Patent Application
20070119478
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to the art of dishwashers and, more particularly, to a dishwasher control system.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Automatic dishwashers are typically provided with a control system that manage various cycles of an overall wash operation. Generally, the various cycles include wash, rinse and dry operations. Prior to each wash and rinse cycle, an amount of water is admitted into a washing chamber portion of the dishwasher. During the wash cycle, the water is mixed with a detergent solution to form a washing liquid. The washing liquid or, in the case of the rinse cycle, water is pumped to one or more rotating spray arms that direct jets of washing liquid or water onto kitchenware or the like being washed in the washing chamber.
In the past, the control systems typically employed mechanically operated rotary switches in initiating and terminating the various cycles. Over time, the control systems developed into solid state systems that allowed a consumer to initiate a wash cycle at the push of a button, with multiple control buttons being typically arranged on a user interface portion of the dishwasher. Depending upon the particular model dishwasher, the number, style and location of the buttons will differ. At present, many dishwashers include computer controls that provide more washing options and a greater level of control over the washing operation. In addition, many user interfaces now include a display section that presents information, such as current cycle, selected options and time remaining information, to a consumer.
The particular type of user interface incorporated into a dishwasher is typically model dependent. That is, high end dishwasher models include a user interface that provides a consumer with a greater degree of control over a washing operation as compared to low end models. More specifically, the high end models will not only enable consumers to choose more options, such as sanitize cycles, pot scrubbing cycles, and the like for the washing operations, but provide displays that provides the consumers with a great deal of information, while low end models are limited to more basic washing cycles and displays.
In all cases, the user interface communicates consumer inputs to a main controller which subsequently controls various wash system components. However, as each user interface is different, supporting derivative models presents a challenge to manufacturers. That is, in general, each derivative model requires a distinct main controller programmed to communicate with a distinct user interface controller. In some cases, the main controller is required to communicate with a user interface controller and display elements that are physically separated a considerable distance on the dishwasher. When the components are widely separated, a great deal of wiring is required to provide the necessary lines of communication. Developing and maintaining a main controller for each dishwasher model, or incorporating excessive wiring to support physically separated display elements, adds to the overall cost and complexity of the appliance, not to mention the costs for training technicians, as well as developing and updating manuals associated with the diagnosis and repair of problems.
Based on the above, there exists a need for a universal dishwasher control system. More specifically, there exists a need for a universal main controller that can communicate commands to a variety of distinct user interface controllers regardless of the type, design or complexity of the user interface.
The present invention is directed to control system for a dishwasher. In general, the dishwasher includes a tub and a plurality of electrical wash system components connected to the tub. The electrical wash system components are selectively activated to establish a flow of washing fluid during a washing operation, as well as perform drain and heating operations. In accordance with the invention, the dishwasher also includes a user interface controller. The user interface controller receives input through a plurality of user input selectors for selectively establishing model dependent operational parameters for the washing operation. That is, the plurality of user input selectors enable a consumer to make various selections for the washing operation. The number and type of selections available to the consumer are dependent upon the particular model of dishwasher.
In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, the dishwasher includes a main controller operatively connected to the user interface controller and the plurality of electrical wash system components. The main controller receives user inputs from the user interface controller and broadcasts status information to the user interface controller regarding a desired washing operation. The status information takes the form of a universal instruction packet.
In further accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, the universal instruction packet includes a first set of instructions associated with the model dependent operational parameters and a second set of instructions associated with other dishwasher models. That is, regardless of the user interface controller incorporated into the dishwasher, the main controller broadcasts a defined set of instructions. However, the user interface controller only acts upon the instructions that address features incorporated into the particular model of dishwasher. Therefore, the instructions associated with features not present in the particular dishwasher are ignored or filtered out. With this arrangement, the main controller need not include information or special programming associated with the particular user interface controller incorporated into the dishwasher and thus can be employed in all available, as well as future, dishwasher models.
Additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts in the several views.
With reference to
Upper compartment 16 is shown to include a front wall 20, a rear wall 21, a bottom wall 22 and opposing side walls 23 and 24 that collectively define an upper washing chamber or tub 28. Upper washing tub 28 is provided with a dish rack 30 for supporting various objects, such as glassware, utensils and the like, to be exposed to a washing operation. Upper compartment 16 is slidingly supported within the outer housing through a pair of extendible support guides, one of which is indicated at 31. In the embodiment shown, bottom wall 22 actually forms part of a sump 32 that, as will be discussed more fully below, manages a flow of washing fluid within upper compartment 16. Although not shown, lower compartment 18 similarly includes front, rear, bottom and opposing side walls that collectively define a lower washing chamber or tub 33.
As best shown in
Referring specifically to
In addition to managing the flow of washing fluid in dishwasher 2, sump 32 serves as a mounting platform for a plurality of electrical wash system components which are generically represented at 100 in
The above described structure has been provided for the sake of completeness and to enable a better understanding of the overall invention. Actually, a more detailed description of the above-described structure and can be found in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/052,862 filed on Feb. 9, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference. Again, the present invention is being described with reference to drawer-type dishwasher 2, but is not intended to be limited in this respect. Instead, the present invention is directed to a control system for dishwasher 2.
In accordance with the invention as represented in
In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, main controller 200 receives inputs in the form of event data from user interface controller 220. The event data generally includes generic commands such as start, stop, pause etc., as well as user interface specific commands (cycle and cycle options) such as sanitize, tough scrub, heated dry, extra rinse, normal wash, heavy wash and the like. Main controller 200 interprets the event data and activates electrical wash system components 100 accordingly. More specifically, during the washing operation, main controller 200 broadcasts information to user interface controller 220. That is, main controller 200 broadcasts status data back to user interface 200, particularly to update display 240. For example, main controller 200 provides status information to display 240 in the form of display settings, cycle time remaining, cycle selected, options selected and/or current cycle information.
In further accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, the status data broadcast by main controller 200 to user interface controller 220 takes the form of a universal instruction packet. The universal instruction packet includes a first set of instructions that are associated with model dependent operational parameters, as well as a second set of instructions that are associated with other available dishwasher models. More specifically, the first set of instructions are associated with the cycles, cycle option and other parameters actually, physically preset in the particular model dishwasher. The second set of instructions are associated with operational parameters that address options not actually, physically provided in the particular dishwasher model.
With this arrangement, main controller 200 can universally communicate with the plurality of user interface controllers 220 and 220a-220c without being associated with any particular dishwasher model. Once the universal instruction packet is received at, for example, user interface controller 220, the first set of instructions are acted upon and presented on display 240, while the second set of instructions are filtered out and simply ignored by user interface controller 220. Thus, the present invention establishes a universal control system that can be incorporated into any number of different dishwasher models.
In order to ensure proper lines of communication, main controller 200 is preferably linked to user interface controller 220 through a communication bus 250. Communication bus 250 can take the form of a serial and/or parallel connection, a peer-to-peer connection or the like. In this manner, a manufacturer can reduce the overall material costs associated with creating a distinct user interface element and main controller for each dishwasher model, or the need for excessive wiring or specific programming for a main controller, thereby allowing for a reduction in the overall design, construction and maintenance costs.
Although described with reference to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be readily understood that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. For instance, while the link between main controller 200 and user input controller 220 is described as a serial or parallel connection, other forms of communication, such as wireless protocols, are also acceptable. Also, while the electrical wash system components are described as including a wash pump, drain pump and heater, other components, such as sensors, dispensers and the like are also encompassed. In general, the invention is only intended to be limited by the scope of the following claims.
