Turbidity sensor and related consumer appliance

摘要

A turbidity sensor includes a housing having a first side along an exterior surface defining a channel for holding a liquid, the housing also having a second side along an interior surface; a first turbidity sensor having an emitter and a receiver adjacent the channel; and a second turbidity sensor having an emitter and a receiver substantially identical to that of the first turbidity sensor located on the second side of the housing spaced from the channel. The liquid is precluded from passing between the emitter and the receiver of the second turbidity sensor at any time. The first turbidity sensor outputs a signal combinable with the signal from the second turbidity sensor to determine the turbidity of the liquid while accounting for the temperature of the liquid without determining the temperature of the liquid. Related dishwasher designs include such sensors.

主权项

1. A sensor for measuring a turbidity of a liquid comprising:
a housing having a first side along an exterior surface defining a channel for holding the liquid, the housing also having a second side along an interior surface; a first turbidity sensor having an emitter and a receiver, the emitter and receiver being located on the second side of the housing adjacent the channel so that the liquid can be present between the emitter and the receiver of the first turbidity sensor, the first turbidity sensor outputting a signal; and a second turbidity sensor having an emitter and a receiver, both the emitter and the receiver of the second turbidity sensor being separate from and substantially identical to that of the first turbidity sensor, the emitter and receiver being located on the second side of the housing spaced from the channel, the housing configured with the emitter and the receiver of the second turbidity sensor so that the liquid is precluded from passing between the emitter and the receiver of the second turbidity sensor at any time and so that air is located between the emitter and the receiver of the second turbidity sensor at all times, the second turbidity sensor outputting a signal, the signal from the first turbidity sensor being combinable with the signal from the second turbidity sensor to determine the turbidity of the liquid while accounting for the temperature of the liquid without determining the temperature of the liquid.