Abstract:
A detergent module for dispensing detergent during a wash-cycle is presented in which a sensor senses and indicates or a user via control input indicates whether the detergent in the module is a solid-type detergent or a liquid-type detergent, and the detergent-type indication is used by a dishwashing machine or a laundry washing machine to select a washing algorithm tailored to exploit the cleaning efficiency of the detergent.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    Most machines for washing articles, such as dishes or laundry, require a detergent as the cleaning agent. This detergent is available in several forms including liquid, gel, powder, and tablet. Regardless of the form of the detergent, the active cleaning agent within the detergent may be chlorine-based or enzyme-based. The current approach washes the articles the same way, regardless of whether the detergent used is a solid-type or liquid-type, or whether it is chlorine-based or enzyme-based. This approach may not maximize the effectiveness of the detergent used, which may result in sub-standard washing. Thus, there is a continuing need for a machine that exploits the efficiency of the detergent used during the wash-cycle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure provides a detergent module apparatus and control techniques that may be employed to determine if the detergent stored in the module is a solid-type or liquid-type detergent. This determination may then be used by a machine controller to select a wash algorithm based at least in part upon the type of detergent store d in the detergent module to facilitate effective utilization of the cleaning efficiency of the detergent. 
         [0003]    A detergent module for dispensing detergent during a wash-cycle is disclosed, which includes a compartment with an opening to dispense the detergent and to allow the compartment to be thoroughly rinsed at some point during the wash-cycle. The detergent module also includes a sensor which provides a signal that indicates whether the detergent in the compartment is a solid-type or liquid-type detergent. 
         [0004]    In some embodiments, the detergent module is situated in a dishwashing machine, and in other embodiments the detergent module is situated in a washing machine for laundry. Regardless of the type of machine, the detergent module may include a cover that opens at a point during the wash-cycle to dispense the detergent and allows the compartment to be rinsed. In other embodiments, water may be mixed with the detergent to create a washing solution while it is in the compartment and the pressure from the water source forces the washing solution from the detergent module. In some embodiments, the module includes multiple compartments which can individually store and dispense detergent during the wash-cycle. 
         [0005]    A dishwasher is provided, which includes a housing, connections for water supply and removal, a heating element, a detergent module to store and dispense detergent during a wash-cycle, and a machine controller which selects a wash algorithm based at least in part upon the type of detergent stored in the detergent module. In some embodiments, the type of detergent is received from a user-input, where the user manually enters the type and subtype of detergent in the detergent module. In other embodiments, the dishwasher includes a sensor which determines whether the detergent is a solid-type or liquid-type detergent and provides that signal to the machine controller. 
         [0006]    A clothes washer is provided, which includes a housing, connections for water supply and removal, a detergent module to store and dispense detergent during a wash-cycle, and a machine controller which selects a wash algorithm based at least in part upon the type of detergent stored in the detergent module. In some embodiments, the type of detergent is received from a user-input, where the user manually enters the type and subtype of detergent in the detergent module. In other embodiments, the dishwasher includes a sensor which determines whether the detergent is a solid-type or liquid-type detergent and provides that signal to the machine controller. 
         [0007]    A method for washing articles is provided, which includes providing detergent to a detergent module in a machine, receiving a detergent-type signal which indicates whether the detergent in the detergent module is a solid-type detergent or a liquid-type detergent, selecting one of a plurality of different wash algorithms based at least in part on the detergent-type signal or value, and controlling the machine to perform a wash-cycle based on the selected wash algorithm. In some embodiments, the type of detergent is received from a user-input, where the user manually enters the type and subtype of detergent in the detergent module. In other embodiments, the dishwasher includes a sensor which determines whether the detergent is a solid-type or liquid-type detergent and provides that signal to the machine controller. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    One or more exemplary embodiments are set forth in the following detailed description and the drawings, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary machine for washing articles including a detergent module for storing and dispensing detergent and a machine controller having multiple algorithms selected at least partially based upon the type of detergent stored in each of the one or more compartments of the detergent module; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplary detergent module with multiple compartments wherein individual covers close over corresponding individual compartments in the machine of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side-elevational view of an exemplary dishwasher machine embodiment including the exemplary detergent module of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a schematic drawing of an exemplary laundry washing machine embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]    For purposes of this disclosure, a “solid-type” detergent is a detergent in a dry, solid form such as, but not limited to, powder or tablet. A “liquid-type” detergent is a detergent in viscous form such as, but not limited to, liquid or gel. A “detergent-type” denotes whether the detergent is a solid-type or liquid-type detergent and may also include the “detergent-subtype” information. A “detergent-subtype” denotes whether the detergent is chlorine-based or enzyme-based. Finally, the term “wash-cycle” includes every stage of operation of a machine used for washing articles, including but not limited to, a pre-cleaning stage, a cleaning stage, a pre-rinse stage, a rinse stage, and a post-rinse stage. 
         [0014]    Referring now to the drawings, where like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout, and wherein the various features are not necessarily drawn to scale, the present disclosure relates to machines for washing articles and more particularly to those machines with multiple wash algorithms based at least in part upon the type of detergent used for the wash and will be described with particular reference thereto, although the exemplary apparatus and methods described herein can also be used in other dispensing algorithms based on other types of contents of a module, such as but not limited to bleach, rinse agent (e.g. Cascade Crystal Clear®, Jet-Dry®, white vinegar, etc.), and fabric softener and are not limited to the aforementioned application. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary machine  100  for washing articles including a detergent module  105  and a machine controller  140 . The exemplary detergent module  105  includes multiple compartments  114  ( FIG. 2 ) wherein the compartments  114  individually include sensors  120  operative to determine whether the type of detergent stored within the associated compartment  114  is a solid-type or liquid-type detergent. The sensors  120  provide N detergent-type signals  122  to the machine controller  140 , where N is a positive integer. The machine controller  140  will select from X wash algorithms  142  based, at least in part on the values of the detergent-type signals  122 . The selected algorithm  142  will determine, inter alia, the timing and various temperatures of the wash-cycle. In some embodiments, the machine controller  140  is a microprocessor, while in other embodiments, the machine controller  140  is comprised of discrete circuitry. The controller  140  may be implemented as any suitable form of hardware, software, firmware, programmable logic, or combinations thereof, and may be a unitary control component or may be implemented in distributed fashion. 
         [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates one suitable embodiment of a detergent module  105  including two compartments  114  with corresponding covers  116  and at least one sensor  120  to be used in a machine  100  for washing articles. The detergent is provided to the compartment  114  by a user or a bulk dispenser (not shown), and the cover  116  seals the compartment  114  to protect the detergent until the desired time in the wash-cycle determined by the selected wash algorithm  142 . At the desired time, the cover  116  is opened by the machine controller  140 , and the detergent stored in the compartment  114  is dispensed to the wash. The covers  116  shown in the example of  FIG. 2  are opened along a horizontal hinge to allow detergent to be dispensed downward via gravity, but other embodiments allow the cover  116  to be, inter alia, opened along a vertical hinge, slid open via a sliding mechanism, or rotated open on an offset pivot hinge. In certain embodiments, water or the washing solution (water-detergent mixture) enters the compartment where it mixes with the detergent, and is dispensed to the wash tub of the machine through an opening. Other non-gravitational means can be provided to dispense the detergent. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  further illustrates a sensor  120  located in a sensor portion  115  of one of the compartments  114  of the detergent module  105 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the sensor portion  115  is located at or near the bottom of the compartment  114  such that as the module  105  is mounted upright (e.g., when the washer door is closed in a dishwasher implementation), gravity forces detergent toward the sensor portion  115 . Two points of a conductivity sensor  120  are placed horizontally in spaced relationship to one another at the back of the compartment  114  in the example of  FIG. 3 . When a liquid-type detergent is added to the compartment  114  and the detergent module  105  is in position for a wash-cycle (e.g., upright in this embodiment), the electrolytes in the detergent bridge the two conductivity points of the sensor  120 , which produces a signal  122  indicating the presence of a liquid-type detergent. The inventors have appreciated that a solid-type detergent does not efficiently bridge the two conductivity points of the sensor  120 , which produces a signal  122  indicating the absence of a liquid-type detergent. Other embodiments use other types of sensors such as, but not limited to, capacitive sensors or strips, ultrasonic sensors, and microwave sensors, or combinations thereof. The number of sensors  120  in the detergent module  105  may range from zero to the number of compartments  114  or more. In certain embodiments, a detergent-type signal  122  can be provided to the machine controller  140  by the user through a user-input. In such an embodiment, no sensor  120  is needed to determine the detergent-type. Other embodiments may provide for user-generated detergent-type signal(s)  122  in combination with sensor-generated detergent-type signal(s)  122 . In certain embodiments, the user may also specify the detergent-subtype to the machine controller  120  through a user-input, and the machine controller selects a washing algorithm  142  based at least in part on the detergent-subtype. 
         [0018]    A film of residual detergent left in the compartment  114  after a wash-cycle may produce a false presence of liquid-type detergent, so the compartments  114  of the exemplary module  105  include openings (via covers  116 ) to allow the sensor portion  115  to be rinsed so there is limited or no residual detergent in the compartment  114 . The sensor points  120  are placed in such a way that any leftover washing solution or water will not register a false positive on back-to-back washes. In one embodiment, the conductivity points are positioned near the bottom of the compartment  114  when the detergent module  105  is in position for the wash-cycle allowing for sensing the typical minimum amount of detergent. 
         [0019]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary dishwasher  200  including the exemplary multi-compartment detergent module  105  of  FIG. 2  mounted on the door  220 . The dishwasher  200  further includes a housing  210  and a wash tub  212 . In one embodiment, the machine controller  140  is located in the detergent module  105 , or the controller  140  may be separately located with suitable interconnections to provide the detergent-type signal  122  and other appropriate signaling between the controller  140  and the module  105 . The dishwasher  200  functions as the machine  100  described above. 
         [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary laundry washing machine  300  including a detergent module  105 , machine controller  140 , an agitator  310 , and hot and cold water supplies  312 ,  314 . Other washing machine embodiments are possible that do not include an agitator. Either user-input or the sensor  120  ( FIG. 1 ) provides a detergent-type signal to the machine controller  140 , which will select a wash algorithm  142  ( FIG. 1 ) based at least in part on the detergent-type. The machine controller  140  will then control the valves  322 ,  324 ,  326  and agitator  310  during the wash-cycle according to the selected wash algorithm  142 . When the machine controller  140  determines that detergent should be added to the tub, it activates valve  326  to cause water to flow through an opening  328  of the module  105  so as to mix the water with the detergent and dispense the solution to the tub through tube  330 . During this process, a sensor portion  115  of the compartment  114  ( FIG. 2 ) is thoroughly rinsed of any residual washing solution. 
         [0021]    The above examples are merely illustrative of several possible embodiments of various aspects of the present disclosure, wherein equivalent alterations and/or modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon reading and understanding this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (assemblies, devices, systems, circuits, and the like), the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component, such as hardware, software, or combinations thereof, which performs the specified function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the illustrated implementations of the disclosure. In addition, although a particular feature of the disclosure may have been illustrated and/or described with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Furthermore, references to singular components or items are intended, unless otherwise specified, to encompass two or more such components or items. Also, to the extent that the terms “including”, “includes”, “having”, “has”, “with”, or variants thereof are used in the detailed description and/or in the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising”. The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.