Dishwasher appliance having a pressure sensor and a tub lip sensor for flood detection
AssigneeHaier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
InventorKyle Edward Durham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dishwasher appliance that includes features that allow for prevention and detection of flood events or tub overfills without sacrificing performance or efficiency of the dishwasher appliance is provided. Moreover, methods for detecting and preventing such flood events are also provided.
Claims18
A method for detecting a flood event in a dishwasher appliance, the dishwasher appliance comprising a cabinet and a tub positioned within the cabinet, the tub comprising a tub lip, the dishwasher appliance further comprising a pressure sensor, a tub lip sensor, a drain pump, and a circulation pump, the method comprising:
- determining whether the circulation pump is activated;
- determining whether a pressure sensor output of the pressure sensor is greater than or equal to a first pressure threshold for a predetermined time if the circulation pump is not activated, or, determining whether the pressure sensor output of the pressure sensor is greater than or equal to a second pressure threshold for a predetermined time if the circulation pump is activated;
- determining whether the tub lip sensor has sensed wash fluid at or proximate the tub lip for a predetermined time if the pressure sensor output is not greater than or equal to either the first pressure threshold for the predetermined time or the second pressure threshold for the predetermined time;
- and
- activating the drain pump if the tub lip sensor has sensed wash fluid at or proximate the tub lip for the predetermined time.
A dishwasher appliance, comprising:
- a cabinet;
- a tub positioned within the cabinet and defining a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing, the tub comprising a tub lip;
- a tub lip sensor positioned proximate the tub lip;
- one or more spray assemblies;
- a circulation pump for circulating wash fluid to the one or more spray arm assemblies;
- a drain pump;
- a sump;
- a pressure sensor mounted to the sump;
- a controller communicatively coupled with the pressure sensor, the tub lip sensor, the drain pump, and the circulation pump, the controller configured to:
- determine whether the circulation pump is activated;
- determine whether a pressure sensor output of the pressure sensor is greater than or equal to a first pressure threshold for a predetermined time if the circulation pump is not activated, or, determine whether the pressure sensor output of the pressure sensor is greater than or equal to a second pressure threshold for a predetermined time if the circulation pump is activated;
- determine whether the tub lip sensor has sensed wash fluid at or proximate the tub lip for a predetermined time if the pressure sensor output is not greater than or equal to either the first pressure threshold for the predetermined time or the second pressure threshold for the predetermined time;
- and
- activate the drain pump if the controller determines that the tub lip sensor has sensed wash fluid at or proximate the tub lip for the predetermined time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.