EP2496126B1 - A dishwasher with an optimized filling sequence - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a dishwasher, in particular a domestic dishwasher, with a control device for carrying out a rinse cycle for cleaning items to be washed, with a rinsing chamber for receiving the items to be washed during the rinse cycle, with a controllable by the control device inlet valve for filling rinsing liquid into the rinsing chamber and with an adjustable by the control device, in particular controllable or controllable, circulating pump for circulating the flushing liquid located in the washing chamber. Commercially available dishwashers are designed for automatically filling their rinsing chamber with rinsing liquid. Despite sometimes consuming filling process, however, it is not always possible to meter the filled amount of rinse liquid exactly. In addition, some filling methods may result in undesirable noise during the filling of rinsing liquid into the rinsing chamber.

From the DE 196 30 357 A1 a device for controlling the amount of water in dishwashers with a driven by an electric motor circulation pump and at least one actuatable via a control metering valve is known. In this case, a device is provided for the detection of at least one parameter characteristic of a torque change on the output shaft of the electric motor and the control of the valve is designed such that the valve opens as soon as the at least one detected parameter leaves a predetermined value range.

The object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher, in particular a domestic dishwasher, in which the filling of rinsing liquid into the rinsing chamber is improved.

The object is achieved in a dishwasher of the type mentioned above in that the rinse cycle comprises at least one filling sequence,
in which the inlet valve is open during a Primärfüllphase, the duration of which depends on a time value corresponding to a desired amount of flushing liquid to be filled in the rinsing chamber, which is sufficient for a concentricity of running at a rated speed circulating pump, and in the means of a with the Concentricity monitoring unit connected at the end of the primary filling phase, a concentricity test for determining whether the circulating pump running at the nominal speed is concentric, takes place,
wherein, when the circulating pump is in the concentricity, a completion of the filling sequence and, if the circulating pump is not in the concentricity, a continuation of the filling sequence takes place.

The dishwasher according to the invention has a control device for the automatic control of operating sequences of the dishwasher. For this purpose, the control device can be designed as so-called sequence control, in particular as electronic sequence control.

In the control device, at least one rinse program for performing or controlling a rinsing process, also called rinse cycle, for rinsing items to be washed, in particular for rinsing dishes, deposited. Advantageously, several wash programs are provided, one of which can be selected and started by the operator. This makes it possible to adjust the sequence of a wash cycle, in particular to the load, to the type of loading, to the degree of soiling of the items to be washed and / or to the desired duration of the wash cycle.

The stored washing programs may preferably be designed such that the respective wash cycle controlled by them in particular at least one pre-rinse for pre-cleaning items, at least one cleaning operation for thoroughly cleaning items, at least one intermediate rinse for removing soiled rinse liquid from the items to be washed, at least one rinse cycle to avoid of stains on the items to be washed and / or for preparing a drying step, and / or at least one drying course for drying the items to be washed. Rinse cycle, cleaning cycle, intermediate rinse cycle and rinse cycle are referred to as water-carrying partial rinses, since during their implementation, the introduced into the rinsing chamber items to be treated with a rinsing liquid. During the drying cycle, a use of rinsing liquid is usually not provided.

The treatment of the items to be washed with rinsing liquid takes place in a substantially complete rinsing chamber, in particular a rinsing container, the dishwasher. In this case, the flushing chamber is associated with an inlet valve, which allows to fill flushing liquid into the washing chamber. Furthermore, the rinsing chamber is assigned a circulating pump for circulating the filled rinsing liquid, which makes it possible to remove the rinsing liquid in the rinsing chamber, for example, from a collecting device for rinsing liquid and to apply it to the rinsing product via a spraying system assigned to the rinsing chamber. The inlet valve and also the Circulation pump can be controlled by the control device of the dishwasher.

A rinsing liquid is understood here to mean, in particular, a liquid which is intended to be applied to the ware in order to clean it and / or to treat it in another way. For example, the rinsing liquid can also be provided for heating the items to be washed, which is customary, for example, during a rinsing step.

The rinsing liquid entering the rinsing chamber via the inlet valve is usually fresh water. Depending on the operating phase of the dishwasher, the rinsing liquid in the rinsing chamber can be enriched with cleaning agents, with cleaning auxiliaries, such as, for example, rinse aid and / or with dirt that has been removed from the items to be washed. But there are also cases conceivable in which already enriched water is filled as flushing liquid via the inlet valve in the washing chamber.

The dishwashing machine according to the invention is designed such that during the execution of a rinse cycle at least one filling sequence for filling the rinsing chamber with rinsing liquid is carried out, which comprises a primary filling phase and a concentricity test. The primary filling phase is a time interval during which the inlet valve is opened so that during the primary filling phase rinsing fluid flows into the rinsing chamber. The duration of the primary filling phase is dependent on a time specification, which is stored for example in the control device of the dishwasher. The amount of flushing liquid filled during the primary filling phase thus depends on the time specification value.

The timing value is chosen so that in a trouble-free filling such an amount of rinsing liquid is filled into the rinsing chamber, which corresponds to be filled into the rinsing chamber set amount of rinsing liquid. The target amount is set so that the circulation pump can be operated at its rated speed or a desired target speed in the concentricity. As the rated speed of the circulating pump can be selected in particular a speed at which the circulating pump reaches its maximum intended delivery capacity.

In this case, a circulating pump is generally in the concentricity when sufficient rinsing liquid is present in the collecting device of the rinsing chamber in order to prevent suction of air through the circulating pump. Whether or not air is sucked in a particular case depends, among other things, on the speed of the circulating pump. The reason for this is that with increasing speed of the circulation pump, an ever smaller part of the total rinsing liquid present in the rinsing chamber is in the collecting device, since it takes a certain time until the rinsing liquid sprayed onto the ware returns to the collecting device.

By the target amount is designed for concentricity of the circulation pump at rated speed, it can be ensured that at a trouble-free filling at the end of the Primärfüllphase operation of the circulating pump with rated speed in the concentricity is possible. In this case, at the end of the primary filling phase, the optimum actual amount of rinsing liquid is in the rinsing chamber.

At the end of the primary filling phase, a concentricity check is carried out, which serves to determine whether the circulating pump running at a rated speed is actually concentric. For this purpose, a concentricity monitoring unit is used. This may in particular be part of the control device, or be connected to the control device of the dishwasher for data exchange. If the concentricity test shows that the circulating pump running at rated speed or desired setpoint speed is concentric, the filling sequence is ended since, in this case, there is an optimum amount of flushing fluid in the flushing chamber. If, however, the concentricity test reveals that the circulating pump running at rated speed is not yet in concentricity, it can be concluded that there was a malfunction during the primary filling phase, which led to the filled actual amount of flushing liquid remaining behind the setpoint quantity. In this case, the filling sequence is continued to fill in the still missing amount of rinsing liquid.

A significant advantage of the dishwasher according to the invention is its simplicity. Thus, in particular, a simple, switchable inlet valve can be used, which can only assume an open position and a closed position, since a variation of the inflow stream of the rinsing liquid during filling into the Flushing chamber is not required. As a result, the control device can also be designed simply, since it is only provided for outputting two control commands to the inlet valve, namely "open valve" and "close valve". Even a complex control of the speed of the circulating pump is not required. Rather, it can always be operated with a specific rated speed or setpoint speed, which simplifies both the structure of the circulation pump and the structure of the control device of the dishwasher. In a trouble-free filling process is also ensured that at the end of the Primärfüllphase a sufficient amount of flushing liquid is in the washing chamber. In this case, the filling sequence is completed much faster than in such filling methods, which basically provide a multi-stage filling. Nevertheless, the case distinction based on the concentricity check ensures that the filling sequence is not terminated too early in the event of a fault.

According to an expedient development of the invention, the continuation of the filling sequence comprises a Sekundärfüllphase, during which the inlet valve is open at circulating at the rated speed circulating pump, wherein the Sekundärfüllphase is completed when the circulating pump reaches the concentricity. Conversely, the control device closes the inlet valve after the end of the primary filling phase when the concentricity monitoring unit has determined that the circulating pump is in the concentricity. This ensures in a simple manner that in the shortest possible time required for the concentricity of the circulating pump at rated speed amount of rinsing liquid is introduced into the washing chamber. Neither control of the rotational speed of the circulation pump nor control of the speed of the inflow of the rinsing liquid into the rinsing chamber is required.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the secondary filling phase, if necessary, is followed by the primary filling phase. In this way, there is a further time gain.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the inlet valve is open from the beginning of the primary filling phase until the end of the secondary filling phase, if necessary. In this way, the time requirement of the filling sequence can be further reduced. According to an expedient development of the invention, the circulating pump may possibly be switched off during the primary filling phase before the concentricity check takes place. In this way, during the Primärfüllphase unwanted noise can be avoided by the suction of air through the circulation pump with a small amount of rinsing liquid.

According to an expedient development of the invention, the filling sequence is provided at the beginning of at least one water-carrying Teilspülgangs the rinse cycle. In this way, it is ensured that at the beginning of the partial rinse cycle in the shortest possible time a sufficient amount of rinsing liquid is admitted in the rinsing chamber.

According to an expedient development of the invention, an inlet side of the inlet valve is provided for connection to an external water supply device. In this way, it is possible to take up feed water as the rinsing liquid during the filling sequence, so that the rinsing liquid to be introduced into the rinsing chamber does not have to be stored in the dishwasher.

According to a particularly advantageous development of the invention, the circulating pump comprises an electric motor, wherein the concentricity monitoring unit is designed to monitor at least one electrical operating parameter of the electric motor. This is based on the finding that electrical operating parameters of the electric motor change in a characteristic manner, depending on whether the circulating pump is in concentricity or not in concentricity. This applies, for example, in a driven with a fixed voltage circulating pump for their power or power consumption. Thus, for a given speed, the power consumption of an air-sucking circulating pump is generally clearly below the power consumption of a circulating pump which only draws in flushing liquid. Such a concentricity monitoring unit is simple in this case. This applies in particular in comparison with concentricity monitoring devices which monitor the operating noise of the circulation pump.

According to an expedient development of the invention, the concentricity monitoring unit is designed to monitor fluctuations in the electrical operating parameter of the electric motor. At too low an amount Rinsing liquid in the rinsing chamber sucks the circulation pump, as already described, not only rinsing liquid but also air. The ratio of intake air and sucked rinsing fluid varies by a statistical average. These fluctuations in turn lead to fluctuations in the electrical operating parameter of the circulating pump, so that the evaluation of the fluctuations without detection of the absolute value of the operating parameter will allow a statement as to whether the circulating pump is in concentricity or not. As a result, the quality of the concentricity test can be improved.

Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for performing a rinse cycle for cleaning items to be washed with rinsing liquid in a rinsing chamber of a dishwasher by means of the control device, wherein the dishwasher a switchable by the control device inlet valve for filling rinsing liquid into the rinsing chamber and a circulating pump for circulating the in the rinsing chamber flushing liquid comprises. In this case, at least one filling sequence is carried out, in which the inlet valve is opened during a Primärfüllphase, the duration of which depends on a time value corresponding to a to be filled for a concentricity of the circulating pump in the rinsing chamber desired amount of rinsing liquid, and at the end of the Primärfüllphase with a Concentricity test is determined whether the running at a rated speed circulating pump is in the concentricity, wherein when the circulating pump is in the concentricity, the filling sequence terminated and, if the circulation pump is not in the concentricity, the filling sequence is continued.

The inventive method allows a simple, fast and secure filling of the washing chamber with rinsing liquid and is characterized by low demands on the structural design of the dishwasher.

Other advantageous embodiments and / or developments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

The above advantageous embodiments and / or further developments of the invention and the reproduced in the dependent claims advantageous developments of Invention may be provided individually or in any combination with each other in the dishwasher according to the invention.

The invention and its developments and advantages thereof are explained in more detail with reference to drawings.

Figur 1

ein vorteilhaftes Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Haushaltsgeschirrspülmaschine in einer schematischen Seitenansicht,

Figur 2

eine Blockdarstellung der Haushaltsgeschirrspülmaschine von Figur 1,

Figur 3

ein Flussdiagramm einer Füllsequenz für die Haushaltsgeschirrspülmaschine der Figuren 1, 2, und

Figur 4

einen beispielhaften Spülgang für die Geschirrspülmaschine der Figuren 1 und 2.

Show it:

FIG. 1

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

FIG. 2

a block diagram of the household dishwasher of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3

a flow chart of a filling sequence for the household dishwasher of FIGS. 1 . 2 , and

FIG. 4

an exemplary rinse for the dishwasher of FIGS. 1 and 2 ,

In the following figures, corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals. In this case, only those components of a dishwasher are provided with reference numerals and explained, which are necessary for the understanding of the invention. It goes without saying that the dishwasher according to the invention can comprise further parts and assemblies.

FIG. 1 shows an advantageous embodiment of a household dishwasher according to the invention 1 in a schematic side view. The dishwasher 1 has a control device 2, in which at least one wash program for controlling a wash cycle for washing dishes, in particular dishes, is deposited. Expediently, a plurality of washing programs are stored, so that by selecting a suitable washing program, the sequence of a controlled by the control unit 2 rinse, for example, to the load, to the type of load, to the degree of contamination of the dishes and / or to the desired duration of the wash can be adjusted.

The control device 2 is associated with an operating device 3, which allows an operator of the dishwasher 1 to call one of the washing programs and thereby start. Furthermore, the control device 2 is associated with an output device 4, which allows the output of messages to the operator. The output device 4 may comprise indicator lamps, light-emitting diodes, an alpha-numeric display and / or a graphic display for outputting optical messages. Furthermore, the output device 4 may have a buzzer, a loudspeaker and / or the like for the output of acoustic messages.

The dishwasher 1 further comprises a rinsing container 5, which can be closed by a door 6, so that a closed rinsing chamber 7 is formed for rinsing dishes. If appropriate, the rinsing container 5 can be arranged inside a housing 8 of the dishwasher 1. In built-in dishwashers, the housing 8 is not required and may be omitted altogether at the top. In FIG. 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 aligned substantially horizontally and allows the introduction or removal of items to be washed. Im in FIG. 1 the embodiment shown, the operating device 3 is arranged in an easy to use manner on an upper portion of the door 6. The output device 4 is also arranged on the upper portion of the door 6, so that optical messages are clearly visible and audible messages are clearly audible. The control device 2 is also positioned there, so that the required 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 variant, the control device may possibly also be accommodated in a floor module below the washing compartment. The control device 2 could also be designed decentralized, which is understood to include spatially separated components, which are connected via communication means such that they can cooperate.

The dishwasher 1 has an upper dish rack 9 and a lower dish rack 10 for positioning dishes. The upper dish rack 9 is arranged on extension rails 11, which in each case opposite to each other, in Depth direction of the washing container extending side walls of the washing compartment 5 are attached. When the door 6 is open, the dish rack 9 can be moved out of the washing container 5 by means of the extension rails 11, which facilitates the loading and unloading of the upper dish rack 9. The lower dish rack 10 is arranged on extension rails 12 in an analogous manner.

The one or more stored in the control device 2 washing programs can each provide several Teilspülgänge, for example, in this order at least one prewash, at least one cleaning cycle, at least one intermediate rinse, at least one rinse and / or at least one drying cycle. Here, pre-wash cycle, cleaning cycle, intermediate rinse cycle and rinse cycle are referred to as water-carrying partial rinses, since during their implementation, the items to be washed positioned in the rinsing chamber 7 are treated with a rinsing liquid S. During the drying cycle, a treatment of the items to be washed with rinsing liquid S is generally not provided.

In the exemplary embodiment, fresh water or feed water ZW, which can be taken up by an external water supply device WH, in particular a drinking water supply network, and filled into the rinsing chamber 7, is used as rinsing liquid S for the treatment of the items to be washed. Typically, a rinsing liquid S formed from fresh feed water ZW is introduced at the beginning of each water-conducting partial rinse cycle, which rinse liquid is then discharged to the end of the respective rinse cycle to an external sanitation AR as wastewater AW. However, it is also possible to store a rinsing liquid S of a partial rinse cycle in a storage container (not shown) and to refill it into the rinsing chamber 7 in a later partial rinse cycle.

The dishwasher 1 the FIG. 1 comprises a water inlet device 13, which is provided for connection to the external water supply device WH. As in FIG. 1 For example, the external water supply device WH may be a faucet of a building-side water installation that provides pressurized inlet water ZW. The water inlet device 13 comprises a connection piece 14, which is provided for connection to the water tap WH. The connection can, for example via a threaded arrangement, a Bayonet arrangement or the like. Downstream of the connecting piece 14, a connection hose 15 is provided, which is preferably designed to be flexible. The downstream end of the connection tube 15 is connected to a housing-fixed connection piece 16.

Downstream of the housing-fixed connecting piece 16, a supply line 17 is provided, which is connected to an input side of a switchable by means of the control device 2 inlet valve 18. An output side of the inlet valve 18 in turn is connected to a liquid inlet 19 of the rinsing chamber 7. In this way, it is possible, by means of the water inlet device 13, to feed feed water ZW as dishwashing liquid S into the interior of the dishwashing chamber 7 of the dishwasher 1. The inlet valve 18 may be formed as a switchable solenoid valve, which has only an open position and a closed position. In the supply line 17, a water treatment plant, not shown, for example, a water softening system may be provided.

Instead of or in addition to the device-side inlet valve 18 may also be provided between the connector 14 and the faucet WH an external inlet valve, in particular a so-called aqua-stop valve, which is preferably switchable by means of the control device, in particular shut-off and openable

The inflow amount of flushing liquid S into the rinsing chamber 7 per unit time, ie the inflow, results in particular primarily from the construction of the inlet valve 18 and from the pressure of the rinsing liquid S at the inlet side of the inlet valve 18. If the input-side pressure of the rinsing liquid S is in a designated tolerance of, for example, + - 10% and otherwise no interference occurs, resulting in open inlet valve 18, a constant nominal inlet flow. In such a trouble-free filling process, the amount of flushing liquid filled S results from the product of the nominal inlet flow and the duration of the nominal inlet flow. Thus, if the inlet valve 18 is opened for a defined time, then the amount of flushing liquid S introduced into the flushing chamber 7 can be deduced therefrom. If, however, malfunctions occur during operation of the dishwasher 1, the feed stream actually achieved can be significantly below the nominal feed stream. Such disturbances are, for example, a drop in the Pressure of the rinsing liquid S on the input side of the inlet valve 18, contamination in the region of the inlet valve 18 or upstream thereof and a possible pinching of the flexible connection hose 15th

Due to its weight force, the rinsing liquid S which has reached the rinsing chamber 7 via the liquid inlet 19 passes into a collection device 21 which is formed on a base 20 of the rinsing container 5 and which can preferably be designed as a collection pot 21. An input side of a circulation pump 22 is liquid-conducting connected to the collection pot 21. Furthermore, an output side of the circulation pump 22 is connected to a spraying device 23, 24, which makes it possible to apply the rinsing liquid S introduced into the rinsing chamber 7. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 the spraying device 23, 24 comprises an upper rotatable spraying arm 23 and a lower rotatable spraying arm 24. However, alternatively or additionally fixed spraying elements could be provided.

The flushing liquid S emerging from the spraying device 23, 24 when the circulating pump 22 is switched on is returned to the collecting pot 21 due to its weight within the flushing chamber 21. During the circulation of the flushing liquid S in the flushing chamber 7, the circulation pump 22 is intended to be operated in a concentricity. The circulating pump 22 is then in the concentricity, if here is such a large amount of flushing fluid S is available that they exclusively excluding flushing liquid S or otherwise expressed promotes no air. By the operation of the circulation pump 22 in the concentricity on the one hand can be achieved sufficient for a planned cleaning effect pump pressure and on the other hand, the formation of disturbing Schlürfgeräuschen be avoided. In order to determine whether or not the circulation pump 22 is in concentricity, it is assigned a concentricity monitoring unit 25. This can be provided as a separate component or possibly also be part of the control device 2.

Furthermore, the dishwasher 1 in a conventional manner to a metering device 26, which makes it possible to offset the introduced into the washing chamber 7 rinsing liquid S with cleaning agents and / or cleaning aids to improve the cleaning effect and / or the drying effect of a rinse cycle.

Furthermore, in the FIG. 1 Dishwasher 1 shown on a drain device 27, which serves to pump out no longer required rinsing liquid S as wastewater AW from the washing chamber 7 to the outside. The drainage device 27 comprises a drain pump 28 whose inlet side is connected to the collection pot 21. The outlet side of the drain pump 28, however, is connected to a connecting line 29, the downstream end of which is connected to a housing-fixed connection 30 of the dishwasher 1. To an output of the housing-fixed terminal 30, a waste water hose 31 is attached, which is flexible. At the downstream end of the sewage hose 31, a fitting 32 is arranged, which is intended to connect the drainage device 27 with a sanitation AR. The sanitation AR may be a sewer pipe of a building-side water installation. The connection between the connecting piece 32 and the sewage pipe can be designed as a screw connection, as a bayonet connection, as a plug connection or the like.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the household dishwasher 1 of FIG. 1 , wherein in particular the control and communication concept is shown. In the exemplary embodiment, a signal line 33 is provided, which connects the operating device 3 to the control device 2 such that operating commands of an operator can be transmitted from the operating device 3 to the control device 2. Furthermore, a signal line 34 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 there to the operator.

Further, a control line 35 is provided, which connects the control device 2 with 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 in the rinsing chamber 7 can be controlled by the control device 2. A further control line 36 connects the control device 2 with the circulation pump 22. As a result, the circulation of rinsing liquid S in the rinsing chamber 7 by the control device 2 is adjustable, in particular controllable or adjustable.

Furthermore, a signal line 37 is provided, which connects the concentricity monitoring unit 25 with the control device 2. The signal line 37 makes it possible to transmit information generated by the concentricity monitoring unit 25 with respect to the running properties of the circulation pump 22 to the control device 2. In this case, the control device 2 is designed so that it can take into account this information from the concentricity monitoring unit 25 in the circuit, in particular in the control of closing and / or opening times, possibly also control or regulation of the inlet valve 18. Further, a control line 38 is provided, which connects the control device 2 with the drain pump 28, so that the drain pump 28 by the control device 2 switchable, in particular off and on, is.

FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of a filling sequence F in the household dishwasher according to the invention 1 of the embodiment. The filling sequence F represents an independent aspect of the invention. It can be carried out or controllable by the control device 2 and can be carried out one or more times during the execution of a rinse cycle. After a start ST of the filling sequence F, a primary filling phase PF is carried out, during which the inlet valve 18 is opened. The duration of the primary filling phase PF depends on a time value which may be contained in a washing program called by the operator, for example. The time value is set so that in the trouble-free operation of the dishwasher 1, such a desired amount of washing liquid S enters the washing chamber 7, which is sufficient for a concentricity of the running at a rated speed circulation pump 22. At the end of the primary filling phase PF, a concentricity test RP follows, in which the concentricity monitoring unit 25 checks whether the circulating pump 22 which is running at the nominal rotational speed or nominal rotational speed is concentric or not. Here, a case distinction is provided. Namely, if the circulating pump 22 is in the concentricity as intended, the end EN of the filling sequence F is reached immediately. This case always occurs when the filling sequence F is not affected by disturbance variables, which cause the actual feed stream to be less than the nominal feed stream or nominal feed stream of fresh water.

On the other hand, if the concentricity test RP reveals that the circulating pump 22 running at rated speed is not concentric, which is generally caused by the occurrence of disturbance variables, the filling sequence F is continued. It will advantageously carried out a Sekundärfüllphase SF, during which the inlet valve 18 is open at the rated speed or set speed circulation pump 22 is opened, wherein the running properties of the circulation pump 22 are monitored during the Sekundärfüllphase SF, and the Sekundärfüllphase SF is terminated when the circulation pump 22, the concentricity reached.

The basis of the FIG. 3 explained filling sequence F ensures that at its end EN, the circulation pump 22 can be operated at its rated speed in the concentricity. Neither a complex variable control of the rotational speed of the circulation pump 22 nor a control of the feed stream of the filled rinsing liquid S is required. Compared to a conventional dishwasher, in which the amount of the filled rinse liquid S is only time-controlled, with regard to the structural design of the dishwasher 1 according to the invention only the concentricity monitoring unit 25 and an adjustment of the control device 2 is required. The filling sequence F also allows economical use of rinsing liquid S. Thus, the time value can be a minimum value, which allows under favorable conditions just a run of running at rated speed circulation pump 22. The provision of reserves is in this case not necessary, since a caused by disturbances too low actual amount of flushing fluid S can be compensated for the end of the primary filling PF in the course of the filling sequence F.

During the primary filling phase PF, it is not necessary to operate the circulation pump 22. As a result, disturbing snorkeling noises due to a still insufficient amount of flushing liquid S can be avoided for concentricity during the primary filling phase PF. In the much more frequent case, in which the concentricity test RP determines a concentricity of the circulation pump 22, disturbing snorkeling noises can be completely avoided. If there is no concentricity at the end of the primary filling phase PF, snorkeling noises may occur during the concentricity test RP or during the secondary filling phase SF, which as a rule only occurs for a short period of time, so that these noises can be tolerated.

Possibly. It may also be expedient if the circulation pump is switched on already at the beginning of the water inlet during the Primärfüllphase.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary timing of a wash cycle SG of the dishwasher 1 according to the invention of the embodiment. The rinse cycle SG comprises three water-carrying partial rinses, namely a pre-wash cycle VG, a cleaning cycle RG and a final rinse cycle KG. The wash cycle SG largely comprises a drying cycle TG. In this case, a curve Z18, a curve FM, a curve N22, a curve P22 and a curve Z28 are shown on a common time axis t.

In this case, the curve Z18 shows the operating state of the inlet valve 18. The inlet valve 18 can assume an operating state "0", in which it is closed, and assume an operating state "1", in which it is open. The curve FM shows the actual amount of the rinsing liquid S in the rinsing chamber 7.

Furthermore, the curve N22 shows the rotational speed of the circulation pump 22. The electrical power consumption of the circulation pump 22 is represented by the curve P22.

Finally, the curve Z28 symbolizes the operating state of the drain pump 28. In this case, the operating state "0" means that the drain pump 28 is switched off and the operating state "1" that the drain pump 28 is switched on.

Basically, it is provided in the rinse SG that at the beginning of the water-carrying Teilspülgänge VG, RG and KG each rinse liquid S introduced into the rinsing chamber 7 and the end of the respective Teilspülganges VG, RG and KG is pumped out of the rinsing chamber 7 again. At the beginning of the pre-wash cycle VG, therefore, a first filling sequence F _{1 is} provided, in which a primary filling phase PF is carried out, the duration of which depends on a time value DT stored in the control device 2. In the example of FIG. 4 It is assumed that the primary filling phase PF runs smoothly, so that the actual quantity FM ₁ of rinsing liquid S in the rinsing chamber 7 at the end of the primary filling phase PF corresponds to an intended set quantity FMS. This is chosen such that the power P22 ₁ absorbed by the circulation pump reaches a value which corresponds to its rated power consumption PN, if now at the end of the primary filling phase PF the circulation pump 22 switched on and operated at its rated speed NN. The concentricity test RP, which is based on a comparison of the actually absorbed power P22 ₁ and the nominal power consumption PN of the circulation pump 22, leads in the present case to the result that the circulation pump 22 is in concentricity. Therefore, the filling sequence F ₁ is terminated after the end of the Primärfüllphase PF and the inlet valve 18 is closed. The circulating pump 22 is now operated for a predetermined time by the control device 2 further with rated speed NN while receiving the rated power PN to pre-purify the dishes. Shortly before the end of the pre-wash VG the circulation pump 22 is turned off and the flushing liquid S of the pre-wash VG pumped out of the washing chamber 7 by the drain pump 28 is turned on temporarily. When the flushing liquid S of the pre-wash cycle VG is pumped off, the drain pump 28 is switched off again and transferred to the cleaning cycle RG.

Alternatively, it is of course also possible to turn on the circulation pump already at the beginning of the primary filling phase of the respective water-conducting Teilspülgangs and bring to the end of the Primärfüllphase to its rated speed or target speed at which the circulation pump for the introduced into the washing water desired water quantity without air bubbles.

At the beginning of the cleaning cycle RG, a filling sequence F _{2 is} provided here in the exemplary embodiment, wherein first the primary filling phase PF is carried out, the duration of which is determined by the time specification value DT. To illustrate the operation of the dishwasher 1 according to the invention, it is now assumed that during the primary filling phase PF due to a disturbance there is an inflow of fresh water that is less than the nominal inflow. In this case, the actual quantity FM ₂ of flushing fluid S located at the end of the primary filling phase PF in the flushing chamber 7 is less than the setpoint quantity FMS. Now, if the circulation pump 22 is turned on again and operated at rated speed NN, the result is a power consumption P22 ₂ , which is less than the nominal power consumption PN. This results in the comparison of the actual power consumption P22 ₂ with the nominal power consumption PN, that the circulation pump 22 is not yet in the concentricity, but at least partially promotes air. For this reason, the control device 2 causes the execution of a secondary filling phase SF.

During the secondary filling phase SF, the inlet valve 18 remains open and the circulation pump 22 remains switched on. In this case, a concentricity monitoring is performed until the concentricity of the circulation pump 22 is reached. At this time, the inlet valve 18 is closed, so that the secondary filling phase SF and the filling sequence F _{2 is completed} altogether. The further execution of the cleaning cycle RG corresponds to the implementation of the previously described pre-wash cycle VG.

In the rinse cycle KG now carried out, a further filling sequence F _{3 is} carried out, wherein in the exemplary embodiment it is assumed by way of example here that the feed stream of rinsing liquid S is further reduced due to disturbances. As a result, the actual quantity FM ₃ of rinsing liquid S in the rinsing chamber 7 at the end of the primary filling phase PF is still lower than the actual quantity FM ₂ at the end of the primary filling phase PF of the cleaning cycle RG. For this reason, a secondary filling phase SF is also performed, which, however, takes longer than in the cleaning cycle RG. Due to the continuous concentricity monitoring during the secondary filling phase SF of the filling sequence F ₃ , however, it is ensured that towards the end of the filling sequence F ₃ the actual quantity FM corresponds to the set amount FMS of washing liquid S. This illustrates that in the dishwasher 1 according to the invention, disturbances during the primary filling phase PF, regardless of their extent, can be compensated by the refilling in the subsequent secondary phase.

In summary, it may therefore be particularly expedient to fill the rinsing chamber 7 of the dishwasher 1 in a time-controlled manner, so that a static nominal level is achieved in trouble-free operation, which is sufficient for concentricity of the circulation pump 22. However, in the event of a malfunction, for example at too low a pressure in a building water installation WH, it is possible that the nominal level will not be reached with the correct time control. Therefore, a round trip monitoring procedure RP is performed following the timed primary filling phase PF. If no concentricity has yet been reached, it is refilled in a subsequent secondary phase until the concentricity has been reached. In this way disturbing snorkeling noise during filling of the dishwasher 1 can be minimized. In addition, a poor washing result can be avoided by a disturbance due to low amount of washing liquid S. Furthermore, the invention can be implemented inexpensively.

In particular, the following cost-optimized, quality-based filling process may be expedient:
It is envisaged to achieve a cost-effective filling process by a combination of the principles of time filling and rotary filling, which minimizes the quality risks of time filling and the noise disadvantages of pure rotary filling as far as possible.

Time filling refers to the filling of a water-operated domestic appliance, in particular a dishwasher over a valve, which has a nominal inlet flow rate (e.g., 2.5 l / min) due to a flow regulator and some tolerance field (e.g., +/- 10%) around it. In practice, however, this constant volume flow is achieved only if a certain minimum line pressure prevails in the water network of the household (for example at least 1 bar). If this is below this certain level, less water is filled in a given time unit than expected and the household appliance does not have enough water for the concentricity of the pump.

The principle of concentricity filling monitors certain motor parameters of the circulation pump motor during a filling process. By interpreting the fluctuation of the signal of the motor parameter, a statement can be made as to whether the pump is already in run-flat mode. During filling, the circulation pump is permanently in operation and generates a snorkeling noise due to the fact that it does not yet have any concentricity. As long as no concentricity is detected, metering is continued until the circulation of the circulation pump is reached.

The basic principle here is that now the household appliance is first filled via time filling to a static nominal level at which concentricity should be reached. In accidents, such as in cases of negative pressure or other disturbances in the network, a concentricity is not yet achievable. Therefore, a runout monitoring procedure is always added after this first time filling. If no concentricity has yet been reached, the corresponding additional volume is replenished in these cases by means of a rotary feed. In this way, the disturbing snorkeling of the Rundlauffüllens is avoided as the majority of households and on the other hand, the problem of households with negative pressure situation avoided.

• ▪ Kostengünstiges Füllverfahren (Zeitfüllen -> Ventil immer notwendig, nur Timer (Taktgber) auf Software, aber keine zusätzlichen mechanischen Elemente wie Schalter, Magnete, Laufräder, ...)
• ▪ Qualitätsabsicherung der Zeitfüllenproblematik bei Haushalten mit zu geringem Netzdruck
• ▪ Geräuschbeeinträchtigung durch Füllen bei Haushalten mit regulärem Netzdruck nicht gegeben

Advantages of this advantageous filling procedure are in particular:

• ▪ Cost effective filling process (time filling -> valve always necessary, only timer (clock) on software, but no additional mechanical elements such as switches, magnets, wheels, ...)
• ▪ Quality assurance of the time filling problem in households with insufficient network pressure
• ▪ There is no noise disturbance due to filling in households with regular network pressure

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

dishwasher

2

control device

3

operating device

4

output device

5

rinse tank

6

door

7

rinsing chamber

8th

casing

9

upper dish rack

10

lower crockery basket

11

out rail

12

out rail

13

Water inlet device

14

connector

15

connecting hose

16

fixed housing

17

Supply, supply line

18

inlet valve

19

liquid inlet

20

Bottom of the washing container

21

Collection device, collection pot

22

circulating pump

23

upper spray arm

24

lower spray arm

25

Concentricity monitoring device

26

metering

27

outflow device

28

Drain pump

29

connecting line

30

fixed housing

31

drain hose

32

connector

33

signal line

34

signal line

35

control line

36

control line

37

signal line

38

control line

WH

Water supply device, faucet

ZW

water supply

S

rinse

AR

Sanitation facility, sewer pipe

AW

sewage

F

stuffer

ST

begin

PF

Primärfüllphase

RP

Runout testing

SF

Sekundärfüllphase

EN

The End

SG

rinse

VG

prewash

RG

cleaning cycle

KG

rinse cycle

TG

drying cycle

DT

Timing value

Z18

Operating condition of the inlet valve

FM

Actual amount of the rinsing liquid filled in the rinsing chamber

FMS

Target quantity of the rinsing liquid to be introduced into the rinsing chamber

N22

Speed of the circulation pump

NN

Rated speed of the circulation pump

P22

Power consumption of the circulation pump

PN

Rated power consumption of the circulation pump

Z28

Operating status of the drain pump

Claims (10)

1. Method for carrying out a dishwashing cycle (SG) for cleaning items to be washed with washing liquid (S) in a dishwashing chamber (7) of a dishwasher (1) by means of the control device (2) thereof, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, which comprises an inlet valve (18) switchable by the control device (2) for filling the washing chamber (7) with washing liquid (S) and a circulating pump (22) for circulating the washing liquid (S) located in the dishwashing chamber (7), wherein at least one filling sequence (F, F₁, F₂, F₃) is carried out, in which the inlet valve (18) is opened during a primary filling phase (PF), in which at the end of the primary filling phase (PF) a concentricity check (RP) is used to establish whether the circulating pump (22) running at a rated speed (NN) is running concentrically, and wherein the filling sequence (F₁) is terminated if the circulating pump (22) is running concentrically and the filling sequence (F₂, F₃) is continued if the circulating pump (22) is not running concentrically, characterised in that the primary filling phase (PF) is time-controlled and the duration of the primary filling phase (PF) depends on a default time (DT) which corresponds to a nominal amount (FMS) of washing liquid (S) with which the dishwashing chamber (7) is to be filled which is sufficient for the concentric running of the circulating pump (22) running at a rated speed (NN).
2. Method according to claim 1 characterised in that the inlet valve (18) is blocked by the control device (2) after the end of the primary filling phase if the concentricity monitoring unit (25) has established that the circulating pump (22) is running concentrically.
3. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the continuation of the filling sequence (F₂, F₃) comprises a secondary filling phase (SF) during which the inlet valve (18) is opened for a circulating pump (22) running at a rated speed (NN), wherein the secondary filling phase (SF) is ended if the circulating pump (22) has reached concentric running.
4. Method according to claim 3, characterised in that the secondary filling phase (SF) follows on from the primary filling phase (PF).
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims 3 or 4, characterised in that the inlet valve (18) remains open from the beginning of the primary filling phase (PF) to the end of any secondary filling phase (SF) which may be carried out.
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the filling sequence (F, F₁, F₂, F₃) is provided at the beginning of at least one water-conducting part wash cycle (VG, RG, KG) of the dishwashing cycle (SG).
7. Dishwasher, in particular a domestic dishwasher (1), having a control device (2) for implementing a dishwashing cycle (SG) for cleaning items to be washed according to one of the preceding claims, having a dishwashing chamber (7) for accommodating the items to be washed during the cleaning cycle (SG), having an inlet valve (18) switchable by the control device (2) for filling the washing chamber (7) with washing liquid (S), with a circulating pump (22) able to be adjusted, in particular controlled or regulated by the control device (2) for circulating the washing liquid (S) located in the dishwashing chamber (7) and with a concentricity monitoring unit (25) for establishing whether the circulating pump (22) is running concentrically.
8. Dishwasher according to claim 7, characterised in that there is provision for an input side of the inlet valve (18) to be connected to an external water supply device (WH).
9. Dishwasher according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterised in that the circulating pump (18) comprises an electric motor, wherein the concentricity monitoring unit (25) is embodied for monitoring fluctuations of at least one electrical operating parameter of the electric motor.
10. Dishwasher according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the concentricity monitoring unit (25) is a component of the control device (2).

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