DE102022201954A1 - Process, computer program product and dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a dishwasher (1), in particular a household dishwasher, which has a control device (15) for carrying out a washing program (SP1, SP1*) from a number of washing programs, with a respective washing program (SP1, SP1*) comprises a number of part-program steps (TP0 - TP4) which are carried out sequentially when the wash program (SP1, SP1*) is carried out, with at least one specific wash program (SP1, SP1*) of the number comprising one part-program step pre-wash (TP1) and a subsequent one Partial program step cleaning (TP2), the method comprising the execution of the specific washing program (SP1, SP1*), this comprising: in the partial program step pre-rinse (TP1): A) supplying (S1) water into a washing chamber (4) of the dishwasher (1) for providing a rinsing liquor,B) dosing (S2) a predetermined amount of a cleaning agent into the rinsing liquor,C) circulating (S3) the rinsing liquor and applying the rinsing liquor to items to be washed arranged in the washing chamber (4), with a heater for Heating the washing liquor is inactive during pre-washing (TP1), and in the cleaning sub-program step (TP2): D) heating (S4) the washing liquor to a predetermined temperature (T1), and E) circulating (S5) the heated washing liquor and applying the in the Rinsing chamber (4) arranged items to be washed with the heated washing liquor.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for operating a dishwasher, a computer program product and a dishwasher.

Conventional dishwashers offer a user different washing programs for cleaning items to be washed. The different wash programs are optimized here, for example, for a specific type of washware, such as glass, plastic, porcelain or metal, a specific degree of soiling or a preferred wash duration. A respective washing program usually includes a number of steps that are carried out one after the other. Typically, these are, for example, a prewash step, a main wash step, a final rinse step and a drying step. Parameters can also be set for each of these steps, such as a duration, an amount of water, a temperature and so on.

EP 3 087 869 A1 discloses a method for rinsing items to be washed in a program-controlled dishwasher, in which the successive rinsing steps are cleaning, intermediate rinsing and rinsing, with the rinsing step of cleaning beginning with a water inlet, followed by a first rinsing phase, a water heating phase and a second Rinsing phase, wherein the rinsing duration of the first rinsing phase of cleaning is selected to be longer than the rinsing duration of the second rinsing phase of cleaning.

EP 2 179 684 A1 discloses a dishwasher with a prewash option that a user can activate in combination with one of the wash programs. If the pre-rinse option is activated, the water temperature is increased in the individual steps of the respective rinse program and their respective duration, which increases the cleaning performance.

Against this background, one object of the present invention is to improve the cleaning of items to be washed using a dishwasher.

• in dem Teilprogrammschritt Vorspülen:
  1. A) Zuführen von Wasser in eine Spülkammer der Geschirrspülmaschine zum Bereitstellen einer Spülflotte,
  2. B) Dosieren einer vorbestimmten Menge eines Reinigungsmittels in die Spülflotte,
  3. C) Umwälzen der Spülflotte und Beaufschlagen von in der Spülkammer angeordnetem Spülgut mit der Spülflotte, wobei eine Heizung zum Erhitzen der Spülflotte während des Vorspülens inaktiv ist, und
• in dem Teilprogrammschritt Reinigen:
  • D) Erhitzen der Spülflotte auf eine vorbestimmte Temperatur, und
  • E) Umwälzen der erhitzten Spülflotte und Beaufschlagen des in der Spülkammer angeordneten Spülguts mit der erhitzten Spülflotte.

Accordingly, a method for operating a dishwasher, in particular a domestic dishwasher, is proposed. The dishwasher has a control device for carrying out a washing program from a number of washing programs, with a respective washing program comprising a number of partial program steps which are carried out sequentially when the washing program is carried out, with at least one specific washing program of the number having a partial program step pre-rinse and a subsequent one Part program step includes cleaning. The method includes performing the specified wash program, which includes:

• in the pre-rinse sub-program step:
  1. A) feeding water into a washing chamber of the dishwasher to provide a washing liquor,
  2. B) dosing a predetermined amount of a cleaning agent into the washing liquor,
  3. C) circulating the rinsing liquor and applying the rinsing liquor to items to be washed arranged in the rinsing chamber, with a heater for heating the rinsing liquor being inactive during the pre-rinsing, and
• in the part program step cleaning:
  • D) heating the wash liquor to a predetermined temperature, and
  • E) Circulating the heated washing liquor and applying the heated washing liquor to the items to be washed arranged in the washing chamber.

This method has the advantage that the addition of the cleaning agent in the pre-rinse sub-program step results in a chemical cleaning effect, which is achieved by the cleaning agent dissolved in the washing liquor, already developing during the pre-rinse. A chemical integral, which is given for example by the time integral of a concentration of chemical substances active in the washing liquor, is thus increased. Overall, therefore, the cleaning performance is increased by the pre-wash and thus the cleaning efficiency of the dishwasher is improved.

The control device can be implemented in terms of hardware and/or software. In a hardware implementation, the control device can be designed, for example, as a computer, as a microprocessor, such as a CPU (central processing unit), as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC: application specific integrated circuit) or as a programmable logic unit (PLC: programmable logic controller). . In the case of a software implementation, the control device can be embodied as a computer program product, as a function, as a routine, as an algorithm, as part of a program code or as an executable object.

The number of rinsing programs includes, for example, a number of rinsing programs that differ from one another in their respective sequence. Examples of different wash programs are a standard wash program, an intensive wash program, an economy wash program, a glass wash program grams and the like. The intensive wash program aims for a particularly high cleaning performance, for example the temperature of the wash water is set to a particularly high value and the circulation pump is operated at a particularly high speed. In contrast to this, the economy dishwashing program aims, for example, at the lowest possible energy and resource consumption, with the temperature of the dishwashing liquid being regulated to a particularly low value and, for example, a running time of partial program steps of the dishwashing program being extended. It should be noted that the above examples are not exhaustive but merely serve as examples to explain different washing programs. A large number of different washing programs can be provided and the washing programs can also be dynamically adaptable depending on measured values recorded, such as a quantity of items to be washed, a type of items to be washed, a degree of soiling and the like.

The sub-program steps provided according to a respective washing program are carried out sequentially in terms of time. This means, for example, that at any point in time during the execution of the dishwashing program only one partial program step is active. Partial or complete pumping out of the washing liquor and/or dilution of the washing liquor with fresh water can be provided between individual partial program steps, but this is not mandatory. For example, a standard dishwashing program includes the following sub-program steps in their chronological sequence: pre-wash - cleaning - rinsing - drying. In this standard washing program, for example, the pre-wash is carried out without heating the washing water and without adding detergent. At the end of the pre-rinse, the washing liquor is, for example, partially pumped out and at the beginning of the cleaning, the washing liquor is filled up to a specific target volume, for example with fresh water or stored water. Furthermore, the washing liquor is heated to a certain temperature during cleaning and detergent is added. At the end of the cleaning process, the washing liquor is pumped out completely, for example, and water is fed in again to start rinsing. A rinse aid can be metered in during the rinse. Depending on the drying technology used, the washing liquor can be heated during the final rinse. If zeolite drying is used, there is no need to heat the washing liquor during rinsing. After rinsing, the washing liquor is pumped out completely, and it can also be temporarily stored for use in a later sub-program step or washing program. During drying, the air in the washing chamber can be circulated to achieve better drying. It should be noted that each washing program of the number can include the sub-program steps explained above, possibly also in a modified form. In particular, the specific wash program can correspond to the standard wash program.

The specific flushing program may correspond to each of the flushing programs of the number. In particular, each of the washing programs of the number can include the partial program steps pre-washing and cleaning, as specified for the specific washing program.

The specific wash program includes at least the sub-program steps of pre-wash and cleaning. In a conventional dishwashing program, the pre-wash sub-program step is distinguished in particular by the fact that it takes place before the cleaning sub-program step, with the wash liquor not being heated by means of a heater during the pre-wash. The pre-rinsing of the proposed method differs from such a conventional pre-rinsing in that in the present case cleaning agent is dosed during the pre-rinsing.

The supplied water can include fresh water from a supply network and it can include stored water that was temporarily stored, for example, in a previously performed wash program. In particular, water that was used in a previous wash program for rinsing can be temporarily stored in this way and used again in the subsequent wash program.

The special feature of the proposed method lies in the fact that the cleaning agent, which is provided for cleaning items to be washed, is already metered into the washing liquor during the pre-wash, in particular already at the beginning of the pre-wash. As already explained at the beginning, a chemical cleaning effect that is achieved by the cleaning agent can take effect early on and thus have a longer duration of action with the same partial program step duration compared to a conventional dishwashing program in which the cleaning agent is only added in a partial program step cleaning. exhibit.

The washing liquor is circulated in particular by a circulating pump which is arranged, for example, in a pump sump at the bottom of the washing chamber. The circulating pump conveys the washing liquor, for example, through a hydraulic system of the dishwasher, which in particular includes one or more spray devices, such as spray arms or spray nozzles. The washing liquor is dispensed onto the items to be washed at a certain pressure via the spray devices. The washware is cleaned as a result of this exposure of the washware to washing liquor.

• Zuführen von Wasser in die Spülkammer der Geschirrspülmaschine zum Bereitstellen einer Spülflotte,
• Erhitzen der Spülflotte auf eine vorbestimmte Temperatur, und
• Umwälzen der erhitzten Spülflotte und Beaufschlagen des in der Spülkammer angeordneten Spülguts mit der Spülflotte.

According to one embodiment of the method, a switchable pretreatment subprogram step is provided, which, when it is switched on, is carried out directly before the prewash subprogram step. Pre-treating includes:

• feeding water into the washing chamber of the dishwasher to provide a washing liquor,
• heating the wash liquor to a predetermined temperature, and
• Circulating the heated washing liquor and subjecting the items to be washed arranged in the washing chamber to the washing liquor.

The pre-treatment differs in particular from the pre-rinse of the specific wash program. In particular, the pre-treatment takes place in addition to the pre-rinsing. The pre-treatment takes place in particular without adding a cleaning agent from a program-controlled dosing unit to the washing liquor. In other words, during the pre-treatment, the washing liquor is free, for example, of detergent that has been added separately from a program-controlled dosing unit. However, if the washing liquor is provided by temporarily stored water from a previous washing program, it may contain traces of detergent or rinse aid.

In embodiments, cleaning agent can be added before or during the pretreatment subprogram step. For example, a dosing unit can have an "open chamber" which is intended to receive cleaning agent and from which the cleaning agent is added to the washing chamber, for example when the dishwasher door is closed, or the open chamber is designed in such a way that the cleaning agent is released when the dishwasher is circulated Rinsing liquor is discharged from the chamber and enters the rinsing liquor. This type of addition corresponds to the manual addition of cleaning agent and is therefore to be distinguished from the program-controlled addition via the dosing unit. The cleaning agent can also be put directly into the washing chamber by a user, so that it is already taken up by the washing liquor during the pre-treatment.

Directly beforehand is understood to mean that the pre-treatment takes place immediately before the pre-rinsing. This means that the pre-rinse follows directly after the pre-treatment. A partial or complete replacement of the washing liquor and/or dilution of the washing liquor with fresh water between the two partial program steps can be provided. The pre-treatment sub-program step and the pre-wash sub-program step can be distinguished from one another, for example, in that the washing liquor is partially or completely exchanged and/or diluted during the transition from the pre-treatment to the pre-wash.

Since the pre-treatment is carried out with an elevated temperature of the washing liquor, the items to be washed in the washing compartment heat up during the pre-treatment. This therefore stores a certain amount of heat, which is given off again to the washing liquor in a later sub-program step, in particular the pre-wash and the cleaning. The consequence of this is that the washing liquor is warmer during the pre-rinse than if the pre-treatment is not carried out. This effect is particularly advantageous when the washing liquor is partially or completely replaced after the pre-treatment.

Replacing is understood here to mean that a specific volume of the washing liquor is pumped out by means of a pump and the pumped-out volume is replaced at a later point in time, for example with fresh water. The washing liquor can have a different volume before it is pumped out and after it is filled up, which means that it is not absolutely necessary to replace exactly the pumped-out volume, but more or less volume than the pumped-out volume can be added. As a result, the washing liquor is diluted in the sense that a concentration of a dirt load in the washing liquor is reduced. This can contribute to maintaining the ability of the washing liquor to absorb dirt. Even if the rinsing liquor is completely replaced, the temperature of the rinsing liquor for the pre-rinse is higher than in the case in which the pre-treatment is not carried out.

Diluting is understood to mean that no washing liquor is pumped out, but only additional fresh water is supplied. This increases the volume of the washing liquor. If the washing liquor is diluted, the absolute amount of dirt in the washing liquor remains the same, but the dilution also enables the washing liquor to absorb more dirt.

The increased temperature of the washing liquor in the pre-wash results in the advantageous effect that the cleaning agent dissolves particularly well in the washing liquor, ie dissolves in it particularly quickly, for example, and can therefore be present in it more quickly in a high concentration. In addition, thermally activated components of the cleaning by means, like enzymes, already develop their effect during the pre-rinse due to the increased temperature. The other chemical effects that the cleaning agent develops are also more pronounced at higher temperatures, and in particular they are accelerated. This is because, for example, most solution processes are endothermic reactions whose kinematics benefit from increased temperature.

The pretreatment subprogram step can be switched on by a user, for example, by means of a corresponding input. For example, for this purpose the user actuates a corresponding function key of an operating unit for controlling the dishwasher. For example, it can optionally be switched on for each wash program of the number of wash programs.

According to a further embodiment of the method, step B) of pre-rinsing is carried out exclusively when the pre-treatment sub-program step has run through.

This means that the cleaning agent is only added during the pre-wash if the pre-treatment has been carried out. If the pre-treatment has not been carried out, the cleaning agent is only added during cleaning, for example.

According to a further embodiment of the method, this comprises an at least partial pumping out of the washing liquor between the pre-treatment sub-program step and the pre-rinsing sub-program step.

At the beginning of the pre-rinse, the pumped-out amount of washing liquor is replaced with fresh water, for example, so that the washing liquor has a sufficiently high volume. The sufficiently high volume corresponds in particular to a circulation quantity that is at least required for the circulating pump to run smoothly and, for example, not draw in air, which can lead to increased noise development and lower efficiency of the circulating pump.

• Erfassen einer in der Spülflotte gelösten Schmutzmenge am Ende des Vorbehandelns,
• Ermitteln eines Volumens abzupumpender Spülflotte in Abhängigkeit der erfassten Schmutzmenge, und
• Abpumpen des ermittelten Volumens vor Beginn des Vorspülens.

According to a further embodiment of the method, this additionally comprises the steps:

• Detection of the amount of dirt dissolved in the washing liquor at the end of the pre-treatment,
• Determining a volume of washing liquor to be pumped out as a function of the amount of dirt detected, and
• Pumping off the determined volume before starting pre-rinsing.

This has the advantage that as little as possible of the rinsing liquor is exchanged, which on the one hand reduces water consumption and on the other hand also reduces energy consumption since the heat energy stored in the rinsing liquor remains usable for the further partial program steps.

The dissolved amount of dirt can also be referred to as dirt load. The dirt load is specified, for example, in the unit particles/volume or in the unit gram/volume, with the volume relating to the wash liquor. The dirt load can be recorded using different methods, for example optical measuring methods based on a transmission measurement and/or light scattering by the washing liquor, a conductivity or impedance measurement of the washing liquor, determining a sieve occupancy and the like. These and other methods for detecting the dirt load are known.

The volume to be pumped out is determined, for example, on the basis of a predetermined threshold value for the dirt load at the start of pre-washing. This means that it is determined what proportion of the washing liquor has to be pumped out so that the washing liquor reaches or falls below the predetermined threshold value for the dirt load at a volume predetermined for the pre-wash. In particular, the predetermined volume corresponds at least to the circulation quantity. The predetermined volume is achieved, for example, by topping up the washing liquor with fresh water.

If the predetermined volume for the pre-rinse is equal to the volume during the pre-treatment, the volume pumped out is preferably replaced by supplying fresh water, for example at the beginning of the pre-rinse.

According to a further embodiment of the method, the predetermined temperature is in an interval between 30°C - 70°C, preferably between 40°C - 60°C, more preferably between 50°C - 60°C.

For example, the predetermined temperature is 55° C., with the washing liquor being heated once to this temperature, for example at the beginning of the pretreatment. The temperature subsequently drops slowly due to heat losses from the dishwasher through thermal conduction and thermal radiation.

According to a further embodiment of the method, the cleaning agent dosed in step B) is a solid cleaning agent.

A solid cleaning agent includes, for example, powder, granules, pellets or tablets (tab). In particular, it can be a multifunctional tab, which comprises several different active substances, which are arranged in particular in layers in the tab, so that the various active substances reach the washing liquor at different times (namely only when the outer layers have dissolved). .

According to a further embodiment of the method, apart from in step B), no further cleaning agent is metered into the washing liquor while the pre-rinsing and cleaning are being carried out.

The dosing of the cleaning agent in step B) is therefore the only program-controlled addition of cleaning agent during the washing program. It should be noted that this does not rule out the addition of a rinsing agent during rinsing.

For example, it is a dishwasher with a program-controlled dosing unit that is set up for adding a single dose of the cleaning agent once during a respective washing program. The dosing unit comprises, for example, a chamber for receiving the cleaning agent, with the chamber being initially closed at the start of the washing program, for example by means of a spring-loaded flap, so that there is no contact between the washing liquor and the cleaning agent, and the chamber at an addition time specified in the washing program is opened under program control, so that from this point in time the cleaning agent comes into contact with the washing liquor and can be detached from the washing liquor.

According to a further embodiment of the method, a respective sub-program step of a respective wash program is defined by a plurality of parameters with associated parameter values, the parameter values of the sub-program steps pre-washing and cleaning of the specific wash program being specified in a standard for determining a standard-specific energy label for a specific region correspond to parameter values.

In Europe, the EN 60436:2020+AC:2020 standard, for example, applies to determining the usage properties of dishwashers, in particular to determining energy consumption. This standard contains specifications for a standard measurement method for determining the energy consumption for the dishwasher, with the assignment of the energy label for the dishwasher taking place on the basis of the energy consumption determined in accordance with the standard. The flushing program to be carried out according to this standard is also referred to as the label program.

A respective manufacturer of dishwashers is interested in achieving an energy label that is as favorable as possible, which is why the heating is inactive in the label program, in particular during pre-washing, in order to save energy. Other wash programs, such as an intensive wash program or the like, can deviate from the label program and do not achieve its energy efficiency.

The specific rinsing program may differ from the label program, but the parameter values for the pre-rinse and cleaning correspond to the label program. This means that the specific washing program includes, for example, the sub-program step pre-treatment, which is not part of the label program.

According to a further embodiment of the method, a pump speed is reduced during pre-rinsing and/or cleaning in comparison to a rinsing program in which step B) is not carried out during pre-rinsing but during cleaning.

This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the pre-treatment sub-program step was carried out before the pre-rinse. Due to the increased chemical cleaning performance of the proposed method, the pump speed can be reduced without the cleaning performance deteriorating compared to the conventional washing program. Noise emission during cleaning and energy consumption of the circulating pump can thus be reduced without impairing the cleaning performance.

According to a further embodiment of the method, the duration of the prewash part program step and/or the cleaning part program step is reduced compared to a wash program in which step B) is not carried out during the prewash but during the cleaning.

This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the pre-treatment sub-program step was carried out before the pre-rinse. Due to the increased chemical cleaning performance of the proposed method, the duration of the pre-rinse and/or cleaning can be reduced without the cleaning performance deteriorating compared to the conventional washing program. Thus, a total duration of the flush programs can be shortened without impairing the cleaning performance.

According to a second aspect, a computer program product is proposed which comprises instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the latter to execute the method according to the first aspect.

For example, the computer is coupled to a dishwasher and set up to control it accordingly.

A computer program product, such as a computer program means, can be made available or supplied by a server in a network, for example, as a storage medium such as a memory card, USB stick, CD-ROM, DVD, or in the form of a downloadable file. This can be done, for example, in a wireless communication network by transferring a corresponding file with the computer program product or the computer program means.

According to a third aspect, a dishwasher, in particular a domestic dishwasher, is proposed. The dishwasher has a control device for carrying out a washing program from a number of washing programs, with a respective washing program comprising a number of partial program steps which are carried out sequentially when the washing program is carried out, with at least one specific washing program of the number having a partial program step pre-rinse and a subsequent one Part program step includes cleaning, and wherein the control device is set up to control the dishwasher with a method according to the first aspect.

This dishwasher has the same advantages that have been explained for the method according to the first aspect. The embodiments and features explained with regard to the method apply correspondingly to the proposed dishwasher.

The dishwasher can in particular have a washing chamber, a hydraulic system with spray devices, a circulating pump, a heater, a dish rack for holding items to be washed, a dosing unit for adding detergent and the like. The dosing unit is set up in particular for the program-controlled one-time addition of a single dose of a solid cleaning agent.

Further possible implementations of the invention also include combinations of features or embodiments described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned. The person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the invention.

• 1 zeigt eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform einer Geschirrspülmaschine;
• 2 zeigt ein schematisches Ablaufdiagramm für ein herkömmliches Spülprogramm;
• 3 zeigt ein schematisches Ablaufdiagramm für ein Spülprogramm gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 4 zeigt ein schematisches Ablaufdiagramm für ein Spülprogramm gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel; und
• 5 zeigt ein schematisches Blockdiagramm eines Ausführungsbeispiels für ein Verfahren zum Betreiben einer Geschirrspülmaschine.

Further advantageous refinements and aspects of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims and of the exemplary embodiments of the invention described below. The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of preferred embodiments with reference to the enclosed figures.

• 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a dishwasher;
• 2 shows a schematic flowchart for a conventional dishwashing program;
• 3 shows a schematic flowchart for a washing program according to a first embodiment;
• 4 shows a schematic flowchart for a washing program according to a second embodiment; and
• 5 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a dishwasher.

Elements that are the same or have the same function have been provided with the same reference symbols in the figures, unless otherwise stated.

The 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a dishwasher 1, which in this example is designed as a domestic dishwasher. The household dishwasher 1 includes a washing container 2, which can be closed by a door 3, which is in particular watertight. For this purpose, a sealing device can be provided between the door 3 and the washing container 2 . The washing container 2 is preferably cuboid. The washing compartment 2 can be arranged in a housing of the domestic dishwasher 1 . The washing container 2 and the door 3 can form a washing chamber 4 for washing items to be washed.

Door 3 is in the 1 shown in their open position. The door 3 can be closed or opened by pivoting about a pivot axis 5 provided at a lower end of the door 3 . With the help of the door 3, a loading opening 6 of the washing compartment 2 can be closed or opened. The washing compartment 2 has a base 7, a cover 8 arranged opposite the base 7, and a cover 8 arranged opposite the closed door 3 designated rear wall 9 and two oppositely arranged side walls 10, 11 on. The bottom 7, the top 8, the rear wall 9 and the side walls 10, 11 can be made from a stainless steel sheet, for example. Alternatively, for example, the bottom 7 can be made of a plastic material.

The household dishwasher 1 also has at least one washware holder 12 to 14 . Preferably, several, for example three, washware holders 12 to 14 can be provided, with washware holder 12 being a lower washware holder or a lower rack, washware holder 13 being an upper washware holder or an upper rack and washware holder 14 being a cutlery drawer. As the 1 further shows that the washing items receptacles 12 to 14 are arranged one above the other in the washing compartment 2 . Each washware holder 12 to 14 can be moved either into or out of the washing compartment 2 . In particular, each washware receptacle 12 to 14 can be pushed or moved into the washing compartment 2 in an insertion direction E and pulled out or moved out of the washing compartment 2 in an extension direction A counter to the insertion direction E.

A control device 15 and a dosing unit 16 are arranged in the door 3 of the dishwasher 1. The control device 15 is designed to carry out a washing program SP1, SP1* (see FIG 3 or 4 ) from a number of washing programs. A respective wash program SP1, SP1* includes a number of partial program steps TPO - TP4 (see 2 - 4 ), which are carried out sequentially when carrying out the washing program SP1, SP1*, at least one specific washing program SP1, SP1* of the number comprising a pre-washing part program step TP1 and a subsequent cleaning part program step TP2. The dosing unit 16 is set up in particular for the program-controlled addition of a cleaning agent to the washing chamber 4 . For example, the dosing unit 16 is set up for adding a single dose of the cleaning agent once during a respective washing program. In order to add the cleaning agent, the dosing unit 16 is activated by the control device 15 at an addition time predetermined for a respective washing program.

The sub-program step prewash TP1 comprises at least feeding water into the washing chamber 4 of the domestic dishwasher 1 to provide a washing liquor. In this case, fresh water or temporarily stored water from a previously run washing program can be used. The supply of fresh water is controlled, for example, by actuating a valve (not shown) arranged in a water connection line. Temporarily stored water can be stored, for example, in a tank of the dishwasher 1 and can be let into the washing chamber 4 in this step (not shown). Furthermore, the pre-rinse TP1 includes dosing a predetermined quantity of a cleaning agent into the washing liquor. The predetermined amount is in particular the amount of detergent filled into the dosing unit 16 by a user of the domestic dishwasher 1 . In addition, the pre-wash TP1 comprises a circulation of the washing liquor and the washing liquor being applied to items to be washed arranged in the washing chamber 4, for example by means of a circulating pump (not shown). A heater (not shown) for heating the washing liquor is inactive during the pre-wash TP1, so that a temperature of the washing liquor is set based on an initial temperature of the water supplied and the temperature of the items to be washed and the washing chamber 4 .

The cleaning sub-program step TP2 comprises heating the washing liquor to a predetermined temperature and circulating the heated washing liquor and applying the heated washing liquor to the items to be washed arranged in the washing chamber 4 .

The control device 15 is in particular for performing the basis of 3 and 4 explained rinsing programs SP1, SP1 * and based on the 5 procedure explained set up.

2 shows a schematic flowchart for a conventional dishwashing program SP. In this case, two diagrams are shown one above the other, each representing a time sequence along a horizontal time axis t. The upper diagram shows the individual sub-program steps TP1-TP4 and the lower diagram shows an example of a temperature profile of the wash liquor during the execution of the wash program SP. Equal points in time on the time axes t correspond to one another.

The flushing program SP is started at a point in time t0. First, a pre-rinse TP1 is carried out. The washing liquor is not heated during the pre-wash TP1, so that its temperature T0 is set on the basis of an initial temperature of the water supplied and the temperature of the items to be washed and the washing chamber 4 and is essentially constant. In this example, the temperature T0 is a room temperature, for example. During the pre-rinse TP1, the washing liquor is circulated and the items to be washed are subjected to it.

At time t1, pre-rinsing TP1 ends and cleaning TP2 is started. At this point in time t1, the washing liquor is heated and heated to a target temperature T1. In addition, at the beginning of the cleaning, TP2 cleaning agent DET is added, as indicated by the arrow. During cleaning TP2, the washing liquor is circulated and the items to be washed are subjected to it. The temperature of the washing liquor drops slowly during this period, for example due to heat losses from the dishwasher 1 .

At time t2, cleaning TP2 is complete. In this example, the wash water is now completely pumped out. Rinsing TP3 begins, for which fresh water is supplied. A rinse aid can be added (not shown) during the rinse TP3. During the final rinse TP3, the washing liquor is circulated and the items to be washed are subjected to it. Towards the end of the final rinse TP3, the washing liquor is heated in order to bring the items to be washed to an elevated temperature, which supports the subsequent drying step TP4. Finally, the rinsing liquor is pumped out in the final rinse TP3 and proceeds to drying TP4.

In the drying step TP4, the washware rests and dries by dripping off and evaporating the adhering moisture.

3 shows a schematic flowchart for a wash program SP1 according to a first embodiment. The flushing program SP1 includes, for example, the same sub-program steps TP1 - TP4, based on the 2 were explained. In contrast to the conventional dishwashing program SP der 2 is in the washing program SP1 of 3 the detergent DET is already dosed at the beginning of the pre-rinse TP1. This results in a longer exposure time for the chemical agents in the cleaning agent, namely the combined duration of pre-rinsing TP1 and cleaning TP2, and thus improved cleaning performance. The temperature curve of the washing liquor is also equal to that of the in this example 2 .

4 shows a schematic flow chart for a wash program SP1* according to a second exemplary embodiment. The dishwashing program SP1* of 4 is based on the washing program SP1 of 3 , but a pre-treatment TP0 is carried out before the pre-rinse TP1.

In this case, the pre-treatment TP0 begins at a point in time t0*, which is before the point in time t0. As can be seen from the corresponding temperature profile, the washing liquor is heated as part of the pre-treatment TP0, in this example to temperature T1. During the pre-treatment TP0, the washing liquor is circulated and the items to be washed are treated with it. The temperature of the wash water drops slowly. In this example, at the end of the pre-treatment TP0, the washing liquor is completely pumped out. Partial pump down may be provided in embodiments.

At time t0, pre-rinsing TP1 begins again, with water being supplied first. Since the items to be washed and the washing chamber 4 are still at an elevated temperature, the washing liquor supplied, which is supplied in particular at the temperature T0, heats up to the temperature T2. This increased temperature T2 of the washing liquor has the advantageous effect that the cleaning agent DET added at the beginning of the prewash TP1 dissolves better in it and is more effective. The rest of the wash program SP1* corresponds, for example, to the wash program SP1 of FIG 3 .

The sub-program steps pre-treatment TP0 and pre-wash TP1 can be differentiated based on the composition of the wash liquor, with a dirt load of the wash liquor being higher at the end of the pre-treatment TP0 than at the beginning of the pre-wash TP1. This is achieved by partially or completely replacing the rinsing liquor and/or by diluting the rinsing liquor with fresh water.

It should be noted that the individual subprogram steps can also have an internal subdivision, for example into a number of phases. Phases with different parameter values, for example for the speed of the circulating pump or for setting a water switch and the like, can be provided. In the washing programs SP1, SP1*, a partial or complete exchange of the washing liquor can take place between two respective partial program steps. This can be carried out in particular depending on the dirt load of the washing liquor at a particular point in time. In the drying step TP4, the air in the rinsing chamber 4 may be circulated, and an inner wall of the rinsing chamber 4 may be cooled to accelerate condensation of moisture. As an alternative to heating the washing liquor in the final rinse TP3 to heat the items to be washed, a zeolite drying device can also be provided.

It should also be noted that the temperature curves shown are only examples and variations of these are possible.

5 FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a dishwasher 1 for example the one in the 1 illustrated domestic dishwasher. The method steps S1 - S5 shown relate to a specific wash program SP1, SP1* (see 3 or 4 ), which includes a partial program step pre-rinse TP1 (see 3 or 4 ) and a part program step cleaning TP2 (see 3 or 4 ) includes.

In a first step S1, the pre-rinse sub-program step TP1 includes the supply of water into a rinsing chamber 4 (see 1 ) of the dishwasher 1 for providing a washing liquor, in a second step S2 metering a predetermined amount of a cleaning agent into the washing liquor and in a third step S3 circulating the washing liquor and applying the washing liquor to items to be washed arranged in the washing chamber 4. The dosing of the cleaning agent is in particular a program-controlled dosing of a single dose of the cleaning agent once for the washing program SP1, SP1*. A heater for heating the wash liquor is inactive during the pre-wash TP1. The sub-program step cleaning TP2 includes, in a step S4, heating the washing liquor to a predetermined temperature T1 (see 3 or 4 ), and in a further step S5 the circulation of the heated washing liquor and applying the heated washing liquor to the items to be washed arranged in the washing chamber 4 .

It should be noted that the method can include further method steps that are carried out before step S1 or after step S5. An example of this are additional procedural steps for carrying out the subprogram step pretreatment TP0 (see 4 ) before step S1 and additional method steps for carrying out the partial program steps rinsing TP3 and/or drying TP4 (see 3 or 4 ). In addition, pre-rinsing TP1, which in this example includes steps S1-S3, and cleaning TP2, which includes steps S4 and S5, can also include further method steps, provided these do not contradict the steps shown.

Although the present invention has been described using exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in many ways.

Reference List

1

dishwasher

2

flush tank

3

door

4

washing chamber

5

pivot axis

6

loading opening

7

Floor

8th

Ceiling

9

back panel

10

Side wall

11

Side wall

12

items to be washed

13

items to be washed

14

items to be washed

15

control device

16

dosing unit

A

extraction direction

DET

Detergent addition

E

insertion direction

S1

process step

S2

process step

S3

process step

S4

process step

S5

process step

SP

washing program

SP1

washing program

SP1*

washing program

t

Time

T

temperature

T0

temperature value

T1

temperature value

T2

temperature value

t0

time

t0*

time

t1

time

t2

time

t3

time

t4

time

TP0

part program step

TP1

part program step

TP2

part program step

TP3

part program step

TP4

part program step

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 3087869 A1 [0003]
• EP 2179684 A1 [0004]

Claims (13)

Method for operating a dishwasher (1), in particular a household dishwasher, which has a control device (15) for carrying out a wash program (SP1, SP1*) from a number of wash programs, with a respective wash program (SP1, SP1*) having a number of partial program steps (TP0 - TP4), which are carried out sequentially when the washing program (SP1, SP1*) is carried out, with at least one specific washing program (SP1, SP1*) having a number of pre-washing part program steps (TP1) and a subsequent cleaning part program step (TP2 ), the method comprising the execution of the specific washing program (SP1, SP1*), which comprises: in the sub-program step pre-rinse (TP1): A) supplying (S1) water into a rinsing chamber (4) of the dishwasher (1) to provide a rinsing liquor, B) dosing (S2) a predetermined amount of a cleaning agent into the washing liquor, C) circulating (S3) the rinsing liquor and applying the rinsing liquor to items to be washed arranged in the rinsing chamber (4), a heater for heating the rinsing liquor being inactive during the pre-rinse (TP1), and in the part program step cleaning (TP2): D) heating (S4) the washing liquor to a predetermined temperature (T1), and E) Circulating (S5) the heated washing liquor and subjecting the items to be washed arranged in the washing chamber (4) to the heated washing liquor. procedure after claim 1 , characterized by a switchable pre-treatment sub-program step (TP0), which is carried out directly before the pre-wash sub-program step (TP1), the pre-treatment (TP0) comprising: supplying water to the washing chamber (4) of the dishwasher to provide a washing liquor, heating the washing liquor to a predetermined temperature (T1), and circulating the heated washing liquor and subjecting the washware arranged in the washing chamber (4) to the washing liquor. procedure after claim 2 , characterized in that the step B) of pre-rinsing (TP1) is carried out exclusively when the partial program step pre-treatment (TP0) has run through. procedure after claim 2 or 3 , characterized by : at least partial pumping out of the washing liquor between the pretreatment part program step (TP0) and the prewash part program step (TP1). procedure after claim 4 , characterized by : detecting a quantity of dirt dissolved in the washing liquor at the end of the pre-treatment (TP0), determining a volume of washing liquor to be pumped out as a function of the quantity of dirt detected, and pumping out the determined volume before the beginning of the pre-washing (TP1). Procedure according to one of claims 2 until 5 , characterized in that the predetermined temperature (T1) is in an interval between 30°C - 70°C, preferably between 40°C - 60°C, more preferably between 50°C - 60°C. Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that the cleaning agent dosed in step B) is a solid cleaning agent. Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 7 characterized in that , apart from in step B), no further cleaning agent is metered into the washing liquor while the pre-rinsing (TP1) and the cleaning (TP2) are being carried out. Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 8th , characterized in that a respective part program step (TP0 - TP4) of a respective wash program (SP1, SP1 *) is defined by a plurality of parameters with assigned parameter values, the parameter values of the part program steps pre-wash (TP1) and cleaning (TP2) of the specific wash program correspond to the parameter values specified in a standard for determining an energy label determined according to the standard for a specific region. Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 9 , characterized in that a pump speed during pre-rinsing (TP1) and / or cleaning (TP2) compared to a rinsing program in which step B) is not performed during pre-rinsing (TP1), but during cleaning (TP2). , is reduced. Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 10 , characterized in that a duration of the partial program step pre-rinse (TP1) and / or the partial program step cleaning (TP2) compared to a washing program in which step B) is not carried out during the pre-rinse (TP1), but during the cleaning (TP2). becomes, is reduced. Computer program product, comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the latter to carry out the method according to one of Claims 1 - 11 to execute. Dishwasher (1), in particular domestic dishwasher, with a control device (15) for carrying out a washing program (SP1, SP1*) from a number of washing programs, wherein a respective washing program (SP1, SP1*) comprises a number of partial program steps (TP0 - TP4). , which are carried out sequentially when the washing program (SP1, SP1*) is carried out, wherein at least one specific washing program (SP1, SP1*) of the number comprises a pre-washing part program step (TP1) and a subsequent cleaning part program step (TP2), and wherein the Control device is set up to the dishwasher (1) with a method according to one of Claims 1 until 11 to control.

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