EP3579734A1

EP3579734A1 - Cleaning device and method for cleaning articles to be cleaned

Info

Publication number: EP3579734A1
Application number: EP18704220.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jürgen Dirschus; Phillip HUBER; Stefan Kolb; Thomas LOOS; Thomas NÄGER; Thomas Peukert; Marijan Simundic
Original assignee: Meiko Maschinenbau GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Meiko Maschinenbau GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2017-02-09
Filing date: 2018-02-07
Publication date: 2019-12-18
Also published as: AU2018219578A1; CN110267575A; CA3053210A1; US10856719B2; JP2020506777A; CN110267575B; AU2018219578B2; WO2018146143A1; US20200000308A1; DE102017202055A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning device (110) for cleaning articles (116) to be cleaned. The cleaning device (110) comprises at least one cleaning chamber (114) and at least one supplying device (120) for supplying the articles (116) to be cleaned in the cleaning chamber (114) with at least one cleaning fluid. The cleaning device (110) additionally comprises at least one controller (157) which is designed to actuate the cleaning device (110) to carry out at least two operating modes. The controller (157) is additionally designed to detect at least one usage variable. The usage variable characterizes a current usage of the cleaning device (110). The controller (157) is additionally designed to assign at least one weighting to the at least one usage variable. The controller (157) further has at least one counting device (170) which is designed to cumulate cleaning device (110) usage times weighted with the weighting and to generate at least one piece of usage information on the usage of the cleaning device (110) therefrom.

Description

Cleaning device and method for cleaning items to be cleaned

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a method, a cleaning device and a cleaning system for cleaning items to be cleaned, in particular for use in commercial dishwashing technology and / or in commercial kitchens. Cleaning devices of the type mentioned can be used for example in institutions for public catering, such as in particular in canteens, canteens in schools, government agencies, hospitals or care facilities. The cleaning device can be used in particular for cleaning of items to be cleaned in the form of items to be washed, which is used directly or indirectly for the preparation, storage or presentation of food and drinks. In particular, these may be dishes and / or trays. Other fields of application of the present invention are also conceivable in principle, in particular fields of use with basically any items to be washed and / or in the household sector. Furthermore, a use in the cleaning of care utensils is conceivable, such as in cleaning and disinfection equipment, in particular so-called bedpan flushing. Use in cleaning devices and / or disinfection devices for personal protective equipment is also possible, for example for the cleaning of respiratory masks. In principle, other applications are possible.

PRIOR ART A multiplicity of cleaning devices, also referred to as cleaning devices, which can clean and / or disinfect cleaning items, are known from the prior art. In the following, without limiting other possible fields of application, the invention makes significant reference to dishwashing technology, in particular industrial dishwashing technology, for example commercial dishwashing technology. Thus, in addition to program dishwashers with a static rinsing method, for example conveyor dishwashers or push-through dishwashers, in which the items to be cleaned are transported by means of a transport device through one or more cleaning chambers or can be inserted into a cleaning chamber. Overall, the design of these cleaning devices depends greatly on the various boundary conditions, such as the type of cleaning product to be cleaned, the pollution, the throughput or similar conditions. By way of example, reference may be made to cleaning devices which are described, for example, in DE 10 2004 056 052 A1, DE 10 2007 025 263 A1 or DE 10 2013 220 035 A1. Furthermore, the invention can in principle, in addition to cleaning devices for use in dishwashing technology and dishwashing in particular, also be used for cleaning devices in other areas. For example, the invention can be used in cleaning devices which are designed as cleaning and disinfection devices, as described, for example, also in DE 10 2004 056 052 A1, DE 10 2007 025 263 A1 or DE 10 2013 220 035 A1, which is suitable for example for the Cleaning of care utensils such as bedpan or urine bottles are designed. Again alternatively or additionally, the invention can also be used in cleaning devices which can be used for cleaning personal protective equipment, as described, for example, in WO 2011/144518 A2. However, other applications are conceivable.

In contrast to household dishwashing technology, commercial dishwashers generally have a plurality of fluid tanks in order to be able to accelerate a throughput of items to be cleaned. For example, in addition to the actual wash tank usually a rinsing tank is still provided in which Nachspül- or rinse fluid can already be tempered, while still running the main wash. Transport dishwashers generally have a plurality of cleaning zones in which the items to be cleaned are cleaned sequentially. With this increase in throughput, however, there is usually a significant increase in energy consumption and, in many cases, an increase in the need for detergent solution compared to household dishwashing technology.

In particular, commercial dishwashers, but in some cases also privately usable dishwashers or other cleaning devices, which are used for example in government agencies or clubs, in many cases represent a significant investment for operators. Especially smaller companies or clubs and authorities are often unable financially to bear the investment costs associated with the purchase of cleaning devices. For this reason, more and more flexible usage models, which are not associated with a complete purchase of the cleaning devices by the respective operator, are becoming more and more popular in the field of cleaning technology. Only examples are rental models, hire purchase or other usage models. However, a challenge with many alternative usage models is a choice of appropriate billing modalities that balance the interests of the operator and the provider of the cleaning device. In addition to a pure billing related to a rental period, billing models are generally known which take into account an actual use of the cleaning device. For example, DE 10 2011 109 801 B3 and EP 2 742 495 B1 describe a dishwasher with a storage unit for storing an identification number (ID) and a key, which permit unambiguous identification of the dishwasher. The dishwasher further comprises a data input unit for entering a purging cycle number (SBN), wherein from the purging cycle number (SBN) a number of permitted purging cycles can be derived. The dishwasher also includes an authorization unit configured to check whether the purging cycle number (SBN) is valid for the dishwasher identified by the identification number (ID) and the key, and that is further configured to be at a positive identification of the dishwasher using the Purge Cycle Number (SBN) for the number of purge cycles, or blocking the dishwasher in case of a negative identification.

US 4 076 554 A discloses a cost monitoring system for a dishwashing process. The pumps and / or valves through which the water flows during a dishwashing process are monitored. Surveillance devices provide output values based on identical base costs. These output values are combined and a visual indication of the cost of the dishwashing process is provided. US 2006/0 144 430 AI discloses a method for providing information to a user of a car wash facility. The method includes obtaining one or more signals from a car wash, wherein the signal or signals represent one or more payment transactions. The car wash will receive one or more signals representing a value of one or more car wash functions acquired with the one or more payment transactions. An indication of the value of one of the car wash functions or multiple car wash functions acquired with the one or more payment operations is recorded. The method further comprises providing information including displaying the value of the one or more car wash functions acquired with the one or more payment transactions. Another Embodiments relate to a message device of a vending machine and a car wash.

DE 199 05 979 A1 discloses a water-conducting domestic appliance, in particular a dishwashing machine or a washing machine. To the water-conducting household appliance, in particular in a dishwasher or a washing machine, with a water softening device consisting essentially of a regenerable ion exchanger, in which the softened in the ion exchanger water is blended by adding raw water, taking into account the degree of exhaustion of the ion exchanger, a simpler and To provide more accurate control of Rohwasserbeimischmenge, according to the invention, the softened in the ion exchanger water is filled into a reservoir. On the one hand, the filling time for the storage container is recorded and, on the other hand, it is summed up to a total filling time since the time of a last regeneration of the ion exchanger and, due to the filling time, the amount of soft water pending for mixing is determined and, due to the total filling time, that through the ion exchanger since the time of its last Regeneration of softened amount of water and determines the corresponding state of exhaustion of the ion exchanger and determines therefrom the amount of raw water to be added for a predetermined degree of hardness of the cleaning liquid.

US 5 371 681 A describes a vending apparatus which can respond to a selection of different merchandise during the sales process by providing a time remaining in the sales process as a function of an allocation of an original charge amount and new calculation parameters associated with the new one selected goods selection are recalculated.

DE 31 46 725 AI describes a high pressure cleaning device. The described high-pressure cleaning device has the task of further developing a high-pressure cleaning device with a coin token in such a way that the coin-operated machine can be set up much simpler and more cost-effectively and that when changing from one operating mode to another, the working time not yet utilized in one operating mode the other can be transferred. The invention is characterized in that the operating mode can be selected with a switch arranged on the control panel of the operating part, that for each operating mode by means of further operating elements a Abiaufzeit is selectable and that the sum of the selected Abiaufzeiten detected by a decoder and detected by the Münzimpulszähler Total time is comparable. One embodiment consists in that each operating mode has a relay coil and associated relay contacts to the electromagnetic see switching of the selected operating mode are assigned, that the respective relay coil is switched on by means of a switch and that each relay coil is connected in series with a time reference, wherein the outputs of the time references form the common input of the decoder.

CA 1 189 933 A describes a coin operated car wash control arrangement which allows the user to use the car wash assembly for different times and different functions. By providing two different timers, two different functions can be requested and paid for and times can be accumulated. Furthermore, the user can switch from one function to another at any time and introduce additional money as desired. A comparator compares accumulated time with used time and turns off the system if the two times match. The operator can preset two different time periods for the different functions.

DE 10 2004 056 052 A1 describes a method for assessing and ensuring the thermal hygiene effect on items to be washed, which is accommodated in a rinsing chamber of a single-chamber dishwasher, or items to be cleaned, which are received in a cleaning chamber of a washer-disinfector, a temperature sensor of the rinsing chamber or the cleaning chamber is permanently assigned. By means of the temperature sensor and a controller, the thermal hygiene effect is recorded via the temperature and exposure time acting on the items to be washed or the items to be cleaned and from this the heat equivalent values are calculated. Despite the technical advantages associated with these designs, a number of technical challenges remain. In particular, the rinsing cycle detection described is comparatively less flexible and bound to a previous activation. Accordingly, with such embodiments, for example, only prepaid models possible. In addition, the mere counting of the rinsing cycles does not take into account, for example, the intensity of use or the handling of the user with the cleaning device. For the provider of the cleaning device, this involves the disadvantage that a little gentler handling of the operator with the cleaning device is disregarded. For the operator himself, the model described, for example, has the disadvantage that a careful use of the cleaning device in the billing mode is disregarded and thus does not pay off.

Object of the invention It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device, a cleaning system and a method for cleaning articles to be cleaned, which at least largely avoid the disadvantages of known devices and methods of the type mentioned. In particular, the proposed devices and methods should enable more flexible billing models, which are advantageous both for the provider and for the operator of the cleaning device.

Disclosure of the invention

This object is achieved by a cleaning device, a cleaning system and a method for cleaning of items to be cleaned, with the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments, which can be implemented individually or in any combination, are shown in the dependent claims.

Hereinafter, the terms "having", "having", "including" or "including" or any grammatical variations thereof are used in a non-exclusive manner. Accordingly, these terms may refer to situations in which, in addition to the features introduced by these terms, there are no other features or to situations in which one or more other features are present. For example, the expression "A has B", "A has B," A includes B "or" A includes B "can both refer to the situation in which, apart from B, there is no further element in A ( ie a situation in which A consists exclusively of B), as well as the situation in which, in addition to B, one or more further elements in A are present, for example element C, elements C and D or even further elements.

It is further to be understood that the terms "at least one" and "one or more" and grammatical variations of these terms, when used in conjunction with one or more elements or features, are intended to indicate that the element or feature is simple or can be provided multiple times, are usually used only once, for example, at the first introduction of the feature or element. In a subsequent re-mention of the feature or element, the corresponding term "at least one" or "one or more" is generally no longer used, without limiting the possibility that the feature or element may be single or multiple. Furthermore, in the following the terms "preferred", "especially", "for example" or similar terms will be used in conjunction with optional features without limiting alternative embodiments thereof, features introduced by these terms are optional features, and it is not intended to limit the scope of the claims and in particular of the independent claims by these features, and as the skilled person will appreciate, the invention may also be practiced using other configurations an embodiment of the invention "or by" in an embodiment of the invention "are to be understood as optional features, without thereby limiting alternative embodiments or the scope of the independent claims to be further limited by these introductory expressions The ability to combine features introduced here with other features, whether optional or non-optional, remains untouched.

In a first aspect of the present invention, a cleaning device for cleaning items to be cleaned is proposed. The cleaning device comprises at least one cleaning chamber and at least one loading device for loading the cleaning material in the cleaning chamber with at least one cleaning fluid. Furthermore, the cleaning device comprises at least one controller, wherein the controller is set up to control the cleaning device for carrying out at least two operating modes, in particular at least two cleaning programs. The controller is further configured to detect at least one usage variable, wherein the usage variable characterizes a current usage of the cleaning device. The controller is further configured to assign at least one weight to the at least one usage variable. The controller further comprises at least one counting device, which is set up to cumulate weighting-related utilization times of the cleaning device and to generate therefrom at least one usage information about a use of the cleaning device.

Under a cleaning device is generally understood in the context of the present invention, a device which is adapted to at least partially rid of cleaning material from adhering impurities and / or germs. The cleaning device can be, for example, a dishwasher, in particular a commercial dishwasher, for example a program dishwasher and / or a continuous dishwasher. Alternatively or additionally, however, the cleaning device can also be wholly or partly used as a cleaning and disinfecting device be configured, for example, as a cleaning device, which is adapted for cleaning containers for receiving human excretions. In general, reference may be made in this regard, for example, to the cleaning devices described in DE 10 2004 056 052 A1 and / or in DE 10 2007 025 263 A1. The cleaning device can also be a dishwasher, as it can be used for cleaning containers in the environment of food production and / or food processing. Furthermore, the cleaning device may be a disinfecting dishwasher, for example a dishwasher for cleaning and disinfecting respiratory masks. However, other embodiments are also conceivable in principle.

The cleaning device can in particular be designed as a conveyor dishwasher, in particular as a continuous dishwashing machine. Under a transport dishwasher is a dishwasher to understand, ie a machine for cleaning dishes in the form of dishes, which is adapted to transport the items to be washed through a cleaning chamber. In particular, this may be a belt conveyor dishwasher and / or a basket transport dishwasher, ie a dishwasher in which the dishes are transported by a conveyor belt through the cleaning device, such as a conveyor on which the dishes are placed directly and / or on which one or more baskets are placed with the dishes to be cleaned. The transport dishwasher may in particular be designed for commercial use, for example in one or more of the above-mentioned facilities for public catering. However, other types of cleaning devices are basically possible

The cleaning fluid may be, for example, a cleaning fluid and / or a gaseous cleaning fluid. For example, this cleaning fluid may comprise a cleaning fluid, for example an aqueous cleaning fluid, for example water in the form of fresh water and / or with one or more additives, for example with one or more cleaning concentrates and / or one or more rinse aid concentrates and / or one or more disinfectants , For example, the cleaning fluid may have one or more additives, for example at least one additive selected from the group consisting of a cleaner concentrate, a rinse aid and a disinfectant. Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning fluid may comprise steam, for example. However, other embodiments are conceivable in principle. The at least one cleaning fluid may in principle comprise, for example, at least one cleaning fluid, in particular at least one aqueous cleaning fluid. Other types of Reinigungsfiui- the are basically used. A cleaning fluid can therefore be understood as meaning any fluid, in particular a fluid, which can exert a cleaning action on the cleaning product.

Under a cleaning chamber is generally a chamber to understand in which the above-described cleaning process of the cleaning is carried out completely or partially. In particular, in a cleaning chamber, the admission to the Reinigungsfiuid or one of several cleaning fluids take place. Furthermore, the cleaning device may comprise at least one transport device, which is configured to transport the items to be cleaned in a transport direction from an inlet region through the cleaning chamber to an outlet region. The chamber is preferably completely or partially enclosed by a housing. In particular, the cleaning chamber may be designed tunnel-like or comprise a part of a tunnel, for example with an inlet and an outlet, wherein the cleaning material is introduced at the inlet into the cleaning chamber and exiting the cleaning chamber at the outlet. Under an inlet is therefore an area outside the cleaning chamber to understand, which is arranged in the transport direction immediately before the cleaning chamber and in which the cleaning material can be applied to the transport device. Accordingly, an outlet means an area outside the cleaning chamber, which is arranged in the transport direction directly behind the cleaning chamber and in which the cleaning material can be removed from the transport device. Under a transport device is generally understood in the context of the present invention, any device which is adapted to transport the cleaning material in the transport direction through the cleaning chamber. For example, this transport device may be selected from a belt transport device with at least one conveyor belt, a pawl transport system and a roller transport device with at least one transport roller or a plurality of transport rollers, for example one or more driven transport rollers, by means of which, for example, the cleaning material directly and / or one or more the items to be cleaned receiving baskets can be transported through the cleaning chamber in the transport direction. The transport device may, for example, have at least one drive, for example at least one drive motor. For example, this may be a drive which drives at least one conveyor belt and / or at least one transport roller or another type of transport element of the transport device. Under a loading device is basically any device or combination of devices to understand, by means of which the loading of the cleaning material can be done with the cleaning fluid, for example by spraying, irradiation or dripping the cleaning with the cleaning fluid. For example, the loading device may have at least one nozzle system. For example, one or more nozzle systems can be provided in the transport dishwasher. If, for example, a plurality of cleaning zones are provided, each cleaning zone can be assigned, for example, at least one such nozzle system. For example, the cleaning device can be set up such that the cleaning material passes through the cleaning zones one after the other. For example, refer to the above-mentioned prior art for an arrangement of such cleaning zones.

The cleaning device comprises, as stated above, at least one controller. In the context of the present invention, a control means a one-part or multi-part device of the cleaning device which is set up in order to completely or partially control and / or regulate an operation of the cleaning device. In particular, the controller may be configured to change, in particular to control and / or regulate one or more operating parameters of the cleaning device, for example at least one temperature, at least one pressure, at least one transport speed or even a combination of said and / or other operating parameters. The controller may in particular comprise at least one data processing device, for example at least one processor. In particular, the controller can be set up in terms of programming, for example to control at least one cleaning program of the cleaning device and to control or carry out a method according to the invention. Furthermore, the control, as will be explained in more detail below, comprise at least one volatile and / or non-volatile data memory. Furthermore, the controller may comprise at least one interface, for example a man-machine interface for inputting commands and / or for outputting information, and / or a wireless or wired interface for unidirectional or bidirectional exchange of data and / or commands between cleaning Device and at least one further device. The controller may in particular comprise at least one computer and / or at least one processor. In particular, the controller can be a centralized or decentralized machine controller of the cleaning device. The controller is, as stated above, arranged to control the cleaning device for performing at least two operating modes. An operating mode is to be understood as meaning an operation of the cleaning device which is characterized by at least one operating parameter. Operation is generally understood to mean use of the cleaning device. Thus, the use can either be designed such that the cleaning device is actually used to clean items to be cleaned, or that the cleaning device is otherwise operated in such a way that, for example, either standby or, for example, a cleaning program or maintenance program is carried out. An operating mode in which the cleaning device is used for cleaning items to be cleaned can also be referred to as a cleaning mode. The at least two operating modes may thus comprise at least one cleaning mode or even at least two different cleaning modes. In general, the at least two operating modes can in particular be selected from the group consisting of: cleaning programs in which the cleaning material is exposed to the cleaning fluid; Drying programs for drying the cleaning product; Maintenance programs for the maintenance of the cleaning device; a stand-by mode; a self-cleaning mode of the cleaning device. However, other embodiments are possible. Under a cleaning program is generally a continuous, a temporary or even a cyclic process to understand in which under controlled conditions, the cleaning material is cleaned. Each cleaning program can be characterized for example by certain operating parameters, which can be predetermined and preferably monitored, for example by the controller.

As stated above, the controller is set up to capture at least one usage variable. In this context, a usage variable generally refers to a measurable variable, a measurable variable or another detectable value which characterizes a current use of the cleaning device. This can generally be a value that can be measured by means of at least one sensor or else a value that is actively specified by the controller, for example due to a program sequence. Use is generally understood to mean a type of operation of the cleaning device which is determined by a program currently selected by the user, an otherwise specification by the user or by another mode of operation of the cleaning device. As will be explained in more detail below, the use can be characterized in particular by one or more operating parameters. An operating parameter is generally understood to mean any measurable or detectable quantity. hen, which characterizes an operation of the cleaning device or a part thereof. While the at least one usage variable thus generally describes how the cleaning device is used by a user, the at least one operating parameter describes the technical implementation of this use. The usage variable is here to be understood as a generic term, since use by a user in a certain way naturally affects the setting of one or more operating parameters. Accordingly, the at least one usage variable may accordingly comprise at least one operating parameter. Alternatively or additionally, however, the at least one usage variable may also comprise other information, for example information which is derived from the at least one operating parameter, such as information about a correct care or maintenance of the cleaning device and / or information about the use of suitable media in the cleaning device. Furthermore, the at least one user variable may also include, for example, information about a loading of the cleaning device with items to be cleaned and / or a throughput of items to be cleaned by the cleaning device. Furthermore, the at least one usage variable may also include at least one identification information which is uniquely associated with the cleaning device. For example, the controller may generate such information. For example, a one-to-one machine identifier can be part of the at least one usage variable.

The term "current" usage generally refers to the above-described use at an observation time or over an observation period, so that the evaluation of the usage and the weighting described below can be performed in real time weighting described in more detail with time lag, for example, after a predetermined period or following a performed cleaning program or only on request, for example by the user or an operator of the cleaning device.

As stated above, the controller is set up to assign at least one weighting to the at least one usage variable. In this context, a weighting is generally understood to mean an information which contribution a particular usage variable makes from a plurality of possible usage variables to the actual end-use information generated for an observation period. In particular, the weighting may be at least one weighting factor. Thus, the weighting or, if more than one weighting is used, each of these weightings can be used. For example, be a real number, in particular a real number from 0 to 1. However, other values or value ranges are possible in principle. The technical background here is, for example, that in particular certain types of use and thus certain usage variables contribute more to wear of the cleaning device than other types of use. For example, if it is known that certain wearing parts exist in a cleaning device, then a usage variable which characterizes a load of such a wear part or several such wear parts, can be weighted more heavily than a usage variable, which has a smaller effect on wear of the cleaning device.

The usage variables can be kept simple or can be comparatively complex and based on empirical values. For example, the cleaning device can be designed simply to carry out a gentle cleaning program with a lower temperature, for example, only 85 ° C., and a more intensive cleaning program with a higher temperature, for example 95 ° C. The type of cleaning program itself can be recorded as a usage variable, for example by assigning the usage variable p = 1 to the gentler program and the usage variable p = 2 to the intensive cleaning program. For example, the weighting for the usage variable p = 1 can be half of the weighting for the usage variable p = 2, for example f (p = l) = 0.5 and f (p = 2) = 1.0. Thus, for example, in the counting device described in more detail below, useful times in which the cleaning device is operated with the gentle cleaning program are weighted by 0.5, and use times in which the cleaning device is operated with the intensive cleaning program are 1.0. This results in a more realistic picture over a period of observation of a wear of the cleaning device than for example in a pure time recording. However, this simple example can be made arbitrarily complex, since numerous cleaning programs can exist or numerous different operating modes, which can each be characterized, for example, by specific operating parameters. In particular, operating parameters which are known to have a high effect on the use and / or wear of the cleaning device can be detected as usage variables or in usage variables and weighted accordingly.

The assignment of the at least one weighting to the at least one use variable can be carried out in such a way that exactly one weighting is assigned to each recorded usage variable. However, other embodiments are also possible in principle, for example, in that groups of usage variables jointly receive an assignment or by assigning multiple weights to a usage variable. For example, a weighting function can be used as a function of several usage variables, so that, for example, a weighting factor for weighting a time unit is determined from a plurality of usage variables by this weighting function. The assignment of the at least one weighting to the at least one use variable can be predefined, for example predetermined, can take place in real time or can also take place with a time offset before or after consideration of the use.

The assignment of the at least one weighting to the at least one utilization variable can in particular be carried out automatically, for example by means of a corresponding control program. In particular, the controller may include at least one algorithm which assigns the at least one usage variable the at least one weighting, for example in the form of at least one function f (p). It is also possible to provide a plurality of functions from which, for example, e.g. depending on the fulfillment of at least one predetermined condition, each one function is selected. Alternatively or additionally, the controller may contain at least one table, for example an electronic table and in particular at least one lookup table, which contains weightings for a plurality of usage variables. This table, for example, can be regarded as a function. In the above-mentioned simple example, for example, in the table for the value of the usage variable p = 1, the value of the weighting f = 0.5 would be stored, and for the value of the usage variable p = 2, the value of the weighting f = 1.0. However, the tables can be made arbitrarily complex. Other types of assignment, for example in the context of a fixed computer program, are possible and generally known to the skilled person.

As stated above, the controller further comprises at least one counting device. As will be explained in more detail below, in the context of the present invention a "counting device" is generally understood to mean a device which is set up in order to generate usage information about a use of the cleaning device, taking into account an actual use of the cleaning device In particular, the counting device may be designed wholly or partly as a software module of a control software, for example, the counting device may comprise a processor, for example a processor of the control, which sets up the program However, as an alternative or in addition, the counting device may also be wholly or partly as a separate software module or even completely or partially as a separate piece Hardware module be configured. As stated above, the controller may be formed in one or more parts, so that the counting device may for example also be designed as a separate module, which, however, may be connected to other components of the controller and which is to be regarded as part of the control mind.

The counting device is set up to cumulate weights weighted usage times of the cleaning device and to generate therefrom at least one usage information about a use of the cleaning device. By "usage time" is generally meant an infinitesimal or finite period of time during which the cleaning device is operated, in particular in at least one operating mode, for example, a period of time during which the cleaning device or a part thereof supplies electrical energy The period of time does not have to extend over the entire duration of the operation in the operating mode, but may also be a part of it, in particular the usage time may comprise small time intervals , which are each weighted and summed up or integrated Examples will be explained in more detail below.

"Aggregation" is generally understood to mean a summation or integration of values, in particular a summation of time intervals, which are each weighted with the at least one weighting, or, alternatively or additionally, an integration can also take place For example, in the above simple example of the gentle mode of operation with the weighting f = 0.5 and the intensive mode of operation with the weighting f = l0, in a case where the Cleaning device is operated for a total of 100 minutes in the gentle cleaning program and 500 minutes in the intensive cleaning program, an accumulation to a result S = c- (0.5-100 +

1.0-500) = c-550, where c represents a calibration factor, for example. However, much more complex cumulations are possible.

In the context of the present invention, "user information", also referred to below as "N", generally means information about a use of the cleaning device, for example over an observation period or usage period within which the cumulation described above takes place include one or more pieces of information, selected from the group consisting of: an intensity of use, a wear, a proper or improper use, a mode of use. The usage information may directly result from the above cumulation of the weighted usage times, so that, for example, the above-described value S = 550 may directly represent the usage information N (T). With time T, with continued or discontinuous further accumulation, the usage information will change to be a function of time.

Alternatively or additionally, this cumulation can also be converted by an algorithm or, for example, by means of a table into the usage information. For example, fictive "usage units" may be defined which, for example, correlate linearly with the cumulation, but alternatively or additionally, for example, one or more bonuses B or Mali M may be added or deducted so that, for example, during maintenance or self-cleaning, the cumulant In this way, for example, such maintenance or self-cleaning can be compensated, for example by deducting 5 usage units per self-cleaning Here, various models are conceivable and implementable within the scope of the present invention ,

The usage information can in particular be directly or indirectly converted into a remuneration with a provider of the cleaning device, for example according to a specific tariff, in particular a tariff table. Examples are given below in more detail. For example, the usage information can be converted directly into a remuneration, can be converted to a flat rate, or a flat rate can be deducted, can be deducted from a credit, a credit can be credited to the user information or the like. In contrast to known billing methods, however, the intensity of use or the regularity of use, for example the regular execution of self-cleaning programs or maintenance, can now be included in the billing. As a result, the user himself is stopped for a careful handling of the cleaning device, since such a gentle and careful handling can have a positive effect on a reduced remuneration. Furthermore, environmental aspects can play a role here, so that, for example, an environmentally friendly behavior has a positive effect for the user, since, for example, a more environmentally friendly use can be compensated less than a more polluting use. Different models are possible in principle. For the provider of the machine, the present invention offers the advantage that, in particular, more realistic remuneration can be offered, which take into account actual use and thus also actual wear of the cleaning device. This plays a role, in particular, when cleaning devices are only left to a user for a specific time and are then to be used elsewhere. In conventional models is either flat rate or simply after the rental period or alternatively, for example, billed according to cycles, without taking into account the nature and / or intensity of use.

The usage information can be used for other purposes besides calculating a fee. For example, maintenance intervals can also be adapted to the actual usage and thus to the provided usage information and / or chosen on the basis of the usage information. For example, the usage information may be compared to one or more thresholds to then output information about required maintenance and / or self-cleaning. For example, when 1000, 5000, 10,000 units of use are reached, a self-cleaning can be carried out automatically or a request for self-cleaning can be issued. Thus, the self-cleaning and / or maintenance can be adapted to the actual use, which can bring cost advantages and may lead to more environmentally friendly behavior, since a calculation of the intervals which does not take into account the actual use is generally assumed to be a worst possible case of use got to. The cleaning device according to the present invention can be advantageously developed in various ways. As stated above, the cleaning device can be designed in various ways. In particular, the cleaning device may comprise a dishwasher, in particular a commercial dishwasher, but also applications in a household sector are possible. The cleaning device may in particular be selected from the group consisting of: a single-chamber dishwasher, in particular a commercial single-chamber dishwasher; a push-through dishwasher; a hood dishwasher; a transport dishwasher, in particular a belt transport or basket transport dishwasher; a cleaning and disinfecting device, in particular for cleaning and / or disinfecting care utensils; a cleaning device for cleaning and / or disinfecting personal protective equipment, in particular respirators. With regard to possible tions of these cleaning devices, apart from the peculiarities of the control according to the invention, reference may be made, for example, to the above-mentioned prior art. The cleaning devices illustrated there can be supplemented by the configuration of the controller described in the context of the present invention. However, other embodiments are possible in principle.

In particular, the controller may be configured to detect the usage times according to a time acquisition mode, wherein the time acquisition mode is selected from the group consisting of: a continuous time acquisition; a cumulative time recording at discrete time intervals; cumulative time tracking in discrete cycles of use. The term "time" can thus generally encompass a continuous time in the context of the present invention, for example a time in the form of an absolute time, a time in seconds, minutes, hours or other units of time or the like Again, alternatively or additionally, cycles may also be used as time units, which may not necessarily have the same duration, but cumulation of time units of equal duration is preferred, as are other embodiments but basically possible.

As stated above, the assignment of the weights can be rigid or flexible. In particular, the assignment of the weighting can take place by means of at least one assignment algorithm and / or by means of an allocation table, as described above by way of example.

In particular, the usage variable can comprise at least one operating parameter of the cleaning device detected by the control or can be determined by means of at least one operating parameter of the cleaning device detected by the control. In this case, a multiplicity of operating parameters can be used alternatively or cumulatively. In particular, the at least one operating parameter may be selected from the group consisting of: a temperature of the at least one cleaning fluid; a media consumption, in particular a consumption of at least one medium selected from the group consisting of: water or a cleaning agent; a duty cycle of at least one consumer of the cleaning device, in particular at least one heater and / or at least one pump, for example a circulating pump; a rotational speed of at least one nozzle arm of the biasing device; a property of at least one cleaning fluid, in particular a pH and / or a hardness at least one cleaning fluid, in particular a pH and / or a hardness of water used in the cleaning fluid; a type of the at least one cleaning fluid and / or a component of the at least one cleaning fluid; a heating power of at least one heating element of the cleaning device; an electrical energy intake of the cleaning device; a speed of at least one pump; a number of pump revolutions; a pressure with which the cleaning material is applied; a volumetric flow that is squirted by an impingement device; a door operation of at least one door of the cleaning device; a transport parameter of at least one transport device of the cleaning device, in particular a transport speed; one transport route per unit of time; an absolute transport route; a number of items to be cleaned; a number of transport baskets for cleaning goods; a throughput of items to be cleaned; a type of a selected cleaning program; an amount of cleaning fluid in at least one fluid tank of the cleaning device; a vibration of the cleaning device; an ambient temperature of the cleaning device; a kind of at least one cleaning product, which is cleaned in the cleaning device; an amount of at least one cleaning product which is cleaned in the cleaning device; a material of at least one cleaning product, which is cleaned in the cleaning device; a degree of soiling of at least one cleaning product which is cleaned in the cleaning device; a location of the cleaning device.

As stated above, the at least one operating parameter can be detected or detectable or can also be predetermined or predefined. It may thus be, for example, at least one operating parameter which can be sensed. Alternatively or additionally, however, it may also be at least one operating parameter which, for example in the context of one or more wash programs, is predetermined by the control itself and is therefore known. Again, alternatively or additionally, the at least one operating parameter, as stated above, comprise at least one loading of the cleaning device with items to be cleaned, wherein at least one operating parameter selected from a type, a quantity, a material or a degree of contamination of the items to be cleaned can be detected. This detection can in turn be sensory, for example by means of at least one image sensor and / or at least one material sensor such as at least one metal sensor. Alternatively or additionally, however, the item to be cleaned can also have at least one identifier which, for example, characterizes the type and / or identity of the item to be cleaned, such as at least one RFID chip and / or barcode, which can be sensed by the cleaning device. Various Embodiments are conceivable. Thus, both actual values and, for example, setpoints can be used as operating parameters. In particular, the cleaning device may have at least one sensor connected to the controller for detecting the at least one operating parameter. It should be noted that any combinations are possible, for example, combinations of sensory detectable operating parameters and predetermined operating parameters.

As stated above, the at least one operating parameter can be, for example, an operating parameter which actually exists or which, for example, as a desired value, is predetermined by the controller. In particular, the at least one operating parameter may be predetermined by the user, either directly or in the form of a specification of a control program or cleaning program, which implies the operating parameter. For example, the controller may have at least one user interface by means of which a user can specify the at least one operating parameter and / or change a value of the operating parameter, for example directly or by selecting a corresponding cleaning program which implies, for example, a specific value or course of the operating parameter. For example, the controller can be set up to allow the user to select at least one cleaning program by means of the user interface.

Further possible embodiments relate to the possible calculation of the usage information. Here are, as exemplified above, numerous different possibilities. In particular, the accumulation, as stated above, can be continuous or discontinuous. For example, the counting device may be configured to determine the usage information to at least one algorithm selected from the group consisting of: i) NT) = c ^■ ^■ i _T f (Pi> - .., Pn) dt, u) N ( T = c ^{^■ ■ Σιί} (Ρι, ^■ ~, Pn) - ^{A t} i, iii) N (T c = _T f S ^■ ^■ Pi> -, .., p _n) dt - B (T), iv) Ν (Ί ") = c ^■ ^■ Σ * / (Ρι. .. - B (T, where

N (T) is a current value of the usage information at time T,

C can be a calibration coefficient, for example a real number, T is an observation time in which the usage information is to be determined

p, ..., p _{n are} usage variables, for example operating parameters, of the cleaning device,

/ is a weighting function which depends on at least one operating parameter pi,

i is a running variable over all detected discrete use intervals, and B (T) is a bonus function, which takes into account at least one execution of at least one care operation of the cleaning device.

As stated above, other usage variables can be used instead of the operating parameters or in addition to operating parameters. One or more operating parameters and / or usage variables may be used such that n = 1 or n> 1.

For a single usage variable p, a simple function or table can be used as the weighting function to determine the weighting. If several usage variables p are provided, then more complex tables or even multi-dimensional functions can be used. A particularly simple possibility is to form at least one weighting function in the form of linear combinations of the usage variables. For example, the weighting function may be a linear combination of at least two usage _variables weighted with weighting factors b _j , for example operating parameters:

As stated above, the at least one usage variable may arbitrarily characterize a usage of the cleaning device. In particular, the at least one usage variable or, if several are provided, at least one of the usage variables can also be set up to detect at least one service life and / or at least one standby time of the cleaning device. Thus, these times, which in principle also claim and wear out electronic components of the cleaning device, for example, can also be detected and associated, for example, with a low weighting, for example a weighting 0.2 in comparison to a weighting of 1.0 in regular operation. In the simple, above For example, with the gentle cleaning program and the intensive cleaning program, a first usage variable pi can characterize, for example, whether the gentle cleaning program is running or the intensive cleaning program e second usage variable p ₂ can characterize whether stand-by operation or rinsing operation Thus, for example, the weighting function / for time intervals dt or At can be configured as follows:

ρ ₁ = 1, ρ ₂ = 2) = 0.5 · 1.0

Accordingly, the time intervals in the cumulation are then weighted. There are also other, more complex options.

As stated above, by means of the present invention also care measures of the cleaning device can be honored, in particular care measures which are initiated by the user. This may be, for example, a care process in the form of a self-cleaning program and / or a maintenance or cleaning of the cleaning device. Thus, the controller may be configured to detect execution of at least one maintenance process, wherein the counting device is set up to take into account the maintenance process in the generation of the usage information. In particular, the controller can be set up to consider the maintenance procedure with an opposite sign compared to a regular use in the usage information. For example, as described above, this may take the form of a bonus subtracted from the cumulative value. The bonus can for example be fixed or also determined variably, for example, according to the intensity and / or duration of the care process. For example, you can also specify a table for various maintenance activities and the corresponding bonuses. The care process may in particular comprise at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a self-cleaning cycle; use of a care medium, in particular a water softener and / or a descaling agent; a routine cleaning; Maintenance of the cleaning device. However, other embodiments are possible in principle. In a further aspect of the present invention, the cleaning device according to one or more of the embodiments described above and / or according to one or more of the embodiments described in more detail below can be used as part of a cleaning system. A system is generally understood to mean a device which is composed of a plurality of interacting components. For example, the components may communicate with each other through one or more interfaces, interacting and interacting in this way. Accordingly, a cleaning system is to be understood as meaning a system which is set up to carry out at least one cleaning operation in the sense of the above definition.

In the second aspect of the present invention, therefore, a cleaning system for cleaning of items to be cleaned, comprising at least one cleaning device according to the present invention and further comprising at least one reader, wherein the reader is arranged to read the usage information from the cleaning device.

A reading device is generally understood to mean a device which is set up to read out at least one piece of information from another device and / or to receive such information. The reading can be active or passive, for example, by the reader requests the information or even by the information is transmitted to the reader unsolicited. In particular, the reading device may be formed separately from the cleaning system and connectable to the cleaning device via at least one interface. For example, the at least one interface may be selected from the group consisting of: a wireless interface, a wired interface, an electrical interface, an optical interface, an acoustic interface, an electromagnetic interface. Various embodiments are conceivable here and generally known to the person skilled in the art.

The reader can be designed and / or used in various ways. For example, this may be a handheld device. This handset can be carried for example by a service technician or by a sales representative to locally read on a cleaning device, the usage information. As described above, the service technician can use this information, for example, to recognize whether maintenance is required and, if appropriate, in what form and / or intensity this is necessary. The sales representative can, for example, use the usage information to calculate a usage fee. For example, the reading device can furthermore have at least one cost calculation device which is set up to allocate at least one usage fee, also referred to as the usage charge, to the read-out usage information. As stated above, this can be done, for example, in the form of a rate table or otherwise. Alternatively or in addition to the design as a handheld device, however, the reading device can also be configured in some other way, for example as a computer, for example a computer integrated in a network, which is connected to the cleaning device via the network and can read out the usage information. Again alternatively or additionally, the reading device can also be designed as a mobile communication device, for example as a smartphone.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a method for operating a cleaning device is proposed. The cleaning device can in particular be designed according to the present invention, so that reference may be made, for example, to the above description of the cleaning device according to the invention and its possibilities for design or to the following description of possible embodiments and vice versa. However, other embodiments are possible in principle. The method comprises the method steps described in more detail below. These method steps can be carried out in particular in the stated order. However, a different order is possible in principle. Furthermore, one, several or all process steps can be performed repeatedly or individually or in groups. Furthermore, two or more method steps can also be performed overlapping in time or in parallel. Furthermore, one, several or all method steps can also be carried out continuously.

The method is generally used for operating a cleaning device for cleaning of items to be cleaned, wherein the cleaning device has at least one cleaning chamber and at least one loading device for acting on the cleaning material in the cleaning chamber with at least one cleaning fluid. The method includes the steps of: a) detecting at least one usage variable of the cleaning device, wherein the usage variable characterizes a current usage of the cleaning device; b) assigning at least one weighting to the at least one usage variable;

c) generating at least one usage information on a use of the cleaning device from an accumulation of weighted with the weighting service lives of the cleaning device.

As stated above, in particular a cleaning device according to the invention can be used. Accordingly, reference may be made to the above description for possible embodiments and definitions.

In particular, the method steps a) and b) can be carried out repeatedly. Thus, in particular, the method steps a) and b) can be carried out continuously, at regular intervals or at predetermined times. However, other embodiments are possible in principle.

In particular, the proposed method can be easily implemented by means of at least one computer. This computer can be contained in particular in at least one control of the cleaning device, as these, as stated above, in particular at least one data processing device, in particular at least one computer may contain. In particular, the method steps a) to c) can be carried out using at least one computer or computer program.

Accordingly, there is further proposed a computer-readable data structure adapted to perform the inventive method in one of the described embodiments when the data structure is executed by a computer or computer network, in particular a computer or computer network controlling the cleaning device. The computer-readable data structure can in particular be stored on at least one data carrier. Furthermore, a computer program with program code for carrying out the method according to the invention in one of the described embodiments is proposed, wherein the execution takes place when the computer program is executed on a computer or computer network, for example on a control of the cleaning device. Furthermore, a computer program product with program code means is proposed, wherein the program code means are stored on a storage medium or are storable, wherein the program code means are adapted to perform the method according to one of the preceding method claims, if the program code means on a computer or computer network, in particular on a control of the cleaning device.

In another aspect, the use of the cleaning device according to the invention in one or more of the embodiments described above or in one or more of the embodiments described below for use-dependent calculation of a user fee for the cleaning device proposed. In summary, the following embodiments are particularly preferred in the context of the present invention:

Embodiment 1: Cleaning device for cleaning items to be cleaned, comprising at least one cleaning chamber and at least one loading device for loading the items to be cleaned in the cleaning chamber with at least one cleaning fluid, furthermore comprising at least one controller, wherein the controller is set up, the cleaning device for carrying out at least two operating modes wherein the controller is further configured to detect at least one usage variable, wherein the usage variable characterizes a current usage of the cleaning device, wherein the controller is further configured to assign at least one weighting to the at least one usage variable, the controller remaining at least a counting device, wherein the counting device is arranged to cumulate with the weighting weighted usage times of the cleaning device and therefrom at least one user generate information about a use of the cleaning device.

Embodiment 2: cleaning device according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the cleaning device is selected from the group consisting of: a single-chamber dishwasher, in particular a commercial single-compartment dishwashing machine; a push-through dishwasher; a hood dishwasher; a transport dishwasher, in particular a belt transport or basket transport dishwasher; a cleaning and disinfecting device, in particular for cleaning and / or disinfecting care utensils; a cleaning device for cleaning and / or disinfecting personal protective equipment, in particular respiratory masks. Embodiment 3: A cleaning apparatus according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the controller is configured to detect the usage times according to a time-acquisition mode, wherein the time-acquisition mode is selected from the group consisting of: a continuous time detection; cumulative timekeeping at discrete time intervals; cumulative time tracking in discrete cycles of use.

Embodiment 4: Cleaning device according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the controller is set up to carry out the assignment of the weighting by means of at least one assignment algorithm and / or by means of at least one assignment table.

Embodiment 5: Cleaning device according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the usage variable comprises at least one operating parameter of the cleaning device detected by the control or is determined by means of at least one operating parameter of the cleaning device detected by the control.

Embodiment 6: A cleaning device according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the at least one operating parameter is selected from the group consisting of: a temperature of the at least one cleaning fluid; a media consumption, in particular a consumption of at least one medium selected from the group consisting of: water or a cleaning agent; a duty cycle of at least one consumer of the cleaning device, in particular at least one heater and / or at least one pump, for example a circulating pump; a rotational speed of at least one nozzle arm of the biasing device; a property of at least one cleaning fluid, in particular a pH and / or a hardness of at least one cleaning fluid, in particular a pH and / or a hardness of water used in the cleaning fluid; a type of the at least one cleaning fluid and / or a component of the at least one cleaning fluid; a heating power of at least one heating element of the cleaning device; an electrical energy consumption of the cleaning device; a speed of at least one pump; a number of pump revolutions; a pressure with which the cleaning material is applied; a volumetric flow that is squirted by the loading device; a door operation of at least one door of the cleaning device; a transport parameter of at least one transport device of the cleaning device, in particular a transport speed; one transport route per unit of time; an absolute transport route; a number of items to be cleaned; a number of transport baskets for cleaning goods; a throughput of items to be cleaned; one of a kind of selected cleaning program; an amount of cleaning fluid in at least one fluid tank of the cleaning device; a vibration of the cleaning device; an ambient temperature of the cleaning device; a kind of at least one cleaning product, which is cleaned in the cleaning device; an amount of at least one cleaning product which is cleaned in the cleaning device; a material of at least one cleaning product, which is cleaned in the cleaning device; a degree of soiling of at least one cleaning product which is cleaned in the cleaning device; a location of the cleaning device. Embodiment 7: Cleaning device according to one of the two preceding embodiments, wherein the cleaning device has at least one sensor connected to the controller for detecting the at least one operating parameter.

Embodiment 8: Cleaning device according to one of the three preceding embodiments, wherein the controller has at least one user interface, by means of which a user can change the at least one operating parameter.

Embodiment 9: Cleaning device according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the controller is set up to allow the user to select at least one cleaning program by means of the user interface.

Embodiment 10: A cleaning device according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the counter is adapted to determine the usage information to at least one algorithm selected from the group consisting of: i) NT) = c ^■ ^■ i _T f (Pi> - .. , Pn) dt, u) N (T = c ^{^■ ■ Σιί} (Ρι, ^■ ~, Pn) - ^{A t} i, iii) N (T c = _T f S ^■ ^■ Pi> -, .., p _n) dt - B (T), iv) Ν (Ί ") = c ^■ ^■ Σ * / (Ρι. .. - B (T, where

N (r) is a current value of the usage information at time T,

• c is a calibration coefficient,

T is an observation time in which the usage information is to be determined Usage variables of the cleaning device are,

/ is a weighting function that is dependent on at least one use p _t dependent

Embodiment 11 Cleaning device according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the weighting function is a linear combination of at least two weighting factors b, -weighted usage variables:

Embodiment 12: Cleaning device according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the controller is further configured such that the at least one usage variable comprises at least one service life and / or at least one standby time of the cleaning device.

Embodiment 13: Cleaning device according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the controller is further configured to detect execution of at least one maintenance process, wherein the counting device is set up to take into account the care process in the generation of the usage information.

Embodiment 14: A cleaning apparatus according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the controller is arranged to consider the maintenance operation with a sign opposite to a regular use in the usage information.

Embodiment 15: cleaning device according to one of the two preceding embodiments, wherein the care process comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a self-cleaning cycle; use of a care medium, in particular a water softener and / or a descaling agent; a routine cleaning; a maintenance of the cleaning device. Embodiment 16: A cleaning system for cleaning items to be cleaned, comprising at least one cleaning device according to one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising at least one reading device, wherein the reading device is set up to read out the usage information from the cleaning device.

Embodiment 17: Cleaning system according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the reading device is formed separately from the cleaning system and can be connected to the cleaning device via at least one interface. Embodiment 18: Cleaning system according to one of the two preceding embodiments, wherein the reading device further has at least one cost calculation device, wherein the cost calculation device is set up to allocate at least one usage charge to the read usage information. Embodiment 19: A method for operating a cleaning device for cleaning articles to be cleaned, wherein the cleaning device has at least one cleaning chamber and at least one loading device for loading the cleaning article in the cleaning chamber with at least one cleaning fluid, the method comprising the following steps:

a) detecting at least one usage variable of the cleaning device, wherein the usage variable characterizes a current usage of the cleaning device;

b) assigning at least one weighting to the at least one usage variable;

c) generation of at least one usage information about a use of the

Cleaning device resulting from an accumulation of weighted usage times of the cleaning device.

Embodiment 20: Method according to the preceding embodiment, wherein a cleaning device according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a cleaning device is used.

Embodiment 21: Method according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a method, wherein method steps a) and b) are carried out repeatedly. Embodiment 22: Method according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the method steps a) and b) are carried out continuously, at regular intervals or at predetermined times. Embodiment 23: Method according to one of the preceding embodiments relating to a method, wherein method steps a) to c) are carried out using at least one computer or computer program.

Embodiment 24: A computer readable data structure arranged to perform the method of any one of the preceding method embodiments when the data structure is executed by a computer or computer network.

Embodiment 25: Computer-readable data structure according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the data structure is stored on at least one data carrier.

Embodiment 26: Computer program with program code for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding embodiments pertaining to a method when the computer program is executed on a computer or computer network.

Embodiment 27: Computer program product with program code means, the program code means being stored or storable on a storage medium, the program code means being arranged to perform the method according to any of the preceding method embodiments when the program code means are executed on a computer or computer network become.

Embodiment 28: Use of a cleaning device according to one of the preceding embodiments pertaining to a cleaning device for the usage-dependent calculation of a usage fee for the cleaning device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Further details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, in particular in conjunction with the subclaims. In this case, the respective features can be used alone or for themselves be realized in combination with each other. The invention is not limited to the embodiments. The embodiments are shown schematically in the figures. The same reference numerals in the individual figures designate the same or functionally identical or with respect to their functions corresponding elements.

In detail show:

1 shows an embodiment of a cleaning device in the form of a single-chamber dishwasher and an embodiment of a cleaning system;

Figure 2 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for operating the cleaning device; and

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a cleaning device in the form of a continuous dishwashing machine and another embodiment of a cleaning system.

Description of the embodiments

FIGS. 1 and 3 show exemplary embodiments of cleaning devices 110 according to the invention. In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, this is a single-chamber dishwasher 112, whereas in the embodiment according to FIG. 3 a continuous-dish dishwasher 312 is shown, also referred to as a conveyor dishwasher. It should be noted that these are only examples of possible cleaning devices 110. Alternatively or additionally, other cleaning devices come into consideration, for example, cleaning and disinfecting equipment or cleaning devices for other types of dishes as dishes.

The cleaning device 110 in FIG. 1 can in particular be designed as a commercial single-chamber dishwasher. However, a configuration as a household dishwasher is basically possible. For examples of possible embodiments of such single-chamber dishwashers 112, reference may be made by way of example to DE 10 2008 015 796 B4. However, other embodiments are possible. The cleaning device 110 has at least one cleaning chamber 114. Cleaning material 116, for example dishes, is treated with cleaning fluid 118 in cleaning chamber 114. For this application, one or more loading devices 120 may be provided, which may also be referred to as fluid devices in this embodiment. These impingement devices 120 may include, by way of example, a purging nozzle system 122 and a post purging nozzle system 124. The loading device 120 comprises, for example, a plurality of nozzles 123, which may be arranged, for example, in spray arms 125 of the loading device 120, for example in rotating spray arms 125. For example, the nozzle systems 122, 124 may be located within the cleaning chamber 114 above and / or below a basket 126 in which the cleaning material 116 is received. The loading of the cleaning chamber 114 with the items to be cleaned 116 can take place, for example, via a door 128, for example a front flap. The rinsing nozzle system 122 can be fed, for example, via rinsing lines 130, a rinsing pump 132 and via a 3-way valve 134 with cleaning fluid 118, for example a cleaning solution, from a rinsing tank 136, which can be located, for example, in the bottom area of the cleaning chamber 114. The optional post-rinse nozzle system 124 may, for example, be supplied with rinsing fluid 138, a rinsing valve 140 and a rinsing pump 142 with cleaning fluid 118 from a rinsing tank 144, for example with rinsing fluid in the form of rinse aid solution. The post-rinse tank 144 can be fed with fresh water via a fresh water supply line 146, for example. Furthermore, the cleaning device 110 may have a drain line 148, which may be connected, for example, to the wash tank 136 via the 3-way valve 134, which may optionally have a drain pump 150 and which may optionally be connected to a drain 152.

The cleaning device 110 may further comprise at least one temperature control device 153 for controlling the temperature of the at least one cleaning fluid 118. Furthermore, the heating device 110 can have a further heating element 156 in the final rinsing tank 144 for heating the cleaning fluid 118 accommodated therein in the form of the rinsing fluid. For example, the rinsing tank 144 may be designed as a boiler and / or may have a water heater or be connected to a water heater. In the cleaning device 110, which can be designed, for example, as a programmer, for example, at least one cleaning program can run. For example, at least one controller 157 may be provided for this purpose by means of of which a program sequence is controllable. In this cleaning program, for example, a first program step can be carried out, in which a rinsing of the cleaning product 116 takes place from the rinsing tank 136. The purging can take place, for example, in a circulation operation via the rinsing pump 132, which can also be referred to as a circulating pump. Subsequently, the rinsing liquid can be partially or completely discharged from the rinsing tank 136 via the drain pump 150 and the 3-way valve 134. Parallel to the rinsing step, conditioning, for example heating, of rinsing fluid can already be carried out beforehand in the rinsing tank 144. In a further program step subsequent to the rinsing step, subsequent rinsing or rinsing of the cleaning product 116 with cleaning fluid can subsequently take place from the final rinsing tank 144, which can take place in a single pass or, optionally, likewise in a circulating operation. One or more further program steps may follow, for example one or more drying steps, before the cleaning program can be ended.

For example, the controller 157 may include at least one processor 158 and at least one data store 160. The controller 157 may further comprise at least one user interface 162 and / or at least one data interface 164, for example for the wireless or wired exchange of data and / or control commands. The controller 157 is in particular configured to control the cleaning device 110 in at least two operating modes. For example, these may be two or more cleaning programs. These may be selected by a user, for example via the user interface 162. Alternatively or additionally, however, the user can also select further details via the user interface 162, such as, for example, setting specific operating parameters directly.

The cleaning device 110 further includes, for example, a plurality of sensors for detecting operating parameters. For example, these sensors may include a temperature sensor 166 in the rinse tank 136 and a temperature sensor 168 in the rinse tank 144. Further, the controller 157 may also be configured to otherwise detect operating parameters, such as pump speeds of the pumps 132, 142, and 150, pump speeds of the pumps 132 , 142 and 150, valve positions of the valves 134, 140 and heating outputs of the heating elements 154, 156. Other operating parameters are alternatively or additionally detectable, for example by means of pressure sensors, flow sensors or similar sensors or control information. Accordingly, the controller 157 is configured to detect at least one usage variable, wherein the at least one usage variable may include, for example, at least one operating parameter. Alternatively or additionally, however, the at least one usage variable may also comprise other types of information, for example which rinse program the user has selected. The at least one usage variable characterizes a current usage of the cleaning device 110. The controller 157 is configured to assign at least one weighting to the at least one usage variable. Furthermore, the controller 157 has a counter 170, which in this case may include, for example, the processor 158 and the data memory 160. The counting device is, for example, programmatically, configured to cumulate with the weighting weighted usage times of the cleaning device 110 and to generate at least one usage information about a use of the cleaning device. This will be explained by way of example with reference to a flowchart of a possible method for operating the cleaning device 110 in FIG.

In the method, first, after the start 210, a value for a current, already cumulative usage variable N (to) is read from the data memory 160. The start time of this method t is therefore set to t = to, and the usage variable at the beginning of this cycle of the method to N (t) = N (to). This method step 212 serves to ensure that cumulative values can be used further in the case of a previous execution of the method so that a value for the usage variable N accumulated overall over a plurality of method sequences can be generated. However, maintenance personnel can also, for example, reset the value N in the data memory 160 or set it to a predetermined starting value.

In step 212, a query is then made as to whether a maintenance process is currently being carried out. This query can be decided for example by a corresponding information of the controller 157, for example, by whether a user has set a care program or another cleaning program. If the care program is carried out (method step 216), then a bonus B is subtracted from the current value N (to), and in method step 228 the current value N = N (to) -B is written to the data memory 160. The program will then be terminated. If, on the other hand, no care program is carried out, a detection of the one or more usage variables is subsequently carried out in method step 218. These are exemplified by pi, p denotes _n. Subsequently, in method step 220, an assignment of a weighting to these usage variables. This is shown by way of example with reference to Table 1.

Table 1: example of assignment of a weight to the N ^'in utzungsvariablen

Shape of two heating capacities in fluid tanks

In this table 1, two operating parameters are used as examples, which are used as usage variables, namely a heating power pi of the heating element 154 in the rinse tank 136 and a heating power p _{2 of} the further heating element 156 in the final rinse tank 144. It should be noted, however, that by means of multidimensional tables much more complex assignments are possible. In this embodiment, the heating power, programmable, for example, for the heating element 154 to the values 2.0 kW, 2.5 kW and 3.0 kW are set, the heating power p ₂ can be set to the values 3.0 kW and 6.0 kW. The respective values for the weighting f assigned to these possible combinations are given in the table. As can be seen here, the weighting may be dimensioned or, in principle, dimensionless, depending on the value ultimately desired for the usage variable. In this case, the weighting is given, for example, as the unit / min, since then a multiplication with time units, indicated in min, takes place, as will be explained in more detail below.

The assignment according to Table 1 is only one of many possible assignments that represent an actual use, for example an actual load, of the cleaning device 110. If, for example, in addition to the aforementioned operating parameters pi, p ₂ in the form of said heating powers, a pump speed of, for example, the rinse pump 142 in revolutions / min is detected as the usage variable p ₃ and as the usage variable p ₄ a temperature detected in the final rinse tank 144 by the temperature sensor 168 C, for example, an assignment could also take place by means of an assignment algorithm, for example of the following type:

10 kW - min 10 kW ^■ min 10.000 85 ° C - min As can be seen, here too the determined weighting finally has the time unit / min.

Subsequent to the method step 220, which can be performed by the counting device 170, an incrementation of the use variable N for the time interval between t ₀ and t ₀ + Δt takes place in method step 222, for example according to the formula

N (t + At) = N (t) + c - f - At Here c denotes a calibration factor, which can optionally also be added. This new value of N can, for example, be stored in the data memory 160, for example likewise in step 222, so that the next program run and also the next program loop can already be carried out, for example, with this incremented value. Subsequently, it is waited for the period At, in step 224. The period At may be rigid or flexible, for example, depending on the program sequence. For example, the period At may be a period of 0.5 minutes or even 1 minute. Other values are conceivable.

Subsequently, in step 226, a query is made as to whether the program has been aborted. If this is the case, the current value for the usage information N is again written into the data memory 160 in step 228. If this is not the case, the program can, for example, with the current value N (t) as the starting value, jump back to step 218 and again record the usage variables. In this way, over the operation of the cleaning device, a cumulative use is detected by means of this simple program, which takes into account actual loads on the cleaning device 110. It should be noted that the illustrated flow represents only an example of a process that can be made much more complex in practice.

FIG. 1 at the same time also represents an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning system 172. In addition to the cleaning device 110, this cleaning system 172 furthermore comprises at least one reading device 174, which is set up to read out the usage information from the cleaning device 110, in particular from the control 157. For this purpose, the reading device 174 may, for example, comprise at least one interface 176, which may communicate with the data interface 164 of the cleaning device 110, for example. Furthermore, the reader 174 may include various types of user interfaces 178. In addition, the reader 174 may continue at least a cost calculation device 180 include, for example, again as a component of a processor 182 and / or as a software program that can run on the processor 182. The cost calculation device 180 is set up to allocate at least one usage charge to the read usage information. Alternatively, however, the reader 174 may also be simply set up to read the usage variable, for example, by a service person, and then, for example, return to an operation of the provider to calculate a usage charge therefrom or to otherwise use the usage information, for example, from this usage information the determination of maintenance intervals based on actual use.

It should be noted that in this embodiment of the cleaning system 172, the reader 174 is configured by way of example as a hand-held device. However, this is not necessarily the case. For example, the reader 174 can be a computer connected to the cleaning device 110 via a computer network, so that, for example, the usage information can also be read out online. Various embodiments are conceivable.

The above-described examples of the recording of usage variables and their assignment can be made as complex as desired. Another possibility of the embodiment consists, for example, in that the cleaning device 110 comprises a GPS device 184 as a further sensor. For example, this GPS device 184 may determine the location of the cleaning device 110. Also, such information may be of interest for use. For example, a single-chamber dishwasher 112, as shown in FIG. 1, can be easily transported. For different users, however, different tariffs may apply to the calculation of a usage fee. This can be taken into account, for example, by detecting the location as an additional usage variable and, for example, depending on the site of installation, assigning weightings differently in method step 220. For example, the location may be incorporated into the association by a tariff factor or rate table, or alternatively, different formulas and / or different tables may be used depending on the location.

The cleaning device 110 is configured by way of example in FIG. 1 as a single-chamber dishwasher 112. However, this is not necessarily the case, as will be explained by way of example with reference to FIG. Thus, alternatively or additionally, other types of cleaning devices, for example for the care sector or even Dishwashers larger type, designed according to the invention. FIG. 3 again shows a sectional view of an example of a cleaning device 110 and a cleaning system 172. The cleaning device 110 is configured as a continuous-dish dishwasher 312 in FIG. 3 and has a transport device 314, by means of which items to be cleaned 116, for example dishes, are transported through a cleaning chamber 114 of the cleaning device 110 can be. For example, the cleaning device 110 can be designed as a basket transport machine and can be set up to transport the items to be cleaned 116 in transport baskets 316, or as a tape transport machine, in which the items to be cleaned 116 are transported directly on a conveyor belt, as shown in this embodiment.

By means of the transport device 314, the cleaning material 116 can be transported in a transport direction 318 from a feed zone 320 to a discharge zone 322. The cleaning chamber 114 can be subdivided into several zones, wherein for example a pre-evacuation zone 324, a washing zone 326 and a final rinse zone 328 can be provided. At least one drying zone 330, in which the cleaning material 116 is dried by means of a blower 332, can then be provided at these zones.

Zones 324, 326, and 328 may be generically referred to as rinse zones 334, within which applyers 336, in the form of nozzle systems with nozzles 123, are provided to pressurize the cleaning stock 116 with at least one cleaning fluid 118.

Thus, a pre-scavenging nozzle system 338 may be provided in the pre-evacuation zone 324, which is fed via a pre-evacuation pump 340 from a pre-evacuation tank 342. A wash zone nozzle system 344 may be provided in the wash zone 326 which may be fed from a wash tank 348 via a wash zone pump 346. The final rinse zone 328 can have a pump clear rinse 350 and a fresh water rinse 352 following in the transport direction 318. Pump clear purge 350 has a pump rinse nozzle system 354, and fresh water rinse 352 has a fresh water rinse nozzle system 356. While pump rinse nozzle system 354 is fed from rinse tank 358 via rinse pump 360, fresh water rinse nozzle system 356 is via fresh water supply line 362 fed with fresh water from a building-side fresh water connection 364. The fresh Water supply line 362 may for example comprise a temperature control device 153 in the form of a heater 366, by means of which the supplied fresh water can be heated, for example to a temperature of 80 ° C to 100 ° C, preferably to a temperature of at least 85 ° C. The fresh water supply line 362 can optionally be led via at least one heat recovery device 368, in which waste heat of the cleaning device 110 can be used to warm up supplied fresh water.

By means of the transport device 314, the cleaning material 116 can be guided continuously or discontinuously through the rinsing zones 334 before the cleaning stock 116 is dried in the drying zone 330. The rinse zones 334 can each be closed by separating curtains 370.

The cleaning device 110 preferably uses several types of cleaning fluid 118 in the form of rinsing liquids, which are preferably all aqueous rinsing liquids. Thus, in the fresh water rinse 352, preferably fresh water is used as rinsing liquid, optionally with an addition of rinse aid. In the fresh water rinse 352, the rinse liquid comes into contact with the wash ware 116 only once. In the pumped-flushing system 350, on the other hand, the cleaning product 116 is exposed to rinse-aid liquid from the rinse-aid tank 358 in a circulation operation. In the wash tank 348, for example cleaning agent can be added to the rinsing liquid, for example cleaner solution. In the washing zone 326, the cleaning product 116 can be cleaned in circulation operation with the rinsing liquid from the washing tank 348. In the pre-evacuation zone 324, the cleaning product 116 can be charged in the recirculation mode.

As stated above, one or more detergent-active substances can be added to the cleaning fluid 118 in the form of the rinsing liquids in the tanks 342, 348 and 358. For this purpose, one or more metering devices can be provided, which are not shown in FIG. For example, a metering device can optionally be provided on the fresh water supply line 362, by means of which a rinse aid and / or a disinfectant can be supplied to the fresh water rinse line 352. The connection of the at least one metering point can be, for example, before and / or behind the heating device. Alternatively or additionally, a metering device can be provided on the rinse tank 358, by means of which a rinse aid and / or a disinfectant can be metered into the rinse tank 358. In the washing zone 326, for example, optionally at least one metering device can be provided. be hen, by means of which one or more cleaning agents can be metered into the wash tank 348. Alternatively or additionally, at least one metering device can be provided in the pre-evacuation zone 324, by means of which at least one cleaning agent can be metered into the pre-evacuation tank 342. The metering devices can be implemented individually, in pairs or in the stated combinations. However, a different arrangement, combination and type of dosage is possible in principle.

Furthermore, the cleaning device 110 in the illustrated arrangement, in turn, at least one controller 157, which may be configured, for example, analogous to the controller in the figure 1. This may be, for example, a central machine control, which, however, may in principle also be designed decentralized. By means of the at least one controller 157, for example, one or more cleaning programs in the cleaning device 110 can be controlled. The controller 157 may in particular be connected to at least one supply valve 372, which can control a fresh water supply, and / or be connected to one or more of the mentioned metering devices and to control these elements. Furthermore, the controller 157, for example, wholly or partially connected to the pumps 340, 346 and 360 and drive these pumps. Furthermore, the controller 157 may, for example, be connected to the at least one transport device 314 and control the transport device 314. The controller 157 may, for example, be wholly or partially designed as a control device and / or comprise at least one control. The controller 157 again comprises, for example, analogously to the embodiment according to FIG. 1, a counting device 170, which for example may completely or partially comprise the processor 158 and the data memory 160, may be designed completely or partially as a hardware and / or software component or else can be separately formed.

The controller 157 is in turn configured to detect one or more usage parameters, which may include, for example, one or more operating parameters. For example, as in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, the cleaning device 110 can generate one or more usage parameters by setting a specific program and / or in the form of one or more setpoint values for controlling the cleaning device 110, for example setpoint values for pump speeds. Alternatively or additionally, however, again as in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, one or more usage parameters can also be sensed. Thus, the cleaning device 110, in turn, as in Figure 1, one or more sensors for detecting one or more operating parameters. For example, the cleaning device 110 may include one or more sensors for detecting a Pressure, which is applied to the items to be cleaned, or have a flow sensor for detecting the flow of a cleaning fluid. Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning device 110 may for example comprise one or more sensors for detecting a supply and / or a concentration of one or more components of the rinsing liquid. The sensors may generally be connected directly or indirectly to the at least one controller 157. For example, the cleaning device 110 may have at least one flow meter for detecting a volume flow and / or mass flow of a supply of fresh water. Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning device 110 may also include one or more sensors in the tanks 342, 348, and 358. For example, there may be provided turbidity sensors and / or conductivity sensors, by means of which, for example, a cleaning agent concentration and / or a degree of contamination can be detected. For carrying out the regulation of a supply of one or more components of the rinsing liquids of the cleaning device 110, for example for controlling a fresh water supply and / or for regulating a dosage of cleaning agent, the controller 157 may comprise, for example, one or more regulators, which may be in the form of software and / or the like. or implemented in hardware. These can, for example, detect one or more actual values by means of the sensors and / or by means of a flow meter and, for example by means of the mentioned metering devices and / or the supply valve 372, control a supply to at least one desired value.

By means of the cleaning device 110, a similar method can basically be carried out as described above with reference to the example in FIG. However, the usage variables in the cleaning device 110 according to FIG. 3 can be designed significantly more complex, since significantly more manipulated variables are present in the cleaning device 110 according to FIG. Thus, as a further operating parameter, a transport speed, a plurality of tank temperatures, further pump speeds or fluid pressures of the individual rinse zones 334, a heating output of the blower 332 and / or an air output thereof or other parameters can be used. Furthermore, throughput parameters can also be used here, for example a number of transport baskets 316 per unit time or a total number of transport baskets 316. Various configurations are possible.

Again, FIG. 3 also illustrates an example of a cleaning system 172 which, in addition to the cleaning device 110, comprises a reading device 174. This at least one reader 174 may in turn be configured as an example as a handheld device or as a stationary device. In the case of a fixed installation of the cleaning device 110 For example, it may be appropriate to use a fixed network or even a mobile network as a means of transmitting the user information.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

cleaning device

Single-chamber dishwasher

cleaning chamber

cleaned

cleaning fluid

impact device

Spüldüsensystem

jet

Nachspüldüsensystem

spray arms

basket

door

flushing line

irrigation pump

3-way valve

rinse tank

final-washing

Nachspülventil

rinse pump

Rinse tank

Fresh water supply

drain line

drain pump

outflow

tempering

heating element

another heating element

control

processor

data storage

User interface

Data Interface

temperature sensor

counting 172 cleaning system

174 reader

176 interface

178 user interface

180 cost calculation device

182 processor

184 GPS device

210 start

212 read value N (t ₀ ) from memory, set t = t ₀ , N (t) = n (t ₀ )

214 Query: is maintenance carried out?

216 deduction bonus

218 Enter usage variables

220 assignment weighting

222 Incrementing the Usage Information for Time Interval At

224 Wait time interval At

226 Cancel?

228 Write current value for usage information in memory

312 Continuous Dishwasher

314 Transport device

316 transport basket

318 transport direction

320 task zone

322 discharge zone

324 pre-evacuation zone

326 washing zone

328 final rinse zone

330 drying zone

332 blowers

334 rinse zone

336 loading device

338 Pre-scavenging nozzle system

340 pre-evacuation pump

342 Pre-evacuation tank

344 Washing zone nozzle system

346 wash zone pump

348 wash tank

350 pump flush 352 Freshwater rinse

354 Pump rinsing nozzle system

356 Freshwater rinsing nozzle system

358 rinse tank

360 rinse pump

362 fresh water supply

364 fresh water connection

366 heating device

368 heat recovery device

370 curtains

372 supply valve

Claims

claims

1. Cleaning device (110) for cleaning of items to be cleaned (116), in particular dishwashing machine, comprising at least one cleaning chamber (114) and at least one loading device (120) for acting on the cleaning material (116) in the cleaning chamber (114) with at least one cleaning fluid further comprising at least one controller (157), wherein the controller (157) is arranged to control the cleaning device (110) to perform at least two modes of operation, wherein the controller (157) is further adapted to detect at least one usage variable, the Usage variable characterizes a current usage of the cleaning device (110), wherein the controller (157) is further configured to assign at least one weighting to the at least one usage variable, the controller (157) further comprising at least one counting device (170), the counting device (15) 170) is arranged to communicate with the Gewi Weighted utilization times of the cleaning device (1 10) accumulate and to generate at least one usage information about a use of the cleaning device (110).

2. Cleaning device (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the cleaning device (110) is selected from the group consisting of: a single-chamber dishwasher (112); a push-through dishwasher; a hood dishwasher; a transport dishwasher (312); a washer-disinfector; a cleaning device for cleaning and / or disinfecting personal protective equipment.

The cleaning apparatus (110) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (157) is arranged to detect usage times in a time acquisition mode, wherein the time acquisition mode is selected from the group consisting of: continuous time acquisition; cumulative timekeeping at discrete time intervals; cumulative time tracking in discrete cycles of use.

4. cleaning device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (157) is arranged to make the assignment of the weighting by means of at least one allocation algorithm and / or by means of at least one allocation table. Cleaning device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the usage variable comprises at least one of the control device (157) detected operating parameters of the cleaning device (110) or by means of at least one of the controller (157) detected operating parameter of the cleaning device (110).

The cleaning device (110) of the preceding claim, wherein the at least one operating parameter is selected from the group consisting of: a temperature of the at least one cleaning fluid; a media consumption, in particular a consumption of at least one medium selected from the group consisting of: water or a cleaning agent; a duty cycle of at least one consumer of the cleaning device; a rotational speed of at least one nozzle arm (125) of the loading device (120); a property of at least one cleaning fluid, in particular a pH and / or a hardness of at least one cleaning fluid, in particular a pH and / or a hardness of water used in the cleaning fluid; a type of the at least one cleaning fluid and / or a component of the at least one cleaning fluid; a heating power of at least one heating element (154, 156, 366) of the cleaning device (110); an electrical energy intake of the cleaning device (110); a speed of at least one pump (132, 142, 150, 340, 346, 360); a number of pump revolutions; a pressure with which the cleaning material is applied; a volumetric flow that is squirted by the loading device; a door operation of at least one door (128) of the cleaning device (110); a transport parameter of at least one transport device (314) of the cleaning device (110), in particular a transport speed; one transport route per unit of time; an absolute transport route; a number of items to be cleaned (116); a number of transport baskets (316) for items to be cleaned (116); a throughput of items to be cleaned (116); a type of a selected cleaning program; an amount of cleaning fluid in at least one fluid tank (136, 144, 342, 348, 358) of the cleaning device (110); a vibration of the cleaning device (110); an ambient temperature of the cleaning device (110); a kind of at least one cleaning product, which is cleaned in the cleaning device; an amount of at least one cleaning product which is cleaned in the cleaning device; a material of at least one cleaning product, which is cleaned in the cleaning device; a pollution level of at least one Cleaning goods, which is cleaned in the cleaning device; one of the cleaning device (1 10).

The cleaning apparatus (1 10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the counting means (170) is arranged to determine the usage information according to at least one algorithm selected from the group consisting of: i) c - J _T f {pi, .. , Pn) dt,

ü) N (T c - Σί ί (Ρι, -, Ρη) - Δΐι,

iii) N (T c -f _T f (Pi>-> Pn) dt-B (T),

iv) N (T c - li f (Pi Pn) - A ti - B (T))

N (T) is a current value of the usage information at time T, c is a calibration coefficient,

T is an observation time in which the usage information is to be determined

p _x , ..., p _{n are} usage variables of the cleaning device (1 10),

/ is a weighting function that depends on at least one usage variable pi,

i is a running variable over all detected discrete use intervals, and B (T) is a bonus function, which takes into account at least one execution of at least one care operation of the cleaning device (1 10).

Cleaning device (1 10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the weighting function a linear combination of at least two with weighting factors b; weighted usage variables is:

Cleaning device (1 10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (157) is further arranged such that the at least one usage variable at least one service life and / or at least one standby time of the cleaning device (1 10).

10. Cleaning device (1 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (157) is further adapted to carry out at least one To detect the pecking process, wherein the counting device (170) is arranged to take into account the maintenance process in the generation of the usage information.

A cleaning device (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the controller (157) is arranged to consider the maintenance operation with a sign opposite to a regular use in the usage information.

12. A cleaning device (110) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the care process comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a self-cleaning cycle; use of a care medium, in particular a water softener and / or a descaling agent; a routine cleaning; a maintenance of the cleaning device.

A cleaning system (172) for cleaning items (116) comprising at least one cleaning device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one reader (174), the reader (174) being arranged to dispense the usage information the cleaning device (110) read.

14. Cleaning system (172) according to the preceding claim, wherein the reading device (174) of the cleaning system (172) is formed separately and via at least one interface (176) with the cleaning device (110) is connectable.

15. Cleaning system (172) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the reading device (174) further comprises at least one cost calculation device (180), wherein the Kostenkalkulationsvomchtung (180) is arranged to assign the read use information at least one usage charge.

16. A method for operating a cleaning device for cleaning articles to be cleaned, wherein the cleaning device has at least one cleaning chamber and at least one loading device for applying the cleaning article to the cleaning chamber comprising at least one cleaning fluid, the method comprising the steps of: a) detecting at least one usage variable of the cleaning device (110), wherein the usage variable characterizes a current usage of the cleaning device (110);

b) assigning at least one weighting to the at least one usage variable;

c) generating at least one usage information about a usage of the cleaning device (110) from an accumulation of the weighted usage times of the cleaning device (110).

17. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein a cleaning device (110) according to one of the preceding claims, a cleaning device (110) is used.

18. The method according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the method steps a) to c) are performed using at least one computer or computer program.

19. Computer program with program code for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding method claims, when the computer program is executed on a computer or computer network.

20. Use of a cleaning device (110) according to one of the preceding claims relating to a cleaning device (110) for the usage-dependent calculation of a usage fee for the cleaning device (110).