Dishwasher Camera Assembly for Intermediate Door Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwasher appliances lack the ability to accurately determine the position of their door beyond a fully closed or fully open state, leading to potential fluid leakage and user confusion, as existing detection features cannot differentiate between intermediate positions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a camera assembly within the dishwasher to obtain images of the door and tub, allowing the controller to determine the door's position and use this information for operational decisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional latch-based detection features are used to determine door position, then the structure remains simple and cost-effective, but the measurement precision of door position is insufficient to differentiate between intermediate positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical latch-based detection system with an optical camera system. The camera captures images of the door and tub, and the controller processes these images to determine door position with high precision. This substitution of mechanical detection with optical detection enables accurate differentiation between intermediate door positions while maintaining system simplicity through the use of standard imaging components.
2Reliability
If the door position detection is improved to recognize intermediate positions, then fluid leakage is prevented and operation reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional detection features
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system serves multiple functions: it detects door position, monitors the wash chamber interior, and can track rack positions. By using a single camera component for multiple detection tasks, the system achieves high reliability in preventing fluid leakage through accurate door position detection while avoiding the complexity of adding separate specialized sensors for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system uses existing structural features of the dishwasher (the door and tub geometry) as natural reference points for position determination. The controller processes images to automatically determine door position without requiring additional markers or complex reference systems, allowing the appliance to self-monitor its own state using its existing physical features.
3Loss of information
If a camera assembly is added to detect intermediate door positions, then information completeness about door status is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The camera creates a visual copy (image) of the door and tub assembly, which the controller then analyzes to determine position. This optical copying approach provides complete information about door status without requiring physical contact sensors or complex mechanical reference systems, simplifying manufacturing while achieving comprehensive position detection.
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher appliance having a camera assembly. The dishwasher appliance is configured for obtaining an image of the door, determining the position of the door relative to a tub of the appliance; and using the position of the door in one or more dishwashing operations.