Appliance Fill Control Using Pump Feedback to Detect Sensor Failure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling the filling process in water-bearing domestic appliances, such as dishwashers, cannot detect a total failure of the filling sensor, leading to potential overflow issues due to undetected malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a machine-side controllable shut-off device and pump activation to evaluate the performance characteristics, determining if the filling sensor is functional or if there's a water supply issue, with optical and acoustic error signals to prevent overflow and ensure safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a filling sensor is monitored during the filling process, then water flow detection is improved, but total sensor failure cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pump as an intermediary device to indirectly verify sensor functionality. By monitoring whether the pump can successfully convey water after the shut-off means opens, the system creates a secondary verification mechanism that detects total sensor failures without requiring direct sensor diagnostics
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by monitoring the pump's performance characteristics and using this information to evaluate sensor status. The control device receives feedback from the pump operation (whether water is being conveyed) and uses this to determine if the filling sensor is functioning properly or has failed completely
2Productivity
If the shut-off means is opened for filling, then water intake is enabled, but overflow risk increases if sensor fails
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification by activating the pump immediately after opening the shut-off means to check for water flow before allowing unmonitored filling to proceed. This preliminary action ensures that if the sensor fails, the system detects the absence of water flow and closes the shut-off means before overflow can occur
Solution Approach 2:
The pump serves as an intermediary safety mechanism that verifies water presence before the filling process continues. By using the pump to test for water flow, the system creates a safety buffer that prevents overflow even when the filling sensor fails, allowing fast filling when the sensor works while protecting against overflow when it fails
3Reliability
If pump performance is evaluated to detect sensor failure, then reliability is improved, but additional control steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The pump performs dual functions: its primary function of conveying water and its secondary function of serving as a diagnostic tool for sensor verification. By using the pump's own performance characteristics to detect sensor failures, the system avoids adding separate diagnostic equipment, allowing the existing component to self-verify the sensor status
Solution Approach 2:
The pump is designed to serve multiple purposes: water conveyance during normal operation and sensor functionality verification during diagnostics. This multi-functionality allows the system to detect sensor failures using existing hardware without adding dedicated diagnostic components, maintaining simplicity while improving reliability
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
Effectively detects filling sensor failures, prevents overflow, and ensures reliable operation by differentiating between sensor malfunctions and water supply issues, providing clear error signals to operators.
Implementation Method 1
activating a pump (8) for conveying the water that has flowed into the water-bearing household appliance
Implementation Method 2
monitoring a filling sensor (4) that detects water flowing into the water-bearing household appliance
Implementation Method 3
Opening a machine-side controllable shut-off device (6) for filling the water-bearing household appliance with water
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling a filling process of a water-bearing household appliance, particularly a dishwasher (2) or washing machine, comprising at least the following steps: - opening a locking means (6) controllable by the machine for filling the water-bearing household appliance with water, - monitoring a fill sensor (4) detecting the water flowing into the water-bearing household appliance, - activating a pump (8) for delivering the water that flowed into the water-bearing household appliance until at least one signal occurs from the fill sensor (4), and – analyzing the performance characteristic of the pump (8).