WO2019120560A1 - Détermination de changements périodiques d'une propriété mesurée dans un lave-vaisselle - Google Patents

Détermination de changements périodiques d'une propriété mesurée dans un lave-vaisselle Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019120560A1
WO2019120560A1 PCT/EP2017/084344 EP2017084344W WO2019120560A1 WO 2019120560 A1 WO2019120560 A1 WO 2019120560A1 EP 2017084344 W EP2017084344 W EP 2017084344W WO 2019120560 A1 WO2019120560 A1 WO 2019120560A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
dishwasher
spray arm
sensor
property
controller
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/EP2017/084344
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
David Persson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Electrolux Appliances AB
Original Assignee
Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Electrolux Appliances AB filed Critical Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority to PCT/EP2017/084344 priority Critical patent/WO2019120560A1/fr
Publication of WO2019120560A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019120560A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
    • A47L15/0018—Controlling processes, i.e. processes to control the operation of the machine characterised by the purpose or target of the control
    • A47L15/0049—Detection or prevention of malfunction, including accident prevention
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
    • A47L15/14—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware with stationary crockery baskets and spraying devices within the cleaning chamber
    • A47L15/18—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware with stationary crockery baskets and spraying devices within the cleaning chamber with movably-mounted spraying devices
    • A47L15/22—Rotary spraying devices
    • A47L15/23—Rotary spraying devices moved by means of the sprays
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
    • A47L15/42—Details
    • A47L15/4244—Water-level measuring or regulating arrangements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L2401/00—Automatic detection in controlling methods of washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware, e.g. information provided by sensors entered into controlling devices
    • A47L2401/09—Water level
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L2401/00—Automatic detection in controlling methods of washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware, e.g. information provided by sensors entered into controlling devices
    • A47L2401/14—Water pressure or flow rate
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L2401/00—Automatic detection in controlling methods of washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware, e.g. information provided by sensors entered into controlling devices
    • A47L2401/24—Spray arms status, e.g. detection of spray arm rotation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L2501/00—Output in controlling method of washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware, i.e. quantities or components controlled, or actions performed by the controlling device executing the controlling method
    • A47L2501/26—Indication or alarm to the controlling device or to the user

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a dishwasher comprising at least one rotating spray arm arranged to spray process water onto goods to be cleaned in a compartment of the dishwasher.
  • WO 2015/036040 discloses a dishwasher being equipped with a sensor, such as an accelerometer, for detecting spray arm blockage in the dishwasher.
  • the accelerometer is arranged in a chassis of the dishwasher and is configured to detected shocks from process water being splashed by one or more spray arms onto the chassis.
  • the accelerometer detects irregularly occurring splashes of process water, it may be an indication of spray arm blockage.
  • a problem in the art is that customized, complex special-purpose sensors are utilized for detecting operational states of a dishwasher.
  • An object of the present invention is to solve, or at least mitigate this problem in the art, and to provide an improved dishwasher arranged with at least one sensor for detecting spray arm blockage in the dishwasher.
  • This object is attained in a first aspect of the present invention by a dishwasher comprising at least one rotating spray arm arranged to spray process water onto goods to be cleaned in a compartment of the dishwasher.
  • the dishwasher further comprises at least one sensor arranged in a sump of the dishwasher and configured to detect a property of the process water indicating periodic rotation of the spray arm from process water sprayed by the spray arm into the sump, and to communicate a signal in response thereto indicative of the detected property, and a controller configured to receive the signal and to determine that the detected property changes periodically.
  • spray arm blockage and even rotational speed may be determined.
  • a sensor already available in the dishwasher is used for detecting the periodic changes, such as a pressure sensor, a water level sensor or a flow rate sensor. Any additional, expensive sensors to be mounted in the dishwashers may thus advantageously be avoided.
  • the controller if the controller detects that the property does not change periodically, the controller is configured to conclude that the spray arm is at least partially blocked.
  • the senor is configured to detect at least a first value of the property at a first spray arm position and at least a second value of the property at a second spray arm positon, and to communicate the measured values to the controller.
  • the controller is configured to measure the time elapsed between the at least two measurements and determine the rotational speed of the spray arm based on the time elapsed and a
  • the controller is configured to estimate a position of the spray arm based on the determined rotational speed and one of the first and the second spray arm positions being associated with the first and the second values of the property.
  • the senor comprises a pressure sensor and the detected property is pressure of the process water exerted onto the pressure sensor in the sump.
  • the senor comprises a flow sensor and the detected property is flow rate of the process water flowing through the flow sensor in the sump.
  • the senor comprises a level sensor and the detected property is level of the process water measured by the level sensor in the sump.
  • the senor is arranged at an interior wall of the sump, and in a further embodiment at a section of the sump adjacent to a bottom of the compartment.
  • the controller is arranged to communicate a detected spray arm blockage to a user via a user interface.
  • the controller is arranged to interrupt a current washing program in response to the detected spray arm blockage.
  • Figure l shows a dishwasher in which the present invention is implemented
  • Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment where a pressure sensor is utilized to detected spray arm blockage in a dishwasher
  • Figure 3 illustrates the embodiment of Figure 2 but where the spray arm is in a different position
  • Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment where a flow sensor is utilized to detected spray arm blockage in a dishwasher
  • Figure 5 illustrates the embodiment of Figure 4 but where the spray arm is in a different position
  • Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment where a level sensor is utilized to detected spray arm blockage in a dishwasher
  • Figure 7 illustrates the embodiment of Figure 6 but where the spray arm is in a different position
  • Figure 8 illustrates another embodiment where rotational speed of the spray arm is determined.
  • process water is meant a liquid containing mainly water that is used in and circulates in a dishwasher.
  • the process water is water that may contain detergent and/or rinse aid in a varying amount.
  • the process water may also contain soil, such as food debris or other types of solid particles, as well as dissolved liquids or compounds.
  • Process water used in a main wash cycle is sometimes referred to as the wash liquid.
  • Process water used in a rinse cycle is sometimes referred to as cold rinse or hot rinse depending on the temperature in the rinse cycle.
  • Figure l shows a dishwasher 10 in which the present invention is
  • dishwashers can take on many forms and include many different functionalities.
  • the dishwasher 10 illustrated in Figure t is thus used to explain different embodiments of the present invention and should only be seen as an example of a dishwasher in which the present application can be applied.
  • the dishwasher to comprises a washing compartment or tub n housing an upper basket 12, a middle basket 13 and a lower basket 14 for accommodating goods to be washed.
  • cutlery is accommodated in the upper basket 12, while plates, drinking- glasses, trays, etc. are placed in the middle basket 13 and the lower basket 14.
  • Detergent in the form of liquid, powder or tablets is dosed in a detergent compartment located on the inside of a door (not shown) of the dishwasher 10 by a user, which detergent is controllably discharged into the washing compartment 11 in accordance with a selected washing programme.
  • the operation of the dishwasher 10 is typically controlled by processing unit/controller 31 executing appropriate software.
  • Fresh water is supplied to the washing compartment 11 via water inlet 15 and water supply valve 16. This fresh water is eventually collected in a so called sump 17 arranged under the compartment 11, where the fresh water mixed with the discharged detergent - resulting in process water 18 - is transported.
  • a filter 19 At the bottom of the washing compartment is a filter 19 for filtering soil from the process water 18 before the process water leaves the compartment 11 via the sump 17 for subsequent re-entry into the washing compartment 11 through circulation pump 21.
  • the process water 18 passes the filter 19 and is pumped through the circulation pump 21, which typically is driven by a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor 22, via a conduit 23 and respective process water valves 24, 25 and sprayed into the washing compartment 11 via nozzles (not shown) of a respective spray arm 26, 27, 28 associated with each basket 12, 13, 14.
  • BLDC brushless direct current
  • the process water 18 exits the washing compartment 11 via the filter 19 and is recirculated via the circulation pump 21 and sprayed onto the goods to be washed accommodated in the respective basket via nozzles of an upper spray arm 26, middle spray arm 27 and lower spray arm 28.
  • a pressure sensor 20 is arranged in the sump 17 for measuring process water pressure to determine whether there is enough water in the
  • a so called floater may be used for measuring a water level, or an impeller for measuring water flow.
  • the washing compartment 11 of the dishwasher 10 is drained on process water 18 with a drain pump 29 driven by a BLDC motor 30. It should be noted that it can be envisaged that the drain pump 29 and the circulation pump 21 may be driven by one and the same motor.
  • Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment using the pressure sensor 20 being communicatively connected to the controller 31 for detecting a property of the process water indicating periodic rotation of the spray arm in order to detect spray arm blockage, in this case the property being pressure.
  • Figure 2 shows nozzles 33, 34, 35 of the lower spray arm 28 releasing splashes of process water into the compartment 11. After having splashed over the goods to be cleaned, the process water sprayed by the spray arm 28 will reach the bottom of the compartment 11, pass through the filter 19 and enter the sump 17, where it will be either re-circulated in the compartment 11 via the spray arms or drained from the dishwasher.
  • the senor 20 is arranged at an interior wall of the sump 17 and in a section of the sump 17 located adjacent to a bottom of the compartment 11, just under the filter 19.
  • a spray arm of a dishwasher is typically arranged with nozzles for spraying process water at a number of different positions distributed over the length of the arm, and may further have different spray directions, both in an upward and
  • the pressure sensor 20 will detect a first pressure Pi caused by the process water column exerting pressure onto the sensor 20, whereas in Figure 3 the pressure sensor 20 will detect a second pressure P2 caused by a higher process water column exerting pressure on the sensor 20, whereby P2 will be greater than Pi.
  • the pressure sensor 20 will measure the pressure exerted by the process water 18 onto the sensor 20 and communicate the measured pressure accordingly to the controller 31.
  • the controller 31 will be configured to detect the periodical changes in measured pressure, for instance as indicated by the measured first and second pressures Pi and P2, and conclude that as longs as the measured values changes periodically, the spray arm 28 is rotating as intended. In a very simple example, assuming that the measure pressure changes from the first pressure Pi to the second pressure P2, and so on, the controller 31 will conclude that the spray arm 28 rotates adequately.
  • the controller 31 concludes that the spray arm 28 is partially of completely blocked, and may alert a user of the dishwasher accordingly via the user interface 32 shown in Figure 1.
  • a spray arm typically comprises more nozzles for releasing process water 18 in the dishwasher 1, and these may be
  • the spray arm 28 may need to rotate at least two full revolutions in order for the controller 31 to be capable of establishing periodicity in the measured property.
  • an impeller 40 or some other appropriate flow sensor is used as the sensor for detecting a property of the process water 18 indicating periodic rotation of the spray arm 28.
  • the impeller 40 will measure the flow of process water 18 and communicate the measured flow rate accordingly to the controller 31.
  • the controller 31 will be configured to detect the periodical changes in measured flow rate, for instance as indicated by the measured first and second flow rates Qi and Q2, and conclude that as longs as the measured flow values change periodically, the spray arm 28 is rotating as intended.
  • the controller 31 concludes that the spray arm 28 is partially of completely blocked, and may alert a user of the dishwasher accordingly via the user interface 32 shown in Figure 1.
  • a floater 50 or some other appropriate water level sensor is used as the sensor for detecting a property of the process water 18 indicating periodic rotation of the spray arm 28.
  • the floater 50 will detect a first process water level Li
  • the floater 50 will detect a second process water level L2 being greater than Li due to the greater volume of water into the sump 17 at the right hand-side where the floater 50 is located when the nozzles 33, 34, 35 are located at the right-hand side.
  • the floater 50 will measure the level of process water 18 and communicate the measured level accordingly to the controller 31.
  • the controller 31 will be configured to detect the periodical changes in measured process water level, for instance as indicated by the measured first and second levels Li and L2, and conclude that as longs as the measured level values change periodically, the spray arm 28 is rotating as intended.
  • the controller 31 concludes that the spray arm 28 is partially of completely blocked, and may alert a user of the dishwasher accordingly via the user interface 32 shown in Figure 1.
  • the controller 31 is advantageously arranged to communicate the detected spray arm blockage of the dishwasher 10 to a user via a user interface 32, such that the user can take further action. This can be performed visually and/or audibly via the user interface 32.
  • the controller 31 is advantageously arranged to interrupt a current washing program in response to the detected spray arm blockage, in case the blockage is serious and may cause further damage to the dishwasher 10, or the goods accommodate therein. The interruption may be communicated via the user interface 36.
  • the embodiments described hereinabove provide for straightforward detection of spray arm blockage, which is an undesired state in a dishwasher. Further, the detected spray arm blockage can be
  • the controller 31 may even interrupt the current a washing program if there is a risk for dishwasher damage (or damage of goods).
  • a sensor already available in the dishwasher 1 is used for detecting the blockage, such as a sensor 50 configured to measure process water level in the sump 17. Any additional, expensive sensors to be mounted in the dishwashers may thus advantageously be avoided.
  • Figure 8 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention showing the spray arm 28 with the nozzles 33, 34, 35 in a top view, with the sump 17 and the sensor 20 arranged below the spray arm 28.
  • the controller 31 can determine the rotational speed of the spray arm 28.
  • the controller 31 concludes that when having read the first pressure Pi at a first time Ti and the second pressure P2 at a second time T2, the spray arm 28 has rotated 180°.
  • the controller 31 may advantageously compute the rotational speed of the spray arm 28.
  • the controller 31 may further estimate the position of the spray arm 28 for any pressure reading (or flow/level reading).
  • the controller 31 determines that the rotational speed is o, for instance by detecting that the pressure measured by the sensor does not change, the controller 31 will conclude that the spray arm 28 is blocked, and may alert a user accordingly.
  • the position of the spray arm 28 may be determined from any measured property value.
  • the controller will then be able to interpolate a position POSN of the spray arm 28 for any other measured pressure value PN.

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  • Washing And Drying Of Tableware (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un lave-vaisselle (10), lequel lave-vaisselle comprend au moins un bras de pulvérisation rotatif (28) agencé de façon à pulvériser de l'eau de traitement (18) sur des produits à nettoyer dans un compartiment (11). Le lave-vaisselle (10) comprend en outre au moins un capteur (20) disposé dans un bac (17) du compartiment (11), et configuré pour détecter une propriété de l'eau de traitement (18) indiquant une rotation périodique du bras de pulvérisation (28) à partir de l'eau de traitement (18) pulvérisée par le bras de pulvérisation (28) dans le bac (17), et pour communiquer un signal en réponse à celle-ci, indiquant la propriété détectée. De plus, le lave-vaisselle (10) comprend un dispositif de commande (31) configuré pour recevoir le signal et pour déterminer que la propriété détectée change de façon périodique.
PCT/EP2017/084344 2017-12-22 2017-12-22 Détermination de changements périodiques d'une propriété mesurée dans un lave-vaisselle Ceased WO2019120560A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2017/084344 WO2019120560A1 (fr) 2017-12-22 2017-12-22 Détermination de changements périodiques d'une propriété mesurée dans un lave-vaisselle

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2017/084344 WO2019120560A1 (fr) 2017-12-22 2017-12-22 Détermination de changements périodiques d'une propriété mesurée dans un lave-vaisselle

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WO2019120560A1 true WO2019120560A1 (fr) 2019-06-27

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2022101007A1 (fr) * 2020-11-11 2022-05-19 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Lave-vaisselle, procédé et produit-programme d'ordinateur
EP4292505A1 (fr) * 2022-06-13 2023-12-20 Whirlpool Corporation Lave-vaisselle et procédé de fonctionnement

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6675818B1 (en) * 1999-07-15 2004-01-13 Aweco Appliance Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg Dishwashing machine
US20100170541A1 (en) * 2009-01-05 2010-07-08 Electrolux Home Products, Inc. Safety arrangement for a dishwasher, and associated apparatus
DE102015107838A1 (de) * 2015-05-19 2016-11-24 Miele & Cie. Kg Geschirrspülmaschine

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6675818B1 (en) * 1999-07-15 2004-01-13 Aweco Appliance Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg Dishwashing machine
US20100170541A1 (en) * 2009-01-05 2010-07-08 Electrolux Home Products, Inc. Safety arrangement for a dishwasher, and associated apparatus
DE102015107838A1 (de) * 2015-05-19 2016-11-24 Miele & Cie. Kg Geschirrspülmaschine

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2022101007A1 (fr) * 2020-11-11 2022-05-19 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Lave-vaisselle, procédé et produit-programme d'ordinateur
US20240023785A1 (en) * 2020-11-11 2024-01-25 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Dishwasher, method and computer program product
US12390077B2 (en) * 2020-11-11 2025-08-19 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Dishwasher, method and computer program product
EP4292505A1 (fr) * 2022-06-13 2023-12-20 Whirlpool Corporation Lave-vaisselle et procédé de fonctionnement
US11896181B2 (en) 2022-06-13 2024-02-13 Whirlpool Corporation Dishwasher and method of operating
US12171389B2 (en) 2022-06-13 2024-12-24 Whirlpool Corporation Dishwasher

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