Dishwasher Air-Quality Sensing for Adaptive Drying Cycle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwasher dry cycles are inefficient, as they run for a predetermined time regardless of load size or air quality, leading to incomplete drying and energy wastage, and lack user confidence in the dryness of dishes.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a dishwasher that initiates a drying cycle, measures air-quality characteristics using a gas sensor, determines if the air quality is below a threshold, calculates the necessary drying time, and halts the cycle when the threshold is met, allowing for adaptive drying based on air quality and load size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a predetermined drying time is used for all loads, then the drying cycle is simple to control, but dishes may not be completely dry or energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a gas sensor to detect air quality (humidity levels) in real-time during the drying cycle and feeds this information back to the controller. The controller continuously monitors the air quality readings and adjusts the drying cycle duration dynamically based on whether the measured humidity meets the drying threshold, ensuring dishes are completely dry without unnecessary energy consumption.
2Device complexity
If a predetermined drying time is used for all loads, then the control system is simple, but energy is wasted when loads are small
Solution Approach 1:
The drying cycle duration is made dynamic rather than fixed. The controller adjusts the drying time based on real-time air quality measurements from the gas sensor. When the detected humidity level indicates sufficient drying has occurred, the cycle halts early, preventing energy waste on small or lightly loaded dishes while maintaining simple overall system architecture.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a predetermined drying time is used, then the drying cycle is consistent, but dishes may remain wet after completion
Solution Approach 1:
The gas sensor provides continuous feedback on air quality (humidity) during the drying cycle. The controller compares real-time measurements against drying thresholds and extends or terminates the drying cycle accordingly, ensuring dishes are completely dry while maintaining consistent and reliable drying outcomes across different load conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach ensures dishes are completely dry, reduces energy consumption, and increases user confidence by optimizing drying time based on real-time air quality and load conditions.
Implementation Method 1
measuring, during the drying cycle, an air-quality characteristic within a wash tub of the dishwasher
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher includes a tub defining a wash chamber, a wash rack provided within the wash chamber, an air inlet in fluid communication with the wash chamber at a first position, an air exhaust outlet in fluid communication with the wash chamber at a second position different from the first position, a first gas sensor provided in the dishwasher, and a controller configured to initiate an operation sequence. The operation sequence includes initiating a drying cycle, receiving an air-quality signal from the first gas sensor, measuring, during the drying cycle, an air-quality characteristic within the wash chamber of the dishwasher, determining the measured air-quality characteristic is below a predetermined air-quality threshold, calculating a drying time in response to determining the measured air-quality characteristic is below the predetermined air-quality threshold, and halting the drying cycle in response to an expiration of the drying time.