EP3585237B1 - Dishwasher and method for operating a dishwasher - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a dishwasher and a method for operating a dishwasher.

Well-known household dishwashers have a variety of different washing programs that meet different needs. Typically, a washing program has, for example, the sub-program steps pre-rinsing, cleaning, intermediate rinsing, final rinsing and drying. Depending on the soiling of the items to be washed, the type of items to be washed and the time available for a wash cycle, the different washing programs are created from these modules, with parameters such as the amount of cleaning agent used, the amount of water, the water temperature and/or the water pressure , can be defined for the individual subprogram steps.

For example, so-called eco programs have been developed to ensure that operations are as resource-efficient as possible, which have lower water and energy consumption and/or are operated with fewer cleaning agents than standard programs and are still intended to ensure a comparable cleaning result. This is achieved through various measures, which overall result in the washing process taking more time, which is often not a problem, for example if the dishwasher is running overnight.

But there are also situations in which the items to be washed are needed at short notice. For this case, quick programs have been developed, for example, which achieve the appropriate cleaning results with increased use of water and energy. DE 10 2012 218 336 A1 describes a dishwasher where the user has the option of activating a reduction in the time of the washing program using special functions that can be switched on. Other conventional devices are out JP 4 259643 B2 and DE 42 33 934 A1 known.

WO 2010/012696 A2 discloses a dishwasher with a sorption drying system. In addition to the sorption drying system, the dishwasher has a washing container and a control device which is set up to control the intended operation of the dishwasher by means of a washing program. The dishwasher also has input means connected to the control device for modifying the washing program. Modifications are also suggested to shorten program runtime.

It can also happen that a user initially chooses a program that has a longer running time. If the user does need the items to be washed while the program is running, he only has to wait for the options: until the washing program is finished, or to cancel the washing program, although the cleaning result is then not guaranteed.

The documents DE 10 2005 062 481 A1 , WO 2008/103127 A1 as well as US 4,106,517 show different ways in which a program sequence in dishwashers can be influenced.

Against this background, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved dishwasher.

According to a first aspect, a dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, is proposed with a control device for carrying out a number of washing programs for washing items to be washed. The dishwasher has an input means for recording a user input to shorten a current selected washing program. The control device is set up to adapt the current selected washing program depending on the detected user input in such a way that a remaining washing time of the adapted selected washing program is shortened compared to a regular remaining washing time of the current selected washing program.

Such a dishwasher has the particular advantage that a user can accelerate the current washing program at any time. This means that as soon as the user makes a user input to shorten a current selected washing program via the input means, the current selected washing program is adjusted such that the remaining part of the washing program is carried out in a shortened manner. What is particularly advantageous here is that the washing program continues at the point at which the currently selected washing program is current. This avoids repeating parts of the washing program, which helps save both time and resources.

For example, the selected washing program is an energy-saving washing program with a relatively long running time of 240 minutes. After a running time of 60 minutes, the user input to shorten a running selected washing program is made via the input means, which is designed, for example, as a button. The control device, which carries out the current selected washing program then adjusts the remaining part of the current selected washing program so that the remaining washing time is only 60 minutes. In this way, for example, 120 minutes are saved compared to the regular sequence of the current selected washing program.

The control device can be implemented in terms of hardware and/or software. In the case of a hardware implementation, the control device can be designed as a computer or as a microprocessor. In the case of a software implementation, the control device can be designed as a computer program product, as a function, as a routine, as part of a program code or as an executable object. In particular, the control device includes additional functions not described here that ensure operation of the dishwasher.

The control device has, for example, a memory unit in which a number of washing programs are stored. The different washing programs are intended for different purposes and have different specifications, such as a quantity of water, a water temperature, dosing times for different dishwashing detergent components and the like. For example, an energy-saving washing program can be provided which washes particularly energy-efficiently. Furthermore, an intensive washing program can be provided, which achieves good cleaning results even when the items to be washed are particularly heavily and/or stubbornly soiled. Furthermore, a quick rinsing program can be provided, which carries out a rinsing process particularly quickly. In order to carry out a rinsing process, the control device reads, for example, one of the rinsing programs from the storage unit and stores it in a buffer, for example a cache. The washing program stored in the buffer memory is referred to here as the selected washing program. The control device then controls the other structural units of the dishwasher, such as a valve, a pump or a heating coil, as provided in the washing program. In this way, the control device processes the specifications of the washing program step by step until the washing program has been run through and the washing process has ended.

The input means for detecting the user input is designed, for example, as a button. The user input occurs by pressing the button. The control device detects the actuation of the button. The control device then adjusts the remaining amount of the currently selected washing program so that the remaining running time of the adapted washing program is shortened compared to the regular remaining running time. The control device achieves this, for example, by overwriting the not yet processed part of the washing program stored in the buffer with the adapted part of the washing program and then carrying it out. This ensures that the “standard” washing programs stored in the storage unit are not affected by the adjustment.

The input means can also be designed in such a way that a more complex input is possible, such as a rotary controller. Then, by operating the rotary control depending on the angle of rotation, the user can, for example, enter a length of time by which the currently selected washing program should be shortened.

Adjusting the remaining portion of the current selected wash program can be done in various ways. In particular, this depends on the type of user input. For example, a button can be provided as an input means that only transmits a trigger signal to the control device. The trigger signal then triggers, for example, a predetermined adjustment of the washing program, in particular in order to achieve a minimally short remaining washing time. This can be done by replacing the remaining part of the currently selected washing program with the corresponding part of a quick washing program. The quick rinse program, for example, represents the shortest possible rinse program.

In the case of a more complex user input, for example, a set of relations can be stored in the control device for adjustment, which represent a ratio of the flushing effect achieved to the time required. These relations are, for example, functions of a respective parameter, for example the water temperature, a pump speed, a water pressure and/or a quantity of water. The adjustment can then be done using an algorithm, for example an optimization algorithm, the individual or all of these parameters adjusts at least for individual parts of the remaining part of the currently selected washing program and thus realizes a shortened remaining running time.

According to one embodiment of the dishwasher, the control device is set up to adapt the currently selected washing program depending on the user input while ensuring a predetermined cleaning result.

A specified cleaning result refers, for example, to a specified minimum cleanliness and/or a specified drying state. In particular, the specified cleaning result corresponds to the cleaning result that would have been achieved if the selected washing program had been carried out regularly.

The specified cleaning result is determined, for example, in the European standard EN 50242. For example, the cleaning result is divided into grades from 1 to 6, with a higher number indicating a better cleaning result. A cleaning result that is better than 4 is considered very good. For example, the specified cleaning result is a cleaning result that corresponds to grade 4.

This embodiment has the particular advantage that a user can be sure that the cleaning result achieved corresponds to his expectations even if the current washing program is shortened.

According to a further embodiment of the dishwasher, the remaining washing time of the adapted selected washing program is shortened by a predetermined period of time compared to the regular remaining washing time of the current selected washing program.

For example, it can be provided that the user specifies a time period by which the remaining rinsing time of the currently selected rinsing program should be shortened. The control device is then set up to adapt the current selected washing program in such a way that the remaining washing time of the adapted selected washing program is shortened by the predetermined period of time. This allows the user has full control over the remaining washing time of the dishwasher. The adjustment is carried out in particular in compliance with a specified cleaning result.

According to a further embodiment of the dishwasher, the remaining washing time of the adapted selected washing program is maximally shortened compared to the regular remaining washing time of the current selected washing program.

In order to ensure a specified cleaning result, the remaining rinsing time cannot, for example, be shortened arbitrarily. Then there is an optimally adapted rinsing program that achieves the shortest remaining rinsing time. In this embodiment, the control device adapts the current selected washing program so that the adapted selected washing program corresponds to this optimal washing program.

The optimal washing program can also depend on the currently selected washing program. If, for example, a very gentle washing program is selected because the items to be washed are particularly sensitive, it can be provided that the control device takes this into account when adjusting the remaining part of the current selected washing program and, for example, does not exceed a predetermined maximum water temperature.

According to a further embodiment of the dishwasher, the washing programs each comprise a sequence of partial program steps. The control device is set up to adapt the sequence of partial program steps for the current selected washing program depending on the user input. Additionally or alternatively, the control device is set up to adjust parameters for individual sub-program steps of the current selected washing program depending on the recorded user input.

For example, the control device is set up to omit individual sub-program steps and/or to adapt a parameter, for example the water temperature, in only one of the sub-program steps.

According to a further embodiment of the dishwasher, the partial program steps include pre-rinsing, cleaning, intermediate rinsing, final rinsing and/or drying.

According to a further embodiment of the dishwasher, the parameters for the partial program steps include a quantity of water, a water temperature, a pump speed, a water pressure, a fan speed and/or a time period.

According to a further embodiment of the dishwasher, the user input includes a time period, a time and/or a trigger signal.

Depending on the design of the dishwasher and the control device, it is therefore advantageously possible for a user to enter, for example, a preferred end time for the end of the current washing program as a time. The control device is then set up to adapt the current selected washing program in such a way that the adapted selected washing program is ready at the entered time.

According to a further embodiment of the dishwasher, the input means is designed as a button, a rotary knob, a slider, a touch-sensitive surface of a touchscreen and/or a wireless interface.

According to a further embodiment of the dishwasher, the input means is designed as a wireless interface, and the user input can be detected via a mobile interface device.

For example, the dishwasher user is provided with an app that they can run on a smartphone. The smartphone establishes a communication connection with the wireless interface of the dishwasher. The user can then make a corresponding entry in the dishwasher app, for example on the touch-sensitive screen of their smartphone. The input is transmitted to the wireless interface and detected by the control device as the user input for shortening the current selected wash program.

It can also be provided that the dishwasher transmits to the app an expected end time of the current selected washing program and/or the adapted selected washing program. The user is then informed at all times when the rinsing process will be completed.

According to a second aspect, a method for operating a dishwasher with a control device for carrying out a number of washing programs for washing items to be washed is proposed. The dishwasher further has an input means for recording a user input to shorten a current selected washing program. In a first step, a run of a selected washing program from a number of washing programs is started. In a second step, the user input is recorded. In a third step, a remaining part of the current selected washing program is adjusted depending on the detected user input such that a remaining washing time of the adapted selected washing program is shortened compared to a regular remaining washing time of the current selected washing program. In a fourth step, the adjusted remaining part of the selected washing program is carried out.

This method advantageously allows a user to intervene in the ongoing operation of a dishwasher in such a way that the dishwasher completes the current washing program more quickly. This is advantageously done while maintaining a predetermined cleaning result, in particular a predetermined minimum cleanliness and a predetermined minimum dryness of the items to be washed.

The embodiments and features described for the proposed dishwasher apply accordingly to the proposed method.

According to a third aspect, a computer program product is proposed which causes the method according to the second aspect to be carried out on a program-controlled device.

A computer program product, such as a computer program medium, can be used, for example, as a storage medium, such as a memory card, USB stick, CD-ROM, DVD, or even provided or delivered in the form of a downloadable file from a server on a network. This can be done, for example, in a wireless communication network by transmitting a corresponding file with the computer program product or the computer program means.

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

Fig. 1

zeigt eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Geschirrspülmaschine;

Fig. 2

zeigt ein beispielhaftes Ablaufdiagramm für mehrere Spülprogramme;

Fig. 3

zeigt ein beispielhaftes Ablaufdiagramm eines ausgewählten und angepassten Spülprogramms;

Fig. 4

zeigt ein schematisches Blockschaltbild des Vorgangs des Anpassens des ausgewählten Spülprogramms in Abhängigkeit einer erfassten Benutzereingabe;

Fig. 5

zeigt ein schematisches Blockschaltbild eines Anpassens von Parametern eines Teilprogrammschritts; und

Fig. 6

zeigt ein schematisches Blockschaltbild eines Verfahrens zum Betreiben einer Geschirrspülmaschine.

Further advantageous refinements and aspects of the invention are the subject of the subclaims and the exemplary embodiments of the invention described below. The invention is further explained in more detail using preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures.

Fig. 1

shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a dishwasher;

Fig. 2

shows an exemplary flow chart for several washing programs;

Fig. 3

shows an exemplary flowchart of a selected and adapted washing program;

Fig. 4

shows a schematic block diagram of the process of adjusting the selected washing program depending on detected user input;

Fig. 5

shows a schematic block diagram of an adjustment of parameters of a partial program step; and

Fig. 6

shows a schematic block diagram of a method for operating a dishwasher.

In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements have been given the same reference numbers unless otherwise stated.

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

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

A control device 15 is arranged on the door 3. The control device 15 is for controlling the household dishwasher 1, in particular for carrying out washing programs P1, P2, P3 (see Fig. 2 , 4 ) furnished. For this purpose, the control device 15 controls various units of the household dishwasher (not shown here), such as valves, a pump and/or a heating coil, in accordance with the specifications of a selected washing program PA (see Fig. 3 , 4 ). The household dishwasher 1 also has an input means 16, which in the present case is designed, for example, as a button on the top of the household dishwasher 1. The button 16 is in particular for detecting a user input W (see Fig. 4 ) to shorten the currently selected washing program PA.

The household dishwasher 1 also has at least one washware holder 12 to 14. Preferably, several, for example three, washware receptacles 12 to 14 can be provided, whereby the washware receptacle 12 can be a lower washware receptacle or a lower basket, the washware receptacle 13 can be an upper washware receptacle or an upper basket and the washware receptacle 14 can be a cutlery drawer. As the Fig. 1 continues to show, the washware receptacles 12 to 14 are arranged one above the other in the washing container 2. Each washware receptacle 12 to 14 can be moved either into or out of the washing container 2. In particular, each washware receptacle 12 to 14 can be pushed into the washing container 2 in an insertion direction E and can be pulled out of the washing container 2 in an extension direction A in the opposite direction to the insertion direction E.

The Fig. 2 shows an exemplary flow chart for several washing programs P1, P2, P3. The washing programs P1, P2, P3 each have a number of sub-program steps T1, T2, T3. Each of the washing programs P1, P2, P3 has a different arrangement of the sub-program steps T1, T2, T3 and/or a different sub-program step duration. The duration of the washing programs P1, P2, P3 as well as the individual program steps T1, T2, T3 can be seen on the time axis t. An end time t _P1 , t _P2 , t _P3 , starting from a starting time t ₀ , is entered on the time axis t for each of the flushing programs P1, P2, P3. For example, the washing program P1 is an energy-saving washing program. The duration of the partial program steps T1, T2, T3 plays a particularly important role. For this reason, the partial program step durations of the partial program steps T1, T2, T3 of the washing program P1 are the longest in comparison with the other washing programs P2, P3. In the example of the Fig. 2 the washing program P3 is the shortest, followed by the washing program P2, followed by the washing program P1.

The partial program steps T1, T2, T3 can differ from each other in the different washing programs P1, P2, P3. For example, the partial program step T1 of the washing program P2 is shortened compared to the partial program step T1 of the washing program P1. Furthermore, the partial program steps T1, T2, T3 can also have other different parameters X1, X2, X3 in the different washing programs P1, P2, P3 (see Fig. 5 ).

The Fig. 3 shows an exemplary flowchart of a running selected flushing program PA and an adapted selected flushing program PA'. For example, the initial situation is: Fig. 3 the dishwasher 1 of the Fig. 1 , whereby the control device 15 controls the three washing programs P1, P2, P3, which are in the Fig. 2 are shown can carry out. In this case, the washing program P1 was selected. The control device 15 starts the selected washing program PA at time t ₀ . At a time t _w , when the current selected washing program PA has already completed approximately a third of the second partial program step T2, the control device 15 detects a user input W. The control device 15 then adjusts the remaining part of the current selected washing program PA (this is in the Fig. 3 shown in dashed lines) so that the adapted selected rinsing program PA' is finished at an earlier time t _PA' than the current selected rinsing program PA, which would require up to the time t _PA . For this purpose, the control device 15 adjusts the parameters in the remaining partial program steps T2, T3 so that the adapted partial program steps T2 ', T3' have a shorter running time while maintaining the specified cleaning result. Then the control device 15 carries out the adapted, selected washing program PA' with the adapted partial program steps T2', T3'. Overall, this results in a time saving dT, which corresponds to the time difference between the regular remaining running time RTn of the current selected flushing program PA and the remaining running time RTa of the adapted selected flushing program PA'.

The Fig. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of a process of adapting the selected washing program PA depending on a recorded user input W. First, a user input W is made using the input means 16 (see Fig. 1 ). This user input W is received by the control device 15 (see Fig. 1 ) recorded. The control device 15 is currently carrying out a selected washing program PA, which was selected from a number of washing programs P1, P2, P3. The detected user input W causes the control device 15 to adapt the current selected washing program PA so that the adapted selected washing program PA 'has a shortened running time. The control device 15 then carries out the adapted, selected washing program PA'. In the Fig. 4 This is an effect on the washing container 2 (see also Fig. 1 ) shown.

The Fig. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of an adjustment of parameters X1, X2, Fig. 2 is used. In the example, subprogram step T1 corresponds to a pre-rinse. The regular pre-rinse T1 should be carried out with a quantity of water X2 of 2 liters at a temperature X1 of 40° for a duration X3 of 30 minutes. In contrast, the adapted pre-rinsing T1' should be carried out with a quantity of water X2 of 3.5 liters at a water temperature X1 of 60°C for a duration X3 of 10 minutes.

In order to achieve a specified rinsing result despite shortening the duration X3 from 30 minutes in the regular case to 10 minutes in the adapted case, in this example both the amount of water X2 and the water temperature Increasing the amount of water

The Fig. 6 shows a schematic block diagram of a method for operating a dishwasher 1, for example the dishwasher 1 of Fig. 1 . In a first step S1, a run of a selected washing program PA is started. The control device 15 begins to carry out the selected washing program PA (see Fig. 3 ) according to the instructions stored in the PA washing program. While the selected washing program PA is running, in a second step S2 a user input W is recorded via the input means 16, the input means 16 being designed, for example, as a wireless interface which can communicate with an app that can be executed on a smartphone. In this case, for example, the user found out that a friend was coming to visit at short notice. Using the app on their smartphone, the user instructs the dishwasher 1 that the washing process should be finished at 2:30 p.m. instead of the regular 4:00 p.m. This is done, for example, by a corresponding voice input, which is interpreted by the app and transmitted to the dishwasher 1 as user input W. Then, in a third step S3, a remaining part of the currently selected washing program PA is adjusted depending on the recorded user input W. The adjustment is carried out in such a way that a remaining rinsing time RTa of the adapted selected rinsing program PA' is compared to a regular remaining rinsing time RTn of the current selected one Rinse program PA is shortened. For example, it can also be provided that the dishwasher 1 transmits the expected end time to the app. Then, in a fourth step S4, the adapted remaining part of the selected washing program PA' is carried out.

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

Reference symbols used:

1

Household dishwasher

2

Rinse container

3

door

4

inner space

5

Pivot axis

6

loading opening

7

Floor

8th

Lid

9

Back wall

10

Side wall

11

Side wall

12

Washware storage

13

Washware storage

14

Washware storage

15

Control device

16

Input means

A

pull-out direction

dT

Time difference

E

Insertion direction

P1

Rinse program

P2

Rinse program

P3

Rinse program

P.A

selected washing program

PA'

adapted washing program

RTa

Remaining rinsing time adjusted

RTn

Remaining rinsing time regular

S1

Procedural step

S2

Procedural step

S3

Procedural step

S4

Procedural step

t

Timeline

t0

time

tPA

time

tPA'

time

tP1

time

tP2

time

tP3

time

tW

time

T1

Partial program step

T2

Partial program step

T3

Partial program step

T1'

adapted partial program step

T2'

adapted partial program step

T3'

adapted partial program step

W

User input

X1

parameter

X2

parameter

X3

parameter

Claims (12)

1. Dishwasher (1), in particular a household dishwasher, with a control device (15) for performing a number of washing programs (P1, P2, P3) for washing items to be washed, characterised by an input means (16) for registering a user input (W) for shortening a running selected washing program (PA), wherein the control device (15) is designed to adjust the running selected washing program (PA) as a function of the registered user input (W) in such a manner that a remaining washing time (RTa) of the adjusted selected washing program (PA') is shortened compared with a regular remaining washing time (RTn) of the running selected washing program (PA).
2. Dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the control device (15) is designed to adjust the running selected washing program (PA) as a function of the user input (W), while still ensuring a predefined cleaning result.
3. Dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the remaining washing time (RTa) of the adjusted selected washing program (PA') is shortened by a predefined time period compared with the regular remaining washing time (RTn) of the running selected washing program (PA).
4. Dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the remaining washing time (RTa) of the adjusted selected washing program (PA') is shortened to a maximum compared with the regular remaining washing time (RTn) of the running selected washing program (PA).
5. Dishwasher according to claim 1 to 4, wherein the washing programs (P1, P2, P3) have a sequence of program substeps (T1, T2, T3) and the control device (15) is designed to adjust the sequence of the program substeps (T1, T2, T3) for the running selected washing program (PA) as a function of the registered user input (W) and/or to adjust parameters (X1, X2, X3) for individual program substeps (T1, T2, T3) of the running selected washing program (PA) as a function of the registered user input (W).
6. Dishwasher according to claim 5, wherein the program substeps (T1, T2, T3) comprise pre-rinsing, cleaning, intermediate rinsing, final rinsing and/or drying.
7. Dishwasher according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the parameters (X1, X2, X3) for the program substeps (T1, T2, T3) comprise a water quantity, a water temperature, a pump speed, a water pressure, a fan speed and/or a time period.
8. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the user input (W) comprises a time period, a time and/or a trigger signal.
9. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the input means (16) comprises a button, a rotary knob, a sliding control, a touch-sensitive surface of a touchscreen and/or a wireless interface.
10. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the input means (16) is configured as a wireless interface and the user input (W) can be registered by way of a mobile interface device (14).
11. Method for operating a dishwasher (1), in particular a household dishwasher, with a control device (15) for performing a number of washing programs (P1, P2, P3) for washing items to be washed and an input means (16) for registering a user input (W) for shortening a running selected washing program (PA), comprising

    - starting (S1) a run through a washing program (PA) selected from the number of washing programs (P1, P2, P3),

    - registering (S2) the user input (W),

    - adjusting (S3) a remaining part of the running selected washing program (PA) as a function of the registered user input (W) in such a manner that a remaining washing time (RTa) of the adjusted selection washing program (PA') is shortened compared with a regular remaining washing time (RTn) of the running selected washing program (PA) and

    - performing (S4) the adjusted remaining part of the selected washing program (PA').
12. Computer program product, comprising commands which cause the dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 10 to carry out the method steps according to claim 11.

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