EP2420175B2 - Dishwasher with a manually adjustable rinsing programme - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, with a control device in which at least one washing program is stored for executing, in particular controlling and/or regulating, a washing cycle comprising several partial washing cycles for cleaning and/or drying items to be washed, and with an operating device for entering operating commands for the control device.

Commercial dishwashers are designed to automatically clean dishes with detergent. Dishwasher users have many, sometimes conflicting, requirements for a dishwasher. These include, for example, high cleaning performance, high drying efficiency, low water and energy consumption, a short wash cycle time, and the prevention of stains on the cleaned dishes.

A dishwasher according to the preamble of claim 1 is made of DE 100 58 188 A1 known.

The object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, which better meets the requirements of users.

The object is achieved by a dishwasher having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 11. The object is achieved in a dishwasher of the type mentioned at the outset in that at least one operating command for carrying out one or more adaptation measures on at least one of the washing programs can be entered on the operating device, by means of which the avoidance of stains on the washware and/or the drying result on the washware is improved when carrying out the wash cycle on the basis of the adapted wash program.

The dishwasher according to the invention has a control device, preferably for the automatic execution, in particular control and/or regulation, of operating sequences of the dishwasher. The control device can for this purpose be designed as a so-called sequence controller, in particular as an electronic sequence controller. It can advantageously be designed, in addition to or independently of the control, of course also for the regulation and/or other control or influencing of operating sequences of the dishwasher. Generally speaking, within the scope of the invention, the control device can therefore in particular form a control device with which operating sequences, in particular washing programs, can be monitored and/or influenced.

At least one washing program for carrying out or controlling a washing process, also called a wash cycle, for washing items to be washed, in particular for washing dishes, is stored in the control device. Advantageously, several washing programs are provided, each of which can be selected and started by the operator. This makes it possible to adapt the sequence of a washing cycle, in particular to the load size, the load type and/or the degree of soiling of the items to be washed. For example, in addition to a normal program, an energy-saving washing program can be provided, which is optimized for low energy and/or water consumption, for example at the expense of a lower cleaning and/or drying effect. As a further example, an intensive washing program can also be provided, which has a higher cleaning and/or drying effect than the normal program, at the expense of higher energy and/or water consumption.

The respective stored dishwashing program can preferably be designed such that the dishwashing cycle controlled by the dishwashing program comprises a plurality of partial dishwashing cycles, in particular at least one pre-wash cycle for pre-cleaning the dishes, at least one subsequent cleaning cycle for thoroughly cleaning the dishes, at least one subsequent intermediate dishwashing cycle for removing contaminated dishwashing liquid from the dishes, at least one subsequent final rinse cycle to prevent stains on the dishes and/or to prepare for a subsequent drying step or drying cycle, and/or at least one final drying cycle to dry the dishes, in the order listed above. The pre-wash cycle, cleaning cycle, intermediate rinse cycle and final rinse cycle are referred to as water-based partial dishwashing cycles because, during their execution, the dishes placed in the dishwashing chamber are each treated with a dishwashing liquid. As a rule, dishwashing liquid is not used during the drying cycle.

The treatment of the wash ware with wash liquid can take place in a substantially closed wash chamber, in particular a wash container, of the dishwasher. An inlet valve can be assigned to the wash chamber, which allows wash liquid to be poured into the wash chamber. Furthermore, a circulation pump for circulating wash liquid can be assigned to the wash chamber, which pump allows the wash liquid poured into the wash chamber to be taken, e.g., from a collection device for wash liquid, and applied to the wash ware via a spray system assigned to the wash chamber. A wash liquid is understood here, in particular, to be a liquid that is intended to be applied to the wash ware in order to clean and/or treat it in another way. For example, the wash liquid can also be provided for heating the wash ware, which is possible, for example, during a final rinse step, in order to prepare for a subsequent drying cycle. In this case, the drying process is based, at least in part, on the evaporation of the dishwashing liquid adhering to the dishes due to the heat stored in the dishes, which is referred to as self-drying. Alternatively or additionally, the dishes can be dried during the drying cycle using an air flow that is as warm and dry as possible, generated, for example, by a sorption drying device.

Furthermore, an operating device is provided, which is connected to the control device in such a way that a user of the dishwasher can enter operating commands into the control device. An operating command is understood to be information that systematically influences the function of the control device. For example, an operating command for manually selecting a washing program and an operating command for starting a selected washing program can be provided.

With the dishwasher according to the invention, it is now possible to improve the prevention of stains on the cleaned dishes and/or the drying result of the dishes, which leads to a special shine effect on the cleaned dishes, in particular when it is dishes, preferably glass dishes, or cutlery or pots made of metal.

The improvement is achieved by at least one adjustment measure to at least one of the washing programs. The at least one adjustment measure can be implemented manually via an operating command for executing adjustment measures that can be entered into the operating device.

This allows the user to decide for themselves, based on their individual requirements, whether or not they want to achieve the special shine effect on the cleaned dishes. With the dishwasher according to the invention, the user can therefore weigh up from their individual perspective during each wash cycle whether the advantage of the special shine effect on the dishes outweighs the possible disadvantages, such as a longer wash cycle duration and/or an increase in water and/or energy consumption during the wash cycle.

The flexible use of the dishwasher achieved in this way better meets the needs of users.

Furthermore, the dishwasher according to the invention can achieve an improved shine effect that was and is not possible with conventional dishwashers. The reason for this is that in a dishwasher in which measures for achieving a shine effect are already predetermined by the manufacturer of the dishwasher and are invariably included in every wash program during operation of the dishwasher, the measures would have to be limited so that their disadvantages could be accepted even if a special shine effect was not actually desired by the consumer. In the dishwasher according to the invention, however, such considerations are irrelevant, since the potential disadvantages of the adjustment measures do not occur at all if the user does not give or withdraws the operating command intended to activate them to carry out adjustment measures to achieve the desired special shine effect.

The improved gloss effect meets user requirements even better.

The operating command for executing adjustment measures to improve the prevention of stains on the cleaned dishes and/or the drying results of the dishes can affect one or more of the provided washing programs. Different adjustment measures can be triggered by the operating command for different washing programs. It is also possible to provide multiple operating commands for executing adjustment measures to improve the prevention of stains on the cleaned dishes and/or the drying results of the dishes, which trigger different adjustment measures for the same washing program in order to adapt the intensity of the shine effect even more precisely to the needs of the user.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the operating command for executing adjustment measures can be entered via a control element exclusively provided for this purpose. This increases operating convenience, which further meets user requirements. In addition, incorrect operation can be avoided. The control element can, for example, be a separate button arranged on a control panel of the dishwasher. However, it is also possible in principle to provide control elements for entering the operating command for executing adjustment measures that are already provided for other operating commands. Multifunctional buttons, rotary knobs, touchscreens, alphanumeric input units, and the like are conceivable.

According to a further development, one of the adjustment measures during the wash cycle results in at least one additional partial wash cycle being performed as an intermediate wash cycle, i.e., at least two intermediate wash cycles are performed for the selectively selected "gloss drying" wash cycle. This results in better rinsing of dirt and/or cleaning agents from the washware, which counteracts the formation of stains on the cleaned washware and thus leads to a higher shine on the washware.

According to a further development, one of the adaptation measures results in an increase in the amount of rinsing liquid used in a partial rinse cycle provided as a final rinse cycle, wherein the increase is at least 20%, preferably at least 30%, particularly preferably at least 40%, of the regular or original amount of the respective rinsing liquid provided for the final rinse cycle in a rinse cycle without shine drying. Increasing the amount of rinsing liquid used in the final rinse cycle leads to an additional dilution of dirt and/or cleaning agent residues contained in the rinsing liquid, which counteracts the formation of spots on the cleaned dishes and thus leads to a higher shine on the dishes. With the stated minimum values for the increase in the amount, a significant improvement in the shine of the dishes is already achieved.

According to an alternative of the invention, one of the adaptation measures results in the addition of rinse aid to the rinsing liquid used in at least one partial rinse cycle provided as an intermediate rinse cycle. This reduces the surface tension of the rinsing liquid, so that at the end of the intermediate rinse cycle, a larger portion of the rinsing liquid containing dirt and/or cleaning agent residues runs off and/or drips off the dishes. This allows a larger portion and the dirt and/or cleaning agent residues contained therein to be pumped away, which counteracts the formation of stains on the cleaned dishes and thus leads to a higher shine on the dishes.

According to a further development, one of the adaptation measures results in an extension of a heating phase, wherein the extension amounts to at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, particularly preferably at least 30%, of the original or regular duration of the heating phase provided for a rinse cycle without "gloss drying," and/or the implementation of at least one additional heating phase during a partial rinse cycle intended as a final rinse cycle, before the addition of rinse aid to a rinse liquid used there. Some rinse aids tend to produce heavy foaming in a relatively cold rinse liquor, for example, less than 35°C. Especially when performing several unheated intermediate rinse cycles, the temperature of the rinse liquid during the final rinse cycle can be significantly lower than the critical temperature for foaming. By extending the heating phase for the rinse aid in the final rinse cycle, which is already provided before the rinse aid is added, which can be provided particularly when self-drying is provided to dry the dishes, and/or by providing an additional heating phase before the rinse aid is added, which can be provided particularly when the dishes are dried using a dry, warm air flow, foam formation can be reliably prevented. This allows the rinse aid in the final rinse cycle to evenly wet the dishes, which counteracts the formation of stains on the cleaned dishes and thus leads to a higher shine on the dishes.

According to an expedient development of the invention, one of the adaptation measures extends the duration of a partial rinse cycle provided as a drying cycle, wherein the extension amounts to at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, particularly preferably at least 30%, of the original or regular duration of the drying cycle provided for in a rinse program without shine drying. By extending the duration of the drying cycle, the drying effect is improved, whereby hollow containers, such as drinking glasses, in particular, can be dried more effectively and the shine effect is thus more pronounced. At the stated minimum values for the extension, a significant improvement in the drying effect already occurs.

According to a further development, one of the adaptation measures modifies at least one pumping sequence for pumping out a rinse liquid from a partial wash cycle from the dishwasher by means of a drain pump, wherein the modified pumping sequence reduces the residual amount of rinse liquid that has not been pumped out. By reducing the residual amount of rinse liquid that cannot be pumped out, it is possible, in particular, to reduce the carryover of dirt and/or cleaning agents from the rinse liquid used before the pumping sequence into a rinse liquid used after the pumping sequence. This makes it possible to reduce the dirt content and/or the cleaning agent content of the last rinse liquid used in a wash cycle, which reduces the formation of stains on the cleaned dishes. The cleaned dishes thus acquire a special shine, particularly when it comes to cutlery or glassware.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the pumping sequence comprises at least one pumping phase during which the drain pump is switched on or is running up in terms of its speed, wherein the modified pumping sequence comprises at least one additional pumping phase during which the drain pump is switched on or is running up in terms of its speed, wherein the additional pumping phase is separated, i.e. spaced apart in time, from the respectively preceding pumping phase by a pause during which the drain pump is switched off or its speed is reduced.

The drain pump is typically designed as a centrifugal pump, particularly a radial pump, a semi-radial pump, or an axial pump. A centrifugal pump is a fluid-flow machine in which the fluid is pumped using centrifugal force by means of a rotating pumping element. The design of the drain pump as a centrifugal pump, improved or different from, for example, a piston pump, ensures that the drain pump functions even when the dishwashing liquid to be pumped is heavily contaminated.

If such a drain pump is switched on, the amount of detergent in the dishwasher The amount of rinse liquid remaining in the dishwasher initially decreases essentially linearly over time at a constant speed. However, if the residual rinse liquid level falls below a certain level, such a quantity of air enters the circulation pump that the pressure required to pump rinse liquid collapses, and consequently, no more rinse liquid is pumped. This leaves a residual amount of rinse liquid in the dishwasher that cannot be pumped out during continuous operation of the drain pump.

Surprisingly, it has now been shown that by automatically carrying out a draining sequence which, in particular compared to the draining sequence used in the dishwashing programs without "gloss drying", comprises at least one further draining phase during which the drain pump is switched on, wherein the further draining phase is separated from a previous draining phase by a pause during which the drain pump is switched off, a residual amount of dishwashing liquid that cannot be pumped out and remains in the dishwasher can be significantly reduced.

The effect that leads to a reduction in the residual amount of dishwashing liquid not pumped away has not been conclusively clarified. However, it has been shown that when the circulation pump starts up after a pause, pressure is built up to pump dishwashing liquid, at least for a short time, even if the residual amount of dishwashing liquid that cannot be pumped away by continuous operation of the drain pump has been reached. The effect that leads to a reduction in the residual amount of dishwashing liquid not pumped away, and which plays no role in the first of the pumping phases due to the still large amount of dishwashing liquid there, occurs, for an unknown reason, not only in a second pumping phase but also in a third pumping phase and possibly in further pumping phases of a pumping sequence. This is surprising insofar as the additional amount of dishwashing liquid that can be pumped away by starting up the drain pump should actually have been pumped out after the second pumping phase. Accordingly, however, by providing an additional pumping phase in the modified pumping sequence, a reduction in the residual amount of rinsing fluid not pumped out can be achieved, regardless of whether one or more pumping phases are provided in the original pumping sequence.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the respective modified pumping sequence comprises a total of at least three pumping phases. By performing at least three pumping phases, the described effect can be utilized multiple times, so that the residual amount of unpumped dishwashing liquid can be significantly reduced. These at least three pumping phases of the respective pumping sequence, which follow one another with pauses, correspond to a "stuttering pumping" of the drain pump.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the first of the pumping phases is designed to pump out at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, particularly preferably at least 95%, of the total amount of washing liquid to be pumped out. This makes it possible to effectively reduce the residual amount of washing liquid remaining in the dishwasher by means of the subsequent pumping phases.

According to an expedient development of the invention, in the draining sequence and/or the modified draining sequence, the first draining phase of the draining phases is provided for draining a quantity of washing liquid that can be pumped out during continuous operation of the drain pump. In this way, it is possible to particularly effectively reduce the residual amount of washing liquid remaining in the dishwasher by means of the subsequent draining phases.

According to an expedient development of the invention, a monitoring device is provided for monitoring a flow of rinsing liquid conveyed by the drain pump, wherein, in the pumping sequence and/or the modified pumping sequence, the first pumping phase of the pumping phases is interrupted if the monitoring device detects that the flow of rinsing liquid has fallen below a minimum value. If a minimum value for the amount of rinsing liquid pumped per unit of time, i.e. for the conveyed flow of rinsing liquid, is undershot, this indicates that the amount of rinsing liquid that can be pumped out during continuous operation of the drain pump has essentially been pumped out. If the interruption of the first pumping phase is initiated based on this criterion, it can be ensured that, on the one hand, the amount of rinsing liquid that can actually be pumped out in the first pumping step has at least essentially been reached, and, on the other hand, that an unnecessary duration of the first pumping phase is avoided.

According to an expedient development of the invention, the drain pump has an electric motor, wherein the monitoring unit is designed to monitor at least one electrical operating parameter of the electric motor. This is based on the knowledge that electrical operating parameters of electric motors of drain pumps change characteristically depending on the flow of dishwashing liquid pumped. This applies, for example, to the current or power consumption of a drain pump operated with a fixed voltage. For example, at a given speed, the power consumption of an air-suction drain pump is generally significantly lower than the power consumption of a drain pump that exclusively sucks dishwashing liquid. Such a monitoring unit has a simple design. This is particularly true compared to monitoring devices that have a special flow meter, such as an impeller meter.

According to an expedient development of the invention, the pumping sequence and/or the modified pumping sequence provides for the termination of the first pumping phase of the pumping phases if, after a predetermined period of time, the monitoring device detects that the flushing fluid flow has not fallen below the minimum value. This prevents the first pumping phase from continuing indefinitely in the event of a malfunction of the monitoring device.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, during the pumping sequence and/or the modified pumping sequence, at least one of the pumping phases following the first pumping phase and/or at least one of the pauses is aborted in a time-controlled manner. In this way, the intended pumping sequence can be implemented in a simple manner, in particular without additional sensors.

According to an expedient development of the invention, in the pumping sequence and/or the modified pumping sequence, at least one of the pauses has a duration of at least 1 second, preferably of at least 2 seconds, particularly preferably of at least 4 seconds, and/or of at most 24 seconds, preferably of at most 12 seconds, particularly preferably of at most 6 seconds. The specified minimum values for the duration of the pauses are normally sufficient for the dishwashing liquid swirled up in the previous pumping phase to reach a rest position in the drain pump during the respective pause, in which at least a brief pressure build-up is possible due to the start-up of the drain pump. The specified maximum values also ensure that the entire pumping sequence does not last longer than necessary.

According to an expedient development of the invention, in the pumping sequence and/or the modified pumping sequence, at least one of the pumping phases following the first pumping phase has a duration of at least 1 second, preferably of at least 2 seconds, particularly preferably of at least 4 seconds, and/or of at most 32 seconds, preferably of at most 16 seconds, particularly preferably of at most 8 seconds. With the specified minimum values for the duration of the pumping phases following the first pumping phase, the maximum additional quantity of washing liquid that can be pumped out when the drain pump starts up can generally be achieved in each of the subsequent pumping phases. The specified maximum values also ensure that the entire pumping sequence does not last longer than necessary.

According to an expedient development of the invention, the modification occurs during a pumping sequence at the end of a partial rinse cycle provided as an intermediate rinse cycle. Especially at the end of a partial rinse cycle provided as an intermediate rinse cycle, a reduction in the amount of rinse liquid not pumped out leads to a reduction in the carryover of detergent and/or dirt into the final rinse liquid of a rinse cycle, which is usually the rinse liquid of a partial rinse cycle designed as a final rinse cycle. This can particularly effectively increase the shine of the washed items.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the modification occurs during a pumping sequence at the end of a partial rinse cycle intended as a cleaning cycle. In this way, carryover of cleaning agent and/or dirt into an intermediate rinse cycle can generally be prevented, so that the rinse liquid in this intermediate rinse cycle contains less cleaning agent and/or dirt. This further minimizes the carryover of cleaning agent and/or dirt into the final rinse liquid of a rinse cycle, and the shine effect on the washed items can be enhanced.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, modification of a pumping sequence at the end of a partial wash cycle intended as a pre-wash cycle is not provided. At the end of a typical pre-wash cycle, a large amount of dirt generally still clings to the washware. Since this dirt is normally removed in the subsequent wash cycle, any potential carryover of dirt from the pre-wash cycle into the wash cycle by unpumped wash liquid is not significant. Therefore, modification of the pumping sequence at the end of a pre-wash cycle can be omitted without any disadvantage, which speeds up the wash cycle.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, modification of a pumping sequence at the end of a partial rinse cycle intended as a final rinse cycle is not provided. At the end of a final rinse cycle, the rinse liquid used is essentially free of detergent and/or dirt. Therefore, carryover of detergent and/or dirt into a subsequent rinse cycle is possible at most to a minor extent and is not disruptive. Therefore, modification of the pumping sequence at the end of a final rinse cycle can be omitted without disadvantage, which further accelerates the rinse cycle.

According to an expedient development of the invention, the drain pump comprises a brushless electric motor, preferably a brushless permanent magnet motor. The brushless electric motor can be designed in particular as a brushless direct current motor, also called a BLDC motor, as a brushless alternating current motor, also called a BLAC motor, or as a synchronous motor. The rotor of the motor can have at least one permanent magnet, whereas the stator has several electromagnets. The electromagnets are commutated via control electronics. Compared to other possible motor concepts, this enables a defined start-up of the motor from a standstill, so that the additional amount of dishwashing liquid that can be pumped out in the pumping phases following the first pumping phase can be maximized. According to an advantageous development of the invention, a circulating pump for supplying dishware with dishwashing liquid is switched off for the entire duration of the pumping sequence and/or the modified pumping sequence. This prevents dishwashing liquid from being distributed in the dishwasher by the circulating pump during the pumping sequence and/or the modified pumping sequence, so that it cannot be pumped out by the drain pump.

According to an alternative of the invention, one of the adaptation measures, in at least one partial rinse cycle provided as an intermediate rinse cycle, extends the time period between a circulation sequence for circulating the rinse liquid and a pumping sequence for pumping out the rinse liquid. This allows a larger portion of the rinse liquid adhering to the dishes to drip and/or run off, so that a larger portion of the rinse liquid and the dirt and/or cleaning agent residues contained therein can be pumped out, which counteracts the formation of stains on the cleaned dishes and thus leads to a higher shine on the dishes.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, at least one adjustment measure provided for when the operating command for executing adjustment measures is entered is omitted if a dosing device for adding rinse aid to the rinsing liquid is deactivated or if the rinse aid level in the dosing device falls below a minimum fill level. If the dosing device for adding rinse aid to the rinsing liquid is manually deactivated or if the user does not fill the dosing device with rinse aid, it can be assumed that a cleaning agent is being used into which rinse aid is integrated. These can be so-called multifunctional tabs. These are usually inserted into a dosing device for adding cleaning agent and automatically released during a cleaning cycle of a rinse cycle. The rinse aid contained therein thus essentially dissolves in the rinsing liquid of the cleaning cycle. A small portion of the dissolved rinse aid then travels from one partial rinse cycle to the next, for example, via the amount of rinse liquid that cannot be pumped out, into the final rinse cycle, where it exerts its surface tension-reducing effect. To maintain this desirable carryover, one or more of the proposed adjustment measures can be omitted, thus minimizing the deterioration of the shine effect caused by omitting a separate rinse aid in the adjusted wash program.

For example, it is possible to dispense with the addition of rinse aid to a rinsing liquid used in the intermediate rinsing cycle, with a modification of at least one pumping sequence for pumping out a rinsing liquid of a partial rinsing cycle, with an increase in the quantity of a rinsing liquid used in the final rinsing cycle, with an additional intermediate rinsing cycle and/or with an extension of a time period in an intermediate rinsing cycle between a circulation sequence for circulating the rinsing liquid and a pumping sequence for pumping out the rinsing liquid.

The invention also relates to a method for operating a dishwasher according to claim 11.

The method according to the invention enables flexible use of the dishwasher and reduces stain formation on cleaned dishes. Other advantageous embodiments and/or further developments of the invention are recited in the subclaims.

The above advantageous embodiments and/or further developments of the invention as well as the advantageous further developments of the invention set out in the dependent claims can be provided individually or in any desired combination with one another in the dishwasher according to the invention.

Figur 1

ein vorteilhaftes Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Haushaltsgeschirrspülmaschine in einer schematischen Seitenansicht,

Figur 2

eine Blockdarstellung der Haushaltsgeschirrspülmaschine von Figur 1,

Figur 3

eine schematische Darstellung eines auf der Basis eines Spülprogramms durchgeführten Spülgangs sowie eines auf der Basis eines angepassten Spülprogramms durchgeführten Spülgangs im Zeitverlauf der Haushaltsgeschirrspülmaschine der Figuren 1, 2,

Figur 4

eine schematische Darstellung einer Abpumpsequenz der Geschirrspülmaschine der Figuren 1 und 2, sowie

Figur 5

eine schematische Darstellung einer modifizierten Abpumpsequenz der Geschirrspülmaschine der Figuren 1 und 2.

The invention and its further developments, as well as their advantages, are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. Each of these figures shows schematically:

Figure 1

an advantageous embodiment of a household dishwasher according to the invention in a schematic side view,

Figure 2

a block diagram of the household dishwasher from Figure 1 ,

Figure 3

a schematic representation of a rinsing cycle carried out on the basis of a rinsing program and a rinsing cycle carried out on the basis of an adapted rinsing program over time of the household dishwasher of the Figures 1 , 2 ,

Figure 4

a schematic representation of a draining sequence of the dishwasher of the Figures 1 and 2 , as well as

Figure 5

a schematic representation of a modified draining sequence of the dishwasher of the Figures 1 and 2 .

In the following figures, corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals. Only those components of a dishwasher which are necessary for understanding the invention are provided with reference numerals and explained. It goes without saying that the inventive Dishwasher may include additional parts and assemblies.

Figure 1 shows an advantageous embodiment of a household dishwasher 1 according to the invention in a schematic side view. The dishwasher 1 has a control device 2 in which at least one washing program for controlling a wash cycle for washing washware, in particular dishes, is stored. Expediently, several washing programs are stored so that, by selecting a suitable washing program, the sequence of a wash cycle controlled by the control device 2 can be adapted, for example, to the load size, the load type, and/or the degree of soiling of the washware.

An operating device 3 is assigned to the control device 2, which is connected to the control device 2 in such a way that a user of the dishwasher 1 can input operating commands to the control device 2. An operating command is understood to be information that systematically influences the function of the control device. For example, an operating command for manually selecting a washing program and an operating command for starting a selected washing program can be provided.

The dishwasher 1 according to the invention now allows for an improvement in the prevention of stains on the cleaned dishes and/or the drying results of the dishes, which leads to a special shine on the cleaned and dried dishes, especially when the dishes are crockery, preferably glassware, or metal pots or cutlery. This is referred to as "shine drying" within the scope of the invention.

The improvement is achieved by at least one adjustment measure to at least one of the rinsing programs. The at least one adjustment measure can be carried out manually via an operating command for executing adjustment measures that can be entered on the operating device 3.

The operating device 3 can be designed such that the operating command for executing adjustment measures can be entered via a control element exclusively provided for this purpose. This increases operating convenience, which further meets user requirements. In addition, incorrect operations can be avoided. The operating element can, for example, be a separate button arranged on a control panel of the dishwasher 1. However, it is also possible in principle to provide control elements for entering the operating command for executing adjustment measures that are already provided for other operating commands. Multifunctional buttons, rotary knobs, touchscreens, alphanumeric input units, and the like are conceivable.

Furthermore, the control device 2 is assigned an output device 4, which enables the output of messages to the operator. The output device 4 can comprise indicator lamps, light-emitting diodes, an alphanumeric display, and/or a graphic display for outputting, in particular, visual messages. Additionally or independently, the output device 4 can further comprise a buzzer, a loudspeaker, and/or the like for outputting acoustic messages.

The dishwasher 1 further comprises a washing container 5, which can be closed by a door 6, creating a closed washing chamber 7 for washing dishes. The washing container 5 can, if necessary, be arranged inside a housing 8 of the dishwasher 1. Particularly in built-in dishwashers, the housing 8 is not required and can sometimes be completely omitted at the top. Figure 1 The door 6 is shown in its closed position. The door 6 can be brought into an open position by pivoting about an axis arranged perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, in which it is essentially horizontal and allows the insertion or removal of washware. Figure 1 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the operating device 3 is arranged in a user-friendly manner on an upper section of the door 6. The output device 4 is also arranged on the upper section of the door 6, so that visual messages are clearly visible and/or acoustic messages are clearly audible. The control device 2 is also positioned there, so that the necessary signal connections between the operating device 3, the output device 4 and the control device 2 can be kept short. In principle, however, it is possible to arrange the operating device 3, the output device 4 and/or the control device 2 elsewhere. In particular, according to an alternative embodiment, the control device can also be accommodated in a floor assembly or in a base support component below the washing container. The control device 2 could also be designed in a decentralized manner, which is understood to mean that it comprises spatially separated components which are connected via communication means in such a way that they can interact.

The dishwasher 1 has an upper dish basket 9 and a lower dish basket 10 for positioning wash items, such as dishes. The upper dish basket 9 is arranged on extension rails 11, which are each attached to opposite side walls of the dish tub 5, extending in the depth direction of the dish tub. When the door 6 is open, the dish basket 9 can be extended out of the dish tub 5 by means of the extension rails 11, which facilitates loading and unloading of the upper dish basket 9. The lower dish basket 10 is arranged in a similar manner on extension rails 12.

The washing program(s) stored in the control device 2 can each comprise several partial washing cycles provide, for example, in this chronological order, at least one pre-wash cycle, at least one cleaning cycle, at least one intermediate rinse cycle, at least one final rinse cycle and/or at least one drying cycle. The pre-wash cycle, cleaning cycle, intermediate rinse cycle and final rinse cycle are referred to as water-bearing partial rinse cycles, since during their execution the wash items positioned in the wash chamber 7 are treated with a rinsing liquid S. During the drying cycle, treatment of the wash items with rinsing liquid S is generally not provided.

In the present exemplary embodiment, fresh water or inlet water ZW is used as the rinsing liquid S for treating the wash ware, which can be taken in from an external water supply device WH, in particular a drinking water supply network, and filled into the rinsing chamber 7. Typically, at the beginning of each water-bearing partial rinsing cycle, a rinsing liquid S formed from fresh inlet water ZW is filled, which is then discharged to an external wastewater disposal facility AR as wastewater AW at the end of the respective partial rinsing cycle. However, it is also possible to store a rinsing liquid S from a partial rinsing cycle, e.g., in at least one storage container (not shown), and to fill the rinsing chamber 7 again in a later partial rinsing cycle.

The dishwasher 1 of the Figure 1 comprises a water inlet device 13, which is intended for connection to the external water supply device WH. As shown in Figure 1 The external water supply device WH can be a water tap WH of a building's water installation that provides pressurized inlet water ZW. The water inlet device 13 comprises a connector 14, which is intended for connection to the water tap WH. The connection can be made, for example, via a threaded arrangement, a bayonet arrangement, or the like. Downstream of the connector 14, a connecting hose 15 is provided, which is preferably flexible. The downstream end of the connecting hose 15 is connected to a connector 16 fixed to the housing.

Downstream of the housing-fixed connection piece 16, a supply line 17 is provided, which is connected to an inlet side of an inlet valve 18 that can be switched by means of the control device 2. An outlet side of the inlet valve 18 is in turn connected to a liquid inlet 19 of the washing chamber 7. In this way, it is possible to direct inlet water ZW as washing liquid S into the interior of the washing chamber 7 of the dishwasher 1 by means of the water inlet device 13. The inlet valve 18 can be designed as a switchable solenoid valve that has only one open position and one closed position. A water treatment system (not shown), for example a water softening system, can be provided in the supply line 17.

Instead of or in addition to the inlet valve 18 on the device side, an external inlet valve, in particular a so-called aqua stop valve, can also be provided between the connecting piece 14 and the water tap WH, which can preferably be switched, in particular shut off and opened, by means of the control device.

The washing liquid S, which is poured into the washing chamber 7 via a liquid inlet 19, reaches, due to its weight, a collecting device 21 formed on a bottom 20 of the washing container 5, which can preferably be designed as a collecting pot 21. A circulating pump 22 is connected with its inlet 23 in a fluid-conducting manner to the collecting pot 21. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, an outlet side of the circulating pump 22 is connected via a preferably electrical heating device 24 for heating washing liquid S to a spray device 25, 26, which makes it possible to apply optionally heated washing liquid S to the items to be washed introduced into the washing chamber 7. In the exemplary embodiment of the Figure 1 the spray device 25, 26 comprises an upper rotatable spray arm 25 and a lower rotatable spray arm 26. However, alternatively or additionally, fixed spray elements or other spray devices could also be provided.

The rinsing liquid S emerging from the spray device 25, 26 when the circulation pump 22 is switched on returns to the collecting pot 21 within the rinsing chamber 7 due to its weight. During the circulating of the rinsing liquid S in the rinsing chamber 7, the aim is to operate the circulating pump 22 in circular rotation. The circulating pump 22 is in circular rotation when its inlet 23 is completely filled with rinsing liquid S in cross-section, so that only rinsing liquid S, or to put it another way, no air, enters the interior of the circulating pump 22. By operating the circulating pump 22 in circular rotation, on the one hand, a pump pressure sufficient for the intended cleaning effect can be achieved and, on the other hand, the formation of annoying slurping noises can be avoided. In order to determine whether the circulating pump 22 is in circular rotation or not, it is assigned a circular rotation monitoring unit 27. This can be provided as a separate component or, if necessary, also be part of the control device 2. If, during the circulation of rinsing liquid, an uneven running of the circulation pump 22 is detected by means of the runout monitoring unit 27, additional rinsing liquid S can be filled into the collecting device 21, for example by opening the inlet valve 18, so that the fill level of rinsing liquid S in the collecting device 21 increases and the circulation pump 22 thereby starts to run smoothly.

Furthermore, the dishwasher 1 has a dosing device 28 in a conventional manner, which makes it possible to add detergents in powder or liquid form to the rinsing liquid S introduced into the rinsing chamber 7 in order to improve the cleaning effect of a rinsing cycle. A further dosing device 29 also makes it possible to provide the rinsing liquid S with, in particular, liquid rinse aid, in order to prevent staining on the cleaned dishes and to increase the drying effect of a rinsing cycle.

Furthermore, the Figure 1 The dishwasher 1 shown has a drainage device 30, which serves to pump out washing liquid S that is no longer required as wastewater AW from the washing chamber 7. The drainage device 30 comprises a drain pump 31, the inlet 32 of which is connected to the collecting pot 21. The outlet side of the drain pump 31, in contrast, is connected via a non-return valve 33 to a connecting line 34, the downstream end of which is connected to a connection 35 of the dishwasher 1 that is fixed to the housing. A wastewater hose 36, which is designed to be flexible in particular, is attached to an outlet of the connection 35 that is fixed to the housing. Arranged at the downstream end of the wastewater hose 36 is a connecting piece 37, which is intended to connect the drainage device 30 to a wastewater disposal device AR. The wastewater disposal device AR can be a wastewater pipe AR of a building's water installation. The connection between the connecting piece 36 and the waste water pipe AR can be designed as a screw connection, a bayonet connection, a plug connection or the like.

In this way, it is possible to discharge rinsing liquid S that is no longer required, in particular contaminated rinsing liquid S, from the collection device 21 to the wastewater disposal device AR, wherein the non-return valve 33, which can be designed, for example, as a non-return valve 33, prevents rinsing liquid S that has already been pumped out of the collection device 21 and/or liquid originating from the wastewater disposal device AR from entering the collection device 21 due to its weight and/or pressure fluctuations in the wastewater disposal device AR.

The drain pump 31 is preferably assigned a monitoring device 38 for monitoring the amount of rinsing liquid S pumped per unit of time, i.e., for monitoring the pumped rinsing liquid flow. The monitoring device 38 makes it possible, for example, to detect when, when pumping rinsing liquid S from the collecting device 21, the fill level of rinsing liquid S in the collecting device 21 has dropped so far that no more rinsing liquid S is pumped.

In this exemplary embodiment, the drain pump 31 has an electric motor, with the monitoring unit 38 being designed to monitor at least one electrical operating parameter of the electric motor. This is based on the knowledge that electrical operating parameters of electric motors of drain pumps 31 change characteristically depending on the flow of rinse liquid being pumped. This applies, for example, to the current or power consumption of a drain pump operated with a fixed voltage. For example, at a given speed, the power consumption of an air-sucking drain pump is generally significantly lower than the power consumption of a drain pump 31 that exclusively sucks rinse liquid. Such a monitoring unit 38 has a simple design. This is particularly true compared to monitoring devices that have a special flow meter, such as an impeller meter.

The electric motor of the drain pump 31 can, in particular, be a brushless electric motor, preferably a brushless permanent magnet motor. The brushless electric motor can, in particular, be designed as a brushless direct current motor, also called a BLDC motor, as a brushless alternating current motor, also called a BLAC motor, or as a synchronous motor. The rotor of the motor can have at least one permanent magnet, whereas the stator has several electromagnets. The electromagnets are commutated via control electronics. Compared to other possible motor concepts, this allows a defined start-up of the motor from a standstill, so that the additional amount of rinsing liquid that can be pumped out in the pumping phases following the first pumping phase can be maximized.

Furthermore, the dishwasher 1 of the Figure 1 one in Figure 1 Sorption drying device 39, shown only schematically, which makes it possible to circulate air through a sorption column (not shown), to introduce it into the rinsing chamber 7 through an opening 40, and to remove it from the rinsing chamber 7 through a further opening 41 in order to pass it through the sorption column again. In the process, moisture present in the air accumulates on the sorption column, so that the air is dehumidified. During dehumidification, the air also heats up, so that the air introduced into the rinsing chamber 7 is dry and warm. The sorption drying device 39 is provided, in particular, for drying the dishes in a drying sequence using the dried and heated air during a drying cycle of a rinsing cycle. To remove the moisture accumulated on the sorption column, the sorption column is equipped with a heater (not shown), which heats the sorption column during a regeneration sequence so that the moisture is released from the sorption column. The regeneration sequence can be carried out, in particular, during a cleaning cycle or rinsing cycle, in which case the waste heat from the regeneration sequence is used to heat a rinsing liquid from the cleaning cycle. which reduces the energy requirement of the heating device 24 associated with the circulation pump 22.

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the household dishwasher 1 of the Figure 1 , in which their control and communication concept is shown in particular. In the exemplary embodiment, a signal line 42 is provided, which connects the operating device 3 to the control device 2 in such a way that operating commands from an operator can be transmitted from the operating device 3 to the control device 2. Furthermore, a signal line 43 is provided, which connects the control device 2 to the output device 4, so that information provided by the control device 2 can be transmitted to the output device 4 and output to the operator there.

Furthermore, a control line 44 is provided, which connects the control device 2 to the switchable inlet valve 18 such that the inlet valve 18 can be closed or opened by the control device 2. In this way, the filling of rinsing liquid S into the rinsing chamber 7 can be controlled by the control device 2. A further control line 45 connects the control device 2 to the circulation pump 22. As a result, the circulation of rinsing liquid S in the rinsing chamber 7 can also be adjusted, in particular controlled or regulated, by the control device 2.

Furthermore, a signal line 46 is provided, which connects the concentricity monitoring unit 27 to the control device 2. The signal line 46 enables the transmission of information generated by the concentricity monitoring unit 27 regarding the running characteristics of the circulation pump 22 to the control device 2. The control device 2 is designed such that it can take this information from the concentricity monitoring unit 27 into account when switching, in particular when controlling the closing and/or opening times, and possibly also controlling or regulating, the inlet valve 18. The concentricity monitoring device can also be designed, in particular, as a functional component of the control device.

Furthermore, a control line 47 is provided, which connects the control device 2 to the drain pump 31, so that the drain pump 31 can also be switched on and off by the control device 2, in particular switched on and off, and optionally also controlled or regulated. A further signal line 48 connects the monitoring device 38 assigned to the drain pump 31 to the control device 2 in such a way that information generated by the monitoring device 38 can be taken into account by the control device 2 when performing rinse cycles.

In the exemplary embodiment, a further control line 49 connects the control device 2 to the heating device 24 assigned to the circulation pump 22 in such a way that the heating device 24 can be used as needed by the control device 2 during a rinsing cycle.

Via a further control line 50, which connects the control device 2 and the sorption drying device 39, it is also possible for the control device 2 to control and/or regulate the operation of the sorption drying device 39.

The addition of cleaning agent to a rinsing liquid can also be influenced by the control device 2 via a further control line 51 which connects the control device 2 and the dosing device 28.

Likewise, the addition of cleaning agent to a rinsing liquid can be influenced by the control device 2 via a further control line 52 which connects the control device 2 and the dosing device 29.

Figure 3 shows an exemplary wash cycle SG based on one of the wash programs of the dishwasher 1 according to the invention. In addition, Figure 3 an adapted or modified rinse cycle SG', which is carried out on the basis of the rinse program manually adjusted by an operating command and which produces a special shine effect on the cleaned and dried dishes, in particular by reducing the carry-over of dirt and/or cleaning agent into the last rinse liquid bath volume S used in the rinse cycle. In this example, this is the bath volume during the final rinse cycle of the rinse cycle. The normal or regular rinse cycle SG (without shine drying) comprises several partial rinse cycles, namely in the following chronological order: a pre-rinse cycle VG for pre-cleaning the dishes, a cleaning cycle RG for thoroughly cleaning the dishes, an intermediate rinse cycle ZG for removing contaminated rinse liquid S from the dishes, a final rinse cycle KG to prevent stains on the dishes, and a drying cycle TG to dry the dishes. In principle, however, some of the aforementioned partial rinse cycles, for example the pre-rinse cycle VG, could be omitted. Additional partial rinse cycles, for example a second intermediate rinse cycle, could also be provided.

At the beginning of the pre-wash cycle VG, a filling sequence F ₁ is carried out to fill the washing chamber 7 with washing liquid S. In the exemplary embodiment, the filling valve 18 is temporarily opened. Also at the beginning of the pre-wash cycle VG, a circulation sequence U ₁ is carried out, in which the dishes are exposed to circulated washing liquid S. For this purpose, the circulation pump 31 is switched on at least temporarily during the circulation sequence U _1. After the circulation sequence U ₁ , a pumping sequence A ₁ is carried out, described in more detail below, during which at least a substantial part of the now contaminated washing liquid S located in the washing chamber 7 is discharged, for example, to the wastewater pipe AR by means of the drain pump 31.

For the subsequent cleaning cycle RG, a further filling sequence F ₂ further rinsing liquid S is introduced into the rinsing chamber 7 and circulated in a further circulation sequence U ₂ . The cleaning effect of the cleaning cycle is increased by heating the rinsing liquid S in a heating phase H ₂ , for example by means of the heating device 24 and/or by means of the waste heat from a regeneration phase of the sorption drying device 39. For the same purpose, an addition ZR of cleaning agent takes place in the cleaning cycle RG, for example via the dosing device 28. In this way, the dirt adhering to the washware can be almost completely removed in the cleaning cycle RG. In order to pump out the heavily soiled rinsing liquid S from the cleaning cycle RG, a pumping sequence A ₂ is carried out at the end of the cleaning cycle.

The subsequent, single intermediate rinse cycle ZG comprises a further filling sequence F ₃ for filling the rinse chamber 7 with rinse liquid S and a further circulation sequence U ₃ , which essentially serves to rinse residues of the rinse liquid S from the cleaning cycle RG from the washware. At the end of the intermediate rinse cycle ZG, a pumping sequence A ₃ is now performed.

In the later final rinse cycle KG, rinse liquid S added by means of a further filling sequence F ₃ is circulated in a circulation sequence U ₄ . Rinse aid is added ZK, for example via the dosing device 29, to reduce the surface tension of the rinse liquid S. This allows the rinse liquid S to drain more easily from the washware, which, in a known manner, helps prevent stains on the washware. The rinse liquid of the final rinse cycle KG can be drained by means of a further pumping sequence A ₄ .

In the final drying cycle TG, the washware is dried during a drying sequence _T5 in the exemplary embodiment using dry, warm air from the sorption drying device 39. However, it is also possible to dry the washware without the sorption drying device 39, in particular by so-called self-drying, in which the drying is based at least partially on the rinsing liquid S adhering to the washware evaporating due to the heat stored in the washware. In order to bring the washware to the required temperature, the rinsing liquid S used during the final rinse cycle KG could be heated by means of a heating phase not provided for in the exemplary embodiment.

In particular, the following adaptation measures are carried out by the control device when selecting the adapted or modified wash cycle SG' for "gloss drying" by entering at least one operating command on the control device of the dishwasher:
One adaptation measure consists in carrying out modified pumping sequences A' _z , A' ₃ and A' _{z ,} which are also described in more detail below, during selected partial rinse cycles, in the exemplary embodiment during the cleaning cycle RG, during the intermediate rinse cycle ZG and during an additional intermediate rinse cycle ZG _z .

Thus, at the end of the cleaning cycle RG, a first, modified pumping sequence A' ₂ is performed, which is characterized by the fact that a residual amount of rinsing liquid S that cannot be pumped out is reduced compared to the original pumping sequence A ₂ during the rinsing cycle SG (without shine drying). This reduces the carryover of dirt and/or cleaning agent into the subsequent, first intermediate rinsing cycle ZG.

In the first intermediate rinse cycle ZG, the disruptive residues of dirt and cleaning agent can be removed particularly effectively, since the almost complete pumping out of the rinsing liquid S from the cleaning cycle RG in the intermediate rinse cycle ZG results in a particularly clean rinsing liquid. Furthermore, the rinsing liquid S from the first intermediate rinse cycle ZG absorbs only a small amount of dirt and/or cleaning agent during the first intermediate rinse cycle, so that the rinsing liquid S is significantly cleaner at the end of the intermediate rinse cycle ZG than would be the case if an unmodified pumping sequence had been performed at the end of the cleaning cycle RG.

At the end of the first intermediate rinse cycle ZG, a further, i.e. second modified pumping sequence A' ₃ is carried out, which is also characterized in that a residual quantity of rinsing liquid S that cannot be pumped out is reduced compared to the pumping sequence A ₃ in the rinse cycle SG (without shine drying), whereby the carryover of dirt and/or cleaning agent into the additionally carried out second intermediate rinse cycle ZG _z is reduced.

At the end of the additionally performed, i.e. in this case the second intermediate rinse cycle ZG _z , i.e. in this case the second intermediate rinse cycle ZG _z , a further, i.e. in this case the third, modified pumping sequence A' _z is carried out, which corresponds to the pumping sequence A' ₃ of the first intermediate rinse cycle ZG, i.e. is carried out in a similar way to this. This further reduces the carryover of dirt and/or cleaning agent into the final rinse cycle KG following the second intermediate rinse cycle from the already relatively clean rinse liquid S of the additionally performed intermediate rinse cycle ZG _z .

However, at the end of the pre-wash cycle VG, the pumping sequence A ₁ is maintained. This can accelerate the execution of the wash cycle SG', although an increased carryover of dirt into the subsequent cleaning cycle RG due to unpumped rinse liquid S is possible. This does not cause any major problems, however, since at the end of the pre-wash cycle VG, a larger amount of dirt generally still adheres to the washware, which is normally removed in the subsequent cleaning cycle RG and pollutes the rinse liquid S used there, so that a possible carryover of dirt by unpumped rinsing liquid from the pre-wash cycle VG into the cleaning cycle RG is not significant.

The rinsing liquid of the final rinse cycle KG can be easily pumped out using an unmodified pumping sequence A ₄ , since due to its low content of dirt and/or detergent, a significant carryover of dirt and/or detergent into a later rinse cycle SG or a later adapted rinse cycle SG' is generally not possible.

It is important, however, that by carrying out the modified pumping sequences A' ₂ , A' ₃ and A _z - here in the exemplary embodiment preferably a total of three - for the cleaning cycle RG, for the first intermediate rinse cycle ZG and the subsequent second intermediate rinse cycle Z _z , the last rinse liquid S of the rinse cycle SG', in the exemplary embodiment the rinse liquid of the final rinse cycle KG, contains considerably less dirt and/or cleaning agent, so that the formation of spots on the cleaned dishes after the end of the final drying cycle TG is further reduced and a special shine drying effect on the dishes, in particular with glassware, is achieved.

During the entire duration of the modified pumping sequences A' ₂ , A' ₃ , and A _z , the circulation pump 22 is preferably switched off. This prevents washing liquid S from being distributed in the dishwasher 1 by the circulation pump 22 during the modified pumping sequences A' ₂ , A' ₃ , and A _z , so that it can be pumped out more effectively by the drain pump 31.

As already mentioned, a further adaptation measure consists in performing at least one additional intermediate rinse cycle ZG _z during the adjusted rinse cycle SG'. This results in better rinsing of dirt and/or cleaning agents from the dishes, which counteracts the formation of stains on the cleaned dishes and thus leads to a higher shine on the dishes.

In the exemplary embodiment, a further adaptation measure during the additional intermediate rinse cycle ZG _z results in the addition ZK _z of rinse aid to a rinsing liquid S used there. This reduces the surface tension of the rinsing liquid S, so that at the end of the additional intermediate rinse cycle ZG _z a larger proportion of the rinsing liquid containing dirt and/or cleaning agent residues runs off and/or drips off the dishes, so that a larger proportion and the dirt and/or cleaning agent residues contained therein can be pumped away, which counteracts the formation of spots on the cleaned dishes and thus leads to a higher shine on the dishes. Alternatively or additionally, rinse aid could also be added during the first intermediate rinse cycle ZG.

Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, a further adaptation measure in the intermediate rinse cycle ZG results in an extension of a time period Z ₃ between a circulation sequence U ₃ for circulating the rinse liquid and a pumping sequence A' ₃ for pumping out the rinse liquid, and in the additional intermediate rinse cycle ZG _z, an extension of a time period Z _z between a circulation sequence U _z for circulating the rinse liquid and a pumping sequence A' _z for pumping out the rinse liquid. This additional drip-drying waiting time allows a larger portion of the rinse liquid S adhering to the washware to drip off and/or run off, so that a larger portion of the rinse liquid S and the dirt and/or cleaning agent residues contained therein can be pumped out, which counteracts the formation of stains on the cleaned washware and thus leads to a greater shine on the washware.

A further adaptation measure results in the implementation of at least one additional heating phase H ₄ during the final rinse cycle KG before the addition ZK of rinse aid to a rinsing liquid S used there. Some rinse aids tend to produce heavy foam in a relatively cold rinsing liquor, for example less than 35°C. Especially when carrying out several - here two in the exemplary embodiment - unheated intermediate rinse cycles ZG, ZG _z , the critical temperature of the rinsing liquid S in the final rinse cycle KG can be significantly undercut. By providing an additional heating phase H ₄ before the addition ZK of the rinse aid, which is particularly advantageous when the dishes are dried using a particularly dry, warm air flow, as provided in the exemplary embodiment, excessive foam formation can be reliably prevented. This allows the rinsing liquid of the final rinse cycle KG to wet the dishes evenly, which counteracts the formation of spots on the cleaned dishes and thus leads to a greater shine on the dishes.

In another advantageous embodiment, which for example provides for self-drying for drying the items to be washed, an extension of an already provided heating phase could also be provided, wherein the extension could amount to at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, particularly preferably at least 30%, of the original duration of the heating phase.

A further, in particular optional additional, adaptation measure results in an extension of the duration of the drying cycle TG, wherein the extension is at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, particularly preferably at least 30% of the original or regular duration of the drying cycle TG (for the rinse cycle without gloss drying). By extending the duration of the drying cycle TG, an improvement in the drying effect is achieved, whereby in particular hollow vessels, such as drinking glasses, can be dried more effectively and the gloss effect is thus more pronounced. With the stated minimum values for the extension, a significant improvement already occurs. the drying effect.

Overall, the adjustment measures described result in an improvement in the shine result during the SG' rinse cycle. In principle, the adjustment measures can be implemented individually or in any combination.

Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a draining sequence A of the dishwasher according to the invention of the Figures 1 and 2 , which in Figure 3 shown pumping sequences A ₁ , A ₂ , A ₃ and A ₄ for the rinse cycle SG (without shine drying). In the upper part of the diagram, the quantity M of the quantity of rinsing liquid S still in the rinsing chamber 7 is shown over time in relation to the quantity present at the start of the pumping sequence A. This quantity M can also be referred to as the relative quantity M in percent %.

The lower part of the diagram shows the operating state Z31 of the drain pump 31. The operating state "1" means that the drain pump 31 is switched on, and the operating state "0" means that the drain pump 31 is switched off.

The pumping sequence A comprises a pumping phase AP ₁ , during which the drain pump 31 is switched on continuously, i.e., continuously without interruption. The drain pump 31 can be designed, in particular, as an electric centrifugal pump, for example as a radial pump, a semi-radial pump, or an axial pump. The design of the drain pump 31 as a centrifugal pump leads, improved or different than, for example, a design as a piston pump, to the fact that the function of the drain pump is ensured even when the dishwashing liquid to be pumped out is heavily contaminated.

If the drain pump 31, designed as a centrifugal pump, is switched on at the beginning of the pumping phase _AP1 , the relative quantity M of the washing liquid S in the dishwasher 1 initially decreases essentially linearly over time while the speed of the drain pump 31 remains constant. However, if a certain residual quantity RMD of washing liquid S is undershot at time T1, such a quantity of air enters the circulating pump 31 that the pressure for conveying washing liquid S collapses and, consequently, no more washing liquid S is conveyed. This condition can be determined by means of the monitoring device 38, for example by monitoring an electrical parameter of the drain pump 31, whereupon the pumping phase _AP1 can be terminated.

In this way, at the end of the pumping phase AP _1, a residual quantity RMD of washing liquid S remains in the dishwasher that cannot be pumped out during continuous operation of the drain pump 31. On the other hand, this ensures that during the first pumping phase AP _1, the quantity AMD of washing liquid S that can be pumped out during continuous operation of the circulation pump 31 is actually pumped out.

Optionally, the first pumping phase AP ₁ can be terminated if the monitoring device 38 detects that the flushing fluid flow has not fallen below the minimum value after a predetermined period of time. This prevents the first pumping phase AP ₁ from continuing indefinitely in the event of a malfunction of the monitoring device 38.

Figure 5 shows, in particular for a user-selected washing program "gloss drying", a schematic representation of a modified draining sequence A' of the dishwasher according to the invention of Figures 1 and 2 , which in Figure 3 shown pumping sequences A' ₂ , A' ₃ and A' _z . The modified pumping sequence A' comprises, in addition to the pumping phase AP ₁ of the original pumping sequence A, two additional, chronologically subsequent pumping phases AP ₂ and AP ₃ , during which the drain pump 31 is continuously switched on. Furthermore, pauses P ₁ and P ₂ are provided, during which the circulation pump 31 is continuously switched off. The first pumping phase AP ₁ is separated by a pause or dead time period P ₁ from its adjacent, chronologically subsequent, i.e. here the second pumping phase AP ₂ and this in turn is separated by a pause P ₂ from its adjacent, i.e. here subsequent, third pumping phase AP ₃ .

During the second pumping phase _AP2 , with the drain pump 31 switched on, the relative quantity M continues to decrease. The effect that leads to the reduction in the relative quantity M of washing liquid S has not been conclusively clarified. However, it has been shown that after the first pumping phase AP1, when the circulation pump 31 starts up after the pause _P1, a pressure to pump washing liquid S is built up for at least a short time, even though the residual quantity RMD of washing liquid S that cannot be pumped out by means of the continuous operation of the drain pump 31 has been undershot.

This effect surprisingly also occurs after the second pause P ₂ during the third pumping phase AP ₃ , so that the relative quantity M decreases further. As a result, a residual quantity RM' of washing liquid S that cannot be pumped out using the modified pumping sequence A' and remains in the dishwasher 1 at the end of the modified pumping sequence A' can be significantly reduced compared to the residual quantity RM of the pumping sequence A that cannot be pumped out. By performing at least three pumping phases AP ₁ , AP ₂ , and AP ₃ per modified pumping sequence, the described effect can be utilized multiple times, so that the residual quantity RM' of washing liquid S that cannot be pumped out at the end of the modified pumping sequence A' can be reduced particularly significantly. To further reduce the residual quantity RM' of washing liquid S that cannot be pumped out using the modified pumping sequence A', additional pumping phases, not shown, separated by pauses could therefore be provided. be.

In particular, the pauses P ₁ and P ₂ can have a duration of at least 1 second, preferably of at least 2 seconds, particularly preferably of at least 4 seconds, and/or of at most 24 seconds, preferably of at most 12 seconds, particularly preferably of at most 6 seconds. The specified minimum values for the duration of the pauses P ₁ and P ₂ are normally sufficient for the rinsing liquid S swirled up in the preceding pumping phase AP ₁ or AP ₂ to reach a rest position in the drain pump 31 during the respective pause P ₁ or P ₂ , in which at least a brief pressure build-up is possible due to the start-up of the drain pump 31. The specified maximum values also ensure that the entire pumping sequence A does not last longer than necessary.

Preferably, the pumping phases AP ₂ and AP ₃ following the first pumping phase AP ₁ have a duration of at least 1 second, preferably of at least 2 seconds, particularly preferably of at least 4 seconds, and/or of at most 32 seconds, preferably of at most 16 seconds, particularly preferably of at most 8 seconds. With the specified minimum values for the duration of the pumping phases AP ₂ and AP ₃ following the first pumping phase AP ₁ , the maximum additional quantity of rinsing liquid S that can be pumped out when the drain pump 31 starts up can be achieved in each of the subsequent pumping phases AP ₂ and AP _3. The specified maximum values further ensure that the entire modified pumping sequence A' does not last longer than necessary.

By reducing the residual quantity RM' of rinsing liquid S that cannot be pumped out using the modified pumping sequence A' compared to the unmodified, regular pumping sequence A, it is possible, in particular, to reduce the carryover of dirt and/or detergent from the rinsing liquid S used before the modified pumping sequence A' into a rinsing liquid S used after the modified pumping sequence A'. This makes it possible to reduce the dirt content and/or detergent content in the last bath quantity of rinsing liquid S used last in the adapted rinse cycle SG', which in this case is the rinse bath quantity for the final rinse cycle KG, which reduces the formation of stains on the cleaned dishes after the end of the drying cycle. The cleaned and dried dishes thus acquire a special shine, particularly when they are glassware.

In general terms, the following operation of the drain pump is advantageous in the case of a complete emptying of the washing container, in particular its pump chamber or liquid collection area, especially in connection with the "gloss drying" program, but also independently of it:
Considered over the total duration of the respective modified drain sequence, which is performed at the end of a partial wash cycle, which requires the most complete emptying of the wash tub, particularly its pump sump or liquid collection area, at least three consecutive drain phases of the drain pump are performed, with pauses in between, i.e., interruption periods of the drain pump operation. This is therefore operated in a particularly "stuttering" manner, i.e., preferably with at least three alternating pumping phases and pauses or interruptions of the drain pump operation. Due to the at least two further pump starts, spaced apart by pauses, after the first pumping phase, at least two additional surges of liquid can be forced out of the pump well of the washing container into the drainage system, even though the drain pump has already pumped the liquid level in the pump well or liquid collection area of the washing container below a liquid quantity threshold during the first pumping phase, above which it begins to suck in air or above which the remaining amount of washing liquid in the pump well could no longer be pumped out by continuous operation of the drain pump. This threshold may also be determined by a residual amount of liquid that remains in the liquid collection area or pump well of the washing container after an initial pumping phase, during which the drain pump operates for a fixed period of time. Only when the first pumping phase is aborted and the drain pump is reduced in terms of its speed compared to the operating speed during the first pumping phase or switched off completely for a predetermined pause time or dead time, and thus at least a second pumping phase is carried out at a time offset from the first pumping phase by increasing the speed again or switching the drain pump back on, can part of the residual liquid remaining in the liquid collection area or in the pump bowl of the washing container after the first pumping phase be pumped out into the drainage system. If, after the end of the second pumping phase, a further, second pause period is waited for, during which the speed of the drain pump is reduced compared to the pumping speed or the drain pump is switched off, and then the drain pump is activated again in a third pumping phase, i.e. its speed is increased to a predetermined pumping speed or the drain pump is switched on, the drain pump can transport a further surge of liquid, i.e. a portion of the residual water remaining in the collection area or pump bowl of the washing container after the second pumping phase, into the drainage system.

In this way, the causes of staining on the dishes, such as the carryover of cleaning agents and dirt into the rinse cycle and/or Reduce or avoid hardness-forming substances (e.g. minerals, salts) in the water.

Instead of repeatedly switching the drain pump on and off, in particular at least three times, a speed change of the drain pump can be provided such that its speed is increased during the respective draining phase and, conversely, reduced during the subsequent pause. The changing speeds are expediently selected such that the behavior of the drain pump at low speed essentially corresponds to its off state and at a higher speed essentially corresponds to its on state. A predetermined draining speed is assigned to this.

In particular, it can be particularly advantageous if the drain pump pumps at least three more times per modified pumping sequence, with a break between each pumping phase after the first pumping phase. Therefore, for the respective pumping sequence A' (see Figure 5 ) after the third pumping phase AP3, after waiting for a pause or interruption of the pumping, a fourth pumping phase AP4, during which the drain pump runs again for pumping. This fourth pumping phase AP4 is in the Figure 5 omitted for clarity. At least three pumping phases AP2 - AP4 following the first pumping phase AP1 ensure particularly thorough emptying of the liquid collection area or pump pot of the rinsing tank.

In particular, it may be expedient to implement one or more of the above-described modifications to the wash cycle sequence for the special "gloss drying" program in a dishwasher equipped with a sorption drying system, preferably a so-called zeolite system. This is characterized in particular by a highly energy-efficient and, above all, highly effective drying process. This sorption drying system can, if necessary, be used in combination with a conventional condensation drying system, in which the liquid is heated to correspondingly high temperatures in the final rinse cycle by means of a heating device, in particular a liquid heating device such as a flow heater and/or an air heating device, and the dishes are sprayed with it and thus heated. The dishes heated in this way, in particular solely by means of the sorption drying device, then dry due to their own heat and by condensation of the atmospheric humidity in the wash tub on the wash tub walls, which are cooler than the heated dishes.

Optionally, the "Dry to Shine" program can also be implemented on dishwashers equipped only with a conventional drying system, particularly a condensation drying system. Even then, sufficient drying of the dishes to a shine can still be achieved.

The modifications outlined above, as individual measures or in any combination, particularly preferably as a whole, ensure that the cleaned items to be washed, such as dishes, in particular glasses, cutlery, pots, are free of stains after drying.

• die Verwendung von Klarspüler: Dann kann es ggf. zweckmäßig sein, das Programm "Glanztrocknen" nur dann seitens der Steuereinrichtung zu ermöglichen, wenn ein Klarspülermittel in die entsprechende Dosiereinrichtung in der Geschirrspülmaschine mit ausreichender Füllmenge eingefüllt ist. Andernfalls verriegelt oder deaktiviert die Steuereinrichtung zweckmäßigerweise die Bedieneinrichtung zur Auswahl des Programms "Glanztrocknen". Falls eigens eine Extra-Taste "Glanztrocknen" zur Auswahl bzw. Aktivierung/Deaktivierung des Programms "Glanztrocknen" vorgesehen ist, kann diese Funktionstaste bei Fehlen einer für den Spülgang ausreichenden Menge an Klarspüler durch die Steuereinrichtung verriegelt bzw. gesperrt werden. Alternativ oder zusätzlich kann dieses Fehlen von Klarspüler oder die Aufforderung zum Nachfüllen von Klarspülmittel dem Benutzer mittels der Informationsausgabe-, insbesondere Anzeigeeinrichtung, der Geschirrspülmaschine signalisiert werden.

zusätzliche Verdünnungsschritte um Reinigerreste/Schmutzreste auszuschwemmen, wie z.B. ein zweites Zwischenspülen, ein Abduschen, ein Zwischenschluck, und/oder mehr Wasser im Klarspülen, .usw..... Der jeweilige Zwischenschluck an Frischwasser kann dabei insbesondere nach dem Ende der jeweiligen Umwälzphase der Umwälzpumpe vor und/oder nach dem Ende der jeweiligen Abpumpsequenz oder insbesondere deren jeweiliger Abpumpphase in ein oder mehreren dem Trocknungsgang, insbesondere dem Klarspülgang, vorausgehenden Teilspülgängen durchgeführt werden. Dabei wird bei jedem Zwischenschluck sauberes Frischwasser über die von der Steuereinrichtung ansteuerbare Wassereinlaufeinrichtung in den Spülbehälter für den jeweiligen flüssigkeitsführenden Teilspülgang zusätzlich eingelassen. Dies führt zu einer Verdünnung von etwaig in der Spülflüssigkeit vorhandenen Reinigungsmittelanteilen und/oder Schmutzteilchen. Ggf. kann es zusätzlich oder unabhängig hiervon zweckmäßig sein, wenn ein Abduschvorgang zum Abduschen des Spülguts mittels Frischwassers, das durch die Wassereinlaufeinrichtung, insbesondere als Zwischenschluck, eingelassen wird, vor der jeweiligen Abpumpsequenz, vorzugsweise der jeweiligen Abpumpphase, durchgeführt wird. Dazu wird die Umwälzpumpe eingeschaltet und mittels der ein oder mehreren Sprüheinrichtungen über das zu reinigende Spülgut gesprüht. Mittels der derart verdünnten Spülbadmenge können Reinigungsmittelreste und/oder Schmutzteilchen vom Spülgut sowie Bauteilen wie z.B. Sprüheinrichtungen, Geschirrkörben, Halterungen, usw. im Spülbehälter und/oder von Innenwandungen des Spülbehälters abgewaschen werden und mittels der Laugenpumpe in der nächsten Abpumpphase aus dem Spülbehälter in die Abflusseinrichtung ausgeschwemmt werden. Somit wird ein unerwünschtes Verschleppen von Reinigungsmittelresten und/oder Schmutzteilchen vom Reinigungsgang in den Klarspülgang soweit reduziert und/oder im letzten flüssigkeitsführenden Spülgang, d.h. im Klarspülgang, eine Verdünnung der Spülbadmenge durch Zuschlag von Frischwasser derart durchgeführt, dass die Konzentration der Reinigungsmittelreste und/oder Schmutzteilchen in der Spülbadmenge beim Klarspülgang so niedrig wird, dass sich Reinigungsmittelreste und/oder Schmutzteilchen für das menschliche Auge nicht sichtbar, vernachlässigbar oder gar nicht beim abschließenden Trocknungsgang nach Verdunsten der anhaftenden Flüssigkeitströpfchen als Flecken am Spülgut absetzen können. Das fertig getrocknete Spülgut weist somit kaum oder gar keine Flecken auf. Es lässt sich auch verbessert Trocknen. Denn das Klarspülmittel kann während des Klarspülgangs verbessert zur Wirkung kommen, da Beeinträchtigungen der Wirkung seiner Inhaltsstoffe durch die erzielte Absenkung oder das Fehlen von Schmutzteilchen und/oder Reinigungsmittelreste weitgehend vermieden sind.

• ein spezieller Abpumpmodus mit "stotternd betriebener Laugenpumpe", mit dem Ziel, die Verschleppung von Reinigungsmittelresten und/oder Schmutzteilchen in den Klarspülgang zu reduzieren. Dieser "Stotterbetrieb" der Laugenpumpe ist obenstehend z.B. anhand der Figur 5 ausführlich erläutert.
• Eine zusätzliche Wartezeitdauer (wie z.B. Z₃, Z_z in Figur 3) nach dem Umwälzvorgang des jeweiligen Zwischenspülgangs, insbesondere nach dem jeweiligen Zwischenspülgang, damit vermehrt Spülflüssigkeit vom Spülgut und den Bauteilen im Spülbehälter abtropfen und dann mittels der Laugenpumpe im den jeweiligen Zwischenspülgang abschließenden, insbesondere modifizierten Abpumpvorgang, aus dem Spülbehälter abgepumpt werden kann.
• Reduzierung der Totwassermenge im Hydraulickreislaufsystem der Geschirrspülmaschine. So kann beispielsweise die Wasserweiche und/oder alle Ventileinrichtungen für alle Zuleitungen zu den ein oder mehreren Sprüheinrichtungen in eine Stellung gebracht werden, in der Restwassermengen in den Pumpentopf ablaufen und von dort mittels der Laugenpumpe abgepumpt werden können. Bei Vorhandensein einer Wasserweiche wird deren Drehscheibe oder Verdrehzylinder zweckmäßigerweise derart von einer Anschlussstellung zur nächsten Anschlussstellung, in der oder denen die jeweilige Austrittsöffnung der Drehscheibe oder des Drehzylinders in Deckung mit der Eintrittsöffnung der Zuführleitung(en) zu den ein oder mehreren Sprüheinrichtungen kommt, verdreht, dass jeweils Totwasser bzw. Restwasser, das in den Leitungen steht, in den Pumpentopf oder in eine Sammeleinrichtung aufgrund seiner Schwerkraft zurücklaufen kann und von dort mittels der Laugenpumpe abgepumpt werden kann.
• Verlängerung der Trocknungszeitdauer (Trocknungsverlangsamung). Z.B. kann die Lüftergeschwindigkeit des Gebläses im Luftführungskanal des Sorptionstrocknungssystems gegenüber der Lüftergeschwindigkeit des Gebläses bei der Durchführung des Trocknungsgangs von Nicht- Glanztrocknungsprogrammen reduziert werden.

The shine-drying effect on the dishes can be supported or achieved in particular by carrying out the following measures:

• The use of rinse aid: In this case, it may be appropriate for the control unit to only enable the "Rinse Dry" program if a sufficient amount of rinse aid has been filled into the corresponding dosing device in the dishwasher. Otherwise, the control unit will conveniently lock or deactivate the control unit for selecting the "Rinse Dry" program. If a separate "Rinse Dry" button is provided for selecting or activating/deactivating the "Rinse Dry" program, this function button can be locked or blocked by the control unit if there is insufficient rinse aid for the wash cycle. Alternatively or additionally, this lack of rinse aid or the request to refill rinse aid can be signaled to the user via the dishwasher's information output, particularly the display.

additional dilution steps to flush out detergent residues/dirt residues, such as a second intermediate rinse, a shower, an intermediate sip, and/or more water in the final rinse, etc. The respective intermediate sip of fresh water can be carried out in particular after the end of the respective circulation phase of the circulation pump before and/or after the end of the respective pumping sequence or in particular its respective pumping phase in one or more partial rinse cycles preceding the drying cycle, in particular the final rinse cycle. With each intermediate sip, clean fresh water is additionally admitted into the rinse tank for the respective liquid-carrying partial rinse cycle via the water inlet device which can be controlled by the control device. This leads to a dilution of any detergent components and/or dirt particles present in the rinse liquid. If necessary, it may be additionally or independently of this, to carry out a spraying process for rinsing the washware using fresh water, which is let in through the water inlet device, in particular as an intermediate shot, before the respective pumping sequence, preferably the respective pumping phase. For this purpose, the circulation pump is switched on and, by means of one or more spray devices, the water is sprayed over the washware to be cleaned. Dishes are sprayed. Using the rinsing solution diluted in this way, cleaning agent residues and/or dirt particles can be washed off the dishes and components such as spray devices, dish baskets, holders, etc. in the washing container and/or from the inside walls of the washing container and flushed out of the washing container into the drainage system by the drain pump in the next pumping phase. In this way, any undesired carryover of cleaning agent residues and/or dirt particles from the cleaning cycle into the final rinse cycle is reduced to such an extent and/or in the last liquid-carrying rinse cycle, i.e. in the final rinse cycle, the rinsing solution is diluted by adding fresh water in such a way that the concentration of cleaning agent residues and/or dirt particles in the rinsing solution during the final rinse cycle becomes so low that cleaning agent residues and/or dirt particles are invisible to the human eye, negligible or cannot settle on the dishes as stains during the final drying cycle after the adhering liquid droplets have evaporated. The dried dishes therefore show little to no stains. They also dry more effectively. This is because the rinse aid can be more effective during the final rinse cycle, as the effect of its ingredients is largely avoided due to the reduction in water content or the absence of dirt particles and/or detergent residues.

• A special drain mode with a "stuttering drain pump" with the aim of reducing the carryover of detergent residues and/or dirt particles into the rinse cycle. This "stuttering operation" of the drain pump is described above, for example, using the Figure 5 explained in detail.
• An additional waiting period (such as Z ₃ , Z _z in Figure 3 ) after the circulation process of the respective intermediate rinse cycle, in particular after the respective intermediate rinse cycle, so that more rinsing liquid can drip off the items to be washed and the components in the washing container and can then be pumped out of the washing container by means of the drain pump in the particularly modified pumping process concluding the respective intermediate rinse cycle.
• Reducing the amount of dead water in the dishwasher's hydraulic circuit system. For example, the water diverter and/or all valve devices for all supply lines to the one or more spray devices can be moved into a position in which residual water flows into the pump sump and can be pumped out from there by the drain pump. If a water diverter is present, its rotary disc or rotating cylinder is expediently rotated from one connection position to the next connection position, in which the respective outlet opening of the rotary disc or rotating cylinder is aligned with the inlet opening of the supply line(s) to the one or more spray devices, in such a way that any dead water or residual water in the lines can flow back into the pump sump or a collecting device due to gravity and can be pumped out from there by the drain pump.
• Extension of the drying time (drying slowdown). For example, the fan speed in the air duct of the sorption drying system can be reduced compared to the fan speed during the drying cycle of non-gloss drying programs.

With the help of these modified work steps and/or redesigns, which can be used individually or in any combination during the wash cycle of the selected "Dry Shine" dishwashing program, stain reduction and/or improved drying performance can be ensured in a dishwasher, especially in a dishwasher with a zeolite system. This is because the causes of stain formation, such as the carryover of detergents and dirt into the rinse cycle and/or the presence of hardening agents (e.g., minerals, salts) in the water, can be reduced or avoided.

• Die Abpumpvorgänge werden durch "Stotterbetrieb" der Laugenpumpe (wie z.B. im Ausführungsbeispiel zu Figur 5 erläutert) optimiert. Dadurch lässt sich die im Pumpentopf oder Flüssigkeitssammelbereich des Spülbehälters verbleibende Restwassermenge reduzieren und die Verschleppung von Reinigungsmittelresten und/oder Schmutzteilchen aus dem Reinigungsgang in den Klarspülgang reduzieren oder weitgehend vermeiden.
• Mindestens ein zweites Zwischenspülen wird durchgeführt, was ein besseres Abspülen von Reinigermittel- und/oder Schmutzresten sowie eine Verdünnung des im Spülbehälter verbleibenden Restwassers nach dem Ende des zweiten Zwischenspülgangs ermöglicht.
• Es wird zusätzlich Klarspüler im zweiten, allgemein ausgedrückt letzten Zwischenspülen verwendet. Dadurch kann die Spülflüssigkeit vom Spülgut und/oder von den Bauteilen im und/oder des Spülbehälters beim letzten Zwischenspülgang verbessert nach unten ablaufen.
• Die Spülbadmenge beim Klarspülgang des Glanztrocknungs-Spülprogramms kann gegenüber der Spülbadmenge in den anderen Spülprogrammen erhöht werden, wodurch die Klarspülflottenflüssigkeit weiter verdünnt wird.

In a simplified summary, the following modifications to the dishwashing process can be carried out particularly effectively in the selected dishwashing program "gloss drying" individually and/or in any combination to reduce stains compared to the other dishwashing programs, i.e. "non-gloss drying programs":

• The pumping processes are carried out by "stuttering" the drain pump (as in the example shown Figure 5 explained). This reduces the amount of residual water remaining in the pump sump or liquid collection area of the washing container and reduces or largely prevents the carryover of detergent residues and/or dirt particles from the cleaning cycle into the final rinse cycle.
• At least a second intermediate rinse is carried out, which allows for better rinsing of detergent and/or dirt residues and dilution of the residual water remaining in the rinse tank after the end of the second intermediate rinse cycle.
• Rinse aid is also added in the second, generally expressed as the last intermediate rinse. This allows the rinse liquid from the items to be washed and/or from the components in and/or the rinse tank to drain downwards more effectively during the last intermediate rinse cycle.
• The rinse bath quantity in the final rinse cycle of the gloss-drying wash program can be increased compared to the rinse bath quantity in the other wash programs, which further dilutes the final rinse liquid.

• Verlängerung der Trocknungszeit (insbesondere Lüfter-Laufzeit beim Sorptionstrocknungssystem) beispielsweise um > 10min
• Kurze Heizphase/Aufwärmen der Spülflottenflüssigkeit auf Mindesttemperatur vor der Zugabe des Klarspülers im Klarspülen, um Schaumbildung des mit Klarspüler versetzten Wassers zu vermeiden.

Furthermore, one or more of the following modifications can advantageously be carried out individually or in any combination to increase the drying performance for the selected "gloss drying" dishwashing program, i.e., in particular, the following parameters can be changed to increase the drying performance compared to those of non-gloss drying programs:

• Extension of the drying time (especially fan running time in the sorption drying system) for example by > 10 min
• Short heating phase/warming up of the rinsing liquid to minimum temperature before adding the rinse aid in the final rinse to prevent foaming of the water mixed with rinse aid.

• Verbessertes Abpumpen ("Stotterpumpe"): Hier werden dem Abpumpen mit "Leererkennung" (Erkennung beispielsweise über BLDC-Laugenpumpe) noch weitere, insbesondere mindestens zwei, bevorzugt mindestens drei Abpumpschritte hinzugefügt (jeweils kurze Pause, danach wieder kurze Abpumpphase). Vorzugsweise werden insgesamt pro Abpumpsequenz der Laugenpumpe bei deren "Stotterbetrieb" mindestens drei Abpumpphasen mit jeweils einer Wartezeit bzw. Pause zwischen je zwei aufeinanderfolgenden Abpumpphasen durchgeführt). Dadurch kann mehr Wasser aus dem Pumpentopf entfernt werden, was die Verschleppung von Reinigermittelresten und/oder Schmutzteilchen und/oder Härtebildnern sowie sonstigen Verunreinigungen reduziert.
• Zusätzliches Zwischenspülen, d.h. es sind mindestens zwei nacheinander folgende Zwischenspülgänge vorgesehen: Dadurch wird die noch im Gerät befindliche Spülflotte (z.B. am Geschirr und/oder an Bauteilen im Spülbehälter und/oder im Pumpentopf) verdünnt und abgespült, wodurch eine Verschleppung von Reinigermittelresten und/oder Schmutzteilchen und/oder Härtebildnern sowie sonstigen Verunreinigungen reduziert und die Spülflottenflüssigkeit stärker als nur mit einem einzigen Zwischenspülgang (, der bei den anderen Spülprogrammen ohne Glanztrocknen, Nicht- Glanztrocknen-Spülprogrammen vorgesehen ist,) verdünnt wird.

• Klarspüler im Zwischenspülen: Durch die zusätzliche Zugabe einer geringen Menge Klarspülers während des letzten Zwischenspülens wird die Oberflächenspannung des Wassers reduziert. Dadurch fließt das Wasser besser vom Geschirr ab. Die Verschleppung von Reinigermittelresten und/oder Schmutzteilchen und/oder Härtebildnern sowie sonstigen Verunreinigungen wird weiter reduziert.
• Erhöhung der Badmenge im Klarspülgang beim Glanztrocknungsprogramm gegenüber dem jeweiligen Klarspülgang bei den anderen Spülprogrammen ohne Glanztrocknen, Nicht-Glanztrocknen-Spülprogrammen. Dies sorgt für eine höhere Verdünnung der Spülbadmenge.
• Heizen im Klarspülen: Durch ein weiteres Zwischenspülen, insbesondere das zweite Zwischenspülen, kühlt die Geschirrspülmaschine weiter ab und die Badtemperatur der Klarspülflotte liegt niedriger als im jeweiligen Klarspülgang bei den anderen Spülprogrammen ohne Glanztrocknen. Bei geringen Spülbadtemperaturen neigen manche Klarspüler zum Schäumen. Deshalb wird hier beim Glanztrocknungsprogramm die Spülbadflüssigkeit ggf. auf eine Mindesttemperatur geheizt, ab der ein unerwünschtes Schäumen vermieden wird.
• Verlängerte Trocknungsphase: Durch die Verlängerung der Lüfterlaufzeit des Sorptionstrocknungssystems wird die Trocknung des Spülguts, insbesondere z.B. Geschirrs verbessert.

The measures listed above and/or the measures listed below may be integrated (possibly only partially) depending on the basic program structure:

• Improved pumping ("stuttering pump"): Here, additional pumping steps, in particular at least two, preferably at least three (each with a short pause, followed by another short pumping phase), are added to the pumping with "empty detection" (detection, for example, via a BLDC drain pump). Preferably, at least three pumping phases are performed per pumping sequence of the drain pump during "stuttering operation," each with a waiting period or pause between each two consecutive pumping phases. This allows more water to be removed from the pump sump, which reduces the carryover of detergent residues and/or dirt particles and/or hardening agents and other contaminants.
• Additional intermediate rinsing, i.e. at least two consecutive intermediate rinsing cycles are provided: This dilutes and rinses off the rinsing water still in the appliance (e.g. on the dishes and/or on components in the washing container and/or in the pump pot), which reduces the carryover of detergent residues and/or dirt particles and/or hardening agents and other contaminants and dilutes the rinsing water more than with just a single intermediate rinsing cycle (which is provided for in the other washing programs without shine drying, non-shine drying washing programs).

• Rinse aid in the intermediate rinse: Adding a small amount of rinse aid during the final intermediate rinse reduces the surface tension of the water. This allows the water to drain more easily from the dishes. The carryover of detergent residues and/or dirt particles and/or hardening agents and other contaminants is further reduced.
• Increased bath volume in the final rinse cycle of the gloss-drying program compared to the corresponding final rinse cycle in the other wash programs without gloss drying and non-gloss-drying programs. This ensures a higher dilution of the rinse bath volume.
• Heating during the final rinse: An additional intermediate rinse, especially the second intermediate rinse, cools the dishwasher further, and the temperature of the final rinse solution is lower than in the respective final rinse cycle in other wash programs without gloss drying. At low rinse temperatures, some rinse aids tend to foam. Therefore, in the gloss drying program, the rinse solution may be heated to a minimum temperature above which unwanted foaming is avoided.
• Extended drying phase: By extending the fan running time of the sorption drying system, the drying of the dishes, especially crockery, is improved.

• Beim herkömmlichen Abpumpen (Abpumpen auf Leererkennung) bleiben beispielsweise ca. 160-180ml Spülflotte im Pumpentopf zurück.
• Durch das modifizierte Abpumpen können diese Spülflottenflüssigkeits- Restmengen beispielsweise auf ca. 60-100ml reduziert werden.
• Beim modifizierten Abpumpen werden an das serienmäßige Abpumpen noch weitere Pumpschritte (mind. 2 Schritte, bevorzugt mind. 3 Schritte) angehängt:

In particular, in addition to or independently of this, the manner of pumping out the rinsing bath liquid after the respective liquid-carrying partial rinse cycle, which precedes the final rinse cycle of the "gloss drying program", can advantageously be changed in the manner of a "stuttering pumping out"; this is particularly the case for the embodiment of Figure 5 explains:

• For example, with conventional pumping (pumping on empty detection), approximately 160-180ml of rinsing solution remains in the pump pot.
• Through modified pumping, these residual amounts of rinse liquid can be reduced to approx. 60-100ml, for example.
• With modified pumping, additional pumping steps (at least 2 steps, preferably at least 3 steps) are added to the standard pumping:

• Abpumpen auf Leererkennung
• Pause (5 sec)
• Abpumpen (7 sec)
• Pause (5 sec)
• Abpumpen (7 sec)
• Pause (5 sec)
• Abpumpen (7 sec)

For example, the modified pumping can be carried out (schematically) as follows:

• Pumping on empty detection
• Pause (5 seconds)
• Pumping (7 sec)
• Pause (5 seconds)
• Pumping (7 sec)
• Pause (5 seconds)
• Pumping (7 sec)

• Reinigen (z.B. mit 3,9 I Wasser)
• Abpumpen
• Zwischenspülen (z.B. mit 2,9 I Wasser)
• Abpumpen
• Klarspülen (z.B. mit 2,5 I Wasser)
• Trocknungsphase

For example, a program sequence (schematic) without "gloss drying" can look like this:

• Clean (e.g. with 3.9 l water)
• Pumping out
• Intermediate rinsing (e.g. with 2.9 l water)
• Pumping out
• Rinse (e.g. with 2.5 l water)
• Drying phase

• Reinigen (z.B. mit 3,9 I Wasser)
• modifiziertes Abpumpen
• ersten Zwischenspülen (z.B. mit 2,9 I Wasser)
• modifiziertes Abpumpen
• zusätzliches, d.h. zweites Zwischenspülen (z.B. mit 3 I Wasser und Klarspülerzugabe)
• modifiziertes Abpumpen
• Klarspülen (z.B. mit 3,0 I Wasser, also erhöhter Füllmenge und zusätzlichem Heizen vor Zugabe des Klarspülers auf ca. 35-38°C)
• verlängerte Trocknungsphase

In contrast, the program sequence (schematic) with "gloss drying" (improved drying and less staining) can be carried out as follows:

• Clean (e.g. with 3.9 l water)
• modified pumping
• first intermediate rinse (e.g. with 2.9 l water)
• modified pumping
• additional, i.e. second intermediate rinse (e.g. with 3 l water and rinse aid addition)
• modified pumping
• Rinse (e.g. with 3.0 l water, i.e. increased filling quantity and additional heating before adding the rinse aid to approx. 35-38°C)
• extended drying phase

In order to achieve a good drying result with few stains, the separate use of rinse aid (i.e. the addition of rinse aid via the dishwasher's dosing system) is recommended for the "Bright Dry" function.

Should a customer still not add rinse aid, or should the amount of rinse aid added to the dishwasher's dosing system be insufficient, and instead use a multi-function tablet, such as a so-called "3-in-1" or "5-in-1" tablet, the following remedies can be usefully implemented, which modify the gloss drying program, in particular to ensure that the drying result normally achieved without the additional "gloss drying" function is not noticeably impaired by the selection of "gloss drying": To this end, the additional intermediate rinse for the first intermediate rinse is retained. However, the bath volumes in this additional intermediate rinse and in the subsequent final rinse are reduced to, for example, 2.5 liters each compared to the rinse bath volumes in the second intermediate rinse and final rinse of the gloss drying program, in order to prevent carryover of surfactants from the multi-function tablet into the final rinse. Pumping also takes place in "conventional" mode. The additional rinse aid dosage in the final, especially the second, intermediate rinse can be omitted if necessary. If necessary, the final rinse can be heated to higher temperatures, especially to transfer more rinse aid from the tablet into the final rinse and improve drying. The extended drying time can be maintained.

List of reference symbols

1

dishwasher

2

Control device

3

Control device

4

Output device

5

Rinse container

6

door

7

rinsing chamber

8

Housing

9

upper dish basket

10

lower dish basket

11

Exit rail

12

Exit rail

13

Water inlet device

14

connector

15

connecting hose

16

housing-mounted connector

17

supply means, supply line

18

inlet valve

19

Liquid inlet

20

Bottom of the rinsing container

21

collection facility, collection pot

22

Circulation pump

23

Circulation pump inlet

24

Heating device

25

upper spray arm

26

lower spray arm

27

Circulation pump runout monitoring unit

28

Dosing device for cleaning agents

29

Dosing device for rinse aid

30

Drainage system

31

Drain pump

32

Drain pump inlet

33

Kickback preventer

34

connecting line

35

housing-mounted connection

36

Wastewater hose

37

connector

38

Monitoring device for flushing liquid flow

39

Sorption drying device

40

Opening for air to enter the rinsing tank

41

Opening for air to escape from the rinsing tank

42

Signal line

43

Signal line

44

control line

45

control line

46

Signal line

47

control line

48

Signal line

49

control line

50

control line

51

control line

52

control line

WH

Water supply device, tap

ZW

Inlet water

S

Flushing liquid

AR

Wastewater disposal facility, sewage pipe

AW

Wastewater

SG

Rinse cycle

VG

Pre-wash cycle

RG

Intermediate rinse cycle

ZG

Intermediate rinse cycle

KG

Rinse cycle

TG

Drying cycle

F

Fill sequence

U

Circulation sequence

A

Pumping sequence

H

Heating phase

Z

Time span between circulation sequence and pumping sequence

T

Drying sequence

ZR

Addition of cleaning agent

Central Committee

Adding rinse aid

AP

Pumping phase

P

pause

Z31

Operating status of the drain pump

M

relative amount of rinsing liquid in the rinsing chamber

AMD

The amount of rinsing liquid that can be pumped out during continuous operation of the drain pump

RMD

residual amount of rinsing liquid that cannot be pumped out during continuous operation

RM

Remaining amount of rinsing fluid at the end of the pumping sequence

Claims (11)

1. Dishwasher (1), especially a household dishwasher, with a control device (2), in which at least one wash program for carrying out a wash cycle (SG, SG') comprising a number of part wash cycles for cleaning and/or drying items to be washed is stored, and with an operating device (3) for entering operating commands for the control device (2), wherein at least one operating command for carrying out one or more adaptation measures to at least one of the wash programs is able to be input at the operating device (3), by means of which the avoidance of spots on the items to be washed and/or the drying result on the washed items is improved when the wash cycle (SG') based on the adapted wash program is carried out, characterised in that

   • one of the adaptation measures, in at least one part wash cycle provided as an intermediate rinse cycle (ZG, ZGZ), brings about an addition (ZKz) of rinse aid to a washing fluid (S) used there and/or

   • one of the adaptation measures, in at least one part wash cycle provided as an intermediate rinse cycle (ZG, ZGz), brings about a lengthening of a period of time (Z3, Zz) between a circulating sequence (U3, UZ) for circulating the washing fluid and a pump-off sequence (A'3, A'z) for pumping off the washing fluid (S).
2. Dishwasher according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the operating command is able to be entered for carrying out adaptation measures via an operating element provided exclusively for the purpose.
3. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that one of the adaptation measures brings about a lengthening of a heating phase of a washing fluid (S), wherein the lengthening amounts to at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, especially preferably at least 30%, of the original duration of the heating phase, and/or an execution of at least one additional heating phase (HZ) during a part wash cycle provided as a final rinse cycle (KG) before the addition (ZK) of rinse aid to a washing fluid (S) used there.
4. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that one of the adaptation measures brings about a lengthening of a duration of a part wash cycle provided as a drying cycle (TG), wherein the lengthening amounts to at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, especially preferably at least 30%, of the original duration of the drying cycle (TG).
5. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that one of the adaptation measures brings about a modification of at least one pump-off sequence (A, A1, A2, A3, A4) for pumping off a washing fluid of a part wash cycle by means of a drain pump (31) from the dishwasher (1), wherein in the modified pump-off sequence (A', A'2, A'3, A'z) a non-pumped-off residual amount (RM') of washing fluid (S) is reduced.
6. Dishwasher according to the preceding claim, characterised in that one of the adaptation measures brings about a modification of at least one pump-off sequence (A, A1, A2, A3, A4) for pumping off a washing fluid of a part wash cycle by means of a drain pump (31) from the dishwasher (1), wherein in the modified pump-off sequence (A', A'2, A'3, A'z) a non-pumped-off residual amount (RM') of washing fluid (S) is reduced and wherein the pump-off sequence (A, A1, A2, A3, A4) comprises at least one pump-off phase (AP1) during which the drain pump (31) is switched on or increases its speed, wherein the modified pump-off sequence (A', A'2, A'3, A'z) comprises at least one additional pump-off phase (AP2, AP3), during which the drain pump (31) is switched on or speeds up, wherein the additional pump-off phase (AP2, AP3) is separated by a pause (P1, P2), during which the drain pump (31) is switched off or reduces its speed, from the respective preceding pump-off phase (AP1, AP2).
7. Dishwasher according to claim 6, characterised in that the modified pump-off sequence (A', A'2, A'3, A'z) comprises a total of at least three pump-off phases (AP1, AP2, AP3).
8. Dishwasher according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterised in that in the pump-off sequence (A, A1, A2, A3, A4) and/or the modified pump-off sequence (A', A'2, A'3, A'z) the first pump-off phase (AP1) of the pump-off phases (AP1, AP2, AP3) is provided for pumping off an amount (AMD) of washing fluid able to be pumped off in continuous operation of the drain pump.
9. Dishwasher according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterised in that a monitoring device (38) is provided for monitoring a flow of washing fluid conveyed by the drain pump (31), wherein in the pump-off sequence (A, A1, A2, A3, A4) and/or the modified pump-off sequence (A', A'2, A'3, A'z) there is provision for aborting the first pump-off phase (AP1) of the pump-off phases (AP1, AP2, AP3) if an undershoot of a minimum value for the flow of washing fluid is detected by the monitoring device (38).
10. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one adaptation measure provided on entry of the operating command for carrying out adaptation measures is not carried out if a dispensing device (29) for adding rinse aid to the washing fluid (S) is deactivated or when the fill level of rinse aid in the dispensing device (29) for adding rinse aid drops below a minimum level.
11. Method for operating a dishwasher, especially a household dishwasher, with a control device (2) in which at least one wash program for carrying out a wash cycle (SG, SG') comprising a number of part wash cycles for cleaning and/or drying items to be washed is stored, and with an operating device (3) for entering operating commands for the control device (2), especially according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more adaptation measures are carried out on at least one of the wash programs such that the avoidance of spots on the items to be washed and/or the drying result on the washed items is improved when the wash cycle (SG') based on the adapted wash program is carried out, if an operating command intended for this purpose for carrying out adaptation measures is entered at the operating device (3), characterised in that

    • one of the adaptation measures, in at least one part wash cycle provided as an intermediate rinse cycle (ZG, ZGZ), brings about an addition (ZKz) of rinse aid to a washing fluid (S) used there and/or

    • one of the adaptation measures, in at least one part wash cycle provided as an intermediate rinse cycle (ZG, ZGZ), brings about a lengthening of a period of time (Z3, Zz) between a circulating sequence (U3, UZ) for circulating the washing fluid and a pump-off sequence (A'3, A'z) for pumping off the washing fluid (S).

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