US 12,064,075 B2
System for ascertaining fresh water consumption by a dishwasher
Sven Lehmann, Appenweier (DE); and Dominik Schneider, Hohburg (DE)
Assigned to ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., Glenview, IL (US)
Appl. No. 17/270,211
Filed by ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., Glenview, IL (US)
PCT Filed Jul. 23, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/042903
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Feb. 22, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/023433, PCT Pub. Date Jan. 30, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2018 118 108.6 (DE), filed on Jul. 26, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0330171 A1, Oct. 28, 2021
Int. Cl. A47L 15/42 (2006.01); A47L 15/00 (2006.01); G01F 1/34 (2006.01)
CPC A47L 15/4297 (2013.01) [A47L 15/0076 (2013.01); A47L 15/4217 (2013.01); A47L 15/4285 (2013.01); G01F 1/34 (2013.01); A47L 15/4244 (2013.01); A47L 2401/09 (2013.01); A47L 2401/14 (2013.01); A47L 2401/20 (2013.01); A47L 2501/04 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for ascertaining fresh water consumption by a commercial dishwasher or a component thereof, wherein the system comprises:
a container for temporarily storing liquids, wherein the container has a liquid inlet, which can be flow-connected to a fresh water source if required, and a liquid outlet, which can be flow-connected to a freshwater consuming means of the dishwasher, if required;
at least one pressure sensor for detecting a hydrostatic pressure in the container; and
an evaluation device which is designed to ascertain a fresh water volume flow into the container depending on at least one output value of the at least one pressure sensor;
wherein the system includes a learning mode in which an actual value of a fresh water volume flow via the liquid inlet into the container is ascertained or can be ascertained, in a state in which an actuable valve which is associated with the liquid inlet is in its open valve position;
wherein the learning mode comprises the following steps:
defining a reference volume in the container, wherein the reference volume in the container is defined in such a way that the output value of the at least one pressure sensor dynamically changes, from a starting value to an end value, when the reference volume is supplied to the container, and wherein defining the reference volume further comprises ascertaining or estimating the volume value of the reference volume; and
detecting a time period which is required in order to supply a fresh water volume, which corresponds to the reference volume, via the liquid inlet to the container in the open valve position.