Detecting opening of a washing agent dispenser lid in a dishwasher

Abstract

Provided herein are a dishwasher and a method at a dishwasher for detecting opening of a washing agent dispenser lid. The dishwasher may include a dispenser accommodated in a dishwasher door and being arranged to dispose a washing agent in a compartment of the dishwasher at the opening of a dispenser lid. The dishwasher may further include at least one sensor arranged to detect a shock caused by the dispenser lid opening against the dishwasher door, and to communicate a signal in response thereto indicative of the dispenser lid opening; and may include a controller arranged to receive the signal and to determine an action to be taken on the basis of the received signal.

1 . A dishwasher comprising a dispenser accommodated in a dishwasher door and being arranged to dispose a washing agent in a compartment of the dishwasher at the opening of a dispenser lid, the dishwasher further comprising:
 at least one sensor arranged to detect a shock caused by the dispenser lid opening against the dishwasher door, and to communicate a signal in response thereto indicative of the dispenser lid opening; and   a controller arranged to receive the signal and to determine an action to be taken on the basis of the received signal.   
     
     
         2 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , the controller further being arranged to proceed with executing a selected washing program if the signal is received within a predetermined time period from activation of the selected washing program. 
     
     
         3 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , the controller further being arranged to proceed with terminating a selected washing program if the signal is not received within a predetermined time period from activation of the selected washing program. 
     
     
         4 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , the at least one sensor being arranged in the dishwasher door at a location where the dispenser lid opens against the dishwasher door. 
     
     
         5 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , the at least one sensor comprising an accelerometer. 
     
     
         6 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , the controller further being arranged to communicate to a user via a user interface that the dispenser lid has not opened within a predetermined time period. 
     
     
         7 . A method of detecting opening of a washing agent dispenser lid in a dishwasher, the method comprising:
 detecting whether a shock occurs caused by the dispenser lid opening against the dishwasher door;   determining an action to be taken in response to the detected shock.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , the action to be taking comprising:
 proceeding with terminating a selected washing program if no shock occurs within a predetermined time period from activation of the selected washing program.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 communicating to a user if the shock has not occurred within a predetermined time period.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 7 , the action to be taken comprising:
 proceeding with executing a selected washing program if the shock occurs within a predetermined time period from activation of the selected washing program.