Dishwasher Load State Monitoring Using Door-Switch Action Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in determining the cleanliness of articles within a dishwasher after a cycle is complete, as existing solutions like cameras or sensors can be expensive, difficult to implement, and may impact the reliability of the appliance.
Innovation Solution
A method that detects insertion and removal actions of articles and evaluates them to determine the load status, allowing for a user interface to be directed accordingly without requiring dedicated sensors or cameras on the dishwasher.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If cameras or sensors are incorporated within the dishwashing appliance to track article cleanliness, then the ability to monitor article state is improved, but the cost, assembly difficulty, and reliability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the door switch as an intermediary element that serves dual purposes: its traditional function of detecting door open/closed state and an additional function of monitoring article loading/unloading actions. By repurposing the door switch's detection capability, the system obtains information about article state changes without adding dedicated sensors, thus maintaining reliability while reducing information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The door switch is made multi-functional by using it both for its original purpose (door position detection) and for monitoring article loading/unloading actions. This universal application eliminates the need for separate sensors, reducing system complexity and maintaining reliability while providing the necessary information about article cleanliness state.
2Loss of information
If cameras or sensors are incorporated within the dishwashing appliance to track article cleanliness, then the ability to monitor article state is improved, but the cost and assembly difficulty are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The door switch is made multi-functional by using it both for its original purpose (door position detection) and for monitoring article loading/unloading actions. This universal application eliminates the need for separate sensors, reducing system complexity and maintaining reliability while providing the necessary information about article cleanliness state.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring function is extracted from the door switch's traditional role and separated into a distinct detection capability. By extracting the article state monitoring function from the door switch, the system can utilize existing components without adding complex sensor assemblies, thereby simplifying manufacturing and assembly processes while still achieving the desired information gathering.
3Ease of operation
If a light or visual indicator is provided to notify users when a cycle is complete, then user notification is improved, but the ability to determine article state after door opening is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring door open/close actions and comparing them against the expected wash cycle timeline. This feedback mechanism provides real-time information about article state (clean or dirty) to the user interface, allowing users to know the cleanliness status both during and after the wash cycle without relying solely on simple completion indicators.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of door actions and prepares information about article state in advance. By detecting door open/close actions and comparing them against the wash cycle schedule beforehand, the system can proactively provide accurate cleanliness information to the user interface before the user needs to make decisions about loading or unloading articles.
Data Source
AI summary
A method may include detecting one or more insertion actions for a loading one or more articles into the dishwashing appliance and directing, subsequent to the detected insertion actions, a dishwasher cycle within the dishwashing appliance. The method may also include detecting, subsequent to the dishwasher cycle, one or more removal actions for unloading the one or more articles from the dishwashing appliance. The method may further include evaluating the detected removal actions against the detected insertion actions and directing a user interface of the dishwashing appliance based on the evaluation.