Dishwasher Sieve Detection Using a Turbidity Sensor

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Dishwashers lack operational reliability due to the potential misinsertion or incorrect placement of the sieve arrangement, leading to unnecessary water consumption and inadequate rinsing results, as existing systems do not effectively detect the sieve's presence or proper positioning before starting a washing program.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a sensor device that utilizes the existing turbidity sensor to detect the sieve arrangement through interaction with a sensing element, preventing the washing program from starting if the sieve is not correctly inserted, thus ensuring proper arrangement and reducing water wastage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the sieve arrangement is not inserted or not correctly inserted into the collection pot, then the washing program can start without detection, but dirt particles are circulated and cleaning results are inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidoperational reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor device performs preliminary detection of the sieve arrangement's presence and correct insertion into the collection pot before the washing program starts. The control unit checks the sensor signal and only allows program execution when proper sieve insertion is confirmed, preventing inadequate cleaning results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor device provides feedback to the control unit about the sieve arrangement's status. The control unit receives this feedback and uses it to determine whether to permit or prevent program execution, ensuring reliable operation based on actual sieve insertion state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the sieve arrangement is not detected, then the washing program runs, but washing liquor that can still be used is discarded leading to high water consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidwater consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor device performs preliminary detection of the sieve arrangement before the washing program starts. By confirming proper sieve insertion in advance, the system avoids unnecessary draining of usable washing liquor, thereby reducing water consumption while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a turbidity measurement shows contamination exceeds limit value, then washing liquor is discarded and replaced with fresh water, but this leads to unnecessarily high water consumption when the liquor could still be used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning resultVSAvoidwater consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor device performs preliminary detection of the sieve arrangement before turbidity measurement and washing program execution. By ensuring proper sieve insertion first, the system prevents circulation of dirt particles that would falsely inflate turbidity readings, thereby avoiding unnecessary draining of still-usable washing liquor and reducing water consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enhances operational reliability and reduces water consumption by ensuring the sieve arrangement is correctly positioned before each wash cycle, preventing the circulation of dirt particles and ensuring effective cleaning results.

Implementation Method 1

a turbidity sensor (13) to measure the turbidity of the washing liquor... a transmitting unit and a receiving unit, which are arranged at a distance from one another with the interposition of a measuring section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption/attenuation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3231345B1Dishwasher, especially program-controlled domestic dishwasher
Publication Date: 2018.04.18 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP3231345B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3231345B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3231345B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a dishwasher, in particular a program-controlled domestic dishwasher, with a washing compartment (3) that provides a washing compartment (4) and is used to hold items to be cleaned, a collection pot (10) into which the washing compartment flows, a circulation pump that is used to circulate the washing water which is connected to the collection pot (10), and with a sieve arrangement (16) which can be inserted into the collection pot (10), characterized by a sensor device (17) which is used to detect the sieve arrangement (16), having a ) arranged turbidity sensor (13) and with the screen assembly (16) cooperating sensing element (17).