Modular dual-purpose chemical dispensing system for laundry or warewash

• US 20060206238A1
• Filed: 03/03/2006
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lc Knight
• Original Assignee: Knight LLC
• Inventors: Walker, Stephen A., Whiting, Michael T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,658,088 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/283
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/22 Content of detergent or additives
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/58 Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/37 of metering of detergents or additives
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/022 in a liquid state D06F39/024 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 11/133 with discontinuous action
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 11/138 by sensing the concentration of the mixture, e.g. measuring pH value
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/598 With repair, tapping, assembly, or disassembly means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49716 Converting

Abstract

A modular chemical delivery system is designed to be readily convertible from use with a warewashing system to use with a laundry system, or vice-versa, merely by the replacement of one chip in the controller of the system. The dispensing system is also readily expandable by adding additional satellite pumps in order to inject additional chemicals into a single washing unit, and/or to supply chemicals to additional washing units. Plug and play technology is used so that control intelligence can be distributed from the main system controller to satellite controllers, and so that additional satellite units may be readily added, identified, and properly integrated into the dispensing system.

Claims

1. A modular chemical dispensing system for use in wash systems, comprising:

a main controller having a microprocessor and a user interface;

at least one peripheral unit connected to the main controller; and

an interface for connecting the at least one peripheral unit to the main controller;

wherein the microprocessor in the main controller is programmed to provide operating instructions to the at least one peripheral unit during a wash cycle, in order to ensure that desired quantities of chemicals are dispensed into the wash system at desired times.

2. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the system is adapted for use in a laundry washing system by insertion of a first integrated circuit chip into the main controller, and is adapted for use in a warewashing system by replacement of said first integrated circuit chip with a second integrated circuit chip.

3. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the main controller comprises a housing, and two units to be instructed by the main controller are disposed within said housing, said two units directly communicating with said microprocessor.

4. The dispensing system as recited in claim 3, wherein said two units comprise a pair of pumps.

5. The dispensing system as recited in claim 4, wherein one of said pumps dispenses detergent, and the second of said pumps dispenses a rinsing agent.

6. The dispensing system as recited in claim 3, wherein a first of said two units comprises a pump, and a second of said two units comprises a water solenoid.

7. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one peripheral unit comprises a satellite pump.

8. The dispensing system as recited in claim 6, wherein the satellite pump includes a local control unit.

9. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one peripheral unit comprises a plurality of satellite pumps, and each satellite pump dispenses a different chemical agent into the wash system.

10. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the interface connecting the at least one peripheral unit to the main controller interrogates the at least one peripheral unit when it is connected, in order to detect and control the newly connected peripheral unit, using plug and play technology.

11. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one peripheral unit includes an inductive probe for detecting detergent concentration during operation of the wash system.

12. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the wash system comprises a warewash system.

13. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the wash system comprises a laundry wash system.

14. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein additional peripheral units can be added to accommodate a second wash system.

15. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein each peripheral unit comprises a discrete module which may be connected into the dispensing system merely by connecting said module to said interface.

16. A method of converting a chemical dispensing system from usage with a first type of wash system to usage in a second type of wash system, wherein the dispensing system comprises a main controller and at least one pump connected to the main controller, the method comprising:

removing a first integrated circuit chip from said main controller; and

inserting a second integrated circuit chip into said main controller.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the first type of wash system is a warewashing system and the second type of wash system is a laundry washing system.

18. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the first type of wash system is a laundry washing system and the second type of wash system is a warewashing system.

19. A method of modifying a modular chemical dispensing system for use in a wash system, the dispensing system comprising a main controller and a smart interface for connecting peripheral units to the main controller, the method comprising:

connecting a peripheral unit to the smart interface;

initiating an interrogation sequence between the main controller and the newly connected peripheral unit for the purpose of identifying the newly connected peripheral unit; and

applying software programmed into the main controller suitable for the newly identified peripheral unit in order to begin controlling the newly identified peripheral unit.