the product concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/12 Water temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/01 Water supply, e.g. opening or closure of the water inlet valve
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/02 Water discharge, e.g. opening or closure of discharge valve
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/05 Drain or recirculation pump, e.g. regulation of the pump rotational speed or flow direction
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/06 Water heaters
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/07 Consumable products, e.g. detergent, rinse aids or salt
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/00 Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam B08B9/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/02 Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/04 Cleaning involving contact with liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 7/04 by a combination of operations
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/20 by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought washing or rinsing crockery or tableware A47L15/00

Abstract

A dishwasher has a treating chamber for receiving dishes for treatment according to an automatic cycle of operation and a dispensing system for storing and dispensing a treating chemistry to the treating chamber during the cycle of operation. The dishwasher may dispense a treating chemistry when a temperature of a liquid in the treating chamber satisfies a predetermined temperature threshold. The temperature of the liquid may be maintained to satisfy the predetermined temperature threshold for a predetermined period of time based on the treating chemistry.

Claims

1. A method for treating dishes in a dishwasher having a treating chamber for receiving the dishes for treatment according to an automatic cycle of operation, the method comprising:

supplying liquid to the treating chamber;

sensing a temperature of the liquid;

comparing the sensed temperature of the liquid to an enzymatic temperature threshold;

adjusting the temperature of the liquid toward the enzymatic temperature threshold when the comparing indicates the sensed temperature does not satisfy the enzymatic temperature threshold;

an initial dispensing of an enzyme into the liquid when the comparing indicates the sensed temperature satisfies the enzymatic temperature threshold; and

maintaining the temperature of the liquid to satisfy the enzymatic temperature threshold.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein satisfying the enzymatic temperature threshold comprises one of the sensed temperature being above a low temperature limit, below a high temperature limit, or within a predetermined temperature range.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein adjusting the temperature of the liquid comprises at least one of raising the temperature of the liquid or lowering the temperature of the liquid.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the initial dispensing of the enzyme comprises one of dispensing the enzyme into the liquid as the liquid is supplied to the treating chamber, supplying the liquid to a dispenser containing the enzyme, or supplying the enzyme to the liquid in the treating chamber.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising dispensing a second enzyme into the liquid.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the initial dispensing of the enzyme comprises dispensing at least one enzyme during a wash phase of the cycle of operation.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the temperature of the liquid is maintained to satisfy the enzymatic temperature threshold for a predetermined amount of time based on the enzyme dispensed into the liquid.

8. The method of claim 3 wherein raising the temperature of the liquid comprises at least one of heating the liquid with a heating element in fluid contact with at least a portion of the liquid or adding water of a temperature greater than the temperature of the liquid to the treating chamber.

9. The method of claim 3 wherein lowering the temperature of the liquid comprises at least one of recirculating the liquid through the treating chamber without additional input of heat, adding water of a temperature less than the temperature of the liquid to the treating chamber, or pausing a recirculation of the liquid.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising an initial dispensing of a first enzyme into the liquid when the comparing indicates the sensed temperature satisfies a first enzymatic temperature threshold and an initial dispensing of a second enzyme into the liquid when the comparing indicates the sensed temperature satisfies a second enzymatic temperature threshold and maintaining the temperature of the liquid to satisfy the first and second enzymatic temperature thresholds, respectively.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising draining at least a portion of the liquid from the treating chamber.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising draining at least a portion of the liquid from the treating chamber.

13. The method of claim 6, further comprising comparing the sensed temperature of the liquid to a rinse agent temperature threshold during a rinse phase of the cycle of operation and dispensing a rinse agent when the comparing indicates the sensed temperature satisfies the rinse agent temperature threshold.

14. A method for treating dishes in a dishwasher having a treating chamber for receiving the dishes for treatment according to an automatic cycle of operation, the method consisting essentially of:

supplying liquid to the treating chamber;

sensing a temperature of the liquid;

comparing the sensed temperature of the liquid to an enzymatic temperature threshold;

adjusting the temperature of the liquid toward the enzymatic temperature threshold when the comparing indicates the sensed temperature does not satisfy the enzymatic temperature threshold;

an initial dispensing of an enzyme into the liquid when the comparing indicates the sensed temperature satisfies the enzymatic temperature threshold; and

maintaining the temperature of the liquid to satisfy the enzymatic temperature threshold.