Static and dynamic turbidity sensing in a washing appliance

Abstract

A method is provided for measuring detergent and soil in wash water of a dishwashing or clothes washing appliance. A turbidity sensor is used to sense or measure the soil in the water in a static state, and to sense or measure the detergent in the water during a dynamic state. The turbidity sensor generates a corresponding output signal which is sent to a microprocessor to automatically adjust machine cycles to increase operational efficiencies.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of measuring detergent and soil in wash water of a washing appliance, comprising: 
 sensing soil in the water when the appliance is in a static state; and    sensing detergent in the water when the appliance is in a dynamic state.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sensing of soil and detergent is accomplished with a turbidity sensor.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the detergent is sensed before a detergent dispensing operation.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the detergent is sensed after a detergent dispensing operation.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the detergent is sensed both before and after a detergent dispensing operation.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising making cycle decisions based on the sensing of the soil.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the cycle decision relates to a wash cycle.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising making cycle decisions based on the sensing of the detergent.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the cycle decision relates to a final rinse.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sensing of detergent verifies that detergent has been dispensed into the water.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sensing of detergent identifies when a bulk detergent dispenser is empty.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sensing of detergent identifies malfunctioning of a detergent dispenser.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sensing of detergent allows for cycle adjustment to minimize detergent-induced spotting on items in the washing appliance.  
     
     
         14 . A method of determining the presence of detergent and soil in wash water of a washing appliance, comprising: 
 measuring the water turbidity during a static state, with the turbidity correlating to soil in the water; and    measuring water turbidity during a dynamic state, with the turbidity correlating to detergent in the water.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the turbidity is measured using a turbidity sensor.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the turbidity in the dynamic state is measured before a detergent dispensing operation.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the turbidity in the dynamic state is measured after a detergent dispensing operation.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the turbidity in the dynamic state is measured before and after a detergent dispensing operation.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising making cycle decisions based on the turbidity measurements.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the cycle decision relates to a final rinse.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the cycle decision relates to a wash cycle.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 14  wherein measuring turbidity in the dynamic state verifies that detergent has been dispensed into the water.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 14  wherein measuring turbidity in the dynamic state identifies when a bulk detergent dispenser is empty.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 14  wherein measuring turbidity in the dynamic state identifies functioning of a detergent dispenser.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 14  wherein measuring turbidity in the dynamic state allows for cycle adjustment to minimize detergent-induced spotting on items in the appliance.