Computer-controlled system for dishwashers

• US 20060237052A1
• Filed: 06/29/2005
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Viking Range Corporation (Middleby Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Viking Range Corporation (Middleby Corporation)
• Inventors: Ferguson, Jerry Wayne, Picardat, John Patrick, Weaver, David Clinton
• Application Number:
  US11/170,252
• Publication Number:
  US 20060237052A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/56.D
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0047 Energy or water consumption, e.g. by saving energy or water
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4204 Flat filters
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4208 Arrangements to prevent clogging of the filters, e.g. self-cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4221 Arrangements for redirection of washing water, e.g. water diverters to selectively supply the spray arms A47L15/0078 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4225 Arrangements or adaption of recirculation or discharge pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2301/04 Operation mode, e.g. delicate washing, economy washing, reduced time, sterilizing, water softener regenerating, odor eliminating or service
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/04 Crockery or tableware details, e.g. material, quantity, condition
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/08 Drain or recirculation pump parameters, e.g. pump rotational speed or current absorbed by the motor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/09 Water level
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/10 Water cloudiness or dirtiness, e.g. turbidity, foaming or level of bacteria
• 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 2501/03 Water recirculation, e.g. control of distributing valves for redirection of water flow
• 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: A47L 2501/30 Regulation of machine operational steps within the washing process, e.g. performing an additional rinsing phase, shortening or stopping of the drying phase, washing at decreased noise operation conditions
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Abstract

A method and system for dynamically controlling operation of a dishwasher during a cleaning cycle. The method includes detecting a plurality of conditions in the dishwasher during operation, evaluating the plurality of detected conditions to determine a dynamic control response, and sending a signal representing the dynamic control response to at least one component of the dishwasher. The plurality of detected conditions can include some or all of a rate of change of a wash water temperature, an approximate surface area and thermal mass of a plurality of dishes loaded in the dishwasher, an amount of wash water added to the dishwasher and a status of a full flow filter. The control system includes means for detecting a plurality of conditions in the dishwasher during operation, means for evaluating the plurality of detected conditions to determine a dynamic control response, and means for sending a signal representing the dynamic control response to control at least one component of the dishwasher.

Claims

1. A dishwasher comprising:

a pump for discharging water into a dishwasher tub;

a motor coupled to the pump to drive the pump during dishwasher operation;

a motor controller operationally connected to the motor to control a speed of operation of the motor and to determine a filter condition; and

a dishwasher controller operationally connected to the motor controller for dynamically controlling the operation of the dishwasher in response to a plurality of conditions detected in the dishwasher during operation.

2. The dishwasher of claim 1 further comprising a detector for determining a fill level of the wash water in the dishwasher tub and providing the determined fill level to the dishwasher controller.

3. The dishwasher of claim 1 further comprising a thermistor for determining a temperature of the wash water in the dishwasher tub and providing the determined temperature to the dishwasher controller.

4. The dishwasher of claim 1 further comprising means for determining an approximate surface area and thermal mass of a plurality of dishes loaded in a rack of the dishwasher tub and providing the determined approximate surface area and thermal mass to the dishwasher controller.

5. The dishwasher of claim 1 further comprising means for determining an amount of food soil in the dishwasher and providing the determined amount of food soil to the dishwasher controller.

6. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the dishwasher controller comprises programming logic that receives and evaluates input signals representing the plurality of conditions detected, and determines if at least one condition detected requires a dynamic change in a controlled function.

7. The dishwasher of claim 6 wherein the at least one condition is the status of the filter.

8. The dishwasher of claim 7 wherein a low thermal mass condition is determined by the dishwasher controller and the response is a signal to add more wash water and to direct more wash water to clean the filter.

9. The dishwasher of claim 8 wherein if the thermal mass condition is above a threshold value and an incoming wash water temperature is determined to be higher than a predetermined value, the response is to determine a lower run time for a wash phase.

10. The dishwasher of claim 8 wherein if the thermal mass condition is above a threshold value and an incoming wash water temperature is determined to be in an acceptable range, the response is to direct more wash water to clean the filter.

11. A method for dynamically controlling operation of a dishwasher during a cleaning cycle, comprising the steps of:

detecting a plurality of conditions in the dishwasher during operation;

evaluating the plurality of detected conditions to determine a dynamic control response; and

sending a signal representing the dynamic control response to control at least one component of the dishwasher.

12. The method for dynamically controlling operation of a dishwasher of claim 11 wherein the plurality of detected conditions includes a rate of change of a wash water temperature.

13. The method for dynamically controlling operation of a dishwasher of claim 11 wherein the plurality of detected conditions includes an approximate surface area and thermal mass of a plurality of dishes loaded in the dishwasher.

14. The method for dynamically controlling operation of a dishwasher of claim 11 wherein the plurality of detected conditions includes an amount of wash water added to the dishwasher.

15. The method for dynamically controlling operation of a dishwasher of claim 11 wherein the plurality of detected conditions includes a status of a filter.

16. The method for dynamically controlling operation of a dishwasher of claim 11 wherein the plurality of detected conditions includes an amount of food soil in the dishwasher.

17. The method for dynamically controlling operation of a dishwasher of claim 11 further comprising sending a signal to add more wash water and to direct more wash water to clean the filter if the filter status is clogged and the thermal mass is low.

18. The method for dynamically controlling operation of a dishwasher of claim 11 further comprising sending a signal to direct more wash water to clean the filter if the filter status is clogged, the thermal mass is above a threshold value, and an incoming water temperature is in an acceptable range.

19. The method for dynamically controlling operation of a dishwasher of claim 11 further comprising sending a signal to reduce a run time for a wash phase of the dishwasher if the thermal mass is low and an incoming water temperature is higher than a predetermined value.

20. A control system for dynamically controlling operation of a dishwasher during a cleaning cycle comprising;

means for detecting a plurality of conditions in the dishwasher during operation;

means for evaluating the plurality of detected conditions to determine a dynamic control response; and

means for sending a signal representing the dynamic control response to control at least one component of the dishwasher.

21. The control system for dynamically controlling operation of a dishwasher of claim 20 wherein the means for detecting determines a rate of change of a wash water temperature.

22. The control system for dynamically controlling operation of a dishwasher of claim 20 wherein the means for detecting determines an approximate surface area and thermal mass of a plurality of dishes loaded in the dishwasher.

23. The control system for dynamically controlling operation of a dishwasher of claim 20 wherein the means for detecting determines an amount of wash water added to the dishwasher.

24. The control system for dynamically controlling operation of a dishwasher of claim 20 wherein the means for detecting determines a status of a filter.

25. The control system for dynamically controlling operation of a dishwasher of claim 20 wherein the means for detecting determines an amount of food soil in the dishwasher.

26. The control system for dynamically controlling operation of a dishwasher of claim 20 wherein the means for sending sends a signal to add more wash water and to direct more wash water to clean the filter if the filter status is clogged and the thermal mass is low.

27. The control system for dynamically controlling operation of a dishwasher of claim 20 wherein the means for sending sends a signal to direct more wash water to clean the filter if the filter status is clogged, the thermal mass is above a threshold value, and an incoming water temperature is in an acceptable range.

28. The control system for dynamically controlling operation of a dishwasher of claim 20 wherein the means for sending sends a signal to reduce a run time for a wash phase of the dishwasher if the thermal mass is low and an incoming water temperature is higher than a predetermined value.