Dishwasher Reverse Osmosis Fault Detection via Buffer Tank Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwashers with reverse osmosis units lack effective methods for monitoring their proper functioning, leading to potential issues such as clogged filters, defective membranes, or inadequate water supply, which can complicate maintenance and require professional intervention.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a timing device coupled with fill level sensors to automatically detect faults by measuring time intervals between fill levels, allowing users to identify and rectify common errors without professional assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a reverse osmosis unit is integrated into a dishwasher to produce drinking water, then water quality and functionality are improved, but device complexity and fault detection difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a monitoring device with sensors that continuously detect operational parameters (pressure differential, flow rate, temperature) of the reverse osmosis unit and provide feedback to a control unit. This feedback mechanism enables real-time monitoring and fault detection, resolving the contradiction by adding intelligence to manage the increased system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary monitoring device that acts as a mediator between the reverse osmosis unit and the dishwasher control system. This intermediary component simplifies fault detection by centralizing sensor data collection and analysis, making the complex RO unit manageable through a dedicated monitoring interface.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are added to monitor RO unit parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensors (pressure differential sensor, flow rate sensor, temperature sensor) into a single integrated monitoring device. This merging approach allows precise measurement of multiple parameters while avoiding the complexity of separate monitoring systems, as all sensors are coordinated through one control unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring device is designed with multi-functionality, serving as a universal platform that handles pressure measurement, flow rate monitoring, temperature sensing, and fault detection all through one integrated system. This universal approach improves measurement precision across multiple parameters without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If real-time monitoring of operational parameters is implemented, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system implements periodic measurement of operational parameters rather than truly continuous monitoring. The control unit samples pressure differential, flow rate, and temperature at defined intervals, which maintains system reliability for fault detection while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to constant real-time monitoring.
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
Facilitates user-friendly error detection and resolution, reducing the need for service calls by enabling users to address issues like clogged filters, defective pumps, or membrane blockages through automated fault detection and guidance.
Implementation Method 1
a reverse osmosis unit (3) integrated into the dishwasher (1) and arranged to produce drinking water
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a dishwasher (1), in particular a dual-circuit dishwasher, and a corresponding method, with a cold water connection (2) and with a separation point (3) downstream of the cold water connection (2), which forms an obstacle against water flowing back to the cold water connection (2), and with a reverse osmosis unit (5) which is downstream of the separation point (3) in a flow path (6), wherein the separation point (3) is connected to a buffer tank (7) and at least one level sensor (8) is arranged in the buffer tank (7), wherein a time measuring device (17) is coupled to the at least one level sensor (8) so that a time measurement can be started and/or stopped by the level sensor (8).