Image-based object sensing is utilized in a dishwasher to configure a wash cycle and/or perform other operations in the dishwasher.

Image-based object sensing is utilized in a dishwasher to configure a wash cycle and/or perform other operations in the dishwasher.

An automated cleaning machine may include one or more short cleaning cycles in which the duration of a cleaning cycle is shortened relative to the duration of a default cleaning cycle. During a short cleaning cycle, other cleaning cycle parameters may also be adjusted to ensure that the articles subjected to the short cleaning cycle are adequately cleaned and sanitized. For example, the wash temperature, rinse temperature, and/or cleaning product amounts or concentrations, may be adjusted to account for the shortened duration of the cleaning cycle. The automated cleaning machine may further include one or more short cycle mode(s) during which short cleaning cycle parameters are used and one or more default cycle mode(s) during which default cleaning cycle parameters are used.

The invention relates to a low cost sensor array suitable for use in a ware washing machine, preferably a dish washing machine. The invention also relates to a standalone detergent dispensing device comprising the low cost sensor array. The sensor systems are intended to allow monitoring of wash cycles such that controlled sequential dosing of reagents in wash cycles can be optimized. A device comprising such a sensor system may then be able to sense the conditions of the wash and dose reagents in their optimal sequence in the wash.

The actuator (10) comprises a body (12) formed by a single strip of ferromagnetic material, U-shaped and including a first and a second lateral branch (14, 16) facing each other and interconnected by an intermediate branch or portion (18). A first lateral branch (14) of the body (12) has a frustoconical formation (30) which extends in the region outside the body (12). A coil (22) is fixed in the body (12), and its axis (A-A) extends in a direction essentially orthogonal to the lateral branches (14, 16) of this body (12). A ferromagnetic core (28) is mounted so as to be translatable inside the coil (22), from a rest position to a working position, as an effect of the energizing of the coil (22). One end (32) of the core (28), facing towards the first branch (14) of said body (12), has a frustoconical shape essentially complementary to the internal shape (30b) of the formation (30). The frustoconical formation (30) of the first branch (14) of said body (12) is blind and has a planar distal bottom wall (30a).

An appliance, system, and method for operating an appliance is provided. The appliance, system, and method are configured to execute operations including determining when a dispensing device for a detergent meets or exceeds a detergent level threshold, determining if a first wash mode corresponding to a performance wash mode is activated, and changing operation from the first wash mode to a second wash mode corresponding to an efficiency wash mode when the dispensing device meets or exceeds the detergent level threshold and the first wash mode is activated.

An appliance, system, and method for operating an appliance and determining presence of water softener at water provided to an appliance is provided. The system is configured to obtain a first water hardness value; obtain a second water hardness value based on a location of the appliance; determine a ratio of the first water hardness value and the second water hardness value; compare the ratio of the first water hardness value and the second water hardness value to a threshold limit; transmit a first water hardness signal when the threshold limit is exceeded, wherein the first water hardness signal corresponds to the first water hardness value; transmit, to the database storage device, a second water hardness signal when the ratio is within the threshold limit; and adjust operation of the appliance based on whether the first water hardness signal or the second water hardness signal is transmitted.

An automated cleaning machine may include one or more short cleaning cycles in which the duration of a cleaning cycle is shortened relative to the duration of a default cleaning cycle. During a short cleaning cycle, other cleaning cycle parameters may also be adjusted to ensure that the articles subjected to the short cleaning cycle are adequately cleaned and sanitized. For example, the wash temperature, rinse temperature, and/or cleaning product amounts or concentrations, may be adjusted to account for the shortened duration of the cleaning cycle. The automated cleaning machine may further include one or more short cycle mode(s) during which short cleaning cycle parameters are used and one or more default cycle mode(s) during which default cleaning cycle parameters are used.

An automated dosing method for dosing a chemical in a tunnel dishwasher includes the steps of: detecting a rinse signal from a supplying solenoid valve for supplying a rinse water of the dishwasher; dosing a detergent amount apt to be inserted in a washing liquid, at a first load configuration of the dishwasher, for obtaining a washing mixture; and dosing a further detergent amount, apt to be inserted in the washing liquid for a restoration of the detergent in the washing mixture at an operating configuration of the dishwasher. The dosing step of a further detergent amount is performed periodically according to a predetermined time frequency.

An intelligent faucet structure based on a photoelectric detection device is disclosed. The intelligent faucet structure includes a faucet with a manual operation valve, an intelligent control module, a water outflow tube, a cold water inflow tube, a hot water inflow tube, and a photoelectric detection induction device. The water outflow tube, the cold water inflow tube and the hot water inflow tube are all connected to the manual operation valve that is mounted in the faucet. The intelligent control module is connected in series with the water outflow tube. The photoelectric detection induction device is installed on the water outflow tube and connected through a feeder cable or directly to the intelligent control module.