Apparatus for monitoring and controlling the operation of a machine for washing articles

• US 5,603,233 A
• Filed: 07/12/1995
• Issued: 02/18/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honeywell Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: O'Brien, Gary R., Reeve, Ian F., Erickson, Timothy K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coe, Philip R.
• Application Number:
  US08/501,354
• Time in Patent Office: 587 Days
• Field of Search: 68/12.02, 134/57 D
• US Class Current: 68/12.02
• 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 15/46 Devices for the automatic control of the different phases of cleaning ; Controlling devices A47L15/449 takes precedence
• 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 2401/24 Spray arms status, e.g. detection of spray arm rotation
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/30 Variation of electrical, magnetical or optical quantities
• 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 2501/12 Air blowers
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/20 Washing liquid condition, e.g. turbidity
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/00 Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/52 Changing sequence of operational steps; Carrying out additional operational steps; Modifying operational steps, e.g. by extending duration of steps
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/58 Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/22 Condition of the washing liquid, e.g. turbidity

Abstract

A machine for washing articles is provided with a wash process sensor that is capable of measuring a plurality of physical parameters that relate to the progress of a washing procedure. The wash process sensor also monitors the changes in the measured parameters and calculates a value that represents the degree of cleanliness or dirtiness of the articles being washed. In one embodiment, the wash process sensor also directly controls a plurality of devices, such as motors, heaters, dispensers and valves, to directly control the washing process.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring and controlling the operation of a machine for washing articles, comprising:

means for measuring a plurality of physical parameters that relate to the progress of washing said articles;

means, connected in signal communication with said measuring means, for monitoring changes in the magnitude of said plurality of physical parameters over time to determine said progress of washing said articles;

means, connected in signal communication with said monitoring means, for calculating a value as a function of said changes and of said physical parameters which is representative of the state of cleanliness of said articles;

a sensor housing structure, said measuring, monitoring and calculating means being contained within said sensor housing structure; and

means, connected in signal communication with said calculating means, for controlling a plurality of devices that affect the operation of said machine for washing articles.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said plurality of physical parameters comprise turbidity, temperature and conductivity.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein:

said plurality of physical parameters further comprises the rotational speed of a wash arm of said machine for washing articles.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said monitoring means comprises a microcontroller.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said calculating means comprises a microcontroller.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said controlling means is contained within said sensor housing structure with said measuring, monitoring and calculating means.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said plurality of devices comprises a motor, a dispenser and a valve.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein:

said plurality of devices comprises a blower motor, a detergent dispenser, a pump motor, a rinse aid dispenser and a heating coil.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said machine for washing articles is a dish washer.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said machine for washing articles is a clothes washer.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said sensor housing structure is disposed within a pump housing of said machine for washing articles.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a fuzzy logic device connected in signal communication with said monitoring and calculating means.

13. An apparatus for monitoring and controlling the operation of a machine for washing articles, comprising:

means for measuring a plurality of physical parameters that relate to the progress of washing said articles;

means, connected in signal communication with said measuring means, for monitoring changes in the magnitude of said plurality of physical parameters over time to determine said progress of washing said articles;

means, connected in signal communication with said monitoring means, for calculating a value as a function of said changes and of said physical parameters which is representative of the state of cleanliness of said articles;

a sensor housing structure, said measuring, monitoring and calculating means being contained within said sensor housing structure; and

means, connected in signal communication with said calculating means, for controlling a plurality of devices that affect the operation of said machine for washing articles, said controlling means is contained within said sensor housing structure with said measuring, monitoring and calculating means.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein:

said plurality of physical parameters comprise turbidity, temperature and conductivity.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein:

said plurality of physical parameters further comprises the rotational speed of a wash arm of said machine for washing articles.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein:

said monitoring means comprises a microcontroller, said calculating means comprises a microcontroller, said plurality of devices comprises a blower motor, a detergent dispenser, a pump motor, a rinse aid dispenser and a heating coil.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein:

said machine for washing articles is a dish washer.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein:

said machine for washing articles is a clothes washer.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein:

said sensor housing structure is disposed within a pump housing of said machine for washing articles.

20. An apparatus for monitoring and controlling the operation of a machine for washing articles, comprising:

means for measuring a plurality of physical parameters that relate to the progress of washing said articles;

means, connected in signal communication with said measuring means, for monitoring changes in the magnitude of said plurality of physical parameters over time to determine said progress of washing said articles, said monitoring means comprising a microcontroller, said calculating means comprises a microcontroller, said plurality of devices comprises a blower motor, a detergent dispenser, a pump motor, a rinse aid dispenser and a heating coil;

means, connected in signal communication with said monitoring means, for calculating a value as a function of said changes and of said physical parameters which is representative of the state of cleanliness of said articles;

a sensor housing structure, said measuring, monitoring and calculating means being contained within said sensor housing structure, said sensor housing structure being disposed within a pump housing of said machine for washing articles; and

means, connected in signal communication with said calculating means, for controlling a plurality of devices that affect the operation of said machine for washing articles, said controlling means is contained within said sensor housing structure with said measuring, monitoring and calculating means, said plurality of physical parameters comprising turbidity, temperature and conductivity.