Turbidity sensor assembly including an integral water level indicator

A turbidity sensor assembly for measuring a turbidity and a level of a fluid, the turbidity sensor assembly comprising:

• a housing defining a vertically-aligned channel in fluid communication with the fluid;
• an emitter and a receiver positioned within the housing on opposite sides of the vertically-aligned channel;
• a buoyant object positioned within the vertically-aligned channel;
• and
• a retention device configured to guide the buoyant object to move between a raised position and a lowered position along with the level of the fluid within the vertically-aligned channel.

A method for operating a drain cycle of a dishwasher appliance, the method comprising:

• initiating a drain cycle by operating a drain pump;
• measuring a turbidity and level of a wash fluid using a turbidity sensor assembly, the turbidity sensor assembly comprising a housing defining a channel, the channel being configured to receive a buoyant object;
• monitoring the measured turbidity of the wash fluid;
• and
• initiating a drain stop cycle when the measured turbidity exceeds a predetermined threshold:
• wherein the turbidity sensor assembly comprises:
• the housing defining the channel, wherein the channel is vertically-aligned, in fluid communication with the fluid;
• an emitter and a receive positioned with the housing on opposite sides of the vertically-aligned channel;
• a buoyant object positioned within the vertically-aligned channel;
• and
• a retention device configured to guide the buoyant object to move between a raised position and a lowered position along with the level of the fluid within the vertically-aligned channel.