US 12,004,696 B2
Dynamic dispensing system
Nick Walker, Winston-Salem, NC (US); and Thomas J. Walker, Emerald Isle, NC (US)
Assigned to CHAMPION INDUSTRIES, INC., Winston-Salem, NC (US)
Filed by Champion Industries, Inc., Winston-Salem, NC (US)
Filed on Sep. 4, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/012,409.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/895,668, filed on Sep. 4, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0059497 A1, Mar. 4, 2021
Int. Cl. A47L 15/00 (2006.01); A47L 15/42 (2006.01); A47L 15/44 (2006.01); B67D 3/00 (2006.01); G01N 27/06 (2006.01)
CPC A47L 15/0055 (2013.01) [A47L 15/4219 (2013.01); A47L 15/4297 (2013.01); A47L 15/44 (2013.01); B67D 3/0003 (2013.01); G01N 27/06 (2013.01); A47L 2401/023 (2013.01); A47L 2501/01 (2013.01); A47L 2501/07 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A dishwasher comprising:
a washing chamber configured to receive one or more items for washing therein;
a water supply configured to supply water to the washing chamber;
an additive supply configured to store at least one additive;
a plurality of fluid supply lines configured to provide fluid communication between the water supply and the washing chamber and the additive supply and the washing chamber;
one or more pumps configured to:
direct additive stored in the additive supply to the washing chamber via at least one of the plurality of fluid supply lines; and
direct the water from the water supply to the washing chamber via at least one of the plurality of fluid supply lines;
a controller communicably coupled to the one or more pumps and the water supply;
a tank sensor positioned within the washing chamber and communicably coupled to the controller, and
an in-line sensor positioned in communication with the at least one of the plurality of fluid supply lines associated with the additive supply, comprising:
a housing defining a conduit extending therethrough, wherein the conduit defines a length; and
a first set of at least two electrodes spaced axially along the length of the conduit, wherein each electrode of the first set of at least two electrodes defines a cylindrical shape and extend through a wall of the conduit in a direction perpendicular to the length of the conduit, and wherein each electrode of the first set of at least two electrodes extends through an axial bore of the conduit;
wherein the controller is configured to:
receive a first signal from the in-line sensor;
analyze the first signal from the in-line sensor to identify a presence of detergent within the at least one of the plurality of fluid supply lines;
receive a second signal from the tank sensor;
analyze the second signal from the tank sensor to determine an additive concentration within the washing chamber;
in an instance in which the additive concentration fails to satisfy a minimum concentration threshold, cause additive to be added to the washing chamber, and
in an instance in which the additive concentration exceeds a maximum concentration threshold, cause water to be added to the washing chamber.