Fast interrupt of dishwasher hand sensor

• US 6,666,219 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2002
• Issued: 12/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Inventors: Raches, Scott D.
• Primary Examiner(s): EL ARINI, ZEINAB
• Application Number:
  US10/093,166
• Publication Number:
  US 20030168080A1
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 134/56.D, 134/56.R, 134/57.D, 134/57.R, 134/58.D, 134/58.R, 134/57.DL, 134/58.DL, 134/200, 134/201, 134/18
• US Class Current: 134/57.00D
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0049 Detection or prevention of malfunction, including accident prevention arrangements to prevent clogging of filters A47L15/4208; safety arrangements for preventing water damage A47L15/421
• 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 15/4263 Door sealing arrangements
• 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 2401/34 Other automatic detections
• 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 2501/20 Spray nozzles or spray arms
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/22 Loading doors, e.g. door latches, inflatable door seals

Abstract

A dishwasher having the advantage of fast interrupt of the operation of its dishwasher components is disclosed. The dishwasher has an openable cabinet and a washing compartment disposed within the openable cabinet. The dishwasher further includes a handle associated with the openable cabinet for opening the cabinet to provide access to the washing compartment and a sensor in operative communication with the handle such that when a user grasps the handle, the sensor senses the user'"'"'s presence prior to opening the cabinet so that operation of the dishwasher can be interrupted.

Claims

1. A dishwasher having an openable cabinet and a washing compartment disposed within the openable cabinet, comprising:

a handle associated with the openable cabinet for opening the cabinet to provide access to the washing compartment; and

a sensor in operative communication with the handle such that when a user grasps the handle, the sensor senses the user'"'"'s presence prior to opening the cabinet, thereby interrupting dishwasher operation.

2. The dishwasher of claim 1 further comprising a pump fluidly connected to a sprayer, the sprayer disposed within the washing compartment and the sensor operatively connected to the pump such that when a user grasps the handle, the sensor triggers an interruption in operation of the pump.

3. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the sensor includes a light emitter and a light receiver such that when there is no obstruction between the light emitter and the light receiver, the light receiver receives light from the light emitter and when there is an obstruction between the light emitter and light receiver, the light receiver does not receive light from the light emitter.

4. The dishwasher of claim 3 wherein the light is infrared light.

5. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the sensor is a touch sensitive sensor.

6. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the openable cabinet includes a door, the handle associated with the door.

7. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the openable cabinet includes a recess positioned at least partially behind the handle.

8. The dishwasher of claim 7 wherein the sensor includes a light emitter and a light receiver positioned across a longitudinal axis of the recess such that when the user reaches into the recess, the user obstructs the light receiver from receiving light from the light emitter.

9. The dishwasher of claim 1 further comprising an inflatable seal, the sensor operatively connected to the inflatable seal such that when a user grasps the handle, the sensor triggers deflation of the inflatable seal.

10. A dishwasher having an openable cabinet and a washing compartment disposed within the openable cabinet, comprising:

a sensor for sensing a proximity of a user to the openable cabinet prior to the user opening the openable cabinet; and

a control circuit electrically connected to the sensor and operatively connected to at least one dishwasher component such that when the sensor senses the proximity of the user to the openable cabinet the control circuit interrupts operation of the at least one dishwasher component.

11. The dishwasher of claim 10 wherein the at least one dishwasher component includes a pump.

12. The dishwasher of claim 10 wherein the at least one dishwasher component includes an inflatable seal.

13. The dishwasher of claim 10 wherein the sensor is a touch sensitive sensor operatively attached to the openable cabinet.

14. The dishwasher of claim 10 wherein the sensor includes a light receiver.