Dishwasher Wash Cycle Pausing for Accurate Water Contamination Sensing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing dishwashers face difficulties in accurately measuring the contamination level of washing water due to signal scattering caused by vortices during the washing process, leading to suboptimal washing performance.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves temporarily pausing the washing cycle to allow the contamination level sensor to measure the water accurately, thereby reducing signal scattering and improving measurement precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the washing course continues without pausing, then the washing efficiency is maintained, but the contamination level measurement accuracy deteriorates due to signal scattering from water vortices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination level measurement accuracyVSAvoidwashing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The washing course is divided into periodic phases with intermittent pauses. During these pause periods, the contamination level sensor can accurately measure the water quality without interference from vortex-induced signal scattering. After measurement, the washing course resumes, achieving both accurate monitoring and continuous washing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Loss of information

If the contamination level is measured during the washing course, then real-time monitoring is achieved, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to vortex-induced signal scattering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time contamination monitoringVSAvoidcontamination level measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Before resuming the washing course after a pause, the system performs a preliminary contamination level measurement during the pause period when water flow is stable and vortex effects are minimized. This ensures accurate baseline data is captured before the dynamic washing conditions return.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the washing course is paused frequently for measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the washing productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination level measurement accuracyVSAvoidwashing cycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than pausing continuously or at every measurement point, the system implements partial pauses only at strategically chosen moments when contamination level changes are most critical to monitor. This balances measurement needs with washing productivity by minimizing pause duration while maintaining adequate monitoring frequency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS8043439B2Method for controlling dish washer

Publication Date: 2011.10.25 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A dishwasher and a method for controlling the same are provided. The dishwasher includes a contamination level sensor that measures a contamination level of washing water in a washing tub of the dishwasher. The method includes supplying washing water to an inside of the dishwasher, washing dishes by spraying the washing water to the inside of the dishwasher, temporarily pausing the washing of the dishes for a preset time period, and resuming the washing of the dishes after the preset time period.