Dishwasher Pump Sump Sensor for Hydraulic Component Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers face issues with leaks in valves and sensors, leading to re-soiling of dishes, bad odors, and insufficient washing liquid due to malfunctioning hydraulic components, which are difficult to diagnose and rectify efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher design featuring a control device that uses a sensor in the pump sump to monitor the presence of washing liquor and detect malfunctions in hydraulic components, including a non-return valve, inlet valve, and flow sensor, allowing for precise identification and rectification of issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensor is installed in the pump well to detect washing liquid presence, then malfunction detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor in the pump well serves multiple functions: it detects the presence of washing liquid to identify leaks in the non-return valve, and simultaneously monitors for insufficient washing liquid due to pump failures or blocked hoses. This multi-functionality improves reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing pump well environment and washing liquid circulation to enable self-diagnosis. The sensor leverages the natural presence and movement of washing liquid during normal operation to detect malfunctions, eliminating the need for separate diagnostic systems or manual checking procedures.
2Reliability
If multiple hydraulic components are monitored for leaks, then operational reliability is improved, but diagnostic complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic approach segments malfunction detection into distinct operational phases: detecting leaks during the draining phase (when the pump well should be empty), and detecting insufficient liquid during the washing phase. This temporal segmentation allows the control device to interpret sensor signals in context, simplifying the diagnostic process while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection by monitoring the pump well state before and during different washing program phases. By establishing what the pump well state should be at each phase (empty during draining, contains liquid during washing), the system can proactively identify malfunctions before they affect washing quality.
3Reliability
If a non-return valve is installed to prevent washing liquid backflow, then washing quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-return valve acts as an intermediary component between the pump well and the waste water hose, physically preventing backflow of washing liquid. The sensor in the pump well serves as another intermediary, providing indirect monitoring of the valve's functionality by detecting whether washing liquid should be present or absent at different times, enabling diagnosis without directly monitoring the valve mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a dishwasher, a computer program product for carrying out the method, and a dishwasher (1), more particularly a domestic dishwasher, comprising a washing chamber (4) for washing items to be washed by means of a washing liquor, which items can be arranged in the washing chamber (4), a control device (20) for carrying out one of a number of washing programs, a pump sump (50) for collecting the washing liquor, which pump sump is arranged at a lower end of the washing chamber (4), and a sensor (40), arranged in the pump sump (50), for outputting a sensor signal (102) depending on the presence of washing liquor at the sensor (40), the control device (20) being designed to determine a malfunction of a component (32, 34, 36, 38) of a hydraulic assembly (30) of the dishwasher (1) depending on the sensor signal (102) and a current operating state of the dishwasher (1).