Patent Application
20250025013
The present disclosure relates generally to dishwasher appliances, more particularly to a method for detecting a water heating defect in a dishwasher using connected data.
Known dishwashers typically include a wash water heating system to heat the wash water in order to improve dishwasher performance. Failure of the heating system is a common cause of poor dishwasher performance, user dissatisfaction, and service calls. In some cases, a failed or defective heating system may not be noticed immediately by the user, particularly if the user pre-washes the load of dishwasher articles prior to putting them into the dishwasher. However, the dishwashing performance is negatively affected by the defective heating system and will lead to user dissatisfaction.
For example, even when dishes are pre-washed, heating system failure may result in the wash fluid not reaching temperatures that are high enough to properly sanitize the dishes, regardless of their appearance of being “clean” after a dishwasher cycle. Moreover, when the dishwasher articles are not pre-washed prior to putting them into the dishwasher, the defective heating system will negatively impact the cleaning performance of the dishwasher, resulting in visibly dirty dishes and leading to user dissatisfaction.
Accordingly, an improvement in detecting a dishwasher heating system for a defect or failure may be desirable.
Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In one exemplary aspect, a method of detecting a heating system fault in a dishwasher appliance connected to a network is disclosed, the dishwasher appliance comprising a heating system, a temperature sensor, and an appliance controller. The method comprises forming a cluster of historic wash water temperature readings recorded from one or more dishwasher cycles, receiving a current wash water temperature reading of a dishwasher cycle, and recording the current wash water temperature reading in a memory location including the cluster of historic wash water temperature readings. The method further comprises comparing the current wash water temperature reading with the cluster of historic wash water temperature readings, determining a heating system fault based on the comparison, and displaying the heating system fault.
In another exemplary aspect, a method of detecting a heating system fault in a disconnected dishwasher appliance is disclosed, the disconnected dishwasher comprising a heating system, a temperature sensor, and an appliance controller no longer connected to a network. The method comprises operating the heating system to heat a wash water during a dishwasher cycle, receiving a current wash water temperature reading for the dishwasher cycle, and comparing the current wash water temperature reading with a cluster of historic wash water temperature readings recorded from one or more dishwasher cycles and saved at a memory location. The method further comprises determining a heating system fault based on the comparison and displaying the heating system fault.
In another exemplary aspect, a dishwasher appliance connected to a network is disclosed, the dishwasher appliance comprising a heating system, a temperature sensor, and an appliance controller. The appliance controller is configured to form a cluster of historic wash water temperature readings recorded from one or more dishwasher cycles, the historic wash water temperature readings saved to a memory location, operate the heating system to heat a wash water during a dishwasher cycle, receive a current wash water temperature reading from the temperature sensor for the dishwasher cycle, record the current wash water temperature reading in the memory location, receive a signal corresponding to a heating system fault; and display a heating system fault message.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.
Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “generally,” “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components and/or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin, i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. In this regard, for example, when used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction, e.g., “generally vertical” includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” In addition, references to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “an embodiment” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Moreover, each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
As used herein, the term “dishwasher article” may refer to, but need not be limited to dishes, pots, pans, silverware, and other cooking utensils and items that can be cleaned in a dishwashing appliance. The term “dishwasher cycle” is intended to refer to one or more periods of time during which a dishwashing appliance operates while containing the articles to be washed (i.e., a “wash cycle”), typically using detergent and water, or rinsed, to remove residual soil, detergents, and other undesirable elements that were retained by the articles (i.e., a “rinse cycle”). Such may be after completion of the wash cycle or may be a cycle unto itself. The term “wash fluid” or generally “wash water” refers to a liquid used for washing or rinsing the articles and is typically made up of water that may include other additives such as detergent or other treatments.
Turning to the figures,
In this regard, as used herein, the terms “cabinet,” “housing,” and the like are generally intended to refer to an outer frame or support structure for appliance 100, e.g., including any suitable number, type, and configuration of support structures formed from any suitable materials, such as a system of elongated support members, a plurality of interconnected panels, or some combination thereof. It should be appreciated that cabinet 102 does not necessarily require an enclosure and may simply include an open structure supporting various elements of appliance 100. By contrast, cabinet 102 may enclose some or all interior portions. It should be appreciated that cabinet 102 may have any suitable size, shape, and configuration while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter.
The tub 104 includes a front cabinet opening (not shown) and a door 114 horizontally hinged (i.e., axis of rotation is parallel to the lateral direction) at its bottom 116 for movement between a normally closed vertical position (shown in
At least one rack assembly (2 shown, 126 and 128) is slidably positioned within wash chamber 106 and is configured for the receipt of articles for cleaning. For the exemplary embodiment shown in
For the exemplary embodiment of
Additionally, the dishwasher appliance 100 includes a heating system 164 located in the lower portion of the tub 104. The heating system 164 comprises a heating element 152, heating controller 156, and temperature sensor 162. As illustrated, the heating element 152 is disposed in the sump 142 and positioned for contact with, or immersion in, accumulated wash water in the sump 142 to heat the wash water. To facilitate heating of the wash water, the heating controller 156 is in operative communication with the heating element 152 and the temperature sensor 162 to energize the heating element 152 as needed to heat the wash water to a predetermined temperature for a dishwasher cycle, for example a main wash cycle or a final rinse cycle. In some embodiments, the heating element 152 is energized for a period of time, with the expiration of the time period the trigger for starting the dishwasher cycle. Accordingly, the wash water may not reach the predetermined temperature prior to initiation of the dishwasher cycle.
The dishwasher appliance 100 may include a controller 166 that may be generally configured to facilitate the appliance operation. The controller 166 may be in operative communication with one or more user input devices 158, such as one or more of a variety of digital, analog, electrical, mechanical, or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, control knobs, push buttons, toggle switches, selector switches, and touch pads. The controller 166 may include one or more processors to analyze input signals, process the received data, and direct operations or functions of the dishwasher appliance 100. The controller 166 may be in operative communication with various components of the dishwasher appliance, such as the temperature sensor 162, the pump 146, or motor 154 to receive input signals from the components related to the functioning of the dishwasher appliance 100. The controller 166 may signal fault messages to display on the appliance display or screen 160 or send appropriate signals or messages to an external network (to be more fully described below).
In some embodiments, dishwasher appliance 100 may include a display 160, such as a digital or analog display device generally configured to provide visual feedback regarding the operation of appliance 100. For example, display 160 may include one or more status lights, screens, or visible indicators. The display 160 may be in operative communication with the controller 166 to display operating conditions of various components of the dishwashing appliance 100, for example the functioning of the heating system 164. According to exemplary embodiments, user input devices 158 and display 160 may be integrated into a single device, e.g., including one or more of a touchscreen interface, a capacitive touch panel, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, or other informational or interactive displays.
Some dishwasher appliances 100 in accordance with this disclosure may include an external communication system 170 configured for permitting interaction, data transfer, and other communications between dishwasher appliance 100 and one or more networks 172 or external devices 174. For example, the external communication system 170 may be used to provide and receive operating parameters, user instructions or notifications, performance characteristics, user preferences, or any other suitable information for improved performance of dishwasher appliance 100. In addition, it should be appreciated that external communication system 170 may be used to transfer data or other information to improve performance of one or more external devices or appliances and/or improve user interaction with such devices. External communication system 170 may communicatively link the controller 166 of the dishwasher appliance 100 to an external network 172 under the monitoring or control of the manufacturer of the appliance.
For example, external communication system 170 permits appliance controller 166 of dishwasher appliance 100 to communicate with a separate device external to appliance 100, referred to generally herein as an external device 174. As described in more detail below, these communications may be facilitated using a wired or wireless connection, such as via a network 172. In general, external device 174 may be any suitable device separate from appliance 100 that is configured to provide and/or receive communications, information, data, or commands from a user. In this regard, external device 174 may be, for example, a personal phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop or personal computer, a wearable device, a smart home system, or another mobile or remote device.
In addition, a remote server 176 may be in communication with dishwasher appliance 100 and/or external device 174 through network 172. In this regard, for example, remote server 176 may be a cloud-based server 176, and is thus located at a distant location, such as in a separate state, country, etc. According to an exemplary embodiment, external device 174 may communicate with a remote server 176 over network 172, such as the Internet, to transmit/receive data or information, provide user inputs, receive user notifications or instructions, interact with or control dishwasher appliance 100, etc. In addition, external device 174 and remote server 176 may communicate with dishwasher appliance 100 to communicate similar information.
In general, communication between dishwasher appliance 100, external device 174, remote server 176, and/or other user devices or appliances may be carried using any type of wired or wireless connection and using any suitable type of communication network, non-limiting examples of which are provided below. For example, external device 174 may be in direct or indirect communication with appliance 100 through any suitable wired or wireless communication connections or interfaces, such as network 172. For example, network 172 may include one or more of a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a personal area network (PAN), the Internet, a cellular network, any other suitable short-or long-range wireless networks, etc. In addition, communications may be transmitted using any suitable communications devices or protocols, such as via Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, wireless radio, laser, infrared, Ethernet type devices and interfaces, etc. In addition, such communication may use a variety of communication protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, HTTP. SMTP, FTP), encodings or formats (e.g., HTML, XML), and/or protection schemes (e.g., VPN, secure HTTP, SSL).
External communication system 170 is described herein according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. However, it should be appreciated that the exemplary functions and configurations of external communication system 170 provided herein are used only as examples to facilitate description of aspects of the present subject matter. System configurations may vary, other communication devices may be used to communicate directly or indirectly with one or more associated appliances, other communication protocols and steps may be implemented, etc. These variations and modifications are contemplated as within the scope of the present subject matter.
In embodiments, the dishwasher appliance 100 connected to a network 172 comprises a heating system 164 with a temperature sensor 162, and an appliance controller 166. The appliance controller 166 is configured to form a cluster 180 of historic wash water temperature readings recorded periodically from one or more dishwasher cycles, beginning with the first dishwasher cycle after connection to the network 172. The historic wash water temperature readings may be saved to a memory location in, or associated with, the network 172 or in the controller 166. Although the discussion below focuses on network-based analysis of the historic temperature readings, it should be appreciated that this analysis may be performed locally (for example at the appliance controller 166) while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter.
The controller further operates the heating system 164 to heat a wash water during a dishwasher cycle (e.g., main wash cycle or final rinse cycle) and receives current wash water temperature readings periodically (for example, the readings may be received in 10 second intervals) from the temperature sensor 162 for the current dishwasher cycle. The controller may cause the current wash water temperature reading to be recorded in the memory location in the network 172 or in the controller 166, and included in forming the cluster 180 of historic wash water temperature readings.
During normal operation of the dishwashing appliance 100, the external communication system 170 may periodically communicate measured operating parameters of the dishwashing appliance 100 to the network 172. For example, the network 172 may receive periodic signals corresponding to a current wash water temperature reading from the temperature sensor 162, either directly to the network 172 or to the controller 166 and then to the network 172. In some cases, wash water temperature readings may be provided to the network periodically, for example, every 10 seconds during each dish washing operation. In embodiments, all provided wash water temperature readings may be recorded in a memory location. In other embodiments, only a current wash water temperature reading that differs from the previous (i.e., most recent past) wash water temperature reading is recorded.
The current wash water temperature readings may be recorded in a memory location which also includes a cluster of historic wash water temperature readings. The cluster of historic wash water temperature readings are recorded from one or more dishwasher cycles performed over a period of time, for example from the time the dishwasher was put into service to the most recent previous dishwasher cycle. A current wash water temperature reading may be included in the cluster of historic wash water temperature readings. The wash water temperature readings recorded from the one or more dishwasher cycles form a cluster of data points 180 and may be represented on a plot 182 of time vs. temperature as illustrated in
The plot 182 may assist in determining operating faults of the heating system 164 of the dishwasher appliance 100. For example, the cluster 180 represents the temperature readings recorded during one or more dishwasher cycles for a properly functioning heating system 164. Cluster 184 represents the temperature readings recorded during one or more dishwasher cycles for a faulty heating system 164. As illustrated, the cluster 180 of properly function heating system temperature readings have a mean temperature 178 and a standard deviation 179 as illustrated in
In determining a faulty heating system 164, the current wash water temperature reading is compared to the cluster 180 of historic wash water readings and a faulty system is determined by the comparison. For example, the mean value 178 and the standard deviation 179 of historic wash water readings for a properly functioning heating system is calculated from the cluster 180. In embodiments, the difference (i.e., mathematical difference) between the current wash water temperature reading and the mean value 178 is calculated. A fault is determined if the calculated difference is greater than a predetermined range. In other embodiments, a faulty heating system 164 is determined if the current wash water temperature reading falls outside the standard deviation 179. In other embodiments, both the calculated difference and the standard deviation determinations are used to arrive at a final determination of a heating system 164 fault.
When a faulty heating system is determined, the appliance controller 166 causes a heating system 164 fault alert message is displayed. In some embodiments, the fault alert message appears on display 160 on the dishwasher appliance 100 as a graphic display or textual message. In other embodiments, the fault alert message appears on the external device 174 configured to display graphic or textual message.
Now that the construction of dishwasher appliance 100 and the configuration of appliance controller 166 according to exemplary embodiments have been presented, an exemplary method 200 of detecting a heating system fault in a dishwasher appliance connected to a network will be described. In other exemplary embodiments, the various method steps as disclosed herein may be performed by controller 166, network 172, or a separate, dedicated controller.
Referring now to
Receiving a current wash water temperature reading of a dishwasher cycle is performed at 204. As above, the heating system 164 includes a temperature sensor 162 configured to provide a signal corresponding to the temperature of the wash water during the dishwasher cycle. Receiving the current wash water temperature reading includes obtaining the current wash water temperature from the temperature sensor 162. The temperature sensor may communicate the reading directly to the network 172 or may communicate it to the appliance controller 166 which then sends the reading to the network. Although the discussion below focuses on network-based analysis of the historic temperature readings, it should be appreciated that this analysis may be performed locally (for example at the appliance controller 166) while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter.
At 206, the current wash water temperature reading is recorded in a memory location including the cluster of historic readings. In addition to the current wash water temperature reading being used to determine the current functioning of the heating system 164, the current reading will be incorporated in the cluster for subsequent determinations. By incorporating the current wash water temperature reading in the cluster of historic readings, the cluster changes, i.e., becomes dynamic. Each dish washer cycle adds to and influences the cluster of historic wash water temperature readings. Accordingly, the standard by which a heating system fault is determined changes with each dishwashing cycle performed. This dynamic standard takes into account environmental factors such as outside temperature, incoming water temperature, and mechanical differences found in a particular appliance.
At 208, comparing the current wash water temperature reading with the cluster of historic wash water readings is performed. Mathematical characteristics of the cluster of historic wash water readings, for example mean value and standard deviation, may be determined and used to compare to the current wash water temperature reading.
Determining a heating system fault based on the comparison at 208 is performed at 210. For example, in some embodiments, if the mathematical difference between current wash water temperature reading and the mean value of the cluster of historic wash water readings is greater than a predetermined range, a faulty heating system is determined. In general, at 210, the current wash water temperature is compared to the mean of the historic cluster, and if the current reading is less than the mean by more than a predetermined amount, the determination is that the heating system is faulty. In other embodiments, the current reading may be compared to the standard deviation of the cluster. If the current wash water temperature reading does not fall between the upper limit and the lower limit of the standard deviation (i.e., it falls out of the standard deviation), a faulty heating system is determined.
In still other embodiments, the mathematical difference and the standard deviation determinations are used together to determine a heating system fault. For example, if the mathematical difference determination indicates a faulty heating system, the method may perform additional analysis using the standard deviation method to confirm the fault. Alternately, if a fault is identified by the standard deviation determination, the method may initiate additional analysis using the difference determination. In other embodiments, a total score may be calculated using the difference determination and the standard deviation determination with weight assigned to one method over the other based on predetermined criteria. The total weighted score would be used to determine a heating system fault.
Once a fault is determined, displaying the fault message is performed at 212. The appliance controller 166 may cause a graphical or a textural alert message at display on the dishwasher appliance or at the external device using the external communication network. A fault message may also be communicated to a portion of the network monitored by the manufacturer to facilitate a service call or to add to the data regarding product performance or durability.
An exemplary method 300 of detecting a heating system fault in a disconnected dishwasher appliance will be described. In this case, a dishwasher appliance was at one point in time connected to a network but is no longer connected to any network. The network recorded one or more dishwasher cycles and established a cluster of historic wash water temperature readings. The disconnected dishwasher appliance comprises a heating system, a temperature sensor, and an appliance controller isolated from networks. For example, the dishwasher appliance is isolated from external network 172 which may be under the monitoring or control of the manufacturer of the appliance. The method may be executed by the controller.
The method begins at 302 with the controller operating the heating system to heat a wash water for a dishwasher cycle. The dishwasher cycle may be any cycle that calls for hot wash water, for example a main wash cycle or a final rinse cycle. In operating the heating system, heating controller 156, under the control of the appliance controller 166, energizes the heating element 152 to heat the wash water. The controller may monitor the wash water temperature through the temperature sensor 162. In some embodiments, the controller may initiate a dishwasher cycle when the water temperature reading reaches a predetermined temperature. In other embodiments, the heating element may be energized for a time period and the controller initiates a dishwashing cycle at the expiration of the time period. In some embodiments, the controller may initiate the dishwasher cycle at the first to occur of the water temperature reading reaching the prescribed temperature or the time period expiring.
At 304, the controller is receiving a current wash water temperature reading for the dishwasher cycle. The current wash water temperature reading will be used to determine a current heating system fault.
Comparing the current wash water temperature reading with the cluster of historic temperature readings is performed at 306. As above, the cluster of historic wash water temperature readings may be manipulated or processed to facilitate the comparison. For example, the mean value and the standard deviation may be determined for the cluster 180 for comparison with the current wash water temperature reading.
Determining that a fault is performed at 308, based on the comparison at 306. A fault may be determined in an embodiment if the difference between the current reading and the mean value is greater than a predetermined value. Similarly, in an embodiment, a fault may be determined if the current wash water temperature reading falls outside of the upper and lower limits of the standard deviation. In another embodiment, a combined method of the difference and the standard deviation methods may be used.
Displaying the heating system fault message is performed at 310. As above, the controller may cause a fault message to be displayed at a screen on a user interface of the dishwasher appliance 100. The message may be graphical or textual, and may include an audible alert as well.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
