Dishwasher automatic descaling system

Abstract

Using the systems and methods disclosed herein, components of a dishwasher are automatically descaled. Automatic descaling logic causes a descaling agent to be injected into the dishwasher. When the automatic descaling process is begun, a descaling agent is pumped into a water tank of the dishwasher. Water is added to the descaling agent and the temperature of the water / descaling agent mixture is increased by a heater to a predetermined temperature. After the predetermined temperature is reached, the mixture is maintained in the water tank for a predetermined period of time, allowing the descaler to work on the surfaces of the water tank. After the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the mixture is moved from the water tank to a wash tank. A wash cycle is initiated, causing the mixture to be applied to the surfaces of the wash tank.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] Generally, a dishwasher implements a hydraulic system including pumps, water lines, etc. for circulating water / fluid through spray arms or other water-distribution provisions of the dishwasher for washing the dishware therein in a continuous or intermittent manner. A typical dishwasher procedure may include a wash program for circulating detergent laden wash water about the dishware via the spray arms or other water-distribution provisions of the dishwasher. Thereafter, a rinse program may be provided for circulating clean rinse water about the dishware via the same or different spray arms. At least a portion of the wash water and the rinse water are heated to various predetermined levels (e.g., the wash water being heated to a temperature generally higher than 55° C. and the rinse water to a temperature generally equal to or higher than 82° C.) so as to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the dishwasher, while also ensuring, in the case of the rinse water, proper sanitization of the dishware. A rinse aid may be usually added to the rinse water for facilitating removal of the detergent from the dishware.

[0002] However, during use of the dishwasher, insoluble solid limestone (calcium carbonate: CaCO3) typically forms within the hydraulic system and / or the interior of the dishwasher exposed to the wash / rinse water. Limestone deposition is exacerbated by the increased temperatures of the wash / rinse water. In this regard, raising the temperature of the wash / rinse water reduces the level of carbon dioxide dissolved therein. As such, the reduction in dissolved carbon dioxide causes increased limestone deposition, which may lead to limestone deposits on the dishware, within the water lines, and the inner walls of the dishwasher. Furthermore, limestone precipitation on the heating elements of a boiler used to heat the rinse water has detrimental effects on the lifetime thereof and on the overall power consumption of the dishwasher, wherein the limestone deposition causes an increase of the power consumption for heating the rinse water and an increased rate of deterioration of the heating elements due to surface temperature increases thereof.

[0003] Moreover, due to the thermal shocks withstood in the various dishwasher programs, the limestone tends to detach as scales. Such limestone scales may enter into circulation throughout the hydraulic system and obstruct the spray nozzles of the spray arms. In addition, the limestone encrustations may form a strong insulator that slows down heat exchange between the boiler heating elements and the rinse water. Further, the forming of encrustations may reduce the cross sections of the water lines, causing a lower water flow rate with respect to the dishwasher request. Finally, the pumps (e.g., circulation / drain pumps) having encrustations on components thereof may require a power increase for overcoming the higher weight and friction, and thus risking breakdown.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document.

[0005] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are illustrations of an embodiment of a dishwasher, with FIG. 1A showing a front view, FIG. 1B showing a side view with a hood of the dishwasher closed, FIG. 1C showing a side view with the hood open, and FIG. 1D showing a top view

[0006] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an embodiment of the dishwasher of FIGS. 1A-1D with examples of accessories.

[0007] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an embodiment of a hydraulic system of the dishwasher of FIGS. 1A-1D.

[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates schematic view of a wash tank of a dishwasher fed from a rinse tank that receives water from a water supply and descaler from a descaler supply, according to some example embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates an example user interface for setting automatic descaling options, according to some example embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 6 illustrates an example method for automatic descaling, according to some example embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 7 illustrates an example flowchart for automatic descaling, according to some example embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of an example machine according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Manual descaling of a dishwasher involves the use of strong acid detergents that present safety risks during use. To perform manual descaling, internal parts of the dishwasher are removed so that they can be washed by hand.

[0014] Using the systems and methods disclosed herein, components of a dishwasher are automatically descaled. Automatic descaling logic causes a decaling agent to be injected into the dishwasher. Existing dishwasher components for heating water, filling tanks, and spraying water to wash items in the dishwasher are used to distribute the descaling agent within the dishwasher and descale the dishwasher components.

[0015] When the automatic descaling process is begun, a descaling agent is pumped into a water tank of the dishwasher. Water is added to the descaling agent and the temperature of the water / descaling agent mixture is increased by a heater to a predetermined temperature. After the predetermined temperature is reached, the mixture is maintained in the water tank for a predetermined period of time, allowing the descaler to work on the surfaces of the water tank.

[0016] After the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the mixture is moved from the water tank to a wash tank. A wash cycle is initiated, causing the mixture to be applied to the surfaces of the wash tank. Additional water may be added to the water tank, the wash tank, or both, causing the water / descaler mixture to be further diluted and rinse the dissolved CaCO3 and descaling agent from the water tank, the wash tank, or both. After a second predetermined period of time, the water (and any remaining descaler) is drained from the wash tank, completing the descaling process.

[0017] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are illustrations of an embodiment of a dishwasher 100. As shown in FIGS. 1A-1D and discussed as an example for illustrative but not restrictive purposes, dishwasher 100 is a hood-type dishwasher that includes a hood 102 to cover a wash chamber (also known as a main wash chamber) 101 during each cleaning cycle. A hood lifting handle 103 can be elevated by a user to open hood 102 for loading objects to be washed into wash chamber 101 before a cleaning cycle, lowered by the user to close hood 102 to cover the wash chamber 101 before starting the cleaning cycle, and elevated by the user to open hood 102 for unloading the cleaned objects after the cleaning cycle is completed. A hood lock 104 installed on hood 102 is automatically locked when a cleaning cycle starts to prevent hood 102 from being accidentally opened during the clean cycle. FIG. 1A shows a front view of dishwasher 100 when hood 102 is closed. FIG. 1B shows a side view of dishwasher 100 when hood 102 is closed. FIG. 1C shows a side view of dishwasher 100 when hood 102 is open. FIG. 1D shows a top view of dishwasher 100.

[0018] Dishwasher 100 includes a dispenser 105 that contains various chemical agents for dispensing during different periods of the cleaning cycle. Each chemical agent may be in liquid or solid form, and dispenser 105 is configured to accommodate liquid and / or solid forms for each chemical agent, depending on the form(s) of the chemical agent that is available and intended to use. Each chemical agent in dispenser 105 is refillable. In one example, dishwasher 100 can perform cleaning cycles including a descaling period, a washing period, and a rinsing period, and dispenser 105 is an integrated dispenser that can contain a descaler, a detergent, and a rinse aid and can dispense the descaler for use during the descaling period, the detergent for use during the washing period, and the rinse aid for use during the rinsing period.

[0019] Dishwasher 100 includes a user interface 106 that visually and / or audially indicates its operational status and allows the user to control its operations. User interface 106 can include a display screen, such as a touchscreen that can display the operation status of dishwasher 100 and receive commands and other information from the user. User interface 106 can include a power switch for the user to turn the electrical power for dishwasher 100 on and off. User interface 106 allows the user to start a cleaning cycle, optionally after indicating to the user that the cleaning cycle is ready to start (e.g., after hood 102 is closed). In one example, user interface 106 allows the user to select which period(s) to include in the cleaning cycle. The user may select only the rinsing period when, for example, dishes are known to be clean but needs disinfection. The user may select the washing and rinsing periods only when a need for descaling dishes is not indicated. In another example, user interface 106 is configured (e.g., programmed) for following a hygiene procedure and / or complying with a regulation for ensuring food safety.

[0020] Dishwasher 100 provides high space and power efficiency to lower operational cost and / or allowing a food service establishment to operate under limited space and / or electrical power capacity. For example, dishwasher 100 includes an internal wastewater recycling system 107 and an internal steam reduction system 111 to recover thermal energy resulting from the operations during each cleaning cycle for heating clean water to be used in the operations. Wastewater recycling system 107 includes a wash tank (also known as main wash tank) 108 recycling a hot washing liquid to be sprayed into, and returning from, wash chamber 101 during the washing period and a wastewater tank 109 (also known as overflow tank) to receive excessive hot washing liquid from wash tank 108 as wastewater. A heat exchange module is placed in wastewater tank 109 to heat clean water while cooling the wastewater before it is discharged to a drain (e.g., a drain connected to the sewage of the building). The heated clean water is to be added to wash tank 108 and a booster tank (also known as rinse tank) 110 as needed. In the illustrated example, booster tank 110 receives the clean water and the descaler to form a descaling liquid to be sprayed into wash chamber 101 during the descaling period and receives the clean water and the rinse aid to form a rinsing liquid to be sprayed into wash chamber 101 during the rinsing period. Steam reduction system 111 includes a fan 112 to draw steam from wash chamber 101 and a condenser 113 positioned in the steam path to condense the steam while heating the clean water (in addition to the heat recovery from the wastewater). Fan 112 blows the remaining steam out of dishwasher 100.

[0021] Dishwasher 100 can be sized to allow for easy operation and maintenance by a user having a height of 150 cm or taller. Force required to open hood 102 by elevating hood lifting handle 103 can be around 3.5 kg or lighter. In one example, wash tank 108 has a capacity of about 24 L, wastewater tank 108 has a capacity of about 12 L, and booster tank 110 has a capacity of about 10 L.

[0022] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an embodiment of dishwasher 100 with several accessories. As shown in FIG. 2 as an example for illustrative but not restrictive purposes, the accessories can include a dirty dish stand 220, a clean dish stand 223, a dishwasher rack 224, and a vent hood 225. Dirty dish stand 220 includes one or more sinks 221 and one or more faucets 222. When necessary or convenient, dishes and / or other objects to be cleaned can be placed in sink(s) 221 and pre-washed using water from faucet(s) 222 before being loaded into wash chamber 101 (with hood 102 open). Rack 224 can be placed in wash chamber 101 when empty, and the dishes and / or other objects can be placed into rack 224 for each cleaning cycle. After the cleaning cycle is completed, rack 224 loaded with the cleaned dishes and / or other objects can be removed from wash chamber 101 (with hood 102 open) and placed on clean dish stand 223 before use and / or further distribution. Vent hood 225 can vent the steam blown out of dishwasher 100 by fan 112 to outside of the building in which dishwasher 100 is placed.

[0023] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an embodiment of a hydraulic system 329 of dishwasher 100. As shown in FIG. 3 as an example for illustrative but not restrictive purposes, hydraulic system 329 can support liquid movement functions during the descaling period, the washing period, and the rinsing period.

[0024] Hydraulic system 329 includes a main water valve 335 (e.g., an electromagnetically controlled valve) that can be opened to receive clean water from a water source (e.g., a water main of the building). The clean water can be heated in wastewater tank 109 and then routed to wash tank 108 and booster tank 110. The clean water can also be routed to dispenser 105, when needed (e.g., for dissolving one or more chemical agents in solid form(s)), through a dispenser valve 336.

[0025] During the descaling period, the descaler is dispensed from dispenser 105 into booster tank 110 to form the descaling liquid with the heated clean water in booster tank 110. The descaling liquid is pumped by a rinse pump 333 to rinse arms 330. Rinse arms 330 are positioned above and under wash chamber 101 and rotated to spray the scaling liquid into wash chamber 101 from above and under. The descaling liquid flows into wash tank 108 after passing through wash chamber 101.

[0026] During the washing period, the detergent is dispensed from dispenser 105 into wash tank 108 to form the washing liquid with the heated clean water in wash tank 108. The washing liquid is pumped by a wash pump 331 to wash arms 332. Wash arms 332 are positioned above and under wash chamber 101 and rotated to spray the washing liquid into wash chamber 101 from above and under. The washing liquid returns to wash tank 108 after passing through wash chamber 101.

[0027] During the rinsing period, the rinse aid is dispensed from dispenser 105 into booster tank 110 to form the rinsing liquid with the heated clean water in booster tank 110. The rinsing liquid is pumped by rinse pump 333 to rinse arms 330. Rinse arms 330 are rotated to spray the rinsing liquid into wash chamber 101 from above and under. The rinsing liquid flows into wash tank 108 after passing through wash chamber 101.

[0028] Thus, wash tank 108 collects all the liquid sprayed into wash chamber 101. When the level of the liquid in wash tank 108 exceeds a set threshold, the excessive liquid flows into wastewater tank 109 as the wastewater. In an example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, hydraulic system 329 includes a wastewater recycling system that includes a drain valve 337 and two watertight or waterproof seals 338 and 339 to separate the wastewater from drain water (which is the wastewater ready to be discharged from dishwasher 100 to the drain. A drain pump 334 pumps the drain water out of the wastewater recycling system to the drain. When drain pump 334 is turned off and drain valve 337 is closed, the wastewater flows out of the wash tank 108 into wastewater tank 109 and then flows out of wastewater tank 109 and turns into the drain at seal 339. When drain pump 334 is turned on and drain valve 337 is closed, the wastewater flows out of wastewater tank 109 (as being pumped) through the path including drain pump 334 and turns into the drain at seal 339. When drain valve 337 is open, the wastewater flows from wash tank to the drain directly (without flowing through wastewater tank 109 or drain pump 334. A heat exchange coil 363 is placed in wastewater tank 109. The clean water flows through heat exchange coil 363 to be heated by the wastewater before being routed into wash tank 109 or booster tank 110, while the wastewater is cooled by the clean water before being discharged to the drain.

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates schematic view 400 of a wash tank 410 of a dishwasher fed from a rinse tank 420 that receives water from a water supply 430 and descaler from a descaler supply 440, according to some example embodiments. Also shown in the schematic view 400 are valves 450, 460, and 470, and a pump 480.

[0030] To perform a wash cycle, water from the water supply 430 is allowed to enter the rinse tank 420 by opening the valve 470. A sensor in the rinse tank 420 determines the amount of water in the rinse tank 420. When the predetermined amount of water for the wash cycle is present in the rinse tank 420, the valve 470 is closed and the valve 460 is opened, causing the predetermined amount of water to be transferred to the wash tank 410. When the wash cycle is complete, the wash tank 410 is drained by opening the valve 450.

[0031] To perform an automatic descaling operation, descaler is pumped from the descaler supply 440 by the pump 480 into the rinse tank 420. After a predetermined amount of descaler (e.g., 0.5 liter) has been pumped into the rinse tank 420, the pump 480 is switched off. A predetermined amount of water is added to the rinse tank 420 by opening the valve 470 for a predetermined amount of time. Alternatively, the predetermined amount of water may be added to the rinse tank 420 by opening the valve 470 until a sensor in the rinse tank 420 determines that the volume of liquid in the rinse tank 420 has reached a predetermined value.

[0032] In some example embodiments, the liquid in the rinse tank 420 (a mix of descaler and water) is heated to a predetermined temperature (e.g., 50° C.) and the liquid is held in the rinse tank 420 for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 10 minutes or 20 minutes). The predetermined period of time may be the total time that the liquid is held in the rinse tank 420 or the time that the liquid is held in the rinse tank 420 at the predetermined temperature.

[0033] The liquid is moved from the rinse tank 420 to the wash tank 410 by opening the valve 460. After the transfer is complete, the valve 460 is closed. For example, a liquid level sensor in the rinse tank 420 may indicate that the rinse tank 420 is empty and, in response, the valve 460 is closed. A wash cycle may be performed using the descaler mixture instead of water. During the wash cycle, the liquid is sprayed throughout the interior of the wash tank 410, allowing the interior surfaces of the wash tank 410 to be descaled. After a predetermined period of time, the liquid is drained by opening the valve 450.

[0034] The descaler mixture may be rinsed from the wash tank 410 by filling the rinse tank 420 with water from the water supply 430, providing the water from the rinse tank to the wash tank 410 by opening the valve 460, and performing another wash cycle. Alternatively, the descaler solution may be diluted by allowing the liquid to be partially drained from the wash tank 410 and replacing the liquid with water. The partial draining of the liquid from the wash tank 410 may be accomplished by opening the valve 450 for a period of time sufficient to allow some but not all of the liquid to escape from the wash tank 410. The dilution process may proceed over a predetermined number of steps.

[0035] For example, half of the liquid may be drained and replaced by water, followed by a two-minute rinse cycle. Thereafter, half of the diluted liquid may be drained and replaced by water, followed by another two-minute rinse cycle. This process may be repeated until five partial drains, replacements, and rinse cycles have been performed. As a result, the final rinse will have 1 / 32 the concentration of descaler of the original solution. After draining the wash tank 410, another rinse may be performed with pure water.

[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates an example user interface 500 for setting automatic descaling options, according to some example embodiments. The user interface 500 includes a title 510, options 520, 530, 540, 550, 560, and 570, and buttons 580 and 590. The user interface 500 may be presented on a display device of a dishwasher, a display device of a computing device coupled to the dishwasher (e.g., a smart phone coupled to the dishwasher via a Bluetooth® connection), or any suitable combination thereof.

[0037] The title 510 indicates that the user interface 500 is for setting auto-descaling options. The options 520-570 may be filled in by a user (e.g., using a text box, a drop-down selection box, a combo box, or any suitable combination thereof) to configure the main wash temperature (e.g., in ° C.), the rinse descaling temperature, a duration for adding descaler to the rinse tank (e.g., in seconds), a still time for allowing the descaler solution to sit in the rinse tank before being added to the wash tank (e.g., in minutes), a number of rinse cycles to perform after descaling, and a main wash pump operating time (e.g., in minutes). The button 580 is operable to cancel the option-setting operation. The button 590 is operable to apply the settings indicated by the options 520-570.

[0038] FIG. 6 illustrates an example method 600 for automatic descaling, according to some example embodiments. The example method 600 includes operations 610, 620, 630, and 640. The method 600 may be performed in response to a user instruction (e.g., pressing a dedicated physical “descaler” button on a dishwasher or a “descaler” button in a user interface on a display device) or in response to a triggering event (e.g., at a certain time of day, after elapse of a predetermined period of time since the last automatic descaling operation, or any suitable combination thereof).

[0039] In operation 610, one or more processors cause descaler to be added to a rinse tank. For example, with reference to FIG. 4, the processors may activate the pump 480, causing descaler to be pumped from the descaler supply 440 to the rinse tank 420. The quantity of descaler added may be controlled by controlling the amount of time that the pump 480 is active.

[0040] The one or more processors, in operation 620, cause water to be added to the rinse tank. For example, again with reference to FIG. 4, the processors may open the valve 470 to allow water from the water supply 430 to enter the rinse tank 420. The quantity of water added may be controlled by controlling the amount of time that the valve 470 is opened, the degree to which the valve 470 is opened, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0041] After a first predetermined period of time, the one or more processors cause a rinse pump to move liquid from the rinse tank to a wash tank (operation 630). FIG. 4 shows the rinse tank 420 coupled to the wash tank 410 by a valve 460. This may be suitable for certain configurations of the wash tank 410 and the rinse tank 420 in which gravity is sufficient to move the liquid from the rinse tank 420 to the wash tank 410 when the valve 460 is opened. In other configurations of the wash tank 410 and the rinse tank 420, a rinse pump may be used to move the liquid from one tank to the other, as in operation 630. The first predetermined period of time may be a period of minutes, such as 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, or 20 minutes.

[0042] In operation 640, after a second predetermined period of time, the one or more processors cause the wash tank to be drained. The second predetermined period of time may be a period of minutes, such as 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, or 20 minutes. During the second predetermined period of time, additional water may be moved through the rinse tank to the wash tank, diluting the descaler and rinsing the rinse tank and the wash tank, preparing the dishwasher for resuming dish washing duties while avoiding contamination of food-contacting surfaces with descaler.

[0043] FIG. 7 illustrates an example method 700 for automatic descaling, according to some example embodiments. The method 700 may be performed by one or more processors of a computing device integrated into a dishwasher or in communication with a dishwasher (e.g., a smart phone connected by Bluetooth® or via a network to a controller of the mechanisms in a dishwasher). The method 700 includes operations 705, 710, 715, 720, 725, 730, 735, 740, 745, 750, 755, and 760. By way of example and not limitation, the method 600 is described as being performed by a computing device 800 of FIG. 8, using structures, components, and interfaces described in FIGS. 1-4. The method 700 may be performed in place of the operations 625-655 of the method 600.

[0044] To prepare the dishwasher for descaling, in operation 705, the wash tank 410 and the rinse tank 420 of FIG. 4 are drained. For example, the valve 450 may be opened until a sensor in the wash tank 410 indicates that draining is complete to drain the wash tank 410. Alternatively, the valve 450 may be held open for a predetermined period of time. As another example, the valve 560 may be opened, or a rinse pump activated, until a sensor in the rinse tank 420 indicates that the rinse tank 420 has been drained. After the rinse tank 420 is drained, the wash tank 410 may be drained again.

[0045] In operation 710, one or more processors determine if a descaler container is low. For example, a level sensor in the descaler supply 440 of FIG. 4 may indicate if the descaler supply 440 contains at least a predetermined amount of descaler (e.g., sufficient descaler to complete a descaling operation). If the descaler container is low, the descaling process is stopped in operation 715 and a warning is displayed on a screen (operation 720). For example, a display device of a dishwasher may display a prompt to request a user to add descaler to the descaler supply 340 or abort the descaling process. Operation 710 may be repeated so that the method 700 can proceed to operation 725 after descaler is added to the descaler container.

[0046] If the descaler container was not low in operation 710, descaler is added to the rinse tank in operation 725. For example, the pump 480 of FIG. 4 may be engaged to transfer a predetermined amount of descaler (e.g., the amount of descaler verified in operation 710) from the descaler supply 440 to the rinse tank 420. The rinse tank is filled with water (e.g., water is added to the descaler in the rinse tank 420 until the rinse tank 420 is full) by adding water from the water supply 430 to the rinse tank 420 (operation 730).

[0047] In operation 735, one or more processors start a rinse heater to heat the rinse tank to a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature may be a temperature set by a user of the user interface 500. After the predetermined temperature is reached, the descaler mixture remains in the rinse tank for the still time (operation 740). The still time may be an amount of time set by a user of the user interface 500.

[0048] The one or more processors, in operation 745, start the rinse pump to empty the rinse tank and fill the wash tank. The starting of the rinse pump in operation 745 may occur a predetermined period of time after operation 730 completes. The predetermined period of time may be an amount of time to increase the temperature of the liquid in the rinse tank to the predetermined temperature (in operation 735) plus a second predetermined period of time (the still time of operation 740).

[0049] The wash tank may have been at a lower temperature than the rinse tank. To perform the descaling of the wash tank at the predetermined temperature, a wash heater is started to heat the wash tank to the predetermined temperature (operation 750).

[0050] After the wash tank reaches the predetermined temperature, the one or more processors, in operation 755, start a wash pump to circulate the water and the descaler in the wash tank for a predetermined period of time, descaling the interior of the dishwasher. The predetermined period of time may have been set by a user of the user interface 500. After the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the wash tank is drained (operation 760). For example, the wash tank may be drained by operation of the valve 450 of FIG. 4. Nonetheless, some descaler residue may remain on the interior surfaces of the dishwasher. Accordingly, operations 730-760 may be repeated (without repeating operation 725) to rinse the components of the dishwasher with water. This helps prevent any harmful descaler chemicals from being deposited on surfaces that will contact food.

[0051] After completion of the method 700, the dishwasher has been descaled. Descaling may be more efficient when performed with a hot solution rather than a cold solution. Thus, using operations 735 and 750 to heat the descaling solution in the rinse tank 420 and the wash tank 410 may improve the effectiveness of the descaling process over methods that do not heat the rinse tank, the wash tank, or both. Allowing the descaler solution to act on the surfaces of the rinse tank may slow the rate at which scaling recurs in the wash tank. Accordingly, using operation 740 to allow the descaling solution time to work in the rinse tank may improve the effectiveness of the descaling process over methods that do not provide for a still time. Either of these differences, or their combination, may allow the descaling method 700 to be performed less often and with superior results.

[0052] Additionally, since the dishwasher can be programmed to perform the automatic descaling method 700 periodically (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly, or after a predetermined number of wash cycles (e.g., 10 wash cycles or 100 wash cycles)), the effectiveness of descaling is improved by ensuring that human error will not cause the process to be forgotten or overlooked.

[0053] FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of an example machine 800 upon which any one or more of the techniques (e.g., methodologies) discussed herein may perform, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter. The machine 800 may include the controller 800 (shown in FIG. 8). Examples, as described herein, may include, or may operate by, logic or a number of components, or mechanisms in the machine 800. Circuitry (e.g., processing circuitry), is a collection of circuits implemented in tangible entities of the machine 800 that include hardware (e.g., simple circuits, gates, logic, etc.). Circuitry membership may be flexible over time. Circuitries include members that may, alone or in combination, perform specified operations when operating. In an example, hardware of the circuitry may be immutably designed to carry out a specific operation (e.g., hardwired). In an example, the hardware of the circuitry may include variably connected physical components (e.g., execution units, transistors, simple circuits, etc.) including a machine-readable medium physically modified (e.g., magnetically, electrically, moveable placement of invariant massed particles, etc.) to encode instructions of the specific operation. In connecting the physical components, the underlying electrical properties of a hardware constituent are changed, for example, from an insulator to a conductor or vice versa. The instructions enable embedded hardware (e.g., the execution units or a loading mechanism) to create members of the circuitry in hardware via the variable connections to carry out portions of the specific operation when in operation. Accordingly, in an example, the machine-readable medium elements are part of the circuitry or are communicatively coupled to the other components of the circuitry when the device is operating. In an example, any of the physical components may be used in more than one member of more than one circuitry. For example, under operation, execution units may be used in a first circuit of a first circuitry at one point in time and reused by a second circuit in the first circuitry, or by a third circuit in a second circuitry at a different time. Additional examples of these components with respect to the machine 800 follow.

[0054] In alternative embodiments, the machine 800 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine 800 may operate in the capacity of a server machine, a client machine, or both in server-client network environments. In an example, the machine 800 may act as a peer machine in peer-to-peer (P2P) (or other distributed) network environment. The machine 800 may be a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, such as cloud computing, software as a service (Saas), other computer cluster configurations.

[0055] The machine (e.g., computer system) 800 may include a hardware processor 802 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a hardware processor core, or any combination thereof), a main memory 804, a static memory (e.g., memory or storage for firmware, microcode, a basic-input-output (BIOS), unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI), etc.) 806, and mass storage 808 (e.g., hard drive, tape drive, flash storage, or other block devices) some or all of which may communicate with each other via an interlink (e.g., bus) 830. The machine 800 may further include a display unit 810, an alphanumeric input device 812 (e.g., a keyboard), and a user interface (UI) navigation device 814 (e.g., a mouse). In an example, the display unit 810, input device 812 and UI navigation device 814 may be a touch screen display. The machine 800 may additionally include mass storage (e.g., a drive unit) 808, a signal generation device 818 (e.g., a speaker), a network interface device 820, and one or more sensors 816, such as a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, compass, accelerometer, or other sensor. The machine 800 may include an output controller 828, such as a serial (e.g., universal serial bus (USB), parallel, or other wired or wireless (e.g., infrared (IR), near field communication (NFC), etc.) connection to communicate or control one or more peripheral devices (e.g., a printer, card reader, etc.).

[0056] Registers of the processor 802, the main memory 804, the static memory 806, or the mass storage 808 may be, or include, a machine readable medium 822 on which is stored one or more sets of data structures or instructions 824 (e.g., software) embodying or utilized by any one or more of the techniques or functions described herein. The instructions 824 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within any of registers of the processor 802, the main memory 804, the static memory 806, or the mass storage 808 during execution thereof by the machine 800. In an example, one or any combination of the hardware processor 802, the main memory 804, the static memory 806, or the mass storage 808 may constitute the machine-readable media 822. While the machine readable medium 822 is illustrated as a single medium, the term “machine readable medium” may include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and / or associated caches and servers) configured to store the one or more instructions 824.

[0057] The term “machine readable medium” may include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the machine 800 and that cause the machine 800 to perform any one or more of the techniques of the present disclosure, or that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying data structures used by or associated with such instructions. Non-limiting machine-readable medium examples may include solid-state memories, optical media, magnetic media, and signals (e.g., radio frequency signals, other photon-based signals, sound signals, etc.). In an example, a non-transitory machine-readable medium comprises a machine readable medium with a plurality of particles having invariant (e.g., rest) mass, and thus are compositions of matter. Accordingly, non-transitory machine-readable media are machine readable media that do not include transitory propagating signals. Specific examples of non-transitory machine readable media may include: non-volatile memory, such as semiconductor memory devices (e.g., Electrically Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM)) and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks.

[0058] The instructions 824 may be further transmitted or received over a communications network 826 using a transmission medium via the network interface device 820 utilizing any one of a number of transfer protocols (e.g., frame relay, internet protocol (IP), transmission control protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), etc.). Example communication networks may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a packet data network (e.g., the Internet), mobile telephone networks (e.g., cellular networks), Plain Old Telephone (POTS) networks, and wireless data networks (e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family of standards known as Wi-Fi®, IEEE 802.16 family of standards known as WiMax®), IEEE 802.15.4 family of standards, peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, among others. In an example, the network interface device 820 may include one or more physical jacks (e.g., Ethernet, coaxial, or phone jacks) or one or more antennas to connect to the communications network 826. In an example, the network interface device 820 may include a plurality of antennas to wirelessly communicate using at least one of single-input multiple-output (SIMO), multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), or multiple-input single-output (MISO) techniques. The term “transmission medium” shall be taken to include any intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying instructions for execution by the machine 800, and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible medium to facilitate communication of such software. A transmission medium is a machine-readable medium.EXAMPLES

[0059] Example 1 is a system comprising: a rinse tank; a rinse pump; a wash tank; a memory that stores instructions; and one or more processors configured by the instructions to perform operations comprising: causing descaler to be added to the rinse tank; causing, after the adding of the descaler to the rinse tank, water to be added to the rinse tank; causing, a first predetermined period of time after the water is added to the rinse tank, the rinse pump to move water from the rinse tank to the wash tank; and causing, a second predetermined period of time after the water is moved from the rinse tank to the wash tank, the wash tank to be drained.

[0060] In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1, wherein the causing of the descaler to be added to the rinse tank comprises: determining, using a sensor, that a descaler container contains at least a predetermined amount of descaler; and causing a descaler pump to add the predetermined amount of descaler to the rinse tank.

[0061] In Example 3, the subject matter of Examples 1-2, wherein the operations further comprise: before causing the descaler to be added to the rinse tank, draining water from the wash tank.

[0062] In Example 4, the subject matter of Examples 1-3, wherein the operations further comprise: before causing the descaler to be added to the rinse tank, draining water from the rinse tank.

[0063] In Example 5, the subject matter of Examples 1-4, wherein the causing of the descaler to be added to the rinse tank comprises: determining, using a sensor, that a descaler container does not contain at least a predetermined amount of descaler; causing presentation of a prompt on a user interface to request additional descaler; determining, using the sensor, that descaler was added to the descaler container; and causing a descaler pump to add the predetermined amount of descaler to the rinse tank.

[0064] In Example 6, the subject matter of Examples 1-5, wherein the operations further comprise: causing, while the descaler and water are in the rinse tank, a rinse heater to increase a temperature of liquid in the rinse tank to a predetermined temperature.

[0065] In Example 7, the subject matter of Example 6, wherein the first predetermined period of time is an amount of time to increase the temperature of the liquid in the rinse tank to the predetermined temperature plus a third predetermined period of time.

[0066] Example 8 is a method comprising: causing, by one or more processors, descaler to be added to a rinse tank; causing, after the adding of the descaler to the rinse tank, water to be added to the rinse tank; causing, a first predetermined period of time after the water is added to the rinse tank, a rinse pump to move water from the rinse tank to a wash tank; and causing, a second predetermined period of time after the water is moved from the rinse tank to the wash tank, the wash tank to be drained.

[0067] In Example 9, the subject matter of Example 8, wherein the causing of the descaler to be added to the rinse tank comprises: determining, using a sensor, that a descaler container contains at least a predetermined amount of descaler; and causing a descaler pump to add the predetermined amount of descaler to the rinse tank.

[0068] In Example 10, the subject matter of Examples 8-9 includes, before causing the descaler to be added to the rinse tank, draining water from the wash tank.

[0069] In Example 11, the subject matter of Examples 8-10 includes, before causing the descaler to be added to the rinse tank, draining water from the rinse tank.

[0070] In Example 12, the subject matter of Examples 8-11 includes, wherein the causing of the descaler to be added to the rinse tank comprises: determining, using a sensor, that a descaler container does not contain at least a predetermined amount of descaler; causing presentation of a prompt on a user interface to request additional descaler; determining, using the sensor, that descaler was added to the descaler container; and causing a descaler pump to add the predetermined amount of descaler to the rinse tank.

[0071] In Example 13, the subject matter of Examples 8-12 includes causing, while the descaler and water are in the rinse tank, a rinse heater to increase a temperature of liquid in the rinse tank to a predetermined temperature.

[0072] In Example 14, the subject matter of Example 13, wherein the first predetermined period of time is an amount of time to increase the temperature of the liquid in the rinse tank to the predetermined temperature plus a third predetermined period of time.

[0073] Example 15 is a non-transitory machine-readable medium that stores instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: causing descaler to be added to a rinse tank; causing, after the adding of the descaler to the rinse tank, water to be added to the rinse tank; causing, a first predetermined period of time after the water is added to the rinse tank, a rinse pump to move water from the rinse tank to a wash tank; and causing, a second predetermined period of time after the water is moved from the rinse tank to the wash tank, the wash tank to be drained.

[0074] In Example 16, the subject matter of Example 15, wherein the causing of the descaler to be added to the rinse tank comprises: determining, using a sensor, that a descaler container contains at least a predetermined amount of descaler; and causing a descaler pump to add the predetermined amount of descaler to the rinse tank.

[0075] In Example 17, the subject matter of Examples 15-16, wherein the operations further comprise: before causing the descaler to be added to the rinse tank, draining water from the wash tank.

[0076] In Example 18, the subject matter of Examples 15-17, wherein the operations further comprise: before causing the descaler to be added to the rinse tank, draining water from the rinse tank.

[0077] In Example 19, the subject matter of Examples 15-18, wherein the causing of the descaler to be added to the rinse tank comprises: determining, using a sensor, that a descaler container does not contain at least a predetermined amount of descaler; causing presentation of a prompt on a user interface to request additional descaler; determining, using the sensor, that descaler was added to the descaler container; and causing a descaler pump to add the predetermined amount of descaler to the rinse tank.

[0078] In Example 20, the subject matter of Examples 15-19, wherein the operations further comprise: causing, while the descaler and water are in the rinse tank, a rinse heater to increase a temperature of liquid in the rinse tank to a predetermined temperature.

[0079] In Example 21, the subject matter of Example 20, wherein the first predetermined period of time is an amount of time to increase the temperature of the liquid in the rinse tank to the predetermined temperature plus a third predetermined period of time.

[0080] Example 22 is at least one machine-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to perform operations to implement any of Examples 1-21.

[0081] Example 23 is an apparatus comprising means to implement any of Examples 1-21.

[0082] Example 24 is a system to implement any of Examples 1-21.

[0083] Example 25 is a method to implement any of Examples 1-21.

[0084] This detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.” Such examples may include elements in addition to those shown or described. However, the inventors also contemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided.

[0085] In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In the following claims, the terms “first,”“second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

[0086] The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more Examples thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments may be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

Claims

1. A system comprising:a rinse tank;a rinse pump,a wash tank;a memory that stores instructions; andone or more processors configured by the instructions to perform operations comprising:causing descaler to be added to the rinse tank,causing, after the adding of the descaler to the rinse tank, water to be added to the rinse tank;causing, a first predetermined period of time after the water is added to the rinse tank, the rinse pump to move water from the rinse tank to the wash tank; andcausing, a second predetermined period of time after the water is moved from the rinse tank to the wash tank, the wash tank to be drained.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the causing of the descaler to be added to the rinse tank comprises:determining, using a sensor, that a descaler container contains at least a predetermined amount of descaler, andcausing a descaler pump to add the predetermined amount of descaler to the rinse tank.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise:before causing the descaler to be added to the rinse tank, draining water from the wash tank.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise:before causing the descaler to be added to the rinse tank, draining water from the rinse tank.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the causing of the descaler to be added to the rinse tank comprises:determining, using a sensor, that a descaler container does not contain at least a predetermined amount of descaler;causing presentation of a prompt on a user interface to request additional descaler;determining, using the sensor, that descaler was added to the descaler container, andcausing a descaler pump to add the predetermined amount of descaler to the rinse tank.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise:causing, while the descaler and water are in the rinse tank, a rinse heater to increase a temperature of liquid in the rinse tank to a predetermined temperature.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first predetermined period of time is an amount of time to increase the temperature of the liquid in the rinse tank to the predetermined temperature plus a third predetermined period of time.

8. A method comprising:causing, by one or more processors, descaler to be added to a rinse tank;causing, after the adding of the descaler to the rinse tank, water to be added to the rinse tank;causing, a first predetermined period of time after the water is added to the rinse tank, a rinse pump to move water from the rinse tank to a wash tank; andcausing, a second predetermined period of time after the water is moved from the rinse tank to the wash tank, the wash tank to be drained.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the causing of the descaler to be added to the rinse tank comprises:determining, using a sensor, that a descaler container contains at least a predetermined amount of descaler, andcausing a descaler pump to add the predetermined amount of descaler to the rinse tank.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:before causing the descaler to be added to the rinse tank, draining water from the wash tank.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising:before causing the descaler to be added to the rinse tank, draining water from the rinse tank.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the causing of the descaler to be added to the rinse tank comprises:determining, using a sensor, that a descaler container does not contain at least a predetermined amount of descaler;causing presentation of a prompt on a user interface to request additional descaler;determining, using the sensor, that descaler was added to the descaler container, and causing a descaler pump to add the predetermined amount of descaler to the rinse tank.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:causing, while the descaler and water are in the rinse tank, a rinse heater to increase a temperature of liquid in the rinse tank to a predetermined temperature.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first predetermined period of time is an amount of time to increase the temperature of the liquid in the rinse tank to the predetermined temperature plus a third predetermined period of time.

15. A non-transitory machine-readable medium that stores instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:causing descaler to be added to a rinse tank;causing, after the adding of the descaler to the rinse tank, water to be added to the rinse tank;causing, a first predetermined period of time after the water is added to the rinse tank, a rinse pump to move water from the rinse tank to a wash tank; andcausing, a second predetermined period of time after the water is moved from the rinse tank to the wash tank, the wash tank to be drained.

16. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the causing of the descaler to be added to the rinse tank comprises:determining, using a sensor, that a descaler container contains at least a predetermined amount of descaler; andcausing a descaler pump to add the predetermined amount of descaler to the rinse tank.

17. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise:before causing the descaler to be added to the rinse tank, draining water from the wash tank.

18. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise:before causing the descaler to be added to the rinse tank, draining water from the rinse tank.

19. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the causing of the descaler to be added to the rinse tank comprises:determining, using a sensor, that a descaler container does not contain at least a predetermined amount of descaler;causing presentation of a prompt on a user interface to request additional descaler;determining, using the sensor, that descaler was added to the descaler container; andcausing a descaler pump to add the predetermined amount of descaler to the rinse tank.

20. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise:causing, while the descaler and water are in the rinse tank, a rinse heater to increase a temperature of liquid in the rinse tank to a predetermined temperature.

21. (canceled)

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