Dishwashing appliances and methods for addressing obstruction therein
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashing appliances face issues with obstructions and clogs in the filter assembly, leading to undesirable noises, impaired performance, and potential damage, due to sediment accumulation, which can be difficult for users to address and may result in false error codes and unnecessary manual operations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that includes a pressure sensor in the sump of the dishwashing appliance to detect pressure changes during the drain cycle, comparing pressures to predetermined limits to determine if there is a blockage, and adjusting the fill cycle accordingly to prevent obstructions and reduce false error signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter assembly is provided in the sump to remove debris from wash fluid, then pump protection and fluid recirculation are improved, but sediment accumulation leads to obstructions and clogs over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of obstruction conditions by monitoring pressure differentials across the filter assembly before complete clogging occurs. This early detection allows for proactive maintenance scheduling, preventing the harmful accumulation of sediment from reaching critical levels that would cause pump damage or system failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors pressure differentials across the filter assembly and provides feedback to both the control system and user interface. This feedback mechanism tracks sediment accumulation in real-time, allowing the system to adjust maintenance schedules dynamically and alert users when filter cleaning is needed, thereby preventing obstructions before they occur.
2Measurement precision
If conventional obstruction detection methods are used, then obstruction conditions can be identified, but repeated fault signals and false error codes are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a baseline pressure differential measurement before the wash cycle begins and compares it against pressure differentials measured during operation. This preliminary action creates a reference point that enables accurate detection of actual obstructions while filtering out normal pressure variations, thereby reducing false error codes and unnecessary fault signals.
3Ease of operation
If the filter assembly is designed for easy user cleaning, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors filter condition through pressure differential sensing and generates maintenance alerts without requiring user inspection. This self-service approach allows the filter assembly to remain in a fixed, optimally positioned location within the sump while the intelligent monitoring system handles detection and notification, thereby maintaining ease of cleaning without increasing system complexity.
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 solution effectively prevents obstructions, reduces unnecessary fault signals, and mitigates damage by detecting pressure changes and adjusting the fill cycle, ensuring the appliance operates efficiently and reduces user intervention.
Implementation Method 1
A pressure sensor mounted within the sump upstream of a filter assembly and a drain pump is operable to detect a pressure within the sump
Data Source
AI summary
Dishwashing appliances and methods, as provided herein, may include features or steps such as performing a drain cycle; detecting a pressure (P1) during an activation period of the drain cycle; comparing the pressure to a first predetermined pressure limit; comparing the pressure to a second predetermined pressure limit; determining a target fill value based on a difference between a normal fill volume and a fluid volume corresponding to P1; and initiating a fill cycle based on the target fill value.