Dishwasher and method of controlling the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwashers face challenges in quickly stopping the circulation pump operation and transitioning to drainage pump operation when the door is opened during a washing cycle, leading to potential water overflow and inefficient water management.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher system comprising a circulation pump, a drainage pump, a driving current supply unit, and a controller that detects door opening and swiftly stops the circulation pump's current supply while initiating the drainage pump's operation, utilizing a three-contact point switching circuit and microprocessors to manage the transition efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the circulation pump continues operating when the door is opened, then the washing operation can be maintained, but water may overflow to the outside of the door
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is configured to stop the circulation pump before the drainage pump starts operating. This preliminary action ensures that the circulation pump is already stopped by the time the door is opened, preventing water overflow while maintaining a smooth transition to drainage mode
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses door opening detection signals as feedback to trigger the pump control sequence. When the door opening detection unit detects that the door is opened, it sends a signal to the control unit, which then stops the circulation pump and waits for the drainage pump to operate, creating a closed-loop response system
2Reliability
If the circulation pump is stopped quickly when the door is opened, then water overflow is prevented, but the transition to drainage pump operation may be delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit stops the circulation pump in advance before the drainage pump begins operation. This preliminary stopping action eliminates the need to wait for drainage pump readiness, as the circulation pump is already stopped by the time drainage needs to begin
Solution Approach 2:
The system skips the waiting period between stopping the circulation pump and starting the drainage pump by using overlapping time windows. The circulation pump is stopped at a first time, and the drainage pump is allowed to start at a second time that occurs before the first time, eliminating any gap or delay in the transition
3Adaptability or versatility
If the circulation pump and drainage pump operate simultaneously, then water management is more flexible, but water may be discharged to the outside during door opening
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit stops the circulation pump before the drainage pump starts operating. This preliminary action ensures that the circulation pump is already stopped by the time the door is opened, preventing water overflow while maintaining a smooth transition to drainage mode
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous water management by ensuring that the drainage pump begins operation without delay after the circulation pump stops. The control unit waits for the drainage pump to operate, ensuring continuous control over water flow and preventing any gap in water management functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher includes a circulation pump that supplies water to nozzles; a drainage pump that discharges the water; a driving current supply unit that supplies a driving current to one of the circulation pump and the drainage pump; a controller that transmits driving control signals to the driving current supply unit; and a door opening detection unit that, if opening of a door is detected, transmits door opening detection signals to the controller and the driving current supply unit, wherein, if the door opening detection signals are received while the circulation pump operates, the driving current supply unit stops supply of the driving current to the circulation pump and supplies the driving current to the drainage pump.