System for establishing communication between a user interface and a controller of a dishwasher

• US 9,462,926 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2012
• Issued: 10/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Baldwin, Mark W., Smith, Blayne C., Fischer, Marcus R., Hemry, Mike S., Hussain, Saadat, Kobos, Duane M., McIver, Justin D., Schaaf, Demetrius J., Topp, Bryan M., Tuller, Barry E., Viswanathan, Ameresh B., Welsh, Anthony B., Moit, Elizabeh A.
• Primary Examiner(s): KO, JASON Y
• Application Number:
  US13/681,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20130125937A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,421 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0018 Controlling processes, i.e. processes to control the operation of the machine characterised by the purpose or target of the control for control of water softening or water softener regeneration A47L15/4229; for control of water level A47L15/4244; for control of bad smells or odours A47L15/4276; for control of water temperature A47L15/4287; for control of water pressure A47L15/4289; for control of condition of crockery or tableware A47L15/4295; for control of condition of washing water A47L15/4297
• 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 15/006 using wireless communication between internal components of the machine
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0063 using remote monitoring or controlling of the dishwasher operation, e.g. networking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0084 of drawer-type
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/22 Rotary spraying devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4219 Water recirculation A47L15/0078 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4221 Arrangements for redirection of washing water, e.g. water diverters to selectively supply the spray arms A47L15/0078 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4257 Details of the loading door
• 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 15/4293 Arrangements for programme selection, e.g. control panels; Indication of the selected programme, programme progress or other parameters of the programme, e.g. by using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/486 Blower arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/488 Connections of the tub with the ambient air, e.g. air intake or venting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/507 Arrangements for extracting racks, e.g. roller supports
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2301/08 Other manual input
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/12 Water temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/18 Air temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/26 Loading door status, e.g. door latch opened or closed state
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/22 Loading doors, e.g. door latches, inflatable door seals
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/26 : Indication or alarm to the controlling device or to the user
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/30 : Regulation of machine operational steps within the washing process, e.g. performing an additional rinsing phase, shortening or stopping of the drying phase, washing at decreased noise operation conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 : electric

Abstract

A dishwasher may include a closure element, such as a door, a user interface on the closure element, and a controller. A data communication link having a first data connector may be coupled to the controller, and a second data connector may be coupled to the user interface. The first and second data connectors may communicatively couple when the closure element is in the closed condition to establish data communication between the controller and the user interface. The communication link may also form a power link to provide power to the user interface across an electrical link.

Claims

1. A dishwasher configured to execute at least one automatic cycle of operation for treating utensils, the dishwasher comprising:

a tub with an open face for receiving utensils for treatment and at least partially defining an upper treating chamber and a lower treating chamber, wherein the upper treating chamber and the lower treating chamber are separated by a partition;

a door movable between opened and closed conditions to selectively close the open face and having a first part hingedly mounted to the dishwasher for pivotal movement relative to the open face, and a second part configured to be coupled to the first part in a full door mode and configured to move independently of the first part in a partial door mode;

a utensil rack slidably coupled to the tub for slidable movement relative to the tub, wherein the second part of the door is coupled to the utensil rack in the partial door mode such that the second part can be pulled or pushed to slidably move the utensil rack;

a controller implementing the at least one cycle of operation;

a user interface provided with the door; and

a data communication link having a first data connector coupled to the controller and a second data connector coupled to the user interface, wherein the first and second data connectors communicatively couple when the door is in the closed condition to establish data communication between the controller and the user interface;

wherein the first and second parts of the door in the full door mode pivot together relative to the tub to selectively open and close the open face, and wherein the second part of the door in the partial door mode moves relative to the first part to selectively open and close a portion of the open face.

2. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the first and second data connectors are physically aligned when the door is in the closed condition.

3. The dishwasher of claim 2, further comprising a door sensor formed by the establishment of data communication between the controller and user interface to sense when the door is in the closed condition.

4. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the data communication is at least uni-directional between the controller and the user interface.

5. The dishwasher of claim 4 wherein the uni-directional communication is from the user interface to the controller.

6. The dishwasher of claim 4 wherein the data communication is bi-directional between the controller and the user interface.

7. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the first and second data connectors are optical connectors.

8. The dishwasher of claim 7 wherein the first and second data connectors are fiber optics.

9. The dishwasher of claim 8 wherein at least one of the controller and the user interface has an illumination transmitter for transmitting light over the fiber optics, and the other of the at least one of the controller and the user interface has an illumination receiver receiving the transmitted light.

10. The dishwasher of claim 9 wherein both the controller and user interface have the illumination transmitter and the illumination receiver.

11. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the door further comprises a drawer.

12. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the user interface is provided with the second part of the door, and the controller is not provided with the second part of the door.

13. The dishwasher of claim 12 wherein the controller is provided with the first part of the door.

14. The dishwasher of claim 12 wherein the controller is not provided with the first part of the door.

15. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the first data connector and the user interface are provided on the second part of the door, the second data connector is provided on the first part of the door, and the first and second data connectors communicatively couple when the first and second parts of the door are aligned with each other.

16. The dishwasher of claim 15 wherein the establishment of communication between the controller and user interface forms a sensor for determining when the first and second parts of the door are aligned.

17. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the controller is provided with the dishwasher but not provided with the door.

18. A dishwasher configured to execute at least one automatic cycle of operation for treating utensils, the dishwasher comprising:

a tub with an open face for receiving utensils for treatment and at least partially defining an upper treating chamber and a lower treating chamber, wherein the upper treating chamber and the lower treating chamber are separated by a partition;

a door movable between opened and closed conditions to selectively close the open face and having a first part corresponding with the lower treating chamber and a second part separate from the first part and corresponding with the upper treating chamber;

a utensil rack slidably coupled to the tub for slidable movement relative to the tub, wherein the second part of the door is coupled to the utensil rack in a partial door mode such that the second part can be pulled or pushed to slidably move the utensil rack;

a controller implementing the at least one cycle of operation;

a user interface provided with the door; and

a power link having a first connector coupled to the controller and a second connector coupled to the user interface, wherein the first and second connectors communicatively couple when the door is in the closed condition to establish an electrical path between the controller and the user interface to provide power to the user interface;

wherein the first connector and the user interface are provided on the second part of the door, the second connector is provided on the first part of the door, and the first and second connectors communicatively couple when the first and second parts of the door are aligned with each other.

19. The dishwasher of claim 18 wherein the first and second connectors are physically aligned when the door is in the closed condition.

20. The dishwasher of claim 19 wherein the first and second connectors are physically coupled when the door is in the closed condition.

21. The dishwasher of claim 19 further comprising a door sensor formed by the establishment of the electrical path to sense when the door is in the closed condition.

22. The dishwasher of claim 18 wherein the first and second connectors are optical connectors.

23. The dishwasher of claim 22 wherein the first and second optical connectors are fiber optics.

24. The dishwasher of claim 23 wherein at least one of the controller and the user interface has an illumination transmitter for transmitting light over the fiber optics, and the other of the at least one of the controller and the user interface has an illumination receiver receiving the transmitted light.

25. The dishwasher of claim 24 wherein both the controller and the user interface have the illumination transmitter and the illumination receiver.

26. The dishwasher of claim 18 wherein the power link also establishes data communication between the controller and the user interface when the first and second connectors communicatively couple when the door is in the closed condition.

27. The dishwasher of claim 26 wherein the data communication is at least uni-directional between the controller and the user interface.

28. The dishwasher of claim 27 wherein the uni-directional communication is from the user interface to the controller.

29. The dishwasher of claim 27 wherein the data communication is bi-directional between the controller and the user interface.

30. The dishwasher of claim 18 wherein the door further comprises a drawer.

31. The dishwasher of claims 18 wherein the user interface is provided with the second part of the door, and the controller is not provided with the second part of the door.

32. The dishwasher of claim 31 wherein the controller is provided with the first part of the door.

33. The dishwasher of claim 31 wherein the controller is not provided with the first part of the door.

34. The dishwasher of claim 18 wherein the first connector and the user interface are provided on the second part of the door, the second connector is provided on the first part of the door, and the first and second connectors communicatively couple when the first and second parts of the door are aligned with each other.

35. The dishwasher of claim 34 wherein the establishment of the electrical path between the controller and the user interface forms a sensor for detecting alignment of the first and second parts of the door.