System for determining an operating state of a dishwasher and an according method

Abstract

A washing system for determining an operating state of a dishwasher (12) comprises a dishwasher (12), in particular wherein the dishwasher (12) comprises a dishwasher interface (14), a dispenser unit (26), in particular wherein the dispenser unit (26) comprises a dispenser interface (28), wherein the dispenser unit (26) is connected to the dishwasher (12) for dosing a detergent to the dishwasher (12), a logic unit (30), in particular wherein the logic unit (30) is connectable to the dishwasher interface (14) and the dispenser interface (28), and a current sensor (24) for measuring an electrical current consumed by the dishwasher (12), wherein the current sensor (24) is connected to the logic unit (30). By replacing costly water meters by a current sensor (24), the cost efficiency of the washing system (10) may be increased. In addition, the assembling and maintenance effort of the washing system (10) may be reduced.

Claims

1. A washing system for determining an operating state of a dishwasher, comprising: a dishwasher, wherein the dishwasher comprises a dishwasher interface; a dispenser unit, wherein the dispenser unit comprises a dispenser interface and the dispenser unit is connected to the dishwasher for dosing a detergent to the dishwasher; a logic unit, wherein the logic unit is connectable to the dishwasher interface and the dispenser interface; and a current sensor for measuring a value of a current parameter indicative of an electrical current consumed by the dishwasher, wherein the current sensor is connected to the logic unit, wherein the logic unit receives information from the current sensor comprising the value of the current parameter and at least one other signal representative of a second parameter of the dishwasher; and the logic unit is configured to determine the operating state of the washing system based on the received information from the current sensor and the at least one other signal representative of the second parameter.

2. The washing system according to claim 1, wherein the current sensor comprises a current clamp.

3. The washing system according to claim 1, wherein the logic unit is integrated in the dispenser unit.

4. The washing system according to claim 1, wherein: the logic processes the received information from the current sensor, wherein the processing comprises: comparing the received value of the current parameter with a current reference value; and determining the operating state of the washing system based on a result of the current comparison.

5. The wash system according to claim 4, wherein the determined operating state comprises one state selected from a group consisting of: a high stand-by state, a normal operation state, a leaking tank state, a water volume too low state, and a temperature too high state.

6. The washing system according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one other signal comprises washing temperature information comprising a value of a washing temperature parameter indicative of a washing temperature of the dishwasher; the logic unit processes the received washing temperature information, wherein the processing comprises comparing the value of the washing temperature parameter with a washing temperature reference value; and the determining of the operating state of the washing system by the logic unit further comprises determining the operating state based on a result of the washing temperature comparison.

7. The washing system according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one other signal comprises rinsing temperature information comprising a value of a rinsing temperature parameter indicative of a rinsing temperature of the dishwasher; the logic unit processes the received rinsing temperature information, wherein the processing comprises comparing the value of the rinsing temperature parameter with a rinsing temperature reference value; and the determining of the operating state of the washing system by the logic unit further comprises determining the operating state based on a result of the rinsing temperature comparison.

8. The washing system according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one other signal comprises a washing dosing signal indicative of a washing fluid being supplied, the detecting comprising receiving the washing dosing signal from the dishwasher interface; the logic unit processes the detected washing dosing signal; and the determining of the operating state of the washing system by the logic unit further comprises determining the operating state based on the detected washing dosing signal.

9. The wash system according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one other signal comprises a rinsing dosing signal indicative of a rinsing fluid being supplied, the detecting comprising receiving the rinsing dosing signal from the dishwasher interface; the logic unit processes the detected rinsing dosing signal; and the determining of the operating state of the washing system by the logic unit further comprises determining the operating state based on the detected rinsing dosing signal.

10. The wash system according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one other signal comprises a machine signal indicative of the washing system being operational, the detecting comprising receiving the machine signal from the dishwasher interface, the dispenser interface, or the logic unit; the logic unit processes the detected machine signal; and the determining of the operating state of the washing system by the logic unit further comprises determining the operating state based on the detected machine signal.

11. The wash system according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one other signal comprises a dispenser dosing signal indicative of a detergent being supplied to the dishwasher, the detecting comprising receiving the dispenser dosing signal from the dispenser interface; the logic unit processes the detected dispenser dosing signal; and the determining of the operating state of the washing system by the logic unit further comprises determining the operating state based on the detected dispenser dosing signal.

12. The washing system according to claim 1, wherein the logic unit is integrated in the dispenser interface.

13. The washing system according to claim 1, wherein the logic unit comprises a memory module.

14. The washing system according to claim 13, wherein the memory module comprises parameters and values stored by the logic unit during and/or after operation of the washing system based on prior washing cycles of the washing system.

15. The washing system according to claim 1, wherein the logic unit comprises a processor.

16. A washing system for determining an operating state of a dishwasher, comprising: a dishwasher, wherein the dishwasher comprises a dishwasher interface; a dispenser unit, wherein the dispenser unit comprises a dispenser interface and the dispenser unit is connected to the dishwasher for dosing a detergent to the dishwasher; a logic unit, wherein the logic unit is connectable to the dishwasher interface and the dispenser interface; and a current sensor for measuring an electrical current consumed by the dishwasher, wherein the current sensor is connected to the logic unit and the logic unit is configured to: a) receive information comprising a value of a current parameter indicative of a current consumed by the dishwasher and a second signal comprising one or more of the following: washing temperature information comprising a value of a washing temperature parameter indicative of a washing temperature of the dishwasher; rinsing temperature information comprising a value of a rinsing temperature parameter indicative of a rinsing temperature of the dishwasher; a washing dosing signal indicative of a washing fluid being supplied; a rinsing dosing signal indicative of a rinsing fluid being supplied; a machine signal indicative of the washing system being operational; and a dispenser dosing signal indicative of the detergent being supplied to the dishwasher; and b) process the received information and/or signal to determine the operating state of the washing system based on both the received current parameter and the received second signal.

17. The wash system of claim 16, wherein the logic unit determines the operating state is an operating state selected from the group consisting of: a high stand-by state, a normal operation state, a leaking tank state, a water volume too low state, and a temperature too high state.

18. The wash system of claim 17, wherein the logic unit determines that the dishwasher is in the high stand-by state if the processed received information satisfies one or more of: a value of the current parameter that is higher or lower than a current reference value by a predefined amount; a value of the washing temperature parameter that is within a predefined range of a washing temperature reference; a value of the rinsing temperature parameter that is within a predefined range of a rinsing temperature reference; detection of a machine signal; no detection of a washing dosing signal, rinsing dosing signal, or dispenser dosing signal.

19. The wash system of claim 17, wherein the logic unit determines that the dishwasher is in the normal operation state if the processed received information satisfies one or more of: a value of the current parameter within a predefined range of a current reference value; a value of the washing temperature parameter that is within a predefined range of a washing temperature reference; a value of the rinsing temperature parameter that is within a predefined range of a rinsing temperature reference; detection of a machine signal; detection of a washing dosing signal, rinsing dosing signal, or dispenser dosing signal.

20. The wash system of claim 17, wherein the logic unit determines that the dishwasher is in the leaking tank state if the processed received information satisfies one or more of: a value of the current parameter that is higher than a current reference value by a predefined amount; a value of the washing temperature parameter that is lower than a washing temperature reference by a predefined amount; a value of the rinsing temperature parameter that is within a predefined range of a rinsing temperature reference; no detection of a washing dosing signal or a rinsing dosing signal; detection of a machine signal and a dispenser dosing signal.

21. The wash system of claim 17, wherein the logic unit determines that the dishwasher is in the water volume too low state if the processed received information satisfies one or more of: a value of the current parameter that is lower than a current reference value by a predefined amount; a value of the washing temperature parameter that is within a predefined range of a washing temperature reference; a value of the rinsing temperature parameter that is within a predefined range of a rinsing temperature reference; detection of a washing dosing signal, rinsing dosing signal, and machine signal; no detection of a dispenser dosing signal.

22. The wash system of claim 17, wherein the logic unit determines that the dishwasher is in the temperature too high state if the processed received information satisfies one or more of: a value of the current parameter that is higher than a current reference value by a predefined amount; a value of the washing temperature parameter that is higher than a washing temperature reference by a predefined amount; a value of the rinsing temperature parameter that is higher than a rinsing temperature reference by a predefined amount.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) Additional details, features, characteristics and advantages of the object of the invention are disclosed in the figures and the following description of the respective figures, whichin exemplary fashionshow one embodiment and an example of a washing system according to the invention. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a washing system according to the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a current sensor in Form of a current clamp;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a logic matrix with the signals and parameters required for determining the operating state of the washing system.

(5) The illustration in FIG. 1 shows a washing system 10 comprising a dishwasher 12 with a dishwasher interface 14, arranged inside the dishwasher 12. The dishwasher 12 comprises a washing tank 16 for supplying water to a washing zone 18 of the dishwasher 12. During a washing operation the washing zone 18 may be closed with a vertically moveable cover 20. The water inside the washing tank 16 may be heated to a desired temperature, for example according to DIN 10510, using electricity. The dishwasher is connected to electric mains by a power supply line 22. In order to measure the value of the current parameter (A), indicative of the amount of electricity consumed by the dishwasher 12, a current sensor 24 in form of a current clamp is attached to the power supply line 22 of the dishwasher 12. The current sensor 24 may be an inductive type of sensor. The current sensor 24 is connected to a dispenser unit 26 comprising a dispenser interface 28 as well as a logic unit 30, wherein the dispenser interface 28 is connected to the logic unit 30. The current sensor 24 is connected to the logic unit 30, for example through the dispenser unit 26, via a cable 32. The logic unit 30 is connected to the dishwasher interface 14 for example via a cable (not shown), wherein the logic unit 30 may receive signals and values of parameters from the dishwasher interface 14 as well as the dispenser interface 28 in order to determine the operating state of the washing system 10 based on the received signals and parameters. The dispenser unit 26 supplies a detergent to the dishwasher 12, in particular the washing tank 16 and/or the washing zone 18, via a pipe (not shown).

(6) In FIG. 2 the current sensor 24 in form of a current clamp is shown with the cable 32 attached. The current sensor 24 comprises a current clamp base 34 and a current clamp head 36, rotatable attached to the current clamp base 34 in order to be clamped around a power supply line 22 of the dishwasher 12 for example.

(7) In FIG. 3 a logic matrix is shown, comprising the signals and parameters based on which the logic unit 30 may determine the operating state of the washing system 10. The logic matrix comprises a column with the current parameter (A), indicative of the consumption of electricity of the washing system 10. The current parameter (A) may be too high, higher, lower or too low compared to a current reference value. Further columns for existing default signals, for example from the dishwasher interface, are the temperature related washing and rinsing temperature parameters (B, C) and the dosing signal based washing and rinsing dosing signals (D, E). The values of the washing and rinsing temperature parameters (B, C) may be too high, higher, lower or too low compared to a washing and/or rinsing temperature reference value. The washing and rinsing dosing signals (D, E) may be either on or off, indicative of a dosing of a fluid or not. In a further column the existing default signal, the machine signal (F) is arranged. The machine signal (F) indicates whether the washing system 10 is switched on or not. The dosing signal (G) from the dispenser unit 26, in particular the dispenser interface 28, is arranged in a further column. The conclusion, the operating state of the washing system 10 related to the listed parameters and signals, is also arranged in a column.

(8) The high stand-by state corresponds to the value of the current parameter (A) being higher or too high compared to a current reference value. The value of the current parameter (A) may be too high or too low compared to the current reference value, if the measured value of the current parameter (A) differs from the current reference value by a predefined amount. The value of the current parameter (A) may be an indicator for the consumption of electricity of the washing system. The values of the washing and rinsing temperature parameters (B, C) essentially may fit the measured or predefined washing and/or rinsing temperature reference value. The washing and rinsing dosing signal (D, E) as well as the dispenser dosing signal (G) may not be detected. The machine signal (F) may be detected.

(9) The normal operation state corresponds to the value of the current parameter (A), the washing and rinsing temperature parameters (B, C) essentially fitting the measured and/or predefined current reference, washing temperature and rinsing temperature reference values. The washing and rinsing dosing signal (D, E) as well as the machine signal (F) and the dispenser dosing signal (G) may be detected.

(10) The leaking tank state corresponds to the value of the current parameter (A) being higher or too high compared to a current reference value. The value of the washing temperature parameter (B) may be lower or too low compared to the predefined washing temperature reference value. The rinsing temperature parameters (C) may fit essentially the measured or predefined rinsing temperature reference value. The washing and rinsing dosing signal (D, E) may not be detected. The machine signal (F) and the dispenser dosing signal (G) may be detected, thus indicating a leaking washing tank.

(11) The water volume too low state corresponds to the value of the current parameter (A) being lower or too low compared to a current reference value. The washing and rinsing temperature parameters (B, C) may be essentially fitting the measured and/or predefined washing temperature and rinsing temperature reference values. The washing and rinsing dosing signal (D, E) as well as the machine signal (F) may be detected. The dispenser dosing signal (G) may not be detected. The low or too low value of the current parameter may be indicative of a smaller water volume being heated up to a predefined washing temperature for example.

(12) The temperature too high state may correspond to the value of the current parameter (A), the values of the washing and rinsing temperature parameters (B, C) being higher or too high compared to the current reference value and the washing and/or rinsing temperature reference value. The washing and rinsing dosing signal (D, E) as well as the machine signal (F) and the dispenser dosing signal (G) may be detected.

(13) The particular combinations of elements and features in the above detailed embodiments are exemplary only; the interchanging and substitution of these teachings with other teachings in this and the patents/applications incorporate by reference are also expressly contemplated. As those skilled in the art will recognize, variations, modifications, and other implementations of what is described herein can occur to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by the way of example only and is not intending as limiting. In the claims, the wording comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, and the identified article a or an does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. The inventions scope is defined in the following claims and the equivalents thereto. Furthermore, reference signs used in the description and claims do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(14) 10 washing system 12 dishwasher 14 dishwasher interface 16 washing tank 18 washing zone 20 cover 22 power supply line 24 current sensor 26 dispenser unit 28 dispenser interface 30 logic unit 32 cable 34 current clamp base 36 current clamp head A current parameter B washing temperature parameter C rinsing temperature parameter D washing dosing signal E rinsing dosing signal F machine signal