EP3909495B1 - Dishwasher with door closing device and method for operating a dishwasher - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a dishwasher with a door locking device and a method for operating a dishwasher
Dishwashers can be closed with a door, whereby the door's closing mechanism can usually be activated by a user manually or via a switch or a sensor or via voice commands.

The DE 10 2011 116 600 A1 describes a household appliance with a drive device for automatically closing the appliance door and with a timer that detects a period of time when the door is open, the drive device being activated after a predetermined period of time has elapsed in order to close the door.

The DE 10 2018 216 202 A1 also describes a household appliance with a drive device for automatically closing the appliance door. There is a sensor device with which an approach to the door can be detected.

The DE 10 2017 114 984 A1 describes a household appliance with a drive device for automatically closing the appliance door and with a motor-driven loading unit. The device also has proximity sensors through which the device can be operated by the user, with their output signals being assigned different functionalities depending on the door position or the position of the loading unit.

The object of the invention is to create an improved dishwasher and an improved method for operating a dishwasher.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a dishwasher with a door locking device and a method for operating a dishwasher with the features of the main claims. Advantageous refinements and further developments of the invention result from the following subclaims.

In addition to simplified use of the device, the advantages that can be achieved with the invention consist of time savings for a user. The dishwasher door closing process can start automatically without the user having to actively initiate it.

A dishwasher is presented which includes a dishwasher door and a detection device which is designed to detect a position of the dishwasher door and to provide a door signal in response to detecting an open position. In addition, the dishwasher includes a control device which is designed to start a counter in response to the door signal and to provide a closing signal when a counter value is reached. In addition, the dishwasher includes a door locking device which is designed to automatically close the dishwasher door in response to the closing signal.

Apart from the automatic mechanism for closing the dishwasher door, the dishwasher can be a known dishwasher. The detection device can include a suitable sensor system with which at least the open position can be detected. The door signal and the closing signal can be electrical signals. The counter can be designed to start counting from an initial value after starting, for example to count up or down. The counter value can be a predetermined final value, upon reaching which the closing signal is provided. The counter value can be selected so that there is a predetermined waiting time between starting the counter and reaching the counter value. The door closing device can include a suitable drive and a suitable mechanism for automatically closing the dishwasher door.

For example, the dishwasher can automatically recognize when the dishwasher is most likely due to close and then carry it out. Advantageously, the user does not need to intervene to close the dishwasher doors. The counter started by the control device ensures that the closing process is only initiated after a preset waiting time, so that a user has the option, for example, of leaving the dishwasher open for a certain period of time, for example while he is fetching additional dishes that are in the Dishwasher should be loaded. In addition, the door closing device can, for example, be additionally designed to interrupt the door closing process if the dishwasher door encounters resistance during this process, for example if a user intervenes manually and pushes the dishwasher open against its closing direction.

According to one embodiment, the control device can have a user interface for reading in a manually adjustable counter value. For example, the dishwasher can have a display with a key function through which the counter value can be entered in the form of numbers. Additionally or alternatively, the counter value can also can be set on an external device, for example a smartphone with a corresponding app. Advantageously, a user can adapt the time between opening the dishwasher and the start of the closing process to his own needs or his own speed.

The detection device is designed to detect a position of a basket that is movably arranged in a washing compartment of the dishwasher and to provide a basket signal in response to detecting a retracted position of the basket. The control device is designed to start the counter in response to the basket signal. Such a basket can, for example, be an element for holding dishes, such as plates or glasses, or even a cutlery drawer. Advantageously, the detection device can detect the position of the basket and only provide a corresponding signal to initialize the closing process when the basket is completely retracted.

In addition, the detection device is designed to provide a basket extension signal in response to detecting an extended position of the basket. The control device is designed to stop and reset the counter in response to the basket extension signal. For example, the basket can be extended while cutlery or dishes are being put in or out. Advantageously, provision of the closing signal can be prevented during such a loading or unloading phase, whereby a user has time to load or unload the dishwasher without any disruption caused by the dishwasher door closing unintentionally.

According to a further embodiment, the control device can be designed to reduce the counter value in response to the basket extension signal. This reduction and those mentioned below may involve reductions in the amount of the meter value. For example, if the counter value is set to a period of 15 seconds from the time the dishwasher door is opened, then it can be reduced to 10 seconds after the basket is extended and then retracted, since it can be assumed that no further items need to be put in . Advantageously, the dishwasher door only remains open for as long as needed by a user.

According to a further embodiment, the detection device can be designed to detect the position of the basket using magnetic field sensors, which can be arranged outside the washing compartment. For example, the magnetic field sensors can be arranged on a rear wall or a side wall of the dishwasher and detect magnets arranged in the basket as soon as the basket is on the corresponding wall of the washing compartment applied. Advantageously, the position of the basket can be detected very reliably using magnetic field sensors. Additionally or alternatively, the dishwasher can also have optical, capacitive or inductive sensors for detecting the position of the basket. Appropriate sensors can also be used to detect the position of the dishwasher door.

According to a further embodiment, the detection device can be designed to detect a position of a further basket movably arranged in the washing compartment and to provide a further basket signal in response to detecting a retracted position of the further basket. The control device can be designed to start the counter in response to the basket signal and the further basket signal. For example, in addition to a basket for larger items to be washed, such as plates, bowls or pots, the dishwasher can also include another basket, for example for smaller items to be washed, such as cups or glasses. Advantageously, the detection device can also detect such an additional basket and only close the dishwasher door when both baskets are in a retracted position.

According to a further embodiment, the detection device can be designed to provide a further basket extension signal in response to detecting an extended position of the further basket. The control device can be designed to stop and reset the counter in response to the further basket extension signal. Advantageously, provision of the closing signal can be prevented as long as the further basket is in an extended position.

According to a further embodiment, the control device can be designed to reduce the counter value in response to the further basket extension signal. For example, the counter value can depend on whether and how many baskets have already been rolled out. If no basket or only one basket has been extended yet, then it can be expected that additional items need to be placed. The more baskets that have already been removed and retracted, the smaller the probability that additional items need to be put in and the waiting time until the dishwasher door is closed can be shortened accordingly. Advantageously, the closing process can thus be flexibly adapted to the actions of a user.

According to a further embodiment, the detection device can be designed to detect a state of at least one refill vessel arranged in the washing compartment and to provide a vessel signal in response to detecting a closed state of the refill vessel. The control device can be designed around the counter to start responding to the vascular signal. A refill container can be, for example, a compartment for detergent, a salt container or a rinse aid dispenser. Advantageously, a closing process can only be initiated when all refill vessels are closed. If, for example, automatic door closing is not desired because the user, for example, wants to refill rinse aid or change a cartridge of an automatic dosing device, then no vessel signal is provided by the detection device due to an open lid of the corresponding refill vessel. An opened salt container would not necessarily have to have its own sensor to detect an open lid if the salt can only be filled with the basket extended and therefore there would automatically be no prerequisite for a start impulse.

According to a further embodiment, the control device can be designed to reduce the counter value when the door signal is provided for a predetermined opening period. For example, this time or the counter value can depend on the duration of the door opening. If the door is opened for a short time, the waiting time can be longer in anticipation of more items being put in, and if the door is opened for a longer period of time, the waiting time can be shorter. Advantageously, the duration of the waiting time until the dishwasher door is closed can be optimized.

According to a further embodiment, the counter value can correspond to a waiting time between 2 and 30, in particular 3 to 15 seconds. This has the advantage that a user can individually set the desired waiting time, thereby avoiding the risk of the dishwasher door remaining open for an excessively long time or closing too quickly.

In addition, a method for operating a variant of the previously described dishwasher according to claim 11 is presented.

This method can be implemented, for example, in software or hardware or in a mixed form of software and hardware, for example in a control device.

Even if the approach described is described using a household appliance, the device and method described here can be used accordingly in connection with a commercial or professional device.

Figur 1

eine Darstellung einer geöffneten Geschirrspülmaschine gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Figur 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer Geschirrspülmaschine gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Figur 3

eine Querschnittsdarstellung einer geschlossenen Geschirrspülmaschine gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Figur 4

eine Querschnittsdarstellung einer geöffneten Geschirrspülmaschine mit ausgefahrenem Korb gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Figur 5

eine Querschnittsdarstellung einer geöffneten Geschirrspülmaschine mit geöffnetem Nachfüllgefäß gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Figur 6

ein Ablaufdiagramm für ein automatisches Schließen einer Spülmaschinentür gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel; und

Figur 7

ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Betreiben einer Geschirrspülmaschine gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows

Figure 1

a representation of an opened dishwasher according to an exemplary embodiment;

Figure 2

a schematic representation of a dishwasher according to an exemplary embodiment;

Figure 3

a cross-sectional view of a closed dishwasher according to an exemplary embodiment;

Figure 4

a cross-sectional view of an opened dishwasher with an extended basket according to an exemplary embodiment;

Figure 5

a cross-sectional view of an opened dishwasher with an open refill container according to an exemplary embodiment;

Figure 6

a flowchart for automatically closing a dishwasher door according to an exemplary embodiment; and

Figure 7

a flowchart of a method for operating a dishwasher according to an exemplary embodiment.

In the following description of favorable exemplary embodiments of the present approach, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and having a similar effect, with a repeated description of these elements being omitted.

Figure 1 shows a representation of an opened dishwasher 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, the dishwasher 100 includes a washing compartment 105, which can be closed with a dishwasher door 110. The dishwasher door 110 is shown half open in this exemplary embodiment. In addition, the dishwasher 100 has a door closing device 115, which in this exemplary embodiment includes a motor transmission unit 120 with a toothed belt for motor-driven closing of the dishwasher door 110. In this exemplary embodiment, the dishwasher 100 is characterized by simplified operation, in that the dishwasher door 110 is closed by a motor in conjunction with a detection device, as described below Figure 2 is described, for detecting the door position, as well as optionally for basket positions and a state of refill containers, evaluated by an evaluation logic and can trigger a closing process of the dishwasher door if necessary. In this exemplary embodiment, a user's handling step of "triggering the closing process" using a button or a voice command is therefore unnecessary.

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a dishwasher 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. This can be the in Figure 1 described dishwasher 100 act. In this exemplary embodiment, the dishwasher 100 includes one Detection device 205, which is on or adjacent to one as in Figure 1 Dishwasher door described can be arranged. In this exemplary embodiment, the detection device 205 is designed to detect a position of the dishwasher door and to provide a door signal 210 when the door is open.

In this exemplary embodiment, the detection device 205 is optionally also designed to detect the position of a basket, as shown in the following Figures 3 and 4 is shown. According to the position of the basket, the detection device 205 provides a basket signal 215 when the basket is in a retracted position and a basket extension signal 220 when the basket is in an extended position. In the same way, it is optional when using another basket, as in the following Figures 3 and 4 described, another basket signal 222 and/or another basket extension signal 223 is provided. In this exemplary embodiment, the detection device 205 is optionally also designed to detect a state of a refill vessel, as shown in Figure 5 is described to detect and provide a vessel signal 225 in response to detecting a closed state of the refill vessel.

In this exemplary embodiment, the dishwasher 100 comprises a control device 230, which is designed to start a counter 235 in response to the door signal 210 and/or the basket signal 215 and/or the further basket signal 222 and/or the vessel signal 225. When a counter value is reached, the control device 230 provides a closing signal 240.

In this exemplary embodiment, the control device 230 is designed to compare the vessel signal 225 with the door signal 210, the basket signal 215 and the further basket signal 222 and only provide a closing signal 240 if all signals 210, 215, 222, 225 are activated during the counting of the counter 235 be provided unchanged. If one of the signals 210, 215, 222, 225 changes, the counter is stopped and optionally reset according to an exemplary embodiment. This can prevent the dishwasher door from being closed even though the basket is extended, for example. The door closing device 115 is designed to close the dishwasher door controlled by the closing signal 240.

For example, the control device 230 is designed to stop and optionally reset the counter 235 in response to the basket extension signal 220 and/or the further basket signal 222. Optionally, the control device 230 is further designed to respond to the counter value, i.e. the final value upon reaching which the closing signal 240 is provided to reduce the basket extension signal 220 and/or the further basket extension signal 223. Depending on the exemplary embodiment, the counter value can only be reduced once after opening the dishwasher door, reduced several times to a minimum value or reduced again in response to each new basket extension signal 220, 223.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the control device 230 is designed to reduce the counter value as soon as the door signal 210 is provided for a predetermined opening period, i.e. the dishwasher door has already been open for the opening period.

The counter value represents, for example, a fixed preset value, a value that can be set by a user or a value that can be adapted depending on the situation. In this exemplary embodiment, the counter value can be set manually and read in via a user interface 245.

According to one embodiment, the automatic closing process of the dishwasher door works as follows:
The automatic closing process is started by a user, who can also be referred to as a user, opening the dishwasher door, which is recognized by the recognition device 205, and pulling out at least one basket, the end position of the basket also being recognized by the recognition device 205. Now the typical loading or unloading phase of the dishwasher 100 takes place. This means that one or more baskets and/or a cutlery drawer are pulled out of the dishwasher 100 alternately or individually or all at the same time. A typical application is, for example, equipping the dishwasher 100 with a place setting. For example, a member of the family has eaten alone and takes plates, knives and cups to the dishwasher 100, which can also be called a dishwasher, to load them. To do this, the dishwasher 100 is first opened and, for example, the cutlery drawer is pulled out. The knife is then placed there. The cutlery drawer is then retracted again and an upper basket is pulled out to adjust the cup. The upper basket is then retracted and a lower basket is pulled out to adjust the plate. During handling, all three loading levels or baskets are only retracted for a short time, so that automatic door closing is not activated. Only after an adjustable time of, for example, 5 seconds has elapsed and a signal that all three baskets have been retracted does the automatic door closing start.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a closed dishwasher 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. This can be an exemplary embodiment in the Figures 1 or 2 Dishwasher 100 described. In this embodiment, the dishwasher 100 includes a basket 300, another basket 305 and a cutlery drawer 310, all of which are arranged in a retracted position in the washing compartment 105 of the dishwasher 100. In this exemplary embodiment, the cutlery drawer 310 is designed similarly to the basket 300 and the further basket 310 and is detected by a recognition device as shown in Figure 2 is recorded in the same way. The washing compartment 105 is closed with a dishwasher door 110. Each of the baskets 300, 305, 310 is assigned its own sensor, here for example a magnetic sensor 320 for position detection. In this exemplary embodiment, three magnetic sensors 320 are arranged on a rear wall 315 of the dishwasher 100. In this exemplary embodiment, the magnetic sensors 320 are designed to detect the position of magnets 325, which are each arranged on the basket 300, on the further basket 305 and on the cutlery drawer 310. Using the magnetic sensors 320, the detection device detects the position of the basket 300, the other basket 305 and the cutlery drawer 310 and sets as shown in Figure 2 corresponding signals described.

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an opened dishwasher 100 with an extended basket 300, another basket 305 and cutlery drawer 310 according to an exemplary embodiment. This can be an exemplary embodiment in the Figures 1 , 2 or 3 Dishwasher 100 described. The extended positions of the basket 300, the further basket 305 and the cutlery drawer 310 are detected by a detection device as in the previous ones Figures 2 and 3 Described described and closing the dishwasher door 110 prevented.

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an opened dishwasher 100 with an opened refill container 500 according to an exemplary embodiment. This can be an exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher 100 described in the previous figures. The refill vessel 500 is arranged in the dishwasher 110 in this exemplary embodiment, with a lid 505 of the refill vessel 500, here a dosing device lid, being open. One as in Figure 2 In this exemplary embodiment, the detection device described recognizes the open state of the refill vessel 500, which is why no vessel signal is provided and no closing process of the dishwasher door 110 is initiated until the lid 505 is closed again.

Figure 6 shows a flowchart for automatically closing a dishwasher door according to an exemplary embodiment, with individual process steps being shown as blocks. The top block 600 is the starting phase in which the dishwasher door is still closed. In the second block 605, the position of the dishwasher door is determined by a recognition device detected and continuously monitors whether the position changes in order to provide a door signal in the event of an opened dishwasher door. In the following blocks 610 and 615 it is recognized and continuously checked whether lids of refill containers, which can also be referred to as refill openings, are closed and whether there is a change in the position of one or more baskets. If the recognition device recognizes that in block 610 all lids of refill containers are closed and that in block 615 all baskets have been retracted, then in block 620 a counter of a control device begins as in Figure 2 described with a waiting time of 5 seconds in this exemplary embodiment. According to one exemplary embodiment, a change in state (1-0-1) in the basket position sensors for position detection of the baskets is monitored in block 615. With three baskets, three sensors are monitored. State 1 means completely retracted and state 0 means at least partially extended. During the waiting time, the detection device continuously checks whether the dishwasher door is open unchanged, the refill containers are closed and all baskets are retracted, so that the door signal, the container signal and the basket signal continue to be provided. After this waiting time has elapsed and the door signal, vessel signal and basket signal are provided unchanged, the control device provides a closing signal, based on which the door closing sequence takes place in block 625. The lowest block 630 represents the final phase in which the dishwasher door is closed in the same way as in the starting phase 600.

Figure 7 shows a flowchart of a method 700 for operating a variant of one of the dishwashers described in one of the previous figures. The method 700 includes a step 605 of detecting a position of a dishwasher door, a step 702 of providing a door signal, a step 620 of starting a counter, a step 704 of providing a closing signal and a step 625 of closing the dishwasher door. In step 702, the door signal is provided in response to detecting an open position of the dishwasher door. In step 620, the counter is started in response to the door signal. After starting, the counter counts up continuously, for example, starting from an initial value, for example at predetermined time intervals. In step 704, the closing signal is provided when a counter value of the counter 235 is reached. The counter value is, for example, a preset value that is optionally adjusted depending on the situation. In step 625, the dishwasher door is automatically closed in response to the close signal.

Claims (11)

1. Dishwasher (100) having the following features:

   a dishwasher door (110),

   a detection device (205) that is designed to detect a position of the dishwasher door (110) and to provide a door signal (210) in response to a detection of an open position;

   a control device (230) that is designed to start a counter (235) in response to the door signal (210), i.e., starting from an initial value, and, further, when a counter value of the counter (235) is reached, wherein the distance between the start of the counter and the counter value being reached corresponds to a predetermined waiting time, provides a closing signal (240); and

   a door closing device (115) that is designed to automatically close the dishwasher door (110) in response to the closing signal (240),

   characterised in that

   the detection device (205) is designed to detect a position of a rack (300) that is movably arranged in a washing compartment (105) of the dishwasher (100) and in response to a detection of an extended position of the rack (300) to provide a rack extension signal (220), wherein the control device (230) is designed to stop and reset the counter (235) in response to the rack extension signal (220),

   and in response to a detection of a retracted position of the rack (300), to provide a rack signal (215), wherein the control device (230) is designed to start the counter (235) in response to the rack signal (215).
2. Dishwasher (100) according to claim 1, wherein the control device (230) has a user interface (245) for reading in a manually adjustable counter value.
3. Dishwasher (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control device (230) is designed to reduce the counter value in response to the rack extension signal (220).
4. Dishwasher (100) according to one of preceding claims 1 through 3, wherein the detection device (205) is designed to detect the position of the rack (300) using magnetic field sensors (310), which are arranged outside the washing compartment (105).
5. Dishwasher (100) according to one of preceding claims 1 through 4, wherein the detection device (205) is designed to detect a position of a further rack (305) arranged movably arranged in the washing compartment (105) and to provide a further rack signal (222) in response to a detection of a retracted position of the further rack (305), wherein the control device (230) is designed to start the counter (235) in response to the rack signal (215) and the further rack signal (222).
6. Dishwasher (100) according to claim 5, wherein the detection device (205) is designed to provide a further rack extension signal (223) in response to a detection of an extended position of the further rack (305), wherein the control device (230) is designed to stop and reset the counter (235) in response to the further rack extension signal (223).
7. Dishwasher (100) according to claim 6, wherein the control device (230) is designed to reduce the counter value in response to the further rack extension signal (220).
8. Dishwasher (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection device (205) is designed to detect a state of at least one refill container (500) arranged in the washing compartment (105) and to provide a container signal (225) in response to a detection of a closed state of the refill container (500), wherein the control device (230) is designed to start the counter (235) in response to the container signal (225).
9. Dishwasher (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (230) is designed to reduce the counter value if the door signal (210) is provided for a predetermined opening duration.
10. Dishwasher (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the counter value corresponds to a waiting time of between 2 and 30 seconds.
11. Method (700) for operating a dishwasher (100), wherein the method comprises the following steps:

    detecting (605) a position of a dishwasher door (110);

    providing (702) a door signal (210) in response to a detection of an open position of the dishwasher door (110);

    starting (620) a counter (235) in response to the door signal (210);

    characterised by

    providing a rack extension signal (220) in response to a detection of an extended position of a rack (300) that is movably arranged in the washing compartment (105) of the dishwasher (100);

    stopping and resetting the counter (235) in response to the rack extension signal (220);

    providing a rack signal (215) in response to a detection of a retracted position of the rack (300);

    starting (620) the counter (235) in response to the rack signal (215);

    providing (704) a closing signal (240) when a counter value of the counter (235) is reached, wherein the distance between the start of the counter and the reaching of the counter value corresponds to a predetermined waiting time; and

    closing (625) the dishwasher door (110) automatically in response to the closing signal (240).

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