EP1362547B1 - Dishwasher and method of operating a dishwasher when a combined preparation of various active ingredients is used - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a dishwasher after the The subject matter of claim 1 and a method for operating a Dishwasher according to the subject-matter of claim 11.

For some time now, so-called "3in1" combination preparations have been used. " for use in dishwashers available, which together a cleaning substance, a softening substance and a rinse aid and the rinse tank the dishwasher at a certain time be supplied simultaneously. These "3in1" combination preparations are sucked in compressed tablet form. "3in1" tabs as well as "3in1" powder available. The 3in1 combination preparations can in intended metering devices the dishwasher are inserted, in this case They at a given time, by the rinse cycle the dishwasher is determined, the washing added. On the other hand, they can also be used by the user the dishwasher in the dishwasher, z. B. placed in the cutlery basket, before switching on the washing program become. The user of a dishwasher is available today generally more than a selectable wash program for Cleaning the soiled items set in the dishwasher Wash ware available. As selectable wash programs are enough programs under the name short program, Normal program, intensive program, eco program, for that too Various synonymous conceptualizations exist, known. Since the use of "3in1" combination preparations by the Users of the dishwasher have the customer complaints accumulated at the manufacturers of dishwashers. Because the cleaning and / or drying results of in the dishwasher cleaned items have sometimes dramatically when using 3in1 preparations conventional individual dosing of the corresponding Substances deteriorate. As particularly problematic has proved that on the one hand the users the prescribed localization of the 3in1 combination preparation in the dishwasher do not pay attention, so some of the 3in1 tabs in the Dishwasher set while by the manufacturer Use only prescribed by dosing device is. Furthermore, the information provided by the manufacturers of the "3in1" combination preparations regarding the selection of a suitable Dishwashing program not appropriate, since the user of the dishwasher In general, though, knows which wash program he depending on the degree of soiling and drying of the Dirt particles must select, but no more intimate knowledge about the course of the wash program itself. This knowledge implies the manufacturer of the 3in1 combination preparation at Users and also completely ignores that Various "3in1" combination preparations are available on the market are different depending on various parameters resolve and accordingly at different times achieve their highest effectiveness. That's how some work available on the market 3in1 combination preparations after a so-called. "Dilution principle" (also known as the carry-over principle), d. H. At the beginning of the cleaning, the 3in1 combination preparation is used added and begins to dissolve. there Mainly the rinse aid is initially in a high level Concentration, d. H. It is added overdosed and it gets it assumed that as a result of carryover in Spülwasserresten and adhesions of the dissolved rinse aid to items to be washed, rinse container walls and the ceiling of the rinse tank as well as in the Supply lines the concentration in the rinse cycle is still sufficient to achieve a particularly good drying result. Another Embodiment of the 3in1 combination preparation provides that at first only the cleaner and the softener dissolve and the rinse aid, which is encapsulated in the 3-in-1 combination preparation, z. B. in the form of a wax-coated bead is present first temperature and / or pH-dependent during rinsing dissolves. When using a washing program, which already working in the program section Cleaning at high temperatures and / or where the duration of the cleaning process is very long what is generally common in an intensive care program However, the rinse aid of the latter type is already dissolved. The rinse aid of the former type has in particular the disadvantage that when executing several rinse program sections before rinsing, such. B. cleaning, intermediate rinsing, the latter, as is known, between the program sections Cleaning and rinsing is switched on dissolves too quickly and thereby by multiple rinsing fluid change in the program section rinsing no longer in sufficient Concentration is present. Another shortcoming at the use of 3in1 combination preparations may occur when the user of the dishwasher metering by inserting, for. A 3in1 tab, before starting the Rinse program anywhere on the dishwasher, however not in the Dosierkombination makes. This begins z. B. in the program section pre-rinsing at least the cleaner and Softener to dissolve, being generally in laboratory tests could be found that the dissolution behavior of 3in1 combination preparations even with water, which is essentially Supply line temperature is very good. By pumping is the following program sections cleaning, If applicable, program sections Intermediate rinsing, rinsing, the substances of the 3in1 combination drug in one lower concentration available, which has direct impact on both the cleaning and the drying result of the ware, and this generally worsens.

It is an object of the invention, a dishwasher and to propose a method for operating a dishwasher, at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages overcome and provide a rinse program which on the use of multi-drug combination preparations is adjusted or adjusted, the user the basic use of the previously known rinse programs continue to be allowed.

The above object is achieved by a dishwasher according to the features of claim 1 and by a method solved according to the features of claim 11.

According to the device of the proposed invention is at a Dishwasher at least a washing program, such. B. Intensive program, normal program, short program, eco program, selectable by the user of the dishwasher. The Selection means are usually in a control panel of Dishwasher and are well known as such.

According to the invention a switchable additional function is provided, through when using combination preparations with multiple drugs such use of a program control is shown. This has the consequence that the user-selected rinse program, such as intensive program, Normal program, short program, eco program, to use a combination preparation, the cleaning substance, Includes softening substance and rinse aid substance, is automatically adjusted. That is, when turned on Additional function will send a corresponding signal to the control unit given, which automatically adjust the respective user-selected washing program for use of combination preparations. These are for example various control routines in the microcontroller of Control unit deposited, which is used, and / or on various parameters of the washing programs, such as temperature, Duration of a particular wash program section, wash liquid fill volume, pH value u. a. is defined as intervened and this changed. An alternative Solution is an additional feature in which a shutdown a switching means according to the invention acts. In another Embodiment of the invention is a specially designed Rinse program for special use with a combination preparation Among other rinse programs as such selectable. In the invention, by adding the additional function a Regenerierfunktion a softening device either switched off or changed compared to a normal program not designed for combination preparations.

The additional function is preferably based on the use of a "3in1" combination preparations designed, this combination preparation as effective substances for the purification of the Scraps essentially only cleaner substance, softening substance and rinse aid substance. Regardless of these components can the "3in1" combination preparation also more Substances, their direct or indirect influence on the cleaning and drying results of individual wash program sections or the overall cleaning result of Dishwashing programs are of minor importance. If further Effective substances of the combination preparation are not explicitly mentioned, but these are known and influenced by the subject invention includes.

It is also a switching means for switching on the additional function this preferably in the screen carrier of the dishwasher in addition to other selection means and / or display means is localized. Another possibility is the switching device arrange, the metering device of the combined preparation, in which the combination preparation preferably filled is. In the embodiment of the switching means are most diverse known embodiments, such as rotary selector switch, Button or the like conceivable. There is also an operation a switching means by a user-dependent selection possible by selection in a menu-driven selection device, For example, in a display or at networked home appliances via a graphical interface or if necessary, a voice recognition system can be switched on.

In the dishwasher is provided by at least one Sensor the use of a combination preparation in particular a "3in1" combination preparation detectable, so that for program execution on the one hand distinguishable is whether a combination preparation on the dilution principle works, or a combination preparation containing the rinse aid only in the rinse phase pH and / or temperature-dependent dissolves, is used. On the other hand, at repeated Sensor measurement during the entire rinse cycle eg. B. Concentration and / or pH change and / or changes the degree of hardness of the rinsing liquid are determined the conclusions on the concentration of the individual active substances of the "3in1" combination preparation, with the Follow that program at any convenient time be modified.

As sensors, at least one of the sensors is chemical and / or acoustic and / or thermal and / or optical and / or pneumatic sensor type. These can be in Number and their specific detection property be designed. Furthermore, an evaluation of the sensor signals both with regard to the adaptation of the washing program sequence regarding the use of the "3in1" combination preparation as well as for the design of the others Parameters of the entire wash cycle can be used. Furthermore, alternatively, at least one provided chemical Sensor with appropriately selected receptors, for detection z. B. several simultaneously occurring agents, such as Cleaner and softener and / or rinse aid, the use of a Recognize combination preparations and without switching on the additional function to the programmer control the use signal a combination preparation. By possibly repeated control measurements and / or comparison with others Sensor measurements during the program will be based on the usage a combination preparation closed and the program flow changed accordingly. Particularly preferred currently the use of a sensor that at least the pH value and / or the temperature and / or the degree of hardness of the rinsing liquid recognizes.

The intended sensors determine continuously or discontinuous during the program or individual Rinse program sections whose time courses or times by the program control can be specified, of individual program parameters, z. B. based on an actual target value comparison and / or a difference value and / or the change history of a parameter such as pH, temperature, turbidity, foaming, concentration, Water hardness, whether a certain active substance of the Combination preparations z. B. a predetermined minimum or maximum value is exceeded or undercut. Further z. B. in dependence a difference value, the z. B. manufacturer-dependent from the "3in1" combination preparation itself, as well as other typical parameters such as concentration jumps, Dissolution temperatures or parameter combinations such as pH and concentration or concentration and temperature the Spülprogrammablaufes result. For a determinable period of time a wash cycle or over the entire duration the wash program will also change at least one Parameters of the wash program recorded and evaluated. So are z. B. with regard to the course of the pH of the rinsing liquid Conclusions on the concentration of the individual Active substances of the "3in1" combination preparation possible. So is the evaluation of the pH value currently feasible, that the program section cleaning a maximum basic ph value is either in the program section rinse must fall below a predetermined value, or else its change history, z. B. in a predetermined characteristic field, is predefined within predefinable tolerances or pH jumps (sudden change in pH) within predefined periods of time are determined or otherwise Time constants are determined for their occurrence, e.g. after reaching the dissolution temperature of an encapsulated Rinse aid. According to the invention, such sensor measurements are included activated additional function for the adaptation of a rinsing program sequence to the use of a combination preparation used for the active intervention in the program sequence itself, when selecting a special designed wash program sequence have these initially a kind of control function to determine whether during the program actually a combination preparation Use finds or at least an activity-specific Substance at the specified time in sufficient Concentration is present, adjustments of the Spülprogrammablaufes can be optional.

A suitable method of evaluating the sensor measurement signals is z. B. the value or the change of certain parameters of Rinse program such as turbidity, pH, foaming, concentration, Water hardness u. a. individually as well as in suitable combinations at characteristic times of the rinse cycle, in terms of their qualitative and quantitative appearance and their delay times among themselves. For this purpose, within definable time periods or Time intervals determined at least individual parameter values and this is an actual target value comparison, a difference value formation or a threshold value query or the changes compared to preset or determined in the program flow Values are made, with all comparative values in tables or as default values in at least one memory unit the program control are stored. In networked Home appliances can also use this storage unit outside the Dishwasher be located. Further, in the storage unit also certain program states can be stored, whose Combination pairings e.g. not desired are storable and these can prompt the user to perform certain actions. Such undesirable constellations result e.g. in the program section prewash if an increased Foaming and / or significant pH fluctuations occur, or a predetermined rinse aid concentration during all Falls below program sections or rinse aid concentration jumps regardless of a specific temperature or temperature course occur. The user can do it accordingly the occurred error situation z. B. prompted are the insertion of a combination preparation in the Dosierkombination or the program sequence is aborted until user-dependent re-commissioning of the Dishwasher occurs or recognized as defective Measurement result is at least displayed.

In the program section prewash or cleaning can be provided be that the time of actual addition of the "3in1" combination preparation is additionally monitored, e.g. B. by an acoustic sensor the case of a tablet from the Dosing is detected in the washing. Other detection options offer optical sensors, the z. B. reinforced Foaming register or chemical sensors that Evaluate the change in the pH of the rinsing fluid.

With further advantage is in a possibly modified combination preparation, in the z. B. an enzymatic cleaner substance with an efficacy temperature limit of about 30 ° C and a Rinse aid substance with a dissolution temperature at approx. 58 ° C is included, with shortened scheduled program sections, and thus shortened solution duration, by short-term, possibly also repeated connection and / or controlled or regulated power output of the heating means in the process sections Pre-rinsing and / or intermediate rinsing the rinsing liquid preferably at the end of the respective process section heated, so for the following procedural steps Cleaning or rinsing, which are operated with hot rinsing liquid be, the respective chemical substance its complete Effectiveness can develop better and longer. By the Preheat or intensified heating of the rinsing liquid at the end of the preceding washing program section is the dissolving and Thus, the effectiveness of the cleaner or rinse aid for the Duration of each program section improved. The thereby supplied Energy is comparable to an activation energy. At a scheduled temperature control or temperature control can dissolution time, concentration, exposure time, Time of release of a chemical substance of the "3in1" combination preparation be optimized.

Of particular advantage is when user-dependent the actually used "3in1" combination preparation program control is specified as a parameter, z. B. by input via an image capture, the z. B. the barcode of a Recognizes "3in1" combination preparations or in program memory deposited commercially available "3in1" combination preparations be selected or the use of a particular combination preparation entered by the user in any other way can be, with the user-dependent predetermined information on the use of a specific "3in1" combination preparation either up to a changing one Input information will be saved or at the beginning of each or a defined predetermined time again queried becomes.

With further advantage can with query or evaluation of an information about the type and dosage form of the supplied Cleaning, rinsing and possibly softening substances a unique not identified as a "3in1" combination preparation Product one erroneously selected by the user Switch off "3in1" function or if you select a "3in1" program an error message is issued.

It is also advantageous that when the "3in1" function is switched on or when selecting a "3in1" purging program the display for states of the washing program, the conventional Rinsing programs with single dosing of substances switched on are switched off or hidden, such. B. the shutdown a display LED at the time of the regeneration process or an indicator LED that is used to replenish rinse aid prompts.

Used by the user of the dishwasher after adjusting soiled items in the dishwasher Dishwashing program selected, a combination preparation of the dishwasher added and switched by an optional Selection means the use of a combination preparation indicated this is the program sequence control under consideration the additional function that the program flow of selected wash program changes and in its overall design adapted to the use of a combination preparation becomes. Depending on the selected Rinse program single or multiple parameters of different Rinse program sections Pre-rinsing, cleaning, intermediate rinsing, Rinse, in the manner described below automatically in essentially dependent on the evaluation of predetermined sensor measurements adapted or changed in a predefined way. The steps indicated in the method claims In terms of their sequence, there is no inevitable requirement for the Spülprogrammablauf, but can specifically targeted, for. depending on the use of a particular combination preparation or type of combination product selected, repeatedly and / or in succession or by others, be followed in known program steps.

When using a Dosierkombination with usually separate pantries for the detergent and rinse aid substance becomes when using a "3in1" combination preparation the function of the rinse aid and possibly the detergent dosing in selected washing program hidden. In an alternative Design, it is possible in the z. B. sensor-dependent determination the concentration of rinse aid this required To meter in quantities, this compensates dilution losses of the preceding rinse program sections. Unless during the selected wash program further opening times for the metering device for releasing various substances are provided, these are also blocked or the time the addition of a certain substance and / or changed in the metering.

Is the combination preparation in addition to the cleaning substance and the rinse aid substance also added a softening substance, the softening in a known manner in the dishwasher make unnecessary by a designated softening device should, then that is also known in a dishwasher Regenerate the softener with saturated to be performed Salt solutions (brine) not necessary, therefore is in the program flow the regeneration function, d. H. the clogging of a defined brine volume to the softening device, the otherwise at a defined time of program execution is provided hidden. Alternatively, at a designated Hardness sensor that determines the water hardness of the rinsing fluid can actually determine that in the dishwasher existing water hardness as a result of softening with the softening substance the combination preparation, if necessary be monitored and if necessary, the regeneration function of the water softener be switched on, so that partial softening of the water is made via the softener device. In hard water areas According to experience, the softening capacity of Softening substances of a "3in1" combination preparation not out. Therefore, it is of particular advantage if the information on the degree of hardness of the water actually used the Supply line in the design of the program flow flows. Of the Hardness of the water, for example, by the user via a specially provided input function, eg. In the control panel, be entered and saved or at one Blending device can be adjusted, with appropriate Means the value of the water hardness setting to the programmer control forward and with the "3in1" function switched on or selecting a "3in1" purging program the connection the regeneration function and / or at least the blending hard with soft water at least for a given Allow time.

It is intended that the previous water supply on the Softening device independent of its softening capacity, the with increasing number of rinsing fluid change depending the degree of hardness of the water supplied is exhausted, respectively. All other alternatives of the water supply are theoretically possible, but only appropriate if as standard, only combination preparations with a softening substance are available. This possibly in the reservoir of Dishwasher defines reserved water volume for the regeneration function can be particularly in soft water areas alternatively as a defined volume wholly or partly in the Liquid-carrying program sections for the design of a predetermined volume of liquid can be used.

Used by a sensor during an initial pre-rinse recognized the use of a combination preparation or the Use of same indicated by additional function, Thus, the duration of the initially provided program section Pre-rinsing can be shortened to prevent yourself dissolve the detergent and rinse aid ingredients too early and in the sections cleaning or rinsing too low Concentration. On the other hand, is a wash program selected having two or more Vorspülabschnitte with each complete water change provides so is by Omitting at least one pre-purging or reduction a program section prewash thereby also without the detection a combination drug already prophylactic prevents one from mistakenly in the dishwasher instead of mixed dosage in the dosage combination dissolve too early.

As described above, the process section is pre-rinse shortened or completely omitted, thereby reducing the time of loading the dishes with water, the release process of heavy pollution that may already be adhere to the dishes long, thereby shortened or completely canceled. This is a good one in some cases of pollution Cleaning result not conducive. That's why in such Cases of the process section preferably cleaning around the Duration of the procedural section extended to the process section Pre-rinse was shortened. So will the solving of the Dirt particles at least partially in the process section Cleaning moved.

Particularly preferred is the number of intermediate rinse sections between the program sections cleaning and rinsing on reduces an intermediate scavenging section, which is essentially the Task has isolated, some stuck dirt particles and eliminate chemical residues of cleaning. With more Advantage can the intermediate rinsing with reduced maximum Rinse fluid volume compared to the maximum provided Rinsing fluid volume of the program section cleaning operated so that the concentration of the dissolved rinse aid is higher than at the same size rinsing liquid volume as in cleaning. Will be cleaned during the program section the rinsing liquid is diluted several times and / or is by a corresponding turbidity measurement a low degree of contamination the rinsing liquid has been detected, so may on the intermediate rinse section if necessary completely omitted.

In the process section intermediate rinsing, with lukewarm rinsing liquid is operated and therefore no active heating provided by switching provided heating elements is during the procedural stages, with hot rinse liquid be operated, deprived of energy. To the Process flow energetically favorable and as described above also saves water and thus the concentration of the rinse aid increasing in the process section to make intermediate rinse, can be provided by repeatedly turning on and off the circulating pump with different determinable and / or predeterminable Duration of the on and off state of the circulation pump the rinsing liquid in the manner of a pulse rinsing on the To bring in items to be washed. When you turn off the circulation pump is Circulation of the rinsing liquid and thus the application of the Washware interrupted with rinsing liquid. This type of pulse flushing is brief with a sequence of splashing, pause, spattering, Pause, Splash, Pause, etc. described.

At the end of at least one procedure section such. B. the Intermediate rinsing may be dependent on the measurement of turbidity and / or the content of rinse aid in the rinsing liquid Be provided dilution step. The dilution step causes that a partial volume of the rinsing liquid, which during the intermediate rinsing was used in the subsequent process section Rinse is still used and with fresher Rinse liquid which is supplied, is mixed. As a result the dilution step, the loss in particular Rinse aid versus complete pumping and filling reduced by rinsing liquid. Precisely for this reason can also regardless of the measurement of the turbidity of the rinsing liquid inevitably a dilution step instead of a complete one Pumping off the rinsing liquid z. B. at the end of a washing program section be provided.

As a further or alternative step, the temperature is preferred in the program section rinsing upstream Process sections, preferably in the process section cleaning, to a temperature below the dissolution temperature of the rinse aid, preferably below 58 ° C, reduced. This is at z. B. a selected intensive program, which usually the cleaning section with temperatures operates between 58 and 70 ° C, prevents it from being used a combination preparation with temperature-dependent release the rinse aid substance this possibly already dissolves here and consequently in the program section rinsing in too low a concentration is present.

In the program section rinsing, the items to be washed are at a temperature of at least 58 ° C for the subsequent program section Drying heated, this is also the temperature-dependent and optionally pH-dependent dissolution of the rinse aid allows.

Advantageously, the temperature control of the rinsing liquid during a selected rinsing procedure based on the use of combination preparations automatically, as mentioned above, was adjusted, on the one hand by the dissolution temperatures of determined individual chemical substances. On the other hand is under energetic aspects during the pre-rinsing, provided it is carried out, the flushing liquid not by switching provided heating means heated, so that the rinsing liquid essentially dependent on the water inlet temperature is. During cleaning and rinsing, the Rinsing liquid as a result of switching on intended heating means actively heated and in the program section intermediate rinsing without Connecting these heating means passive, d. H. by removing from Energy from the heat capacity of the dishwasher, clearly to a temperature below the dissolution temperature of a temperature-dependent rinse aid heated.

Without limiting the invention, it is possible components of the wash program with selected "3in1" function completely or partially run according to a defined predetermined program to allow or recognize and evaluate certain parameters, z. B. by sensors in a suitable manner to the actual situation with respect to a given desired situation completely or partially adapt.

The connection of the "3in1" function or the selection of a "3in1" flushing program can also be used with networked household appliances, the location independent of a not in the dishwasher operated central computer, if necessary be switched on.

In addition to the already known selectable washing programs normal program, Intensive program, eco program, short program, can also be provided a special "3in1" flushing program, the the use of combination preparations, in particular those containing the cleaners, softeners and rinse aid at the same time, adapted from the outset. This "3in1" purging program is by the user of the dishwasher is selected directly and is essential through the following Characterized method steps, the said, but not inevitable sequence of process steps sets a possible rinse cycle without the final Program section drying:

Changing or switching off the softener function of the regenerating device and / or changing or turning off the opening more specifically Storage chambers of the metering device for in particular in addition to the combined preparation individually stockpiled chemical substances (cleaner, rinse aid) and / or Change the addition amount of stored chemical Substances.

Switching off corresponding display elements to functions, during the program, at least by the program flow control from the outset, that means switched off by default preferably, turning off the display regeneration when the regeneration function is switched off by the regeneration device and / or turning off the rinse aid display refill with at least switched off automatic metering of the rinse aid.

The pre-rinsing is done with cold water, which is essentially depends on the water supply temperature, for a extremely short duration of 2 to 5 min., preferably 2 to 3 min. During this time mainly fresh dirt can be removed and be adhered to longer-lasting dirt. Depending on an optional turbidity measurement of the liquid can be one or more dilution steps if heavily soiled be provided the rinsing liquid, wherein a Dilution step due to the brevity of the pre-rinse, preferably at the end of the pre-rinsing, is provided. Finds at the end the pre-rinsing no dilution step instead, then the rinse liquid completely changed before the next program section.

The freshly added rinsing liquid, which also diluted and so that it can be contaminated to some degree now in the process section cleaning to a temperature that below the dissolution temperature of the rinse aid, preferably between 40 and 57 ° C, is heated.

The combination preparation is preferably through the metering device within the first third of the program section Purge supplied to the washing container, if the combination preparation not by the user before starting the flushing program in the washing, z. B. in the cutlery basket, was inserted.

In the o. G. Temperature is the rinsing liquid in the washing circulated during the cleaning about 10 to 30 minutes and At the end of the process section cleaning completely pumped out or diluted. This decision may be optional performed turbidity measurement of the rinsing liquid become.

If at least one turbidity measurement of the rinsing liquid is carried out, so is performing several dilution steps in Dependence of the degree of soiling and / or the concentration individual components of the combination preparation optional executable. The process section cleaning is followed by a process section Intermediate rinsing, in which the now existing fresh or diluted flushing liquid passive, d. H. exclusively by removing energy from the heat capacity of the dishwasher is heated, so that this during their circulation remaining dirt left over and chemical residues of the process section cleaning removed. The circulation the rinsing liquid is in the process section intermediate rinsing for a duration of about 2 to 10 minutes instead. alternative Intermediate rinsing can also be used as pulse rinsing at reduced maximum rinsing fluid volume with respect to the maximum Rinsing fluid volumes of the cleaning are operated.

The intermediate flushing stage is completed or partial emptying finished.

In the process section rinsing the rinse tank is a defined Rinsing fluid volume supplied. This can of be fixed in front and / or variable depending on various parameters can be set. A dependent Size is thereby the concentration of thereby actually in the rinse liquid existing rinse aid, since these immediate Influence on the rinse aid result and thus on the subsequent achievable drying result of the ware increases. Thus, in the case of a low concentration of rinse aid at the beginning of the program section rinse the rinse liquid as low as possible, but possibly depending on Turbidity of the rinsing liquid to be supplied. Otherwise it is the concentration of the rinse aid at the beginning of the program section Clear rinse above average or sufficient high, so can the concentration of the rinse aid by feeding a defined adjustable Spülflüssigkeitsvolumens be set to a predetermined concentration. The Rinsing liquid with already dissolved rinse aid, as well with rinse aid still to be dissolved, is now preferred to a dissolution temperature above the dissolution temperature a ph value and / or temperature dependent dissolving Rinse clearer. This dissolution temperature is currently above 58 ° C (for the "3in1" combination preparation calgonite Powerballs®). For a duration of 2 to 15 minutes, however also at least until reaching a predetermined temperature from currently preferably 65 to 70 ° C, the rinse liquid heated and circulated. At the end of the program section Rinse the rinse liquid as much as possible removed by pumping out of the washing.

On the dishes, the Spülbehälterdecke, the Spülbehälterwänden Remaining liquid and water vapor is in, on the Program section rinsing following, program section Dry away. The drying is preferably as Condensation drying performed. During the condensation drying is, if available, preferably in the first third this program section turned on at least one circulating air blower.

The intermediate rinsing during the liquid-carrying process sections can preferably be designed as pulse rinsing be, d. H. that intermediate rinsing during the process section the circulation pump repeated for a predeterminable or determinable Duration is switched on and off. Here is the duration Turning on the circulation pump and off the Circulating pump depending on a level of flushing liquid in the washing container, which corresponds to a lower fill level, in which the circulating pump does not suck in air. Due to the above there are further dependencies to the speed of the circulation pump, which increases with increasing Speed more rinsing fluid takes the sump. The design the pulses of turning on and off the circulation pump is also as a function of a turbidity measurement of the rinsing liquid adjustable, so can the duration of low pollution degree the switching of the circulation pump against the duration of switching off the circulation pump can be shortened and with increased degree of contamination be extended accordingly. Dependent on a pH measurement and / or the temperature of the liquid and / or a determined rinse aid concentration, the maximum existing rinsing liquid volume during a liquid-carrying Process section, preferably in the process section Intermediate rinse, be set defined. So may be due to the dissolution behavior and / or the concentration of Rinse aid and / or one of the other substances of the combination preparation Be influenced. Will be a combined preparation used, which contains a rinse aid, a Temperature- and / or pH-dependent dissolution behavior has, is a certain pH, preferably in the neutral pH range, during the intermediate flushing. This sets if necessary, both an increased volume of rinsing fluid during the Subsequent rinsing ahead, as well as that pH by a or several intended dilution steps during the Intermediate rinsing can be achieved.

In one embodiment, the invention is based on a Method for operating a household dishwasher, which for the use of 3in1 combination preparations, ie of those with the active ingredients cleaner, rinse aid and Softener, is suitable, explained in more detail.

The single figure shows a schematic of the individual process sections a rinse cycle. It is assumed that that the water of the supply line is essentially soft is and thus has a low degree of hardness.

On the ordinate of the curve A is not to scale the time and on the abscissa is not to scale that is present in the washing compartment Rinsing fluid volume applied. Single important Parameters for the procedure, which for a particularly good Cleaning results of the items are indispensable, are by corresponding arrows marked. Preferably at the beginning of Rinse programs are automatic dosing functions that do not include a "3in1" combination preparation supplement, hidden, this applies in any case to the automatic metering of the Rinse aid, also the automatic regeneration function hidden. From the figure it can be seen that the wash program with a pre-wash of very short duration from 2 to 5 Minutes is carried out at supply temperature of the water.

In this program section are preferably the dishwasher no chemical substances to improve the pre-wash result added. But it can not be prevented that by the user mistakenly the 3in1 combination preparation even before the start of the dishwasher was fed. After complete pumping out of the rinsing liquid Pre-rinse at the end of the program section by arrow VV, fresh rinse liquid is the rinse tank fed. This is due to a planned maximum volume of rinsing liquid of about 4 liters, measured on a dishwasher, which is intended to accommodate 12 standard blankets, limited. At the beginning of the program section cleaning is the Rinsing liquid heated by switching provided heating means. The rinsing liquid should have a temperature of approx. Reach 55 ° C, which at the time of the invention, a temperature below the dissolution temperature of the rinse aid of pH temperature-dependent dissolvable 3-in-one combination preparation, such as Calgonit Powerballs®. In the first Third of the program section cleaning becomes the "3in1" combination preparation, preferably during the feeding of Rinsing liquid, added (marked with arrow 3in1).

The rinsing liquid is at the maximum predetermined temperature circulated about 10 to 30 minutes in the washing and thereby the washed items to be cleaned acted upon. At the end of the program section Cleaning is the rinsing liquid from the Washing container almost completely removed (marked by Arrow VR). The rinse fluid volume will be for a following Program section intermediate rinse freshly filled and exclusively by removing energy in the heat capacities of the dishwasher is stored, heated and circulated. The maximum amount of rinsing fluid supplied can be in Dependence of a turbidity measurement and / or a concentration measurement of existing rinse aid, according to the dilution principle works, can be varied. Such is how dotted represented, the Spülflüssigkeitsvolumen at high pollution degree and / or high degree of concentration of the rinse aid and / or strongly basic medium of the rinsing liquid elevated. At low pollution level, already quite low Concentration of the rinse aid in terms of concentration, the when rinsing is necessary, and / or already neutral rinsing liquid the rinsing fluid volume is as dashed represented, lowered.

The process section intermediate rinsing goes after a dilution step or after a complete drainage, not shown e.g. Dependence of turbidity level in the program section Rinse over. This is at least partially the Rinse fluid volume increases and preferably reaches the maximum rinsing fluid volume of the program section Clean. On the other hand, alternatively, the rinsing liquid volume by appropriately evaluated measurement results provided sensors also exactly to a predetermined concentration range of the rinse aid. The value of then rinse liquid volume to be supplied by the arithmetic unit the program sequence control are calculated. Consequently the duration of the intermediate rinsing varies between 2 to 10 min and the duration of the rinse about between 2 to 15 min. The Rinse fluid volume is in the rest of the program now to a temperature above a pH or temperature dependent Dissolution temperature of the rinse aid increased, the dissolution temperature the rinse aid is currently at about 58 ° C, so that to a minimum rinse temperature of 60 to 70 ° C is heated. At the end of the program section rinse the rinse liquid is almost completely from the rinse tank removed (marked by arrow VK). To the program section Rinsing is followed by a program section drying on, but not shown here.

Without limiting the invention are all information, the numerical values to the 3inl combination products currently available on the market (Calgonit Powerball®, Somat 3in1®, Sun. 3in1 Optimal®). With appropriate changes in the composition these 3in1 combination preparations are the ones mentioned Adjust parameters with numerical values accordingly.

Without limiting the invention is also a program flow design or a method conceivable in which the above described invention is reversed, d. H. all preset Programs are based on the use of ("3in1" -) combination preparations designed and operated by a Switching means is an adaptation to the use individually stockpiled or metered cleaning, rinsing and Softening agent of the selected wash program possible.

Claims (16)

1. Dishwasher, in which at least one wash programme may be selected,

   a) wherein this wash programme itself is specified for the use of a combined preparation comprising a cleaning substance, a water-softening substance, and a rinse substance, in particular a "3in1" combined preparation, or at least one means is provided for switching on an additional function whereby, when this function is switched on, at least one parameter of the selected wash programme may be changed in terms of the use of a combined preparation comprising a cleaning substance, a water-softening substance, and a rinse substance, in particular a "3in1" combined preparation and

   b) wherein in this wash programme which is specified or is changed by switching on the additional function a regeneration function of a water-softening device of the dishwasher is switched off or is varied in comparison to a normal programme not intended for combined preparations.
2. Dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the "3in1" combined preparation is used in the form of a compressed tablet, balls, powder or liquid.
3. Dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a switching means is disposed in or on a metering device or in another place for switching on the additional function on the screen support of the dishwasher.
4. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that at least one sensor is provided, whose measured values may be detected and evaluated in a controlled manner, so that the course of the selected wash programme may be modified in a specified manner by the programme control unit of the dishwasher and/or if necessary the programme control unit brings about further sensor measurements and/or input-dependent enquires before at least one specified intervention in the course of the wash programme takes place.
5. Dishwasher according to claim 4, characterised in that at least one chemical and/or at least one acoustic and/or at least one optical sensor and/or at least one thermal and/or at least one pneumatic sensor are disposed in the dishwasher.
6. Dishwasher according to either of claims 4 or 5, characterised in that by means of at least one actual-to-setpoint value comparison and/or differential value and/or the change of at least one wash programme parameter comprising the pH-value and/or temperature and/or cloudiness and/or foam formation and/or concentration, it is possible to detect continuously or discontinuously which of at least one specific substance of the combined preparation has been released and in what quantity.
7. Dishwasher according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that moments and/or time intervals for specific sensor measurements and/or setpoint values and/or threshold values and/or other comparative values for evaluating these sensor measurements are stored in at least one memory unit of the programme control.
8. Dishwasher according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterised in that at least one sensor provided may detect, preferably during the first liquid-conducting cycle of the wash programme, whether a combined preparation has been introduced into the metering device or other place in the dishwasher, preferably in a cutlery basket and/or that at least once during the course of the wash programme it is detectable by at least one measurement of a sensor whether a rinse substance present in the combined preparation has already been mixed with the washing liquid at an earlier or specified moment during the course of the programme or preferably is not released until the rinse part of the programme and/or whether the concentration of rinse substance exceeds or falls short of a specified concentration.
9. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that a detection device, in particular an image analysis device, is provided whereby the information about the use of a specified combined preparation may be determined.
10. Dishwasher according to claim 1 to 9, characterised in that on the dishwasher display elements are provided, which indicate the use of a combined preparation and/or specified states in the programme or the entire course of a wash programme specially adapted to or selectable for the use of a combined preparation.
11. Method of operating a dishwasher, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 10, having an in particular selectable wash programme,

    a) wherein this wash programme itself is defined for the use of a combined preparation comprising a cleaning substance, a water-softening substance, and a rinse substance, in particular a "3in1" combined preparation, or at least one means is provided for switching on an additional function whereby, when this function is switched on, at least one parameter of the selected wash programme may be changed in terms of the use of a combined preparation comprising a cleaning substance, a water-softening substance, and a rinse substance, in particular a "3in1" combined preparation and

    b) wherein in this wash programme which is defined or is changed by switching on the additional function a regeneration function of a water-softening device of the dishwasher is switched off or is varied in comparison to a normal programme not intended for combined preparations.
12. Method of operating a dishwasher according to claim 11, characterised in that the wash programme is adapted to the use of a combined preparation by the optional switching on or off of an additional function for the use of a combined preparation and/or is effected in automatic, substantially sensory recognition of the use of a combined preparation.
13. Method of operating a dishwasher according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that the defined wash programme specified or changed by switching on the additional function has at least one of the following features:

    a) The metering out of specified substances supplied in the metering device is postponed in time and/or is varied in quantity metered out or phased out completely compared to a normal programme not intended for combined preparations.

    b) The automatic regeneration function of the regeneration device is varied in comparison to a normal programme not intended for combined preparations in that it is switched off, unless a hardness sensor provided detects that the water hardness exceeds or falls short of a specified level and/or a specified level of hardness of the washing liquid has been detected by a user-dependent setting of the regeneration metering and/or via a programme-controlled input device the fading in of the regeneration function is effected with the additional function switched on, in which case if a specified level of hardness of the washing liquid is exceeded, the hardness level of the washing liquid as a whole is reduced by switching on again at least temporarily the regeneration function and/or blending the washing liquid with soft water.

    c) At the start of the wash programme, the addition of the rinse substance is blocked from the metering combination; to this end, a corresponding default value is set and stored in a memory unit of the programme control, and if it is detected that the rinse concentration falls short of a specifiable concentration value, this default value can be reset and/or at a specifiable moment in the course of the programme the rinse substance is added in a specifiable volume to the washing liquid and/or until a specifiable minimum concentration value is reached, in which case such addition does not take place until preferably the rinsing cycle of the programme.

    d) During the course of the programme, according to the process of the programme cycle b) actually carried out in terms of the regeneration function, the addition of a specified volume of brine into a water-softening device is phased out or in.

    e) Information concerning the actual and/or setpoint state of at least one parameter of the washing programme or a hint and/or request derivable therefrom are indicated to the user by corresponding display elements.

    f) The duration of at least one cycle of a programme, preferably of a pre-rinse, is shortened or reduced to zero compared to a normal programme not intended for combined preparations.

    g) The duration of two stages of the process, preferably the programme cycles pre-rinse and clean and/or clean and intermediate rinse, are lengthened and/or shortened compared to a normal programme not intended for combined preparations, in which case the time duration of lengthening and shortening are within a specifiable ratio.

    h) One or more intermediate rinse cycles provided for a normal programme not intended for combined preparations are reduced to one or no intermediate rinse cycles.

    i) At least in one programme cycle, by a single or repeated switching on and off of the circulation pump, the duration of the on or off state of the pump being specifiable or predeterminable, or by a controlled change of speed of the circulation pump, the washing liquid is applied in the manner of a pulsed jet on to the product to be cleaned.

    j) During at least one programme cycle, preferably at the end of the pre-rinse cycle, cleaning cycle and/or intermediate rinse, at last one dilution cycle is carried out with reduction of the dirt concentration of the washing liquid depending on at least one measurement of the cloudiness and/or concentration of at least one active substance in the washing liquid, or independently thereof.

    k) The maximum temperature is reduced in the programme cycles preceding the rinse, in particular during the cleaning cycle, to a temperature below the solubility temperature of the rinse substance.

    l) In the programme rinse cycle, heating is carried out to a temperature above the temperature for dissolving the rinse substance.
14. Method of operating a dishwasher according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterised in that at least in the cleaning and rinsing cycles, due to the switching on of heating means provided, the washing liquid is actively heated and optionally heated in the intermediate rinse cycle preferably passively without switching on of this heating means and/or during the pre-rinse, the washing liquid is substantially not actively heated.
15. Method of operating a dishwasher according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterised in that during intermediate rinsing and/or pre-rinsing, the heating means provided is briefly switched on and off, this being carried out repeatedly at different or equal intervals to below or close to the solubility temperature of the cleaning substance and/or of the water-softening substance, and/or of the rinse substance.
16. Method according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterised in that at least one of the following stages in the process is provided in the course of the washing programme specified or changed by switching on the additional function:

    a) Changing or switching off the water-softening function of the regeneration device by changing or switching off the aperture of special supply chambers of the metering device.

    b) Switching off of corresponding display elements for functions which are switched off in advance, i.e. in a pre-set manner, during the course of the programme at least by the programme control.

    c) Pre-rinsing with cold washing liquid which is temperature-dependent on the water supply with a pre-rinse duration of preferably 2 to 5 minutes; complete change of washing liquid at the end of the pre-rinse cycle, in which case one or more dilution stages can be carried out by a change of liquid during the pre-rinse.

    d) Heating up of the washing liquid in the cleaning cycle to a temperature which lies below the dissolving temperature of the rinse substance, preferably between 45 and 57°C.

    e) Metering out of the combined preparation during the heating phase of the washing liquid in the programme cleaning cycle, preferably at the start or in the first third of the cleaning cycle.

    f) Circulation of the washing liquid in the washing container in the cleaning cycle at a cleaning temperature (40 to 57°C) for the duration of 10 to 30 minutes, in which case at the end of the cleaning cycle, the washing liquid is pumped out completely, optionally depending on the result of a cloudiness measurement of the washing liquid, or the cleaning cycle is concluded by a dilution stage, wherein plural dilution stages can optionally be carried out during cleaning.

    g) Passive heating up of the washing liquid in an intermediate rinse cycle, the liquid being freshly supplied or diluted with washing liquid from the cleaning cycle, and circulation of the washing liquid in the container for a duration of 2 to 10 minutes.

    h) Ending of the intermediate rinse cycle with complete or partial evacuation, followed by a dilution stage for the next cycle.

    i) Filling with the washing liquid to a fill level which may be specified and/or set in a variable manner in the rinse cycle, heating of the washing liquid by switching on heating means provided to above the solubility temperature of the rinse substance of the combined preparation, preferably to 58 to 70°C, and circulation of the washing liquid with the rinse substance dissolved therein or diluted and carried therein.

    j) Complete evacuation of the washing liquid from the washing container at the end of the rinse cycle, but only when the concentration of the rinse substance has not fallen short of a specified concentration for a specified time span at least in the rinse cycle.

    k) Switching on and off of the circulation pump preferably in the intermediate rinse cycle repeatedly for a specifiable duration, the duration of switching on of the circulation pump and switching off of the circulation pump being dependent on a level of washing liquid in the washing container and/or on the speed of the circulation pump and/or a measurement of cloudiness of the washing liquid, the maximum available washing liquid volume being set depending on the temperature of the washing liquid and/or on the rinse substance concentration detected and/or on the pH-value and/or on the dirtiness of the filter.

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