Microphone wash arm sensor
First Claim
1. A sensor for sensing operational characteristics of a dishwasher having a washing chamber with an access opening, a door movable between open and closed positions relative to the access opening to complete the washing chamber, and a rotatable wash arm mounted within the washing chamber for spraying water onto objects in the washing chamber when the door is in the closed position, the sensor comprising:
- a microphone on an outer surface of the washing chamber and being adapted to generate a signal in response to the flow of water from the rotating wash arm;
a microprocessor operatively connected to the microphone for converting the signal into rotational velocity information of the wash arm and processing the rotational velocity information to control operational parameters of the dishwasher.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor is provided for sensing operational characteristics of a dishwasher. The sensor includes a microphone mounted within the door of the dishwasher. The microphone is connected through electrical circuitry to a microprocessor mounted within the door. The microphone is adapted to generate a signal in response to impingement of water from the rotating wash arms upon the inside of the door. The signal is sent to the microprocessor, which converts the signal into information regarding the rotational velocity of the wash arm. This information is processed to control the operational parameters of the dishwasher.
29 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A sensor for sensing operational characteristics of a dishwasher having a washing chamber with an access opening, a door movable between open and closed positions relative to the access opening to complete the washing chamber, and a rotatable wash arm mounted within the washing chamber for spraying water onto objects in the washing chamber when the door is in the closed position, the sensor comprising:
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a microphone on an outer surface of the washing chamber and being adapted to generate a signal in response to the flow of water from the rotating wash arm; a microprocessor operatively connected to the microphone for converting the signal into rotational velocity information of the wash arm and processing the rotational velocity information to control operational parameters of the dishwasher. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of sensing operational characteristics of a dishwasher, the dishwasher having a washing chamber with a rotatable wash arm therein for spraying water onto objects in the washing chamber, the washing chamber having an access opening to complete the washing chamber, and a door movable between open and closed positions relative to the access opening, the method comprising:
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generating a signal in response to the flow of water from the rotating wash arm; converting the signal into rotational velocity data of the wash arm; processing the rotational velocity data to analyze operational characteristics of the dishwasher. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification