Water fill level control for dishwasher and associated method
OwnerGregory Peterson, Thomas Sheahaninventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A control device and method for detecting and controlling a water fill level in a dishwasher or other similar appliance that includes a pump motor is provided. The control monitors the pump motor current over time, determines a current change, and compares the current change to a threshold current change that is indicative of the water level.
Claims22
A method for detecting a water fill level in a dishwasher having a pump powered by an electric pump motor, the method comprising:
- monitoring an electric current drawn by pump motor over a time period;
- determining a difference between a maximum pump motor current and a minimum pump motor current occurring during the time period;
- and
- comparing the difference to a threshold value that is indicative of the water fill level in the dishwasher.
A method for controlling a water fill level in a dishwasher having a pump driven by a pump motor, the method comprising:
- monitoring a current drawn by the pump motor over time;
- determining a difference between a first pump motor current and a second pump motor current;
- comparing the difference to a value indicative of an optimal water fill level;
- and
- controlling the water flow into the dishwasher to cause the difference to be less than or equal to the value.
A control device for controlling the water fill level in an appliance having a pump and an electric pump motor, the control device comprising:
- means for monitoring the electric current drawn by the pump motor;
- means for determining a difference between a first pump motor current value and a second pump motor current value;
- means for comparing the difference to a value indicative of an optimal water fill level in the appliance;
- and
- means for controlling the water flow into the dishwasher to cause the difference to be less than or equal to the value.
A dishwasher comprising:
- a tub;
- a pump;
- an electric motor driving the pump;
- a valve for controlling water flow into the tub;
- and
- a control device for controlling the water fill level in the dishwasher comprising:
- means for monitoring the electric current drawn by the motor;
- means for determining a difference between a first current value and a second current value;
- means for comparing the difference to a value indicative of an optimal water fill level in the dishwasher;
- and
- means for operating the valve to cause the difference to be less than or equal to the value.
A control device for controlling the water fill level in an appliance having a pump and an electric pump motor, the control device comprising:
- a pump motor monitor module that monitors the value of an operating condition of the pump motor over time and compares the value to a reference value indicative of an optimal water fill level in the appliance;
- and
- a valve controller module that controls the water flow into the dishwasher such that the value approximates the reference value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.