A washing and drying unit configured to perform at least one of washing, drying, and sterilizing, or any combination thereof includes at least one sensor configured to determine a dimension and/or shape of the object, a washing and/or sterilizing apparatus and a drying and/or sterilizing apparatus configured to direct at least one apparatus or spray of a washing and/or sterilizing or a drying and/or sterilizing fluid to the object, at least one robot arm connected to at least one of the apparatuses, and a controller operable to orient and move the at least one robot arm. A separate sterilization apparatus may be included and the sterilization may include using electrified water or water that has been exposed to ultraviolet light. The controller orients the at least one robot arm based on the dimension and/or shape determined by the at least one sensor.

The dishwasher door may include a forward door panel, a light source, and an indicator lens. The forward door panel may define an indicator aperture. The light source may be directed downward along a vertical direction. The indicator lens may be spaced apart from the light source along the vertical direction. The indicator lens may extend from a projection surface to a receiving surface. The receiving surface may face the light source to receive a light emission therefrom. The indicator lens may define a projection path directing at least a portion of the light emission through the indicator aperture and from the projection surface.

A detergent dispenser may be positioned to dispense detergent into a wash tub of a household appliance, and may include: a detergent carrier with a plurality of detergent units, each of the detergent units including one or more walls defining a cavity with a dispensing opening, and a door movable between an open and closed position; a housing for receiving the detergent carrier, the housing including a dispensing outlet; a carrier driver for moving the detergent carrier between a plurality of positions, each position orienting one of the dispensing units proximate the dispensing outlet, where when one of the dispensing units is proximate the dispensing outlet the door of the one of the plurality of dispensing units is open, otherwise the door is closed.

A dishwasher for treating dishes according to an automatic cycle of operation can comprise a tub defining a treating chamber with an access opening. A door can be selectively moveable to a closed position to close the access opening and can have a metal inner panel with a rear face confronting the treating chamber when the door is in the closed position. The door can have a lower edge overlying a portion of the tub when the door is in the closed position. A ventilating strip can be provided along the lower edge and can have vent openings passing through the strip. A seal can extend between the tub and the ventilating strip when the door is closed to form a liquid seal between the ventilating strip and the tub.

A dishwasher (100) is disclosed. The dishwasher (100) includes a cabinet (1) having an opening (11), a tub (2) provided in the cabinet (1) for receiving objects to be washed, a spray arm (711, 713) for spraying wash water to the objects, a sump (3) for storing wash water, a pump (8) for supplying the wash water stored in the sump (3) to the spray arm (711, 713), a door (13) for opening and closing the opening (11), a first steam nozzle (42) provided in the tub (2), a docking unit (62) provided at the door (13) and connected to the first steam nozzle (42) for supplying steam to the first steam nozzle (42), and a docking connector (64) provided at the tub (2) and is connected to a steam source for supplying steam to the docking unit (62), wherein, when the door (13) is opened, the docking unit (62) is disconnected from the docking connector (64), and, when the door (139 is closed, the docking unit (62) is connected to the docking connector (64) to define a closed path along which steam flows.

A clean status indicator is disclosed for use with a cleaning device such as a dishwasher. At least one weight sensor may be configured to sense the weight of objects within the washing compartment. In some approaches at least one temperature sensor is configured to monitor a change of temperature occurring within a washing compartment. A visual display is positioned within a housing for conveying a clean/dirty status of objects within the washing compartment. A controller is in communication with the at least one sensor and the visual display. The controller includes a status logic receiving data from the at least one sensor to determine the clean/dirty status of objects within the washing compartment and display the clean/dirty status on the visual display.

A refrigerator equipped with a door that becomes transparent as necessary to make the interior thereof visible is disclosed. The refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage compartment defined therein, a lighting device for illuminating the interior of the storage compartment, a door, which is hingedly coupled to the cabinet to open and close the storage compartment, and has an opening and a panel assembly including a front panel disposed on the front surface thereof, a sensor for detecting sound waves, which are generated by a knock input applied to the door and are transmitted through the front panel, and a controller for controlling the lighting device to allow light to be transmitted through the panel assembly, thus making the storage compartment visible from outside the door through the opening when a predetermined knock input is detected.

A refrigerator equipped with a door that becomes transparent as necessary to make the interior thereof visible is disclosed. The refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage compartment defined therein, a lighting device for illuminating the interior of the storage compartment, a door, which is hingedly coupled to the cabinet to open and close the storage compartment, and has an opening and a panel assembly including a front panel disposed on the front surface thereof, a sensor for detecting sound waves, which are generated by a knock input applied to the door and are transmitted through the front panel, and a controller for controlling the lighting device to allow light to be transmitted through the panel assembly, thus making the storage compartment visible from outside the door through the opening when a predetermined knock input is detected.

A dishwasher appliance includes a door hinged to a cabinet. A user interface panel is positioned on the door at a top edge of the door. A user interface board is positioned within the door below the user interface panel. A plurality of capacitive sensors is mounted to the user interface board. The capacitive sensors are operable to detect user inputs on the user interface panel. A user indicator lens is positioned on the door at a front face of the door and below the user interface panel. A daughter board is positioned within the door at the user indicator lens. The user interface board is positioned generally parallel to the daughter board within the door. A plurality of orthogonal light emitting devices is mounted to the daughter board. The orthogonal light emitting devices are oriented to illuminate indicators on the user indicator lens.

A household appliance, such as a dishwasher, for treating an item, such as a dish, in a treating chamber according to at least one automatic cycle of operation includes multiple antennas for transmitting and receiving data with an external network. The multiple antennas can be coupled with a radio also located within the appliance.