FR2802077A1 - DISHWASHER WITH PROGRAM CONTROL AND METHOD OF ORDERING THE SAME - Google Patents

Abstract

This dishwasher has an electronic program control in which several washing programs are stored, and a control panel (1), which includes the control elements (5, 7, 9) for setting a program sequence. . According to the invention, a maximum set program duration is adjustable for each washing operation to be started, and a clock for monitoring the progress of the program is included. Minimum and maximum program times are stored for each stored wash program, with which the set program time can be compared. The invention is particularly applicable in the field of household appliances.

Description

The invention relates to a dishwasher with a program control.

  electronics in which several washing programs are stored inside a memory, and with a control panel which includes control elements for regulating the progress of a program.

  The invention also relates to a method for controlling a washing machine.

  dishes o a washing program can be selected from several washing programs stored in an electronic program control. io A dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, for cleaning parts to be washed therein, is controlled by a program command. This program command which, for a large part of these household appliances, is electronic in nature, subjects the parts to be washed to a washing program which generally consists of several program parts. Since the washing parts introduced do not always have the same type and degree of soiling, several different washing programs are stored in the program control, and the person operating the dishwasher selects the

  washing program to start based on the dirt present.

  In this known dishwasher, the program sequences are predetermined with a succession of equal steps for each type of program. However, the type and quantity of parts to be washed affects the heating rate of a washing liquid required for cleaning. Therefore, the entire program duration may vary for a type of program defined for different program sequences. Therefore, when starting a program, the end of the washing program to start cannot be predicted. However, precisely such an end of the preset program is desired by the user of the dishwasher in certain cases, given

  that an individual course of the day can be better planned.

  The object of the invention is therefore to indicate a dishwasher with a

  program control as well as a method for controlling a washing machine

  dishes that allow an operator to control the device in a

  simple and to act on the progress of the program in an individual way.

  This object is achieved in a dishwasher of the type indicated at the beginning in that a maximum duration of the set program is adjustable for each washing operation to start, that a clock is included to monitor the progress of the program and that are minimum and maximum program durations with which the set program duration can be compared for each stored wash program. The object of the invention is also achieved by an associated method which is characterized in that are stored for each stored washing program, maximum and minimum program durations, that a maximum set program duration is preselected for each washing operation to start, that the preset preset program duration is compared with the stored minimum and maximum program durations and that a washing program is started, within the program duration range of which

  the preset preset maximum program duration.

  In the dishwasher according to the invention are stored in a memory of an electronic program control several washing programs, o the program control automatically proceeds to the respective choice of the program to start. The operator operating the appliance must only indicate a setpoint program duration, which can also be a maximum setpoint program duration, by control elements on a dishwasher control panel. It is associated with each washing program stored respectively a time interval with a maximum program duration and a minimum program duration. After entering the desired setpoint program duration, it is compared by the program control with the time intervals also stored, and an appropriate wash program is selected. Preferably, these time intervals are fixed so as to be contiguous. This prevents an operator from indicating a value which is not associated with a washing program or which is associated at the same time

  time for several washing programs.

  The dishwasher can be configured so that at least one additional parameter can be entered, such as a desired operating temperature, a soaking phase or an intensive drying phase. This additional parameter obviously affects the progress of the program, thus modifying the total washing times of the different washing programs. When these varied washing programs are now compared with the setpoint program duration entered, another program may be selected than without the

program entered.

  When, after entering a program parameter and the following prior selection, there is no longer a wash program available within the time interval of which the preset preset program duration is located, the program control may issue a warning signal, or this absence status may be indicated. However, instead of issuing a warning signal, a program can be

  that comes closest to the setpoint program duration entered.

  For example, during a setpoint duration which is longer than the longest stored program time, it may be proposed that the

  washing program with the longest program duration.

  A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the washing programs are subdivided into different program parts and that each program part constitutes a percentage part of the whole washing program. In this embodiment, a predicted heating rate can be stored for the washing liquid introduced which corresponds to the stored percentages of the program parts. The current heating rate is determined in this case during the first heating step, and the percentage division of the washing program is calculated and set again. The invention will be better understood, and other objects, characteristics, details and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the course of the invention.

  explanatory description which follows, with reference to the schematic drawings

  attached given only by way of example illustrating an embodiment -4 of the invention and in which:

  the single figure is a sketch of a control panel for a washing machine

household dishes.

  A household dishwasher has, for cleaning parts to be washed, a washing container in which the parts to be washed can be arranged. The dishwasher is controlled by an electronic program control o for each washing operation, one of several available washing programs is selected. In order to be able to subject the parts to be washed, depending on their soiling, to an appropriate treatment, according to the annexed washing program table (Table I), the following washing programs are programmed in the program electronics: prewash option, short program, economic program, normal program, intensive program. A table with a control panel 1 is provided for commissioning and adjusting the dishwasher. A column 3 is arranged on this control panel with input keys 5, 7, 9. The keys are divided into end of program keys 5, temperature keys 7 and

  additional function keys 9.

  A washing program is started by entering the time at which the washing program to start must be completed using the end of program buttons 5. The upper key of these two keys 5 causes a program end clock to count in minutes starting at the current time. If the clock is inadvertently set too far, you can go back by the lower end of program button 5 also per minute. It is marked next to the end of program keys 5, in a column 13 arranged parallel to column 3, the direction of movement

  corresponding with a plus symbol minus 15 respectively.

  On the side opposite to the row of keys 3 on the control panel I, there is a display field 11 which consists of a dot matrix liquid crystal module. This display area 11 indicates inter alia

  the current time and the end time entered.

  After the end of program time has been entered and during the following s no other keys 5, 7, 9 of column 3 have been pressed, the program electronics selects from the stored program table according to table l the washing program associated with the difference between the end of program time and the current time, this difference corresponding to the duration of the program. To this end, it is also stored in the program table according to Table 1 for each washing program an area

  for the duration of the program.

  The selected washing program is also displayed on the display area 11. The dishwasher operator also receives as additional information, through the display area 11, the degree of supposed soiling, this information also coming from the table. program according to table I. The operator can thus see if the selected entry of the end time of

  program corresponds well to the actual degree of soiling of the parts to be washed.

  Then, if necessary, the instruction entered can be modified. If there is no program correction for the next 5 s by pressing one of the keys 5, 7, 9, the

washing set is started.

  As an optimal input possibility, there is the modification of an operating temperature proposed for the selected washing program. As can be seen from the program table according to Table I, temperatures 60 C, 65 C and 70 C can be selected for an intensive program. Regarding program times, a range between 80 min and 240 min is associated. If a program duration, for example 200 min, is obtained now as a result of the operator's input, the program electronics first proposes an operating temperature of 70 C. If the operator is d '' notice that as a result of less soiling of the parts to be washed, a lower temperature, for example 60 C is sufficient, the proposed temperature can be adjusted to the lower level by pressing the temperature button 7 carrying a minus symbol 17 on column 13. The program electronics will now execute the washing program to start at a maximum operating temperature of 60 C. The operating temperature is indicated at

  the operator in display area 11.

  The operator has other optional inputs: "drying" for a particularly intensive drying period at the end of the washing program, for example when loading with lots of plastic washing parts, "1/2 load "for a lightly loaded dishwasher and" soaking "when the start of the actual washing program must be preceded by a soaking phase with occasional wetting of the parts to be washed. When one or more of these options are selected, the duration of the different washing programs according to the table] is modified so that there is associated with each washing program in this table I a range modified program run time. When pressing the drying button, for example, the drying phase is extended by a heating step of three minutes so that it is associated with a short program, instead of the time range of 20 to 39 min now a time range of 23 to 42 min. An additional pressed function key is indicated by an associated signaling light 19. The program electronics further includes a table with the percent shares of the individual program phases. The attached table II concerns an intensive program. Since a washing program is no longer precisely defined in the individual program steps, each program phase must also be calculated first before the program starts. Thus, for example, the cleaning phase is calculated for a selected program running time from min to: 27% of 200 min = 54 min.

Table I

  Program name Duration Temperature Soiling Optional prewash 6-9 min prewash Short program 20-39min 400C light Economic program 4059 min 50/55 0C light / normal Normal program 60-79 min 50/55/60 / 650C normal Intensive program 80 -240 min 60/65 / 700C strong

Table II

  No Parts program in% Prewash ca. 12% Cleaning ca. 27% Dilution ca. 12% 1st and 2nd intermediate wash ca. 8% Rinsing ca. 18% Drying ca. 23%

Claims (10)

Claims   1. Dishwasher with an electronic program control in which several washing programs are stored in a memory, and with a control panel (1) which includes control elements for setting a program sequence, characterized in that a maximum set program duration is adjustable for each washing operation to be started, in that a clock is included to monitor the progress of the program and in that, for each stored washing program, a duration of minimum program run and maximum program run time with which the set program run time can be compared. 2. Dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized in that the minimum and maximum program running times of the individual washing programs each form a specific interval, and in that the   specific time intervals of the washing programs are nearby.   3. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in   at least one additional program parameter can be selected.   4. Dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in   that the washing programs are divided into individual program parts, where each program part constitutes a percentage share of the total wash program.   5. Dishwasher according to claim 4, characterized in that it is stored in the electronic program control an estimated heating speed for the washing liquid brought into the dishwasher which corresponds to the percent shares stored of parts of the program, where the effective heating rate can be determined during the first heating step and the percentage division of the washing program can be calculated and set newly.   6. Method for controlling a dishwasher, where a washing program can be selected from among several washing programs stored in an electronic program control, characterized in that, for each stored washing program, a duration of maximum program run and minimum program run time, in that a maximum set program time is manually preset for each wash operation to be started, in that the preset set program time is compared with the times minimum and maximum program cycles stored and in that the washing program is started, within the program duration range of which the maximum set program duration is preselected.   7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one additional program parameter is manually preselected, this additional program parameter acting on the selected program in that are associated with the stored washing programs, instead of the durations of maximum and minimum program stored, durations of   program modified accordingly.   8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that a warning signal and / or an invitation to make a new selection is emitted when, after having chosen a limiting program parameter and after having then made a prior selection, there is no longer a washing program available after the previous selection, within the program duration range of which the preselected maximum preset program duration is located.   9. Method according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that   the washing programs are divided into individual program parts, where each program part constitutes a percentage share of the whole washing program, in that an estimated heating speed is stored in the electronic program control for the washing liquid introduced into the dishwasher which corresponds to the stored percentage parts of the program parts, in that the effective heating speed is determined during the first heating step and the percentage distribution of the program is calculated and adjusted again.   10. Method according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that   that after entering the set program duration and a corresponding selection of the washing program, this selected washing program is displayed by the electronic program control on a device   display (11) to a control panel (1) of the dishwasher.