DE102012024308A1 - Dishwasher for operation in different low-voltage networks and method for energy-saving operation of a dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a dishwasher, in particular a pass-through dishwasher, which can be operated in different low-voltage networks. The invention further relates to a method for saving energy in the standby mode of a dishwasher. In order to be able to operate the dishwasher in different low-voltage networks, the dishwasher recognizes the on-site low-voltage network to which it is connected and controls the power supply to the consumer elements of the dishwasher accordingly. When controlling the power distribution, the protection of the dishwasher, the resistances of the consumer elements and information about the individual phases of the washing cycle can also be taken into account. To save energy in standby mode, the dishwasher does not continuously heat the rinse water / fresh water to the required temperature, but ensure that the water temperature does not fall below a certain temperature at which it can still be ensured that the required water with the desired water is activated when a rinse cycle is activated Temperature, at the desired time of the rinse cycle, and possibly in the desired amount is available to enable a hygienic rinsing operation.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a designed for commercial use dishwasher, in particular a (basket) feed-through dishwasher, which can be operated in different low-voltage networks. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for energy saving in the standby mode of a dishwasher.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dishwashers designed for commercial use, hereinafter also commercial dishwashers, are characterized, without restriction of generality, by the fact that they are structurally designed for an almost continuous operation, which places particularly high demands on pumps and power-electric components such as relays and contactors, the millions of cycles should work without failure.

In addition, commercial dishwashers should clean the dishes as quickly and hygienically as possible while consuming as little water and energy as possible. Therefore, a rinse cycle (rinse) of a commercial dishwasher usually lasts only very short (typically only a few minutes) and requires only small amounts of fresh water (typically only a few liters). The water used for rinsing the items to be washed is electrically heated in a rinsing water tank and in a boiler of the dishwasher by means of radiators. Tubular heaters are often used.

berechnet werden, wobei U die elektrische Netzspannung des Niederspannungsnetzes, an das die Spülmaschine angeschlossen ist und R den Widerstand des Rohrheizkörpers bezeichnet. Mit der Formel I = U / R lässt sich der Strom I durch den Rohrheizkörper berechnen, der entsprechend abgesichert werden muss. Die vom Rohrheizkörper abgegebene Leistung ändert sich quadratisch und der Strom linear mit der Spannung, wenn der Widerstand des Heizkörpers konstant bleibt.Since the tubular heater can be considered in principle as a resistor R, which converts electrical energy into heat, the power P of the Rohrheizköpers simply as

where U is the electrical mains voltage of the low-voltage network to which the dishwasher is connected and R denotes the resistance of the tubular heater. With the formula I = U / R can the current I calculated by the tubular heater, which must be hedged accordingly. The power output from the tubular heater changes quadratically and the current changes linearly with the voltage when the resistance of the radiator remains constant.

The following exemplary table, which does not claim to be exhaustive, makes it clear that there are many different grid voltages and safeguards for on-site grid connections worldwide: country 3-phase AC outer conductor voltage 1-phase AC voltage Typical protection Germany 400V 230V 16A, 25A, 32A Switzerland 400V 230V 10A, 16A Great Britain 415 V 240V 13A, 16A, 20A, 32A, 64A Industrial networks Europe 230V ./. 32A, 50A, 64A Australia 415 V 240V 15A, 20A, 32A Japan 200V 200V 20A, 30A Nets on ships 440V ./. 20 A Philippines 380V 220V 16A, 32A Table 1

In addition, the three-phase low-voltage networks are designed as a delta network (three phases without neutral) or star network (three phases with neutral), depending on the country.

To ensure that the winder can be operated on the respective low-voltage network and despite various network connections an optimum flushing capacity is conventionally for different networks adapted to network type, mains voltage and protection radiators and pumps installed in the winder, often also several radiators in the Dishwasher can be combined. The various radiators and pumps in combinations with different types of network, mains voltages and fuses each lead to a different structure of the entire interconnection of the power electronics.

From this high variance in the radiators and pumps and their combinations as well as the various power electrical circuits for each low-voltage networks follows a high variance of the winding machines. The storage of radiators and other power electronic components is extensive, the ordering and spare parts of the machinery complicated and thus error-prone and the maintenance of the winding machines correspondingly expensive.

Commercial dishwashers usually consume only a small amount of water per rinse cycle, but they often have high energy consumption, especially in standby mode. Without loss of generality, it can be assumed that approximately 15 to 45 l of water are stored in the rinsing water tank of a commercial through-basket dishwasher, and 2.0 l to 5.0 l of fresh water are heated in the boiler per rinsing cycle. To clean the items to be washed, the tank water is circulated. At the end of the rinse cycle, the dishes are washed away with hot fresh water from the boiler. The low water consumption is achieved by the fact that the tank water is used to clean the dishes for the most part again and again. The regeneration of the tank water takes place via the fresh water which is supplied from the boiler at the end of a rinsing cycle. Due to the very short flushing times, the fresh water in the boiler has to be heated to approx. 80-85 ° C in a very short time (eg less than 2 minutes) from the tap water temperature (about 5 ° C-25 ° C). The heating of the water in the boiler is carried out electrically via one or more radiators with a capacity of up to 12 kW. The flushing water tank is heated parallel to the boiler to keep the temperature of the dishwasher at about 62 ° C. In particular, the rinsing of cold dishes of the tank are withdrawn considerable amounts of energy. In a feed-through dishwasher for commercial use, the performance of the tank heater is typically up to 5 kW.

Conventionally, the water temperature in the boiler and Spülwassertank kept as constant as possible at the desired temperatures, which requires that the heaters of the boiler and the Spülwassertanks also during times in which no rinsing cycle is active (standby mode), energized and accordingly increase the energy consumption of the dishwasher.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to improve a dishwasher so that it can be operated as possible without adaptation in different low-voltage networks. Another object of the invention is to provide a dishwasher that can be operated energy-saving. It is further desirable that even with an energy-saving operation of the dishwasher, the dishwasher can perform a cleaning cycle in the shortest possible time and allows hygienic cleaning of the dishes.

According to one aspect of the invention, a (commercial) dishwasher is disclosed, which recognizes the on-site low-voltage network to which it is connected, and based on the detected low-voltage network, the available power of the on-site low-voltage network (optionally taking into account a safety reserve) optimally to individual electrical Distributed consumer elements of the dishwasher. For this purpose, a power controller can be provided in the dishwasher, which controls the distribution of power from the low-voltage network. For example, the power controller may include a switching unit which, depending on the detected low-voltage network, interconnects the individual phases of the low-voltage network with the electrical consuming elements. In addition, the consumer elements can be switched on and off dynamically, for example as a function of the electrical consuming elements of the dishwasher required in the respective process step of the rinsing cycle.

Another aspect of the invention, which may optionally be combined with the first aspect of the invention, relates to energy saving operation of a (commercial) dishwasher. According to this aspect, the dishwasher monitors the water temperatures in a tank or boiler of the dishwasher in standby mode and ensures that a certain lowest possible temperature is not undershot. This temperature is chosen so that in the event of start of a rinse cycle (ie, the rinse operation is taken and a rinse cycle through), the water in a rinse cycle with the desired (target) temperature, at the desired time and optionally (depending on the embodiment) can be provided in the desired amount to allow a hygienic rinsing operation. For example, it is thus possible to monitor the fresh water temperature for rinsing the ware in the boiler and / or the rinse water temperature in the tank of the dishwasher. According to the measured temperature, the dishwasher activates and deactivates the heating of the boiler and / or tank.

Compared to conventional dishwashers, which keep the water temperature in the boiler and / or tank always at the desired target temperatures even in standby mode, the water temperatures in standby mode are reduced to minimum temperatures. Thus, the power consumption of the dishwasher in standby can be significantly reduced while ensuring a hygienic cleaning of the dishes.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a dishwasher, in particular a feed-through dishwasher, is proposed for operation in different voltage networks comprising a plurality of electrical load elements, a power controller, and a multi-conductor power input terminal for connecting the power controller to the on-site low voltage network conductors, with one phase or more phases, in particular three phases. The power controller is able to detect the type of low-voltage network on the basis of the power controller supplied single-phase or multi-phase grid voltage of the low-voltage network. Further, the power controller comprises a switching unit which electrically connects the conductors of the power input terminal to groups of the load elements depending on the detected type of low voltage network. Each group comprises at least one consumer element or a plurality of consumer elements connected in parallel to each other, and at least one switch for controlling the power supply to the consumer elements of the respective group.

In exemplary embodiments, the switching unit may be single-stage, two-stage or multi-stage.

In a further exemplary embodiment, a separate switch is provided for each electrical load element of each group. Furthermore, the power controller can be designed as a power electronic printed circuit board (PCB). It is also possible that the power inlet clamp of the dishwasher forms part of the power controller. The mains input terminal and / or the terminals of all consumer elements of the dishwasher can be designed, for example, as a releasable connecting element, in particular as a plug.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the dishwasher for detecting the voltage network comprises a measuring unit for determining the number of phases of the voltage network; and a processor unit for detecting the type of voltage network based on the determined number of phases.

The measuring unit may, for example, be designed so that it determines the relative (phase) position of the phases and / or the mains voltage of the low-voltage network. The processor unit may for example be adapted to recognize the type of voltage network based on the determined number of phases, and on the basis of the relative phase position and / or the mains voltage. Among other things, which parameters are required to detect the type of low-voltage network depends on the low-voltage networks in which the dishwasher is to be used and the differences between these low-voltage networks with regard to voltage, number of phases and relative phase position.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the processor unit is capable of switching the switches of the switching unit and of the groups of electrical load elements such that the total current supplied to the electrical consuming elements does not exceed the protection of the low-voltage network, optionally taking into account a safety reserve. In this case, the power supply to each consumer element in at least one of the groups of electrical consumer elements can be controlled individually with a switch by the processor unit.

Furthermore, it is possible for the processor unit to switch the power supply to the electrical consuming elements as a function of the respective process step of a rinsing cycle of the dishwasher by means of the switches of the groups of electrical consumer elements.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the processor unit of the dishwasher is adapted to protect the low-voltage network from a memory of the line controller or read the dishwasher or a coding circuit manually encoded according to the hedging.

In another exemplary embodiment, the power controller includes a memory that stores configuration information. This configuration information may indicate, for example, how the processor unit, depending on the detected (type) low-voltage network and its protection must cause the controller unit to switch the switches of the switching unit and the individual groups of electrical load elements, so that the power of the low-voltage network to the electrical Consumers of the dishwasher is distributed, that the total current does not exceed the protection of the low voltage network, optionally taking into account a safety reserve.

In addition, the resistance values of the individual electrical load elements of the dishwasher can also be stored in the configuration information of the memory. Furthermore, it is possible that the processor unit reads out the configuration information for the respective recognized low-voltage network and its protection from the memory and switches the switches of the switching unit on the basis of the read-out configuration information. The processor unit may optionally read the voltage of the low voltage network from a memory of the line actuator or the dishwasher, for. B. if this can or must be entered by the user.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the switching unit is capable of switchably connecting each phase of the mains voltage to a group of electrical load elements. In reality, this interconnection may look as follows: If the detected low-voltage network is only a single-phase network, all the consumer elements are driven with this one phase. In a three-phase delta network, the three phases are connected to a respective group (or groups) of electrical load elements. In a three-phase, neutral-mode, low-voltage network, the three phases and the neutral are respectively connected to a respective group (or groups) of electrical consuming elements.

In order to enable a connection corresponding to the number of phases (and optionally also voltage) of the recognized (type of) low-voltage network, the power controller may, for example, have switches to connect each phase of the mains voltage to a group of electrical load elements. The switches can also be designed as a short-circuit switch or bridges to short circuit the head of the power input terminal of the dishwasher according to the detected low-voltage network and so supply the individual phases by means of the individual (possibly with each other short-circuited) conductors to the consumer elements. In one embodiment of the invention, the processor unit is capable of switching these switches, depending on the type of low-voltage network detected, to short-circuit individual conductors of the mains input terminal and / or to connect them to the groups of consumable elements.

The switches do not necessarily have to be provided in the dishwasher as part of the power controller, but corresponding switches or bridges can alternatively also manually, for. B. in the installation of the dishwasher, switched according to the existing low-voltage network, or set.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the power controller for the load elements comprises a plurality of power regulators. These can be designed, for example, as pulse width modulators. The power regulators serve to reduce the (electrical) power to be delivered to the consumer elements. Each power controller in this case leads the reduced power in each case to one electrical load element (or optionally also several).

In a further embodiment, the dishwasher may also comprise a control unit which communicates via a data bus with the processor unit of the power controller. The processor unit receives control signals for the electrical consuming elements of the dishwasher from the control unit and, in accordance with the control signals, controls the supply of power to the respective consumer elements. In another implementation, the functionality of the control unit may also be implemented in the processor unit of the power controller itself. If the power controller and the control unit are executed on different electronic printed circuit boards (PCBs), it is advantageous to provide corresponding plug connections on the electronic printed circuit boards in order to be able to couple them by means of a data cable and thus enable the communication between the control unit and processor unit (power controller).

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a feed-through dishwasher comprising a boiler with a boiler heater for heating fresh water and a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the fresh water in the boiler. The boiler provides fresh water for rinsing the dishes in a rinse cycle. The feed-through dishwasher further has a power controller for detecting the low-voltage network to which the feed-through dishwasher is connected, and a temperature control unit for continuously monitoring the fresh water temperature in the boiler by means of the temperature sensor while the feed-through dishwasher is in a standby mode. The temperature control unit further controls the power supply to the boiler heater in the standby mode of the feed-through dishwasher, so that the water temperature in the boiler does not fall below a respective predetermined minimum boiler temperature. The respective predetermined minimum boiler temperature is calculated as a function of the performance of the detected low-voltage network so that the fresh water is provided for rinsing in the desired amount, with desired temperature and at the desired time in the rinse cycle from the boiler in a rinsing cycle to a to allow hygienic rinsing operation.

In one embodiment of the invention, the temperature control unit corresponds for example to the control unit or the processor unit of the power controller of the dishwasher previously described.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the feed-through dishwasher also includes a rinse water tank with a tank heater for heating the rinse water and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the rinse water in the rinse water tank, and a circulation pump for circulating the rinse water in the rinse water tank during the rinse cycle to the Clean dishes. Further, in the standby mode of the feedthrough dishwasher, the temperature control unit continuously monitors the purge water temperature in the purge water tank by means of the temperature sensor, and controls the supply of power to the tank heater in the standby mode of the feedthrough dishwasher so that the purge water temperature in the purge water tank becomes a predetermined minimum Tank temperature does not fall below, with the predetermined minimum tank temperature depends on the performance of the detected low-voltage network.

Optionally, the respective predetermined minimum tank temperature depending on the performance of the detected low-voltage network can be selected so that the rinse water is provided in the rinse cycle with the desired temperature and at the desired time from the water tank.

In one embodiment, the temperature control unit may, for example, prioritize the boiler heater in the power supply to the tank heater to ensure that in a rinse cycle the fresh water for rinsing in the desired amount, at the desired temperature and at the desired time in the rinse cycle from the boiler to Is made available, so that a hygienic flushing operation is ensured. In such a case, it may happen that not enough "residual power" is available in order not to drop the rinse water temperature below the specified tank temperature. Alternatively, it is of course also possible to prioritize the tank heater in the power supply to the boiler heater to ensure that in a rinse cycle, the rinse water of Spülwassertanks with desired temperature and at the desired time in the rinse cycle is provided for rinsing the dishes to ensure a hygienic flushing operation.

The respective predetermined minimum temperature of the boiler or the water tank can be dependent on various factors / parameters. For example, the respective predetermined minimum temperature of the boiler or the water tank (additionally) depend on at least one of the following parameters: the maximum power that can be supplied to the boiler heater, or the tank heater from the detected low-voltage network, the respective Amounts of water from boiler, or water tank, which are required in a rinsing cycle, the desired temperatures of the respective amounts of water from boiler or water tank, which are required in the rinsing cycle, and the time in the rinsing cycle to which the respective amounts of water from boiler, or Water tank with the respective desired temperatures should be available.

By lowering the standby temperatures in the tank and / or boiler of the dishwasher according to the method described above energy is saved because tank and boiler must not be permanently heated to the target temperatures. As a result, thermal radiation losses are minimized in the environment of the dishwasher.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method for energy saving in a feed-through dishwasher. According to this method, the low voltage network to which the Pass-through dishwasher is connected, detected and monitors the fresh water temperature in a boiler of the dishwasher continuously while the feed-through dishwasher is in a standby mode. The boiler is equipped with a boiler heater for heating fresh water. According to the method, the power supply to the boiler heater is controlled in the standby mode of the feed-through dishwasher so that the fresh water temperature in the boiler does not fall below a respective predetermined minimum boiler temperature. The respective predetermined minimum boiler temperature is selected as a function of the performance of the detected low-voltage network so that the fresh water is provided in a desired rinse cycle, desired temperature and at the desired time in the rinse cycle from the boiler to a hygienic rinsing operation to enable.

The method may further comprise continuously monitoring the purge water temperature in a purge water tank of the feed-through dishwasher in a further embodiment, further assuming that the purge water tank comprises a tank heater for heating the purge water. The power supply to the tank heater is controlled in the standby mode of the feed-through dishwasher so that the rinse water temperature in the rinse water tank does not fall below a respective predetermined minimum tank temperature, wherein the predetermined minimum tank temperature depends on the performance of the detected low-voltage network.

As already shown, optionally the respective predetermined minimum tank temperature depending on the performance of the detected low-voltage network can be selected so that the rinse water is provided in the rinse cycle at the desired temperature and at the desired time from the water tank.

According to the method, according to further embodiments, it is possible to prioritize the boiler heater in the power supply to the tank heater to ensure that in a rinse cycle, the fresh water for rinsing in the desired amount, with the desired temperature and at the desired time in the rinse cycle of Boiler is provided so that a hygienic flushing operation is ensured. Alternatively, however, the tank heater can be prioritized in the power supply to the boiler heater to ensure that in a rinse cycle the rinse water of the rinse water tank with the desired temperature and at the desired time in the rinse cycle from the rinse water tank is provided for rinsing the dishes, so that a hygienic flushing operation is ensured.

Another embodiment of the invention is a computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor unit of a feed-through dishwasher, cause the feed-through dishwasher to perform the steps of the energy-saving method in a feed-through dishwasher according to any one of the various described embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will be described in more detail by means of embodiments with reference to the figures. Corresponding elements and details in the figures are provided with the same reference numerals.

1 shows a commercial feed-through dishwasher according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention,

2 shows a functionally explanatory structure of the feed-through dishwasher 1 .

3 shows a power controller according to an embodiment of the invention, which controls the supply of power from the low-voltage network to a boiler heater, a tank heater and the circulation pump of a dishwasher,

4 shows an exemplary interconnection of the individual electrical load elements in 3 in a star net,

5 shows an exemplary interconnection of the individual electrical load elements in 3 in an AC network, and

6 shows the exemplary interconnection of the individual electrical load elements in 3 in a triangle net.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention relates to the design of a dishwasher, in particular for commercial use, which can be operated in different low-voltage networks. Advantageously, the dishwasher is designed so that, despite the ability to operate the dishwasher in different low-voltage networks, ideally no differences in the structure of the dishwasher, especially with regard to the (number of) installed radiators, pumps and power electronic components such the power controller, needs.

The dishwasher according to this aspect of the invention is able to independently recognize the on-site low-voltage network to which it is connected and optimally based on the detected low-voltage network, the available capacity of the on-site low-voltage network (optionally taking into account a safety reserve) to individual electrical consumer elements to distribute the dishwasher. It is thus possible, depending on the detected low-voltage network, to use its maximum power effectively. To ensure this distribution of power supplied by the on-site low-voltage grid, the dishwasher includes a power controller that controls the distribution of power from the low-voltage grid. The power controller can for this purpose comprise a switching unit which, depending on the detected low-voltage network, interconnects the individual phases of the low-voltage network with the electrical consumer elements. The switching unit can, as will be explained in more detail below, be formed in one or more stages.

The electrical consumer elements, which are taken into account according to the invention, are not necessarily all electrical consumer elements of the dishwasher, but for example, only those that can absorb significant power. For example, these are electrical consumer elements that cause a current flow in the three-digit mA range or more, such. B. circulating pump or radiator, or their heating coils for boiler or Spülwassertank. Electrical consumer elements that consume little power, z. B. in the two-digit mA range or less, do not have to be considered, but can, for example, a flat rate (for example, by a power reserve) are taken into account. Electrical consumer elements, which are traversed by very little current, are for example solenoid valves for supplying the fresh water or pumps for the rinsing chemistry, the power consumption of the power controller itself or the control electronics, etc.

The power controller can be designed as a power electronic printed circuit board (PCB). In one embodiment, the semiconductor power controller is implemented on a power electronic board, i. H. it includes substantially power semiconductor devices such as power diodes, thyristors, triacs, power MOSFETs and / or IGTB devices capable of switching the necessary currents and voltages occurring in a low voltage network. Compared to the use of contactors, the use of power semiconductors in the power controller multiplies the number of switching cycles, which significantly improves the service life.

For recognizing the on-site low-voltage network to which the dishwasher is connected, the dishwasher according to one embodiment comprises a measuring unit and a processor unit. The measuring unit determines, for example, the number of phases of the on-site low-voltage network and optionally their (relative) phase relationship to one another and / or the voltage of the on-site low-voltage network. From the determined information of the on-site low-voltage network, the processor unit subsequently determines to which type of low-voltage network the dishwasher has been connected and configures the switching unit of the power controller such that the individual phases of the detected low-voltage network are supplied so that they can supply power to corresponding electrical consuming elements.

Optionally, the individual conductors of the mains connection can be additionally secured with a fuse. Furthermore, it is possible that individual information on the on-site low-voltage network manually, z. B. during the installation of the dishwasher. For example, the voltage of the low-voltage network and / or the on-site protection of the low-voltage network could also be configured manually. Depending on the low-voltage networks in which the dishwasher is to be operated, individual parameters of the low-voltage network can also be permanently configured / specified. The configuration information can be stored, for example, in a data memory of the power controller of the dishwasher, to which the processor unit can read and optionally also write access.

In one embodiment of the invention, the power supply to each electrical load element may be individually controlled with a switch by the processor unit. Each phase of the on-site low-voltage network is advantageously connected to a group consisting of several electrical consumer elements, but the individual consumer elements can be individually acted upon by means of the associated switch with power. In this case, it is also advantageously ensured that the total current supplied to the electrical consuming elements as a function of the respective process step of the rinsing cycle does not exceed the protection of the low-voltage network, optionally taking into account a safety reserve.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the electrical load elements of a feed-through dishwasher according to the invention, which are supplied by the power controller with power from the on-site low-voltage network, the heating coils of the radiator for the rinse water tank and the boiler, and a circulation pump for circulating the rinse water in Spülwassertank. The circulation pump motor can also be controlled by a frequency converter. Optionally, further electrical consumer elements can be provided in the feed-through dishwasher, which can also be supplied with power by the power controller. These may be, for example, solenoid valves, dosing pumps for the rinsing chemistry, a pump for supplying the fresh water from the boiler and / or a pump for pumping out rinsing water. In general, these elements consume little power compared to the radiators of the boiler or the rinsing water tank and the circulation pump. It is therefore possible that these only slightly power-consuming elements of the dishwasher are already taken into account with a safety margin and thus need not be explicitly taken into account by the power controller in the distribution of power from the detected low-voltage network. Of course, it is also possible to consider consumer elements with low power consumption in the distribution of the connected load of the low-voltage network; This primarily only increases the complexity of the power distribution.

The invention is described in the following paragraphs primarily with respect to a dishwasher designed for commercial use, in particular a (rack) feed-through dishwasher. However, the principles of the invention are not intended to be limited to use in such a feed-through dishwasher. A feed-through dishwasher according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG 1 shown. 2 shows a functionally explanatory structure of the feed-through dishwasher 1 , The exemplary through-feed dishwasher comprises in its upper region a washing compartment, which is formed on the one hand by the rear wall and the rinsing water tank of the feed-through dishwasher and on the other by the example of the top to be pivoted open hood of the feed-through dishwasher. The washing compartment serves to receive the items to be cleaned.

The items to be washed are cleaned by circulating the rinsing water in the rinsing water tank, which is located in the lower area of the rinsing room, as in 2 can be seen. The rinse water tank has a radiator for heating the rinse water and can typically accommodate a rinse water amount of about 15 to 45 liters. To clean the items to be washed, the dishwasher comprises a rotatable washing arm, which is rotatably arranged in the lower region of the washing compartment below the items to be cleaned. Additionally or alternatively, a rinsing arm can also be provided lying above the ware, as exemplified in FIG 2 shown. By means of the circulating pump, the rinsing water is pumped into the rinsing arm (or the rinsing arms) and cleans the dishes. Furthermore, the flushing arm can be used to rinse after the Umwälzphase in the rinse cycle with the items supplied from the boiler, heated clean water and so at the same time supply fresh water to the rinse water in the tank. Alternatively, a separate Nachspülarm be provided for this purpose. Corresponding pumps (motors) for supplying the rinsing water or fresh water via the rinsing arm (or Nachspülarm, if available), supply of the detergent and for removal of contaminated rinse water are also provided, but in 2 only hinted.

In a lower area of the feed-through dishwasher are the control electronics (control unit) of the feed-through dishwasher and the power controller, which will be discussed in more detail below, as well as the aforementioned circulation pump and the boiler. The capacity of the boiler, for example, correspond to the amount of fresh water required for rinsing. But it is also possible that the boiler holds more fresh water than necessary for rinsing. In this way, the Nachspülmenge can be adjusted to the dishwasher for higher and lower values. Not shown are other conventional elements of the feed-through dishwasher, such as the fresh water supply and rinse water drain, the heating of Spülwassertanks and the boiler, a frequency converter for controlling the pumps or mains connection of the on-site low-voltage network. The control unit and the power controller can be implemented on different electronic printed circuit boards (PCBs) and via a Data cables are interconnected. But it is also possible to execute the control unit and the power controller in an electronic printed circuit board (PCB).

Without limiting the generality, it can be assumed by way of example that a rinsing cycle of the through-feed dishwasher only takes a few minutes, e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 minutes and only a few liters of fresh water are needed (eg 2 to 5 liters per rinse cycle). In one exemplary embodiment, the individual process steps of the rinsing cycle of the through-feed dishwasher include, for example, the so-called circulation time (circulation phase) in which the circulation pump of the dishwasher cleans the items to be washed by circulating the liquor in the rinsing water tank, and a post-rinse phase in which the cleaned items to be washed Fresh water is rinsed. Between the recirculation time and the post-rinse phase, it is optionally possible to provide further phases, for example a drip break. Also, after the post-rinse phase, a further dripping pause and / or drying phase in which the ware is dried may also be provided before the rinse cycle ends. However, the invention is not limited by these exemplary operations in a rinse cycle.

In principle, the dishwasher according to the invention should enable hygienic cleaning of the items to be washed. This means that at least in one process step of the rinsing cycle, the water must have a temperature that ensures the hygienic cleaning of the dishes. If one starts from the exemplary rinsing cycle of a feed-through dishwasher described above, then either the final rinsing of the items to be washed with 2 to 5 liters of fresh water and / or the cleaning of the items to be wiped must take place by circulation at correspondingly high temperatures. For rinsing the fresh water should therefore have a temperature of 60 ° C to 90 ° C, advantageously from 80 ° C to 85 ° C. In an exemplary example, the fresh water is heated to 85 ° C for rinsing. If the rinsing process is to ensure the hygienic cleaning of the items to be washed, the items to be washed are cleaned for a certain time with rinse water in the temperature range between 55 ° C and 70 ° C, advantageously between 60 ° C and 65 ° C. In an exemplary example, in the circulation phase, the dishes should be rinsed with rinse water at a temperature of 62 ° C. In addition to the temperature, a hygienic rinse result can also be influenced by the duration of the rinse cycle and the final rinse, by the temperatures of the rinse water in the circulation phase and the fresh water in the final rinse phase, and by the rinse chemistry. For particularly long rinse times or when using special rinsing chemistry, the temperatures of rinse water and fresh water may differ from the typical temperatures listed above beispielhalft, in particular lower.

Without limiting the generality, it can be assumed by way of example that the electric radiators (or, where applicable, their individually controllable heating coils) of the boiler and the rinsing water tank, as well as the circulating pump represent the relevant power consumers in the dishwasher. These electrical load elements usually have a power consumption in the kW range, while other electrical consumers, such as electrically operated metering pumps and solenoid valves, the power controller, the control electronics, electrical controls or a display, etc. only require currents in the single-digit or double-digit mA range and thus contribute only slightly to energy consumption. Accordingly, in the following embodiments, priority is given to the electric radiator (or, where applicable, their individually controllable heating coils) of the boiler and the Spülwassertanks, as well as the circulation pump Durchschubspülmaschine, while the remaining electrical load elements are not considered separately in the power distribution by the power controller must be taken into account or taken into account by the inclusion of a flat-rate reserve in the distribution of the service by the service provider.

The heating of the water in the boiler or the rinse water tank is electrically via radiators. For example, can be used as a radiator, a tubular heater. In one embodiment, a heater has a plurality of heating coils (eg, 2, 3, or 4) that may have different or identical heating cables. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a three-way radiator is used for boiler and / or flushing water tank covering the entire mains voltage range worldwide. In an alternative embodiment, the radiator for boiler and / or rinse water tank can also be designed as vier-helical.

A radiator may, for example, have a total heating power of up to 18 kW, but higher or lower heating capacities may also be used. The individual heating coils of the radiator can be controlled individually by the power controller in an exemplary implementation. Each filament of the radiator can have a different resistance and thus gives off a different power at the same mains voltage. If the heating coils can be switched individually, this results in a large number of heating powers, which can be adjusted with the feeder. Depending on the available mains connection power at the customer and the operating state of the machine (standby mode or flushing mode, but also different phases in the rinsing cycle) can be switched on by the power controller different heating strands. It also takes into account how the switching unit distributes the groups of consumable elements to the individual phases of the grid connection.

This makes it possible to obstruct only a very small number of different radiators in the feed-through washers, ideally only a single type of radiator, what the machine variants significantly, d. H. up to 80% by network-independent worldwide (or at least in the desired destination countries) usability of the power electronics and the controlled radiators.

Furthermore, in one embodiment of the invention it is possible to connect the radiators by means of plugs (and possibly cables) to the power controller. The plugging of the radiator on the power controller means in comparison to the screw connection with the shooters a simplification and acceleration of the assembly processes.

Optionally, the power controller may also allow the electrical power to be distributed by half-wave control between boiler and flushing water tank, or between the boiler radiators. The heat output in the rinsing water tank and boiler can be adjusted very finely, which enables exact regulation of the temperatures in the rinsing water tank and boiler. Alternatively, the individual consumer elements can also be controlled with a pulse width modulation in order to control their power consumption.

The control unit of the feed-through dishwasher can transmit, for example, via a bus to the power controller, which heating coil is turned on and how the power is distributed between the individual heating coils (half-wave control). The software of the processor unit, z. As a microcontroller, the power controller takes over the control of the power semiconductors and ensures, for example, that they switch in voltage zero crossing and switching between different heating coils happens as possible flicker.

3 shows a power controller according to an embodiment of the invention, which controls the supply of power from the low-voltage network to a boiler heater with four heating coils, a Spülbehälterheizung with a heating coil and to a circulation pump. The power supply to the circulation pump UP can optionally be equipped with a safety relay 305 be interrupted, z. B. to prevent the pump circulates the rinse water when the hood / door of the dishwasher is opened. The power controller 300 The dishwasher has a power input terminal 301 , which is designed as a connector and is connected to the on-site network. In the example shown, the power input terminal is 301 As a 4-pin connector and accordingly four heads of the configuration switching unit 302 fed. The conductors are labeled L1, L2, L3 and N, where N is the neutral and the conductors L1, L2, L3 are up to three phases of the low voltage network. But it is also possible to additionally provide a PE (Protective Earth) conductor and the mains input terminal 301 accordingly as a five-pin connector.

A measuring device 303 is in 3 in front of the configuration switching unit 302 connected to the conductors L1, L2, L3 and N. The measuring device 303 measures for each of the three conductors L1, L2, L3 whether there is a phase of the on-site low-voltage network on it and, if so, the phase difference between the individual conductors. Furthermore, the measuring device 303 also detect the voltage applied to the respective conductors L1, L2, L3 voltage. Based on these measurements, the processor unit 307 determine which type of low voltage network has been connected to the mains input terminal. The processor unit 307 is able to distinguish between single-phase and three-phase low-voltage networks, recognize the voltage of the low-voltage network, and recognize from the phase differences whether it is a three-phase star network (with neutral) or a triangular network (without neutral).

When installing the dishwasher in a single-phase low voltage network, the one phase of the grid connection 301 only be connected to one of the conductors L1, L2, L3 (eg conductor L1). In this case, the measuring device recognizes 303 the single-phase on-site low-voltage network is based on the fact that only one of the conductors (eg L1) has an AC voltage. When the processor unit 307 based on the measurement results of the measuring device 303 detects a single-phase low-voltage network, it causes the configuration switching unit 302 to connect all groups of consumables with one phase.

If the dishwasher is connected to a three-phase low-voltage network, it can be a star network (L1, L2, L3 and N connected) or a delta network (L1, L2 and L3 connected). The measuring unit compares the phase positions of star voltages U _L1-N , U _L2-N and U _L3-N with each other. If the neutral conductor is not connected, it runs through a circuit in the measuring unit 303 synchronous to one of the phases L1, L2 or L3. About the phase position calculates the measuring unit 303 whether it is a triangle net or star net.

In another embodiment, the configuration switching unit 302 also be implemented "manually". For this purpose, instead of processor unit-controlled configuration switches (short-circuit) terminals are used manually during the installation of the dishwasher to achieve the necessary according to the network type interconnection of the conductors L1, L2, L3 and N. In a single-phase voltage network, the conductors L1, L2 and L3 are short-circuited using short-circuit terminals or bridges so that the same phase is applied to all three conductors of the grid connection. In this case, the processor unit 307 based on the measurement results of the measuring device 303 , ie on the basis of the non-existent phase difference (phase difference = 0) recognize that it is a single-phase voltage network.

For a star network, no short-circuit terminals or bridges must be provided so that the measuring device 303 recognize the type of network as described above. For a triangular network, in turn, the conductors L1, L2, L3 and N must be connected by means of short-circuit terminals or bridges in such a way that the (groups of) the consumer elements as in 6 shown connected to the phases, ie the on-site (not existing) neutral is not used.

Optionally, it would also be conceivable that the plug of the connection cable already correctly transmits the individual phases to the mains connection terminal of the dishwasher.

If short-circuiting bridges are set during the installation of the dishwasher (or if a suitably configured plug is used), it should be noted that the measuring device 303 only after these can be connected to the individual conductors L1, L2, L3 and N. Accordingly, in this case, the set bridges in the detection of the type of mesh from the measuring device 303 take into account.

In the in 3 The example shown causes the processor unit 307 the configuration switch unit 302 in the event that a star network is detected (and thus a neutral is present), the configuration switch 312 to switch so that they switch T1-T6 of the switching unit 304 connect to neutral N. In the event that a triangular network has been detected (and thus no neutral is present), the processor unit causes 307 the configuration switching unit 302 the configuration switch 312 to switch so that they are the switches T1, T2, T4, T5 and T6 of the switching unit 304 connects to the conductor L3 and T3 to L2. Furthermore, the processor unit causes 307 the configuration switching unit 302 to connect the conductors L1, L2, L3 and N (star network) and conductors L1, L2 and L3 (triangular network) with the electrical load elements, ie in the embodiment with the heating coils of the radiator and the circulation pump.

4 shows an exemplary interconnection of the electrical consumer elements, ie the four coils (B1.1, B1.2, B1.3 and B1.4) of the boiler radiator, the coil (T1.1) of the Spülbehälterheizkörpers and the circulating pump in 3 in a star network. 5 shows an exemplary interconnection of the electrical consumer elements, ie the four coils (B1.1, B1.2, B1.3 and B1.4) of the boiler radiator, the coil (T1.1) of the Spülbehälterheizkörpers and the circulating pump in 3 in an AC network. 6 shows the interconnection in a triangle mesh. The switches T1 to T6 show the individual switches of the switching unit 304 in 3 ,

The each interconnected low-voltage network corresponding interconnection of the configuration switch S1-S4 of the configuration switching unit 302 can, for example, factory in a storage device 308 of the power controller (eg, a ROM, EEPROM, or other readable and optionally writable nonvolatile memory). The processor unit 307 Then, depending on the detected low-voltage network, the corresponding configuration information for the configuration switches S1-S4 from the memory unit 308 read out and the configuration switch unit 302 cause the configuration switches S1-S4 to switch accordingly.

As in 3 As can be seen, the conductors L1, L2, L3 and the neutral conductor N (if provided by the customer) are connected to the electrical load elements such that each of the conductors L1, L2 and L3 and the neutral conductor N (if present on-site) with a group of several consumer elements is connected. Each consumer element is also connected via a switch of the switching unit 304 switchable, wherein the respective switch of the consumer element of the processor unit 307 can be opened and closed.

This allows the processor unit 307 individually control the flow of current through the individual consumer elements. This allows the processor unit 307 the power supply to the consumer elements specifically adapted to the individual process steps of a rinsing cycle and at the same time to ensure that the power consumed by the consumer elements does not exceed the maximum provided by the detected low-voltage network power (optionally minus a power reserve).

The table below shows, by way of example for different grids, how the consumer elements of the tank heater, boiler heater and circulating pump are switched when the boiler is prioritized, if there is a corresponding heating demand. Other combinations are conceivable. The following performances of the individual heating elements and the circulating pump are assumed at a voltage of 230 V _rms . The tank heater has a coil (consumer elements) T1.1 = 2.5 kW. The boiler heater has four coils (load elements) B1.1 to B1.4, with the individual outputs B1.1 = 3 kW, B1.2 = 1.8 kW, B1.3 = 3 kW and B1.4 = 3 kW. The circulation pump (consumer element) UP has a capacity of 1.5 kW. Type of network Circulation phase (priority and heating demand in the boiler) Standby (priority and heating demand in the boiler) Three-phase star network, 400 V, 16 A UP, B1.2, B1.3, B1.4 B1.1, B1.3, B1.4 Three-phase star network, 400 V, 32 A UP, B1.1, B1.2, B1.3, B1.4, T1.1 B1.1, B1.2, B1.3, B1.4, T1.1 Single-phase AC voltage, 230 V, 32 A. UP, B1.2, B1.3 B1.3, B1.4 Table 2

Again, it is possible in turn in the memory device of the power controller for the respective, available power in the various types of low-voltage networks and for the various process steps in the rinsing cycle, the respective switch positions of the switches of the switching unit 304 store. The processor unit 307 can here again depending on the detected low-voltage network and the respective process step in the flushing cycle, the corresponding switching information for the switch T1-T6 of the switching unit 304 from the storage unit 308 read out and the switching unit 304 cause the switches T1-T6 of the switching unit 304 to switch accordingly.

The respective available power in the various types of low-voltage networks depends on the number of phases and the mains voltage and the protection of the low-voltage network, ie the maximum current flow per phase. The protection of the phases can be specified, for example, by a coding circuit during the installation of the dishwasher. Alternatively, the security can also be programmed by the user of the dishwasher and is stored in the storage device. The processor unit 307 is able to read the coding circuit, or to read the protection of the phases of the memory device, so as to determine the respective maximum power (per phase) of the detected low-voltage network. According to the power thus determined (per phase), the processor unit 307 the corresponding switch positions of the switching unit 304 for the respective process steps of the rinse cycle from the storage unit 308 read out and the switching unit 304 induce the switches of the switching unit 304 to open or close accordingly.

It is also possible that the amount of mains voltage can be indicated by a coding circuit during the installation of the dishwasher or alternatively can be programmed by the user of the dishwasher and stored in the memory device. In this case it is not necessary for the measuring device 303 determines the mains voltage of the on-site low-voltage network, but the value can from the processor unit 307 from the coding circuit or the memory device 308 be read out.

In another embodiment, it is possible entirely on the measuring device 303 to renounce. In this case, the type of low-voltage network to which the dishwasher is connected and its mains voltage and protection are set by means of one or more coding circuits and by the processor unit 307 read out to the configuration switch unit 302 and switching unit 304 to switch according to the coded information. Alternatively, instead of the coding circuit (s), the information can be programmed by the user of the dishwasher and stored in the memory unit of the power controller. The processor unit 307 then this information can be read out and the configuration switching unit 302 and switching unit 304 control accordingly.

The in 3 shown exemplary power controller 300 According to one embodiment of the invention is provided with a two-stage switching arrangement. The first stage corresponds to the configuration switching unit 302 , which connects the lines L1, L2, L3 and N of the mains connection in dependence on the detected low-voltage network with the electrical load elements. The second stage corresponds to the switching unit 304 and makes it possible to control the power supply to the individual consumer elements by means of their switches T1-T6. In another embodiment, it is provided to realize these two stages in a single switch arrangement. This includes the power controller 300 instead of the configuration switch unit 302 and switching unit 304 a switching matrix with switches that allow each electrical load element depending on the detected low voltage network (and the power provided) and depending on the process step of the rinsing cycle with one of the conductors L1, L2 and L3 and the neutral conductor (star network and single - phase AC network) or to connect to two of the conductors L1, L2 and L3 (triangular network).

The configuration of the power controller and in particular the way the configuration switch unit 302 and the switching unit 304 through the processor unit 307 As explained, depends both on the number and the individual services of the considered consumer elements, as well as the low voltage network to which the dishwasher is connected (network type, voltage and protection). Of course, the invention is not on the in 3 shown number of consumer elements, in particular limited to a 4-way boiler heater and a 1-way tank heater. The boiler heater and tank heater may also have more or less heating coils (and thus consumer elements). This can cause the power controller 300 can not be implemented on a single power electronic board (PCB), but that multiple power controller which in turn can drive different groups of consumer elements, are used in cascade. For this purpose, the individual phases of the low-voltage network can be connected to the mains connection terminal 301 the parallel connected power controller 300 get connected.

In the case of cascading multiple power controllers, the control electronics (control unit) can be implemented on a dedicated printed circuit board (PCB) and the necessary control information to control the configuration switching units 302 and the switching unit 304 via data bus to the power controllers or their processor units 307 to transfer. The power controllers are connected to the control unit with data cables (see data bus connection 306 ).

Another aspect of the invention relates, as already mentioned, to an energy-saving operation of a (commercial) dishwasher, as described for example in relation to 1 to 3 has been described. The dishwasher monitors in standby mode the temperature of water required in a rinse cycle provided by a tank or boiler of the dishwasher and ensures that the water temperature does not fall below a certain predetermined temperature. This temperature is chosen so that at the start of a rinse cycle (ie, the rinsing operation is taken and a rinse cycle to go through), the water during the rinse cycle with the desired (target) temperature, at the desired time and optionally in the desired amount (depending on the embodiment) can be provided to allow a hygienic rinsing operation. For example, it is thus possible to monitor the fresh water temperature for rinsing the ware in the boiler and / or the rinse water temperature in the tank of the dishwasher. According to the measured temperature, the dishwasher activates and deactivates the heating of the boiler and / or rinse water tank.

Commercial dishwashers usually have short flush times of only a few minutes. By way of example, it can be assumed that a hygienic cleaning of the items to be washed is ensured by rinsing the item to be washed with hot water from the boiler at the end of a rinsing cycle. Due to the very short flushing times, the fresh water in the boiler must be heated to the desired temperature, approx. 85 ° C, in a correspondingly short time from the power water temperature (approx. 5 ° C-25 ° C), which is why conventional dishwashers should as far as possible adjust the temperature of the water in the boiler Hold continuously, so keep a water temperature of 85 ° C in standby mode. Similarly, in conventional dishwashers, the water temperature in the dishwasher's dishwasher is maintained at the desired temperature, e.g. B. about 62 ° C to start the flushing process as possible without delay and complete.

The dishwasher according to an embodiment of the invention allows that during the standby time of the dishwasher, the temperatures of at least the fresh water in the boiler and optionally also the rinsing water in the tank can be lowered and not fall below certain minimum temperatures.

Considering the predetermined temperature for the fresh water, which should not be fallen below, so this is chosen so that in the case of starting a rinse the rinse cycle can be started immediately and completed in the desired time, but still a hygienic cleaning by rinsing with sufficient heated water (eg 85 ° C) is ensured. The predetermined temperature is selected so that the boiler can provide fresh water in the desired amount and at the desired temperature at the beginning of the post-rinse phase in the rinse cycle (or at least for a sufficient time within the rinse phase). For example, assuming a rinse cycle of 2 minutes and assuming, for example, further that the rinse including drainage lasts 16 seconds and 2 liters of hot fresh water are needed, the predetermined temperature, which should not be undershot, chosen so that the The boiler heats the water in the boiler within 104 seconds to the desired temperature of 85 ° C.

Depending on the selection of the boiler volume, residual water may remain in the boiler after removal of the fresh water for the final rinse phase. This in turn means that the predetermined temperature for the fresh water, which should not be undershot, with a smaller boiler volume can be higher than with a larger boiler volume. However, for safety reasons (eg to avoid overheating / burning through of the boiler heater), it may nevertheless make sense to select the boiler volume greater than the amount (volume) of fresh water required in the final rinse phase, for example to ensure that the heating coils are always in place (Residual) water remain. Accordingly, the boiler volume can be selected so that, irrespective of the rinse volume selected, the residual water quantity in the boiler is constant after rinsing (eg 4.5 l).

The value of the predetermined fresh water temperature, which should not be undershot, depends inter alia on the power that can be made available to the radiator during the available time span (ie in the preceding example in the 104 sec). Among other things, this power may depend on the maximum power of the low-voltage network (ie voltage, number of phases and their protection). Of course (as explained) also influences the volume of the boiler and the amount of residual water remaining in the boiler, the power of the boiler heater or its coils, the required amount of water, as well as the time available for heating the fresh water to the predetermined temperature should not fall below.

For a dishwasher, as they relate to 1 to 3 has been described, the table below for a selection of different services of the low voltage network shows by way of example, which temperature of the fresh water should not fall below in standby mode, so that 2 or 3 liters of fresh water for the 104 seconds after cycle start incipient rinsing with 85 ° C provided can be. In the following Table 3 it is assumed that after rinsing always a residual water quantity of 4.5 l remains in the boiler. Accordingly, after refilling the boiler 6.5 l and 7.5 l of fresh water in the boiler, which must be heated and then should not fall below the minimum temperatures shown in Table 3. Type of network tension validation Minimum temperature of the water in the boiler, rinsing volume 2.0 l Minimum temperature of the water in the boiler, re-flushing 3.0 l Three-phase star network 400V 16 A 54 60 Three-phase star network 400V 25 A 50 55 Three-phase star network 400V 32 A 43 49 Single-phase AC voltage 230V 32 A 67 70 Table 3

As indicated, it can optionally be ensured that within the circulation time of the dishwasher, the rinse water a certain time a certain temperature, for. B. 62 ° C has. For this purpose, for example, a certain rinse water temperature can be set, which should not be undershot in standby mode, so that the rinse cycle can be started immediately and yet the rinse water is available at a desired time of the rinse cycle with the desired temperature. Returning to the example above, for example, it can be assumed that the recirculation time lasts 104 seconds. Accordingly, the certain flushing water temperature, which should not be undershot in standby mode, can be selected so that at least for a certain time, eg. B. 15, 30 seconds or 45 seconds, the recirculation time the rinse water (at least) a certain temperature, eg. B. 62 ° C, has. As shown in Table 3, it is thus possible to determine for different low-voltage networks (and optionally for different amounts of flushing water) the respective minimum flushing-water temperatures, which should not be undershot in standby mode.

The fresh water is often supplied at a temperature below the designated minimum temperature of the fresh water in the boiler. If the grid connection power is low, it may happen that the temperatures required by the user for rinsing can not always be reached at the desired time when the next rinse cycle is started immediately after a rinse cycle has ended. In such a case, the dishwasher may correspondingly extend the rinse cycle or one or more process steps in which a desired temperature is to be achieved until the desired temperatures are reached.

• – Netzspannung und Absicherung am Installationsort (beim Kunden),
• – Die aktuellen Temperaturen und die gewünschten Zieltemperaturen in Boiler und Spülwassertank,
• – Energieverbrauch weiterer Aggregate wie Pumpenmotoren und Wärmepumpen,
• – Zeitpunkte, zu denen das Wasser mit den gewünschten Zieltemperaturen im Spülzyklus bereitstehen soll, d. h. die Spülzeiten und Spülprogramm (Spülzyklus)
• – Nachspülmenge bzw. Spültankinhalt,
• – Restwassermenge, die nach dem Nachspülen im Boiler verbleibt,
• – Konfiguration der Spülmaschine durch den Benutzer,
• – Einhaltung von EMV Normen, z. B. Netzflicker

In the determination of the respective temperatures, which should not be exceeded by the fresh water in the boiler, or by the rinse water in the rinsing tank, the following dependencies are taken into account in one embodiment of the invention:

• - Mains voltage and protection at the installation site (at the customer),
• - The current temperatures and the desired target temperatures in boiler and rinse tank,
• - Energy consumption of other aggregates such as pump motors and heat pumps,
• - times at which the water should be ready with the desired target temperatures in the rinse cycle, ie the rinse times and rinse cycle (rinse cycle)
• - Rinse amount or rinsing tank contents,
• - Residual water remaining after rinsing in the boiler,
• - configuration of the dishwasher by the user,
• - Compliance with EMC standards, eg. B. Netflicker

The energy management and temperature control of the dishwasher can be either from the processor unit 307 of the power controller 300 or be taken over by the control unit of the dishwasher. If the control unit is used for this purpose, it transmits the necessary control information via data bus to the power controller or its processor unit 307 that controls the switching unit 304 takes over accordingly. In 3 is a bus connection 306 indicated that communication between the processor unit 307 and the control unit (see. 1 and 2 ).

As discussed in connection with Table 2, for a given low voltage network in the individual process times of the purge cycle (eg recirculation phase and post rinse phase) there may be different combinations in which the consumer elements of the dishwasher can operate without the maximum of the low voltage network available performance (less a safety margin, if applicable). If a hygienic rinse is to be achieved by rinsing with clear water, it makes sense to prioritize the boiler heater in the power supply to the tank heater. So it can be ensured that a rinsing cycle the fresh water for rinsing in the desired amount, with the desired temperature and at the desired time in the rinse cycle is provided by the boiler.

If, on the other hand, the hygienic rinsing is to be made possible by a sufficiently high temperature of the rinsing water, then again it makes sense to prioritize the tank heating in the supply of power to the boiler heater. This ensures that in a rinse cycle the rinse water of the rinse water tank with the desired temperature and at the desired time in the rinse cycle from the rinse water tank is provided for rinsing the items to be cleaned.

Claims (30)

A dishwasher for operating in different voltage networks, comprising: a plurality of electrical load elements, a power controller, and a multi-conductor power input terminal for connecting the power controller to the conductors of the on-site low voltage network with one or more phases, in particular three phases; wherein the power controller comprises: - means for detecting the type of low-voltage network based on the single-phase or multi-phase mains voltage supplied to the power controller of the low-voltage network; and a switching unit for electrically connecting the conductors of the power input terminal to groups of the load elements depending on the identified type of low voltage network, each group comprising at least one load element or a plurality of load elements connected in parallel, and at least one switch for controlling the power supply to the load elements of the respective ones Group includes. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the means for detecting the voltage network comprises: a measuring unit for determining the number of phases of the voltage network; and a processor unit for detecting the type of voltage network based on the determined number of phases. Dishwasher according to claim 2, wherein the measuring unit is adapted to determine the relative position of the phases and / or the mains voltage of the low voltage network, and the processor unit is adapted to the type of low voltage network based on the determined number of phases, and based on the relative phase angle and / or to recognize the mains voltage. Dishwasher according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the processor unit is adapted to switch the switches of the groups of electrical consuming elements so that the total current supplied to the electrical consuming elements, the protection of the low voltage network, optionally taking into account a safety reserve, does not exceed the power supply to each consumer element in at least one of the groups of electrical load elements can be controlled individually with a switch by the processor unit. Dishwasher according to claim 4, wherein the processor unit is adapted, by means of the switches of the groups of electrical load elements to switch the power supply to the electrical load elements in dependence on the process step of the respective rinsing cycle of the dishwasher. Dishwasher according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the processor unit is adapted to read the protection of the low-voltage network from a memory of the line actuator or the dishwasher, or according to the hedging manually coded coding circuit. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the power controller comprises a memory storing configuration information indicating how the processor unit depending on the detected type of low-voltage network and its protection must cause the switching unit, the switches of the individual groups of electrical load elements to switch, so that the power of the low-voltage network is distributed to the electrical load elements of the dishwasher, that the total current does not exceed the protection of the low-voltage network, optionally taking into account a safety reserve. Dishwasher according to claim 7, wherein the memory stores the resistance values of the individual electrical consuming elements of the dishwasher. Dishwasher according to one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the processor unit is adapted to read configuration information from the memory for the respective detected low-voltage network and its protection and to switch based on the read configuration information, the switches of the position unit. Dishwasher according to claim 9, wherein the processor unit is adapted to read the voltage of the low voltage network from a memory of the line controller or the dishwasher. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the actuator unit is adapted to switchably connect each phase of the mains voltage with a group of electrical consumer elements. Dishwasher according to claim 11, wherein the switching unit comprises switches for connecting each phase of the mains voltage with a group of electrical load elements. The dishwasher of claim 12, wherein the processor unit is adapted to the switches in Depending on the detected type of low-voltage network to electrically connect the head of the power input terminal to groups of the consumer elements depending on the detected type of low-voltage network. The dishwasher of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the fader unit further comprises switches for shorting individual conductors of the power input terminal, and the processor unit is adapted to switch the switches according to the detected type of low voltage network to short-circuit individual conductors of the power input terminal. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the power controller for the consumer elements comprises a plurality of power regulators, in particular a pulse width modulators to reduce the power to be delivered to the consumer elements, each power controller is adapted, the reduced power in each case one or more of the electrical consumer elements supply. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the dishwasher further comprises a control unit which communicates via a data bus with the processor unit of the power controller, and the processor unit is adapted by the control unit. To receive control signals for the electrical consuming elements of the dishwasher, and to control the supply of power to the respective consumer elements in accordance with the control signals. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the mains input terminal and / or the respective terminals of the consumer elements of the dishwasher are designed as a detachable connecting element, in particular as a plug. Feed-through dishwasher comprising: a boiler with a boiler heater for heating fresh water and a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the fresh water in the boiler, wherein the boiler is adapted to provide fresh water for rinsing the items to be washed in a rinse cycle, a power controller for detecting the low-voltage network to which the feed-through dishwasher is connected, and a temperature control unit for continuously monitoring the fresh water temperature in the boiler by means of the temperature sensor while the feed-through dishwasher is in a standby mode and controlling the power supply to the boiler heater in the standby mode of the feed-through dishwasher so that the water temperature in the boiler does not fall below a respective predetermined minimum boiler temperature, wherein the respective predetermined minimum boiler temperature is selected as a function of the performance of the detected low-voltage network so that the fresh water is provided in a rinsing cycle for rinsing in the desired amount, with desired temperature and at the desired time in the rinse cycle from the boiler to allow a hygienic rinsing operation. A feed-through dishwasher according to claim 18, further comprising: a flushing water tank having a tank heater for heating the flushing water and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the flushing water in the flushing water tank, and a circulating pump for circulating the rinsing water in the rinsing water tank during the rinsing cycle to clean the dishes, wherein the temperature control unit is further adapted to continuously monitor the flushing water temperature in the flushing water tank in the standby mode of the flushing water tank by means of a temperature sensor, and to control the power supply to the tank heater in the standby mode of the flushing-type washing machine such that the flushing water temperature in the flushing water tank does not fall below a respective predetermined minimum tank temperature; and wherein the predetermined minimum tank temperature depends on the performance of the detected low voltage network. A feed-through dishwasher according to claim 19, wherein the respective predetermined minimum tank temperature is selected as a function of the performance of the detected low-voltage network so that the rinse water is provided in the rinse cycle at the desired temperature and at the desired time from the water tank. A feed-through dishwasher according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the temperature control unit is adapted to prioritize the boiler heater in the power supply to the tank heater to ensure that in a rinse cycle the fresh water for rinsing in the desired amount, with desired Temperature and at the desired time in the rinse cycle of the boiler is provided to ensure a hygienic rinsing operation is ensured. A feed-through dishwasher according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the temperature control unit is adapted to prioritize the tank heater in the power supply to the boiler heater to ensure that in a rinse cycle the rinse water of the rinse water tank at the desired temperature and at the desired time in the rinse cycle is provided by the rinse water tank for rinsing the items to be washed, so that a hygienic rinsing operation is ensured. A feed-through dishwasher according to any one of claims 18 to 22, wherein the respective predetermined minimum temperature of the boiler or of the water tank depends on at least one of the following parameters: - the maximum power that can be supplied to the boiler heater, or the tank heater from the detected low-voltage network, - the respective amounts of water from the boiler or water tank required in a rinsing cycle, - The desired temperature of the respective amounts of water from boiler, or water tank, which are needed in the rinsing cycle, and - The time in the rinse cycle to which the respective amounts of water from the boiler, or water tank should be available at the particular desired temperature. Method for energy saving in the standby mode of a feed-through dishwasher, the method comprising the following steps: Detecting the low-voltage network to which the feed-through dishwasher is connected, continuously monitoring the fresh water temperature in a boiler of the dishwasher while the feed-through dishwasher is in a standby mode, the boiler being equipped with a boiler heater for heating fresh water, Controlling the power supply to the boiler heater in the standby mode of the feed-through dishwasher, so that the fresh water temperature in the boiler does not fall below a respective predetermined minimum boiler temperature, wherein the respective predetermined minimum boiler temperature is selected as a function of the performance of the recognized low-voltage network so that the fresh water is provided in a desired rinse cycle, desired temperature and at the desired time in the rinse cycle from the boiler to a hygienic To allow rinsing operation. The method of claim 24, further comprising the steps of: Continuously monitoring the rinse water temperature in a rinse water tank of the feed-through dishwasher, the rinse water tank comprising a tank heater for heating the rinse water, Controlling the power supply to the tank heater in the standby mode of the feed-through dishwasher, so that the rinse water temperature in the rinse water tank does not fall below a respective predetermined minimum tank temperature, wherein the predetermined minimum tank temperature depends on the performance of the detected low-voltage network. The method of claim 25, wherein the respective predetermined minimum tank temperature is selected depending on the performance of the detected low-voltage network so that the rinse water is provided in the rinse cycle at the desired temperature and at the desired time from the water tank. The method of claim 25 or 26, wherein the boiler heater is prioritized in the power supply to the tank heater to ensure that in a rinse cycle, the fresh water for rinsing in the desired amount, with desired temperature and at the desired time in the rinse cycle from the boiler to Is made available, so that a hygienic flushing operation is ensured. The method of claim 25 or 26, wherein the tank heater is prioritized in the power supply to the boiler heater to ensure that in a rinse cycle the rinse water of the rinse water tank with desired temperature and at the desired time in the rinse cycle from the rinse water tank for rinsing the items to Is made available, so that a hygienic flushing operation is ensured. Method according to one of claims 24 to 28, wherein the respective predetermined minimum temperature of the boiler or of the water tank additionally depends on at least one of the following parameters: - The maximum power that can be supplied to the boiler heater, or the tank heater from the detected low-voltage network, - The respective amounts of water from boiler or water tank, which are needed in a rinse cycle, - The desired temperature of the respective amounts of water from boiler, or water tank, which are required in the rinsing cycle, and - the time in the rinse cycle to which the respective amounts of water from boiler, or water tank should be available at the particular desired temperature. A computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor unit of a feed-through dishwasher, cause the feed-through dishwasher to perform the steps of the method of any one of claims 24 to 29.

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