Dishwasher Load Detection for Zone-Specific Wash Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contemporary dishwashers often face non-uniform soil distribution and utensil arrangement, leading to inefficient washing cycles as users load utensils without consideration for loading factors, soil type, and utensil type, resulting in inconsistent treatment across the treating chamber.
Innovation Solution
The method involves selectively spraying liquid in multiple portions of the dishwasher's treating chamber, determining load conditions using sensors, and adjusting at least one parameter of the wash cycle based on these conditions to ensure tailored treatment for each portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single uniform wash cycle is applied to the entire treating chamber, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cleaning quality becomes inconsistent across different portions
Solution Approach 1:
The treating chamber is divided into multiple portions or zones, each with its own load condition assessment and tailored wash parameters. Sensors detect soil load, soil type, utensil type, and utensil arrangement in each portion independently, allowing customized treatment for each segment rather than applying a uniform cycle to the entire chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the treating chamber receive different wash parameters (such as spray intensity, temperature, duration, or chemical concentration) based on the specific load conditions detected in each local area. This ensures that each portion receives the optimal treatment for its specific needs, improving overall cleaning quality while avoiding over-treatment of lightly soiled areas.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed to detect load conditions in each portion, then the measurement precision of soil load increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed to perform multiple detection functions simultaneously - detecting soil load, soil type, utensil type, and utensil arrangement all with the same sensor infrastructure. This multi-functional approach allows comprehensive load condition assessment without proportionally increasing device complexity, as each sensor serves multiple purposes in evaluating different aspects of the load.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a dishwasher having a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving utensils and a spraying system spraying liquid in the treating chamber, to determine at least one parameter of the cycle of operation based on the set of load condition by selectively spraying liquid in multiple portions of the treating chamber.