Modular dual-purpose chemical dispensing system for laundry or warewash

• US 7,658,088 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2006
• Issued: 02/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lc Knight
• Original Assignee: Knight LLC
• Inventors: Walker, Stephen A., Whiting, Michael T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson; Frankie L
• Application Number:
  US11/368,357
• Publication Number:
  US 20060206238A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,439 Days
• Field of Search: 68/17.R, 68/120.2, 682/07
• US Class Current: 68/17.00R
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/22 Content of detergent or additives
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/58 Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/37 of metering of detergents or additives
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/022 in a liquid state D06F39/024 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 11/133 with discontinuous action
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 11/138 by sensing the concentration of the mixture, e.g. measuring pH value
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/598 With repair, tapping, assembly, or disassembly means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49716 Converting

Abstract

A modular chemical delivery system is designed to be readily convertible from use with a warewashing system to use with a laundry system, or vice-versa, merely by the replacement of one chip in the controller of the system. The dispensing system is also readily expandable by adding additional satellite pumps in order to inject additional chemicals into a single washing unit, and/or to supply chemicals to additional washing units. Plug and play technology is used so that control intelligence can be distributed from the main system controller to satellite controllers, and so that additional satellite units may be readily added, identified, and properly integrated into the dispensing system.

Claims

1. A modular chemical dispensing system for use in wash systems, comprising:

a main controller having a microprocessor and a user interface;

a peripheral unit connected to the main controller;

an interface for connecting the peripheral unit to the main controller, said interface comprising a synchronous serial data/control bus (IIC); and

a local control unit for said peripheral unit;

wherein the microprocessor in the main controller is programmed to provide operating instructions to the peripheral unit during a wash cycle, in order to ensure that desired quantities of chemicals are dispensed into the wash system at desired times, and the local control unit is programmed to control particularized operating functions of the peripheral unit, thereby relieving the main controller of those functions and increasing the response speed of the chemical dispensing system.

2. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the system is adapted for use in a laundry washing system by insertion of a first integrated circuit chip into the main controller, and is adapted for use in a warewashing system by replacement of said first integrated circuit chip with a second integrated circuit chip.

3. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the main controller comprises a housing, and two units to be instructed by the main controller are disposed within said housing, said two units directly communicating with said microprocessor.

4. The dispensing system as recited in claim 3, wherein said two units comprise a pair of pumps.

5. The dispensing system as recited in claim 4, wherein one of said pumps dispenses detergent, and the second of said pumps dispenses a rinsing agent.

6. The dispensing system as recited in claim 3, wherein a first of said two units comprises a pump, and a second of said two units comprises a water solenoid.

7. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the peripheral unit comprises a satellite pump.

8. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the system comprises a plurality of peripheral units, and said plurality of peripheral units comprise a plurality of satellite pumps, wherein each satellite pump dispenses a different chemical agent into the wash system.

9. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the synchronous serial data/control bus interface connecting the peripheral unit to the main controller interrogates the peripheral unit when it is connected, in order to detect and control the peripheral unit, using plug and play technology.

10. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the peripheral unit includes an inductive probe for detecting detergent concentration during operation of the wash system.

11. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the wash system comprises a warewash system.

12. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the wash system comprises a laundry wash system.

13. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein the system comprises additional peripheral units to dispense chemicals to a second wash system.

14. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein said peripheral unit comprises a discrete module which is connected into the dispensing system merely by connecting said module to said interface.

15. A modular chemical dispensing system for use in wash systems, comprising:

a main controller comprising a housing;

a microprocessor disposed in said housing;

a user interface disposed on said housing;

a first pump disposed in said housing;

a second pump disposed in said housing, wherein both the first pump and the second pump are directly connected to the microprocessor;

at least one satellite pump disposed in spaced relationship from said housing;

a synchronous serial data/control bus (IIC) connecting said microprocessor and said at least one satellite pump; and

fluid connections for connecting each of said first pump, said second pump, and said at least one satellite pump to the wash system;

wherein the microprocessor in the main controller is programmed to provide operating instructions to the first pump, the second pump, and the at least one satellite pump during a wash cycle, in order to ensure that desired quantities of different chemicals are dispensed into the wash system at desired times and in desired quantities.

16. The dispensing system as recited in claim 15, and further comprising a local control unit for said satellite pump, the local control unit being programmed to control particularized operating functions of the satellite pump, thereby relieving the main controller of those functions and increasing the response speed of the chemical dispensing system as a whole.

17. The dispensing system as recited in claim 15, wherein the system is adapted for use in a laundry washing system by insertion of a first integrated circuit chip into the main controller, and is adapted for use in a warewashing system by replacement of said first integrated circuit chip with a second integrated circuit chip.

18. The dispensing system as recited in claim 15, wherein said first and pump dispenses detergent, and said second pump dispenses a rinsing agent.

19. The dispensing system as recited in claim 15, wherein the system comprises additional peripheral units to dispense chemicals to a second wash system.