Patent Application
20240398202
The present subject matter relates generally to methods for suggesting operation of a dishwasher appliance.
Dishwasher appliances generally include rack assemblies for positioning various articles for cleaning within a wash chamber. One or more devices, such as nozzles or spray assemblies, may be included at various locations relative to the rack assemblies for purposes of delivering fluids as part of the cleaning process. During the cleaning cycle, the rack assemblies can support and position the articles while also having openings that allow fluid to pass through to the articles. Factors, such as the velocity of the fluid, orientation of the fluid spray or stream relative to the articles, the shape and density of the articles in the rack assemblies, and others, can impact the effectiveness of the cleaning cycle.
One or more rack assemblies may be used in dishwasher appliances for user convenience. Multiple rack assemblies on multiple levels within dishwasher appliances may allow users to place articles of differing heights and sizes in optimal positions to allow for proper cleaning of the articles. Some dishwasher appliances may include one or more baskets which may also be provided for holding articles, particularly smaller or for more narrow articles, such as silverware. Additionally, the user may have the option of, e.g., placing articles, such as silverware, within a basket on a lower rack assembly or placing the silverware directly (without the basket) onto an upper rack assembly specially configured for the receipt of such articles.
A typical problem the user may face relating to the operation of the dishwasher appliance is forgetting to run the dishwasher appliance or making accidental button presses leading to unwanted cycles. Another typical problem the user may run into is a clogged filter. A dishwasher appliance configured to aid the user with avoiding such problems may be advantageous.
Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In one example embodiment, a method of operating a dishwasher appliance configured for communication with an external computing device. The method includes accessing, with the external computing device, data corresponding to a cycle history of the dishwasher appliance. The method also includes monitoring, with the external computing device, for data corresponding to a new cycle activation of the dishwasher appliance and generating data corresponding to suggested operation of the dishwasher appliance based at least in part on one or more of a time of day, the new cycle activation, and the cycle history of the dishwasher appliance.
In another example embodiment, a method of operating a dishwasher appliance configured for communication with an external computing device. The method includes accessing, with the external computing device, data corresponding to a cycle settings history of the dishwasher appliance. The method also includes monitoring, with the external computing device, for data corresponding to a new cycle activation of the dishwasher appliance and generating data corresponding to suggested settings of the dishwasher appliance based at least in part on one or more of the cycle settings history and current settings of the dishwasher appliance.
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 “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”). Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, is 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 “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. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin.
As used herein, the term “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 “wash 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 and uses a detergent and water, preferably with agitation, to e.g., remove soil particles including food and other undesirable elements from the articles. The term “rinse cycle” is intended to refer to one or more periods of time during which the dishwashing appliance operates to remove residual soil, detergents, and other undesirable elements that were retained by the articles after completion of the wash cycle. The term “drain cycle” is intended to refer to one or more periods of time during which the dishwashing appliance operates to discharge soiled water from the dishwashing appliance. The term “cleaning cycle” is intended to refer to one or more periods of time that may include a wash cycle, rinse cycle, and/or a drain cycle. The term “wash fluid” refers to a liquid used for washing and/or rinsing the articles and is typically made up of water that may include other additives such as detergent or other treatments.
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 open structure supporting various elements of appliance 100. By contrast, cabinet 102 may enclose some or all portions of an interior of cabinet 102. 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 opening 114 and a door 116 hinged at its bottom 117 for movement between a normally closed vertical position (shown in
At least one rack assembly is slidably positioned within wash chamber 106 and is configured for the receipt of articles for cleaning. For the example embodiment shown in
Each rack assembly 122, 124, 126 is adapted for movement along transverse direction T between an extended loading position (not shown) in which the rack is substantially positioned outside the wash chamber 106, and a retracted position (shown in
Some or all of the rack assemblies 122, 124, 126 may be fabricated into lattice, or grid pattern, structures including a plurality of wires or elongated members 130 (for clarity of illustration, not all elongated members making up rack assemblies 122, 124, 126 are shown in
At least one spray assembly is located in wash chamber 106 and is configured to direct wash fluids onto at least on rack assembly for washing articles located therein. For the example embodiment of
The various spray assemblies and manifolds described herein may be part of a fluid distribution system or fluid circulation assembly 150 for circulating water and wash fluid in the tub 104. More specifically, fluid circulation assembly 150 includes a pump 152 for circulating water and wash fluid (e.g., detergent, water, and/or rinse aid) in the tub 104. Pump 152 may be located within sump 138 or within a machinery compartment located below sump 138 of tub 104, as generally recognized in the art. Fluid circulation assembly 150 may include one or more fluid conduits or circulation piping for directing water and/or wash fluid from pump 152 to the various spray assemblies and manifolds. For example, as illustrated in
As illustrated, primary supply conduit 154 is used to supply wash fluid to mid-level spray arm assembly 140 while a secondary supply conduit 92 supplies wash fluid to upper spray assembly 142. Diverter assembly 156 can allow selection between spray assemblies 134 and 140, 142 being supplied with wash fluid. However, it should be appreciated that according to alternative embodiments, any other suitable plumbing configuration may be used to supply wash fluid throughout the various spray manifolds and assemblies described herein.
Each spray assembly 134, 140, 142 or other spray device may include an arrangement of discharge ports or orifices for directing wash fluid received from pump 152 onto dishes or other articles located in wash chamber 106. The arrangement of the discharge ports, also referred to as jets, apertures, or orifices, may provide a rotational force by virtue of wash fluid flowing through the discharge ports. Alternatively, spray assemblies 134, 140, 142 may be motor-driven, or may operate using any other suitable drive mechanism. Spray manifolds and assemblies may also be stationary. Movement of the spray arm assemblies 134 and 140 and the spray from fixed manifolds like spray assembly 142 provides coverage of dishes, silverware, and other dishwasher contents and articles 94 to be cleaned with a washing spray. Other configurations of spray assemblies may be used as well. For example, dishwasher appliance 100 may have additional spray assemblies for cleaning silverware, for scouring casserole dishes, for spraying pots and pans, for cleaning bottles, etc. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments discussed herein are used for the purpose of explanation only and are not limitations of the present subject matter.
In operation, pump 152 draws wash fluid in from sump 138 and pumps it to a diverter assembly 156, e.g., which is positioned within sump 138 of dishwasher appliance. Diverter assembly 156 may include a diverter disk (not shown) disposed within a diverter chamber (not shown) for selectively distributing the wash fluid to the spray assemblies 134, 140, 142 and/or other spray manifolds or devices. For example, the diverter disk may have a plurality of apertures that are configured to align with one or more outlet ports (not shown) at the top of diverter chamber (not shown). In this manner, the diverter disk may be selectively rotated to provide wash fluid to the desired spray device.
According to an example embodiment, diverter assembly 156 is configured for selectively distributing the flow of wash fluid from pump 152 to various fluid supply conduits, only some of which (e.g., 154) are illustrated in
The dishwasher appliance 100 is further equipped with a controller 160 (
The controller 160 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout dishwasher appliance 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 160 may be located within a control panel area 162 of door 116. In such an embodiment, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between the control system and various operational components of dishwasher appliance 100 along wiring harnesses that may be routed through the bottom of door 116. Typically, the controller 160 includes a user interface panel/controls 164 (
It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to any particular style, model, or configuration of dishwasher appliance 100. The example embodiment depicted in
Specifically, according to an example embodiment, network WC is configured for signal communication between dishwasher appliance 100, a user via separate device 402, and/or an external computing device, such as a remote server 400, e.g., a cloud-based server. According to example embodiments, dishwasher appliance 100 may communicate with external computing device 402 either directly (e.g., through a local area network (LAN), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, etc.) or indirectly (e.g., via a mesh network), as well as with the external computing device, remote server 400 to receive notifications, provide confirmations, input operational data, transmit sound signals and sound signatures, etc., on network WC.
In general, separate device 402 may be any suitable device for providing and/or receiving communications or commands from a user. In this regard, separate device 402 may include, for example, a personal phone, a tablet, a laptop computer, a smart home assistant (e.g., Google® Assistant or Amazon® Alexa) or another mobile device. In addition, or alternatively, communication between dishwasher appliance 100 and the user may be achieved directly through the user interface 164 on appliance 100. In general, network WC can be any type of communication network. For example, network WC can include one or more of a wireless network, a wired network, a personal area network, a local area network, a wide area network, the internet, a cellular network, etc. In general, communication with network may use any of 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).
In some example embodiments, remote server 400 may be any suitable external computing device. Thus, remote server 400, e.g., a cloud-based server, may be configured to perform various operations. For example, remote server 400 may be configured to identify a time of day 406. Remote server 400 may also compare a cycle history 408 of the dishwasher appliance 100, as well as compare a cycle settings history 404 of the dishwasher appliance. Each of these operations may be considered by remote server 400, e.g., in response to the cycle settings history 404, the time of day 406, and the cycle history 408 dishwasher appliance 100 may suggest operation or suggest settings of the dishwasher appliance 100. Each of these operations may be triggered by a new cycle activation at the dishwasher appliance 100. The time of day 406 may also trigger the suggested operation with respect to historically running cycles at a certain time of day. For example, the user may typically activate a new cycle at noon, and in response to noticing the absence of a cycle activation at noon, remote server 400 may identify the time of day 406, compare the cycle settings history 404 and the cycle history 408, and then suggest operation of the dishwasher appliance 100. The suggested operation may be sent to the separate device 402.
Moreover, the operation of dishwasher appliance 100 may be determined in response to a cycle setting being different from what is normally selected in the cycle settings history 404, the time of day 406 being after a set time, and the cycle history 408 indicating a pattern of use of dishwasher appliance 100 has been missed by the user. For example, the cycle setting of the cycle settings history 404 may include any adjustable setting for the dishwashing cycle, e.g., the cycle setting may be to use heat to dry the articles in dishwasher appliance 100. The comparison of the cycle settings history 404 may avoid scenarios of running cycles with unwanted settings enabled cue to accidental touches. The set time may any programmable time of day programmed by the user, e.g., nine-thirty in the afternoon (9:30 pm). Further, the cycle history 408 may be a record of past cycles of the dishwasher appliance 100. The record of past cycles may be stored on the memory of the external computing device, e.g., on remote server 400. The cycle history 408 along with the time of day may advantageously aid in avoiding scenarios where the user may forget to initiate a new cycle of dishwasher appliance 100. Furthermore, the operation of dishwasher appliance 100 may be determined from the monitoring of a filter 200 of dishwasher appliance 100 for a sign of clogging, and suggesting, cleaning of filter 200 in response to the sign of clogging. The sign of clogging may include a pressure sensor (not shown) recording a measurement, that when compared to a history of pressure readings implies clogging within the filter.
In other alternative embodiments, controller 160 may be configured to access the cycle history 408 or the cycle settings history 404, monitor for data corresponding to the new cycle activation of the dishwasher appliance, and generate data corresponding to suggested operation or suggested settings of the dishwasher appliance in response to one or more of the time of day 406, the new cycle activation, and the cycle history 408 or the cycle settings history 404. Moreover, operations may be distributed between controller 160 and external computing device 402. For example, controller 160 may monitor for the new cycle activation and access the cycle settings history 404 of the dishwasher appliance 100, and external computing device 402, e.g., remote server 400, may identify a time of day 406, access a cycle history 408, and suggest operation or suggest settings of the dishwasher appliance 100. Furthermore, the operation of dishwasher appliance 100 may be determined from the controller 160 monitoring filter 200 of dishwasher appliance 100 for a sign of clogging, and suggesting the cleaning of filter 200 in response to the sign of clogging.
As may be seen from the above, methods 500, 600 depict dishwasher appliance 100 operation suggestions generated based upon the selected settings (404), the time of doing laundry (406), and the user's historical laundry pattern (408). The suggestions may be generated from external computing device 400, or remote server 400, and may be activated remotely, e.g., from separate device 402, by the user. As such, dishwasher appliance 100 may advantageously aid the user with avoiding typical problems such as forgetting to run the dishwasher, accidental setting changes, and clogged filters.
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 languages of the claims.
