Sensor assembly including a multifunctional housing

Abstract

A dishwasher appliance includes a sump that collects wash fluid and defines a mounting port for receiving a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes an adapter that defines a plurality of sensor ports for receiving different sensors, such as a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and a turbidity sensor. The adapter is translucent to facilitate turbidity sensing without introducing leak points. In addition, the adapter defines an internal chamber for receiving the wash fluid and an air chamber defined above the internal chamber to prevent direct contact between the wash fluid and the pressure sensor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dishwasher appliance comprising:
 a wash tub that defines a wash chamber;   a sump for collecting wash fluid, the sump defining a mounting port; and   a sensor assembly coupled to the mounting port, the sensor assembly comprising:
 an adapter defining a mounting boss for coupling to the mounting port, an internal chamber for receiving the wash fluid, an air chamber defined above the internal chamber, and a plurality of sensor ports; and 
 a plurality of sensors, each of the plurality of sensors being configured for receipt within one of the plurality of sensor ports. 
   
     
     
         2 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises:
 a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the wash fluid.   
     
     
         3 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 2 , wherein the adapter defines a sleeve adjacent to the internal chamber for receiving the temperature sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises:
 a turbidity sensor for measuring a turbidity of the wash fluid.   
     
     
         5 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 4 , wherein the adapter defines a first opposing wall and a second opposing wall that define a trough within the internal chamber, and wherein the turbidity sensor comprises:
 a turbidity lens that comprises a first transmission arm positioned within the first opposing wall outside of the trough and a second transmission arm positioned within the second opposing wall outside of the trough.   
     
     
         6 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 5 , wherein the first opposing wall and the second opposing wall are transparent to permit light to pass from the first transmission arm to the second transmission arm through the trough. 
     
     
         7 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the adapter is translucent. 
     
     
         8 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises:
 a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure of the wash fluid, wherein the air chamber is positioned between the internal chamber and the pressure sensor.   
     
     
         9 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the pressure sensor is positioned above the air chamber and is not in contact with the wash fluid in the internal chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor assembly further comprises:
 a primary seal positioned around the mounting boss for creating a seal between the adapter and the mounting port of the sump.   
     
     
         11 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the adapter defines one or more resilient snap-fit mechanisms for securing at least one of the plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         12 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting port is defined within a sidewall of the sump. 
     
     
         13 . A sensor assembly for an appliance, the appliance comprising a sump for collecting wash fluid, the sump defining a mounting port, the sensor assembly comprising:
 an adapter defining a mounting boss for coupling to the mounting port, an internal chamber for receiving the wash fluid, an air chamber defined above the internal chamber, and a plurality of sensor ports; and   a plurality of sensors, each of the plurality of sensors being configured for receipt within one of the plurality of sensor ports.   
     
     
         14 . The sensor assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises:
 a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the wash fluid.   
     
     
         15 . The sensor assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the adapter defines a sleeve adjacent to the internal chamber for receiving the temperature sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The sensor assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises:
 a turbidity sensor for measuring a turbidity of the wash fluid.   
     
     
         17 . The sensor assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the adapter is translucent. 
     
     
         18 . The sensor assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprises:
 a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure of the wash fluid, wherein the air chamber is positioned between the internal chamber and the pressure sensor.   
     
     
         19 . The sensor assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the pressure sensor is positioned above the air chamber and is not in contact with the wash fluid in the internal chamber. 
     
     
         20 . The sensor assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the adapter defines one or more resilient snap-fit mechanisms for securing at least one of the plurality of sensors.