Electronic control for a dishwasher

• US 5,202,582 A
• Filed: 07/25/1991
• Issued: 04/13/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Szynal, Joseph M., Borgerding, Kevin K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaffin, Jeffrey A.
• Application Number:
  US07/735,786
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: 307/112, 307/116, 307/125, 307/139, 307/141, 307/141.4, 307/11, 307/18, 307/31, 307/38, 307/39, 307/41, 134/57 D, 134/57 DL, 134/58 D, 134/58 DL, 68/12.23, 68/12.26
• US Class Current: 307/39
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4259 Arrangements of locking or security/safety devices for doors, e.g. door latches, switch to stop operation when door is open
• 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 2401/26 Loading door status, e.g. door latch opened or closed state
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/30 Variation of electrical, magnetical or optical quantities
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/32 Stopping or disabling machine operation, including disconnecting the machine from a network, e.g. from an electrical power supply
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/36 Other output

Abstract

An appliance control circuit used in a dishwasher which includes only a single door switch which is used both for disabling/enabling the AC voltage components of the dishwasher and which also provides an input to the microprocessor of the control circuit. A zero crossing conditioning circuit is also included to condition the door switch signal and to provide it to the microprocessor. The microprocessor control is electrically isolated from the grounded side of the line voltage.

Claims

1. A control circuit for an appliance, said appliance including a cabinet having an access opening therein for providing access to the interior of said cabinet, an access door movable between open and closed positions for selectively opening and closing said access opening, and electrical components for performing a plurality of operations, said appliance adapted to be connected to a source of electric power, said source of power having a grounded side and an ungrounded side, said circuit comprising:

a power supply including means for connection to the source of electric power, and including means for electrically isolating an output side of said power supply from the source of electric power;

a microprocessor connected to said power supply, said microprocessor including means for controlling said appliance during a cycle of operations;

a door switch including means for mounting said switch on said appliance, said switch connected to said electrical components for disabling operation of said components when said door is in the open position and for enabling operation of said components when said door is in the closed position, said switch including only two contacts and means for bridging said contacts, one of said contacts being connected to the grounded side of the source of electric power;

conditioning circuit means for conditioning a voltage signal and including means for connection to the ungrounded side of the source of electric power and connected to the other of said switch contacts and to said microprocessor for providing an indication input to said microprocessor regarding the condition of said door switch.

2. The circuit according to claim 1 wherein said conditioning means is a zero crossing circuit.

3. The circuit according to claim 1 wherein said conditioning circuit includes a diode clamp circuit, a first resistor directly connected to said other contact, and a second resistor connected to said source of electric power and connected to said microcomputer.

4. The circuit according to claim 3 including a capacitor connected between said first and second resistors.

5. A control circuit for an appliance, said appliance including a cabinet having an access opening therein for providing access to the interior of said cabinet, an access door movable between open and closed positions for selectively opening and closing said access opening, and electrical components for performing a plurality of operations, said appliance adapted to be connected to a source of electric power, said source of power having a grounded side and an ungrounded side, said circuit comprising:

a power supply including means for connection to the source of electric power, and including means for electrically isolating an output side of said power supply from the source of electric power;

a microprocessor connected to said power supply, said microprocessor adapted for controlling said appliance during a cycle of operations;

a door switch including means for mounting said switch on said appliance, said switch connected to said electrical components for disabling operation of said components when said door is in the open position and for enabling operation of said components when said door is in the closed position, said switch including only two contacts and means for bridging said contacts, one of said contacts being connected to the grounded side of the source of electric power;

a zero crossing circuit electrically including means for connecting to the ungrounded side of the source of electric power, said zero crossing circuit connected to the other of said switch contacts and to said microprocessor for providing an indication input to said microprocessor regarding the position of said door.

6. The circuit according to claim 5 wherein said zero crossing circuit includes a diode clamp circuit, a first resistor directly connected to said other contact, and a second resistor adapted to be connected to said source of electric power and connected to said microprocessor.

7. The circuit according to claim 6 including an capacitor connected between said first and second resistors.