Method of indicating operational information for a bulk dispensing system

• US 8,286,288 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2008
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: McAllister, Karl D., Dalton, Michael T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Perrin, Joseph L
• Application Number:
  US12/165,873
• Publication Number:
  US 20100000023A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,568 Days
• Field of Search: 815/8, 815/9, 68/121.8, 68/122.3, 68/17.R, 134/18, 134/25.2, 134/56.D, 134/57.D, 134/58.D
• US Class Current: 8/158
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0055 Metering or indication of used products, e.g. type or quantity of detergent, rinse aid or salt; for measuring or controlling the product concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4454 with automatic identification means, e.g. barcodes, RFID tags or magnetic strips
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2301/023 Quantity or concentration of the consumable product
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2301/026 Nature or type of the consumable product, e.g. information on detergent, e.g. 3-in-1 tablets, rinsing aid or salt
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2301/04 Operation mode, e.g. delicate washing, economy washing, reduced time, sterilizing, water softener regenerating, odor eliminating or service
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/023 Quantity or concentration of the consumable product
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/026 Nature or type of the consumable product, e.g. information on detergent, e.g. 3-in-1 tablets, rinsing aid or salt
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/22 Number of operational cycles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/26 Indication or alarm to the controlling device or to the user
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/265 about the number of remaining operation cycles or the remaining operation time
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/00 User input for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/18 Washing liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/60 Audible signals
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/37 of metering of detergents or additives
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/57 of metering of detergents or additives
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/14 Arrangements for detecting or measuring specific parameters
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/30 characterised by mechanical features, e.g. buttons or rotary dials
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/32 characterised by graphical features, e.g. touchscreens
• 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

Abstract

A method of determining the number of doses and the types of a treating chemistry available in the bulk dispensing system, and providing an indication of the determination on a user interface.

Claims

1. A method of operating a cleaning appliance having a treating chemistry dispenser operably coupled to a controller for dispensing a treating chemistry according to a selected cycle of operation, the method comprising:

sensing an amount of a treating chemistry in the treating chemistry dispenser;

determining an amount of the treating chemistry to be dispensed for a selected cycle of operation;

comparing in the controller the amount of treating chemistry to be dispensed with the sensed amount of treating chemistry in the dispenser; and

providing an indication that the amount of treating chemistry in the dispenser is insufficient for dispensing according to the selected cycle of operation when the comparison indicates that the sensed amount of treating chemistry in the dispenser is less than the amount of the treating chemistry to be dispensed.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the controller includes a user interface through which a user may select a cycle of operation to be implemented by the controller, and may receive an indication provided on the user interface that the treating chemistry was not dispensed according to the selected cycle of operation.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the comparing the amount of treating chemistry to be dispensed to the sensed amount of treating chemistry in the dispenser comprises determining that an insufficient amount of treating chemistry is present in the treating chemistry dispenser for the selected cycle of operation.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the comparing the amount of treating chemistry to be dispensed to the sensed amount of treating chemistry in the treating chemistry dispenser comprises determining the absence of a treating chemistry in the treating chemistry dispenser.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing an indication that the amount of treating chemistry in the dispenser is insufficient for dispensing according to the selected cycle of operation comprises providing an alpha-numerical representation that the sensed amount of treating chemistry in the treating chemistry dispenser is less than the amount of the treating chemistry to be dispensed.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing an indication that the amount of treating chemistry in the dispenser is insufficient for dispensing according to the selected cycle of operation comprises providing an iconic representation that the sensed amount of treating chemistry in the treating chemistry dispenser is less than the amount of the treating chemistry to be dispensed.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the iconic representation that the sensed amount of treating chemistry in the treating chemistry dispenser is less than the amount of the treating chemistry to be dispensed comprises an icon, an alpha-numerical reading, a bar reading to be proportionally illuminated, and/or a stack of lights to be proportionally illuminated.