Control for multiple compartment dishwasher

Abstract

A multiple compartment dishwasher is disclosed. The multiple compartment dishwasher includes a housing, a first compartment for washing within the housing, a second compartment for washing within the housing, a plurality of dishwasher components each having a power load when activated, at least one of the plurality of dishwasher components operatively disposed within the second compartment, and a power limiting distribution control system operatively connected to each of the plurality of dishwasher components for managing distribution of power.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A multiple compartment dishwasher comprising: 
 a housing;    a first compartment for washing within the housing;    a second compartment for washing within the housing;    a plurality of dishwasher components each having a power load when activated;    at least one of the plurality of dishwasher components operatively disposed within the first compartment;    at least one of the plurality of dishwasher components operatively disposed within the second compartment; and    a power limiting distribution control system operatively connected to each of the plurality of dishwasher components for managing distribution of power.    
     
     
         2 . The dishwasher of  claim 1  wherein the power limiting distribution control system includes an electrical isolation circuit operatively connected to one of the plurality of dishwasher components.  
     
     
         3 . The dishwasher of  claim 2  wherein the electrical isolation circuit includes an opto-coupler.  
     
     
         4 . The dishwasher of  claim 1  wherein the power limiting distribution system includes an intelligent control, the intelligent control operatively connected to each of the plurality of dishwasher components for managing distribution of power.  
     
     
         5 . The dishwasher of  claim 4  wherein the intelligent control is selected from the set comprising a digital logic circuit, a processor, a controller, a microcontroller, a plurality of microcontrollers, and an integrated circuit.  
     
     
         6 . The dishwasher of  claim 4  wherein the intelligent control includes a first compartment microcontroller operatively connected to at least one of the plurality of dishwasher components disposed within the first component.  
     
     
         7 . The dishwasher of  claim 6  wherein the intelligent control includes a second compartment microcontroller operatively connected to at least one of the plurality of dishwasher components disposed within the second compartment and a communications bus electrically connected to the first compartment microcontroller and the second compartment microcontroller.  
     
     
         8 . The dishwasher of  claim 7  further comprising a user interface controller electrically connected to the communications bus.  
     
     
         9 . The dishwasher of  claim 1  further comprising at least one current sensor electrically connected to the power limiting distribution control system for determining current draw.  
     
     
         10 . A multiple compartment dishwasher comprising: 
 a first dishwasher compartment adapted for independent washing;    a second dishwasher compartment adapted for independent washing;    a first plurality of electrical energy using dishwasher components associated with the first dishwasher compartment;    a second plurality of electrical energy using dishwasher components associated with the second dishwasher compartment;    an electrical control system operatively connected to the first plurality of electrical energy using dishwasher components and the second plurality of electrical energy using dishwasher compartments for managing distribution of power; and    the electrical control system adapted for providing simultaneous use of the plurality of dishwasher compartments.    
     
     
         11 . The multiple compartment dishwasher of  claim 10  further comprising a first electrical isolation circuit electrically connected to the electrical control system and at least one of the first plurality of electrical energy using dishwasher components.  
     
     
         12 . The multiple compartment dishwasher of  claim 11  further comprising a second electrical isolation circuit electrically connected to the electrical control system and at least one of the second plurality of electrical energy using dishwasher components.  
     
     
         13 . The multiple compartment dishwasher of  claim 10  wherein the electrical control system includes a power management controller operatively connected to the first plurality of electrical energy using dishwasher components and the second plurality of electrical energy using dishwasher components.  
     
     
         14 . The multiple compartment dishwasher of  claim 13  further comprising a user interface controller operatively connected to the power management controller.  
     
     
         15 . The multiple compartment dishwasher of  claim 10  wherein the electrical control system includes a first controller operatively connected to the first plurality of electrical energy using dishwasher components and a second controller operatively connected to the second plurality of electrical energy using dishwasher compartments.  
     
     
         16 . The multiple compartment dishwasher of  claim 15  further comprising a user interface controller operatively connected to the first controller and the second controller.  
     
     
         17 . The multiple compartment dishwasher of  claim 10  wherein the electrical control system includes a digital logic circuit for preventing simultaneous use of dishwasher components.