Learning dispensing system for water inlet hose

• US 10,456,008 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2016
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Alexander, Benjamin E., Sells, Joel M., Schuh, Eric J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barnes-Bullock, Crystal J
• Application Number:
  US15/363,302
• Publication Number:
  US 20180146835A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,064 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0021 Regulation of operational steps within the washing processes, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending from the detergent nature or from the condition of the crockery
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0047 Energy or water consumption, e.g. by saving energy or water
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0049 Detection or prevention of malfunction, including accident prevention arrangements to prevent clogging of filters A47L15/4208; safety arrangements for preventing water damage A47L15/421
• 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 15/006 using wireless communication between internal components of the machine
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0063 using remote monitoring or controlling of the dishwasher operation, e.g. networking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4214 Water supply, recirculation or discharge arrangements; Devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4217 Fittings for water supply, e.g. valves or plumbing means to connect to cold or warm water lines, aquastops
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4223 Devices for water discharge, e.g. devices to prevent siphoning, non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4293 Arrangements for programme selection, e.g. control panels; Indication of the selected programme, programme progress or other parameters of the programme, e.g. by using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/449 Metering controlling devices A47L15/4229 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/46 Devices for the automatic control of the different phases of cleaning ; Controlling devices A47L15/449 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/023 Quantity or concentration of the consumable product
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/03 Operation mode, e.g. delicate washing, economy washing, reduced time, sterilizing, water softener regenerating, odor eliminating or service
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/14 Water pressure or flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/34 Other automatic detections
• 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 2501/07 Consumable products, e.g. detergent, rinse aids or salt
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/26 Indication or alarm to the controlling device or to the user
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/00 : User input for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/18 : Washing liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/58 : Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/05 : for wireless communication between components, e.g. for remote monitoring or control
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 : Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/08 : Liquid supply or discharge arrangements supply of soap or other washing agents D06F39/02
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 : electric

Abstract

A retrofit auxiliary device for distributing cleaning resources to a household cleaning appliance having a treating chamber is described wherein the device can connect to various household cleaning appliances of different makes and models and can learn the flow of water and detergent during various stages of operation and then perform the dispensing itself.

Claims

1. A retrofit auxiliary device for distributing cleaning resources to a household cleaning appliance having at least one water inlet, a detergent inlet, and a treating chamber, the retrofit auxiliary device comprising:

at least one water inlet configured to connect to a supply of water;

at least one outlet configured to connect to the at least one water inlet on the household cleaning appliance for distribution of water to the household cleaning appliance;

a flow meter fluidly coupled between the retrofit auxiliary device and the household cleaning appliance configured to monitor a flow of the water from the at least one water inlet of the retrofit auxiliary device to the household cleaning appliance and to transmit a signal containing water flow information;

a drain flow meter configured to monitor a flow of the water to the at least one outlet;

a memory having information that correlates the water flow information to a cycle of operation in the household cleaning appliance, wherein the information that correlates the water flow information to a cycle of operation in the household cleaning appliance is learned as the household cleaning appliance operates;

a detergent dispenser configured to connect to the detergent inlet of the household cleaning appliance to dispense a treating chemistry to the household cleaning appliance in response to receiving dispense commands;

a controller operably coupled to the flow meter, the memory, and the detergent dispenser;

wherein the controller is configured to;

determine a cycle of operation being executed by the household cleaning appliance based on the water flow information; and

send dispense commands to the detergent dispenser in accordance with the determined cycle of operation.

2. The retrofit auxiliary device according to claim 1 wherein the water flow information includes an amount of water flowing from the at least one water inlet.

3. The retrofit auxiliary device according to claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to send a notification of at least one of cycle information data, water usage, detergent usage, or efficiency.

4. The retrofit auxiliary device according to claim 1 further comprising a power monitor connected to the controller and configured to connect to the household cleaning appliance to measure energy usage in the cycle of operation.

5. The retrofit auxiliary device according to claim 4 wherein the controller is further configured to send a notification of at least one of a reminder to start a cycle of operation, a potential leak, appliance usage, status of a cycle of operation, or efficiency.

6. The retrofit auxiliary device according to claim 1 wherein the flow meter is one of an impeller, a turbine, an ultrasonic sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, or a capacitive sensor.

7. The retrofit auxiliary device according to claim 1 wherein the water flow information includes an amount of water flowing to the outlet.

8. The retrofit auxiliary device according to claim 1 wherein the drain flow meter is one of an impeller, a turbine, an ultrasonic sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, or a capacitive sensor.

9. The retrofit auxiliary device according to claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to connect to a network for communication with other household cleaning appliances, receiving firmware and software updates, and communication with remote servers.

10. The retrofit auxiliary device according to claim 9 wherein the controller is configured to connect to the network wirelessly.

11. A retrofit auxiliary device for distributing cleaning resources to a household cleaning appliance having a treating chamber, the retrofit auxiliary device comprising:

at least one water inlet configured to connect to a supply of water;

at least one outlet configured to connect to the household cleaning appliance for distribution of water within the household cleaning appliance;

a flow meter configured to monitor a flow of the water from the at least one water inlet and to transmit a signal containing water flow information;

a drain flow meter configured to monitor a flow of the water to the at least one outlet;

a memory having information that correlates the water flow information to a cycle of operation in the household cleaning appliance, wherein the information that correlates the water flow information to a cycle of operation in the household cleaning appliance is learned as the household cleaning appliance operates;

a detergent dispenser configured to connect to the household cleaning appliance to dispense a treating chemistry to the household cleaning appliance in response to receiving dispense commands; and

a controller operably coupled to the flow meter, the memory, and the detergent dispenser;

wherein the controller is configured to;

determine a cycle of operation being executed by the household cleaning appliance based on the water flow information; and

send dispense commands to the detergent dispenser in accordance with the determined cycle of operation.

12. The retrofit auxiliary device according to claim 11 wherein the water flow information includes an amount of water flowing to the outlet.

13. The retrofit auxiliary device according to claim 11 wherein the controller is further configured to send a notification of at least one of cycle information data, water usage, detergent usage, or efficiency.

14. The retrofit auxiliary device according to claim 11 wherein the drain flow meter is one of an impeller, a turbine, an ultrasonic sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, or a capacitive sensor.

15. The retrofit auxiliary device according to claim 11 wherein the water flow information includes an amount of water flowing from the at least one water inlet.

16. The retrofit auxiliary device according to claim 11 further comprising a power monitor connected to the controller and configured to connect to the household cleaning appliance to measure energy usage in the cycle of operation.