RU2772954C2 - Method for automatic assessment of presence of foam in dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: household appliances.

SUBSTANCE: present invention relates to a method for automatic assessment of the presence of foam in dishwasher (1) equipped with optical devices (8). The specified method includes: stage (11) of receiving first digital image (11A) characterizing the first state of zone (2''') for collecting washing medium of dishwasher (1); stage (12) of digital processing of first digital image (11A) to obtain first processed image (11B) that identifies the amount of the first volume of medium contained in zone (2''') for collecting washing medium; stage (13) of receiving second digital image (13A) characterizing the second state of zone (2''') for collecting washing medium after the specified time interval has elapsed from the moment of performance of stage (11) of receiving first digital image (11A); stage (14) of digital processing of second digital image (13A) to obtain second processed image (13B) that identifies the amount of the second volume of medium contained in zone (2''') for collecting washing medium; stage (15) of comparison of the amount of the first volume of medium with the amount of the second volume of medium to count value (DV) of the medium volume change; a stage of generating signal (Sig) about the presence of foam, characterizing the presence of foam in zone (2''') for collecting washing medium, when value (DV) of the medium voltage change exceeds the specified threshold value; a stage of modifying washing parameters of washing program (P) of dishwasher (1), when the signal about the presence of foam is generated.

EFFECT: obtaining a method for automatic assessment of the presence of foam in a dishwasher.

14 cl, 6 dwg

Description

The field of technology to which the invention belongs

The present invention relates to a method for automatically assessing the presence of foam in a dishwasher according to the introductory part of claim 1 of the claims.

The present description also relates to a dishwasher configured to implement a method for automatically assessing the presence of foam in a dishwasher according to the introductory part of claim 11 of the claims.

The present description also relates to a system consisting of a dishwasher and a portable device that can be held by the user, and made with the possibility of implementing a method for automatically assessing the presence of foam in the dishwasher according to the introductory part of claim 14 of the claims.

State of the art

Dishwashers are known in the prior art that are equipped with optical devices, such as cameras, television cameras or video cameras, located in a fixed or movable position relative to the wash tank in order to check the weight of the dishes or the degree of cleanliness of the dishes.

For example, such dishwashers are described in WO2016008699 A1 and US 2012/0138092 A1. In addition, US 2005/028850 A1 describes a method for automatically assessing the presence of foam in a dishwasher comprising a washing zone having an area dedicated to collecting washing medium.

The use of the aforementioned dishwasher involves the user loading dishes into the washing area of the dishwasher and using a detergent.

Such a detergent is usually placed inside a dispenser, which is equipped with an appropriate door that opens automatically after the user closes the dishwasher door and starts a preselected washing program.

The various detergents currently on the market include the following detergents: - powdered detergents;

- liquid detergents;

- gel detergents;

- tablets for washing dishes;

- rinse aids to help dry dishes. The Problem of the Prior Art

The detergents listed above have different chemical/physical characteristics depending on the chemicals they contain and different solubility.

The washing programs used in existing dishwashers, which include the steps of filling with water, heating, setting the intensity of washing and drying, are qualified by the intended use of a detergent having average characteristics. In addition, it is foreseen that a specific type of detergent is used and that the dishes placed in the dishwasher do not contain traces of detergents and other types of products that can form foam in the dishwasher.

However, during use, a number of undesirable conditions may occur that will contribute to the formation of foam inside the washing area of the dishwasher. For example, some conditions that could cause foam to form during a wash cycle include:

- use of unsuitable detergent,

- leakage and / or splashing of rinse aid after it has been loaded into the dispenser,

- washing clean dishes that contain detergent residues, and

- using more detergent than the specified maximum level.

The presence of foam inside the washing area of the dishwasher may cause an increase in the noise level during the operation of the washing pump.

In addition, the presence of foam can interfere with the normal performance of the wash cycle, resulting in poor wash performance.

In addition, in the event of foam formation in the washing area, there is a certain risk that at the end of the wash there will be detergent residues on the dishes.

It should be noted that if excessive foam is formed inside the washing area, problems may arise in the operation of the dishwasher with a corresponding risk of damage to the dishwasher.

Disclosure of invention

The aim of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to implement a method, a dishwasher and a system for automatically judging the presence of foam in a dishwasher to overcome the above-described problems of the prior art.

Such problems can be solved with the help of a method, a dishwasher and a system for automatically assessing the presence of foam in the dishwasher according to the following paragraphs. 1, 11 and 14 of the claims, respectively.

Benefits of the Invention

With an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to implement a method and corresponding dishwasher and a system consisting of a dishwasher and a device that can be carried by the user by hand, allowing:

- eliminate the increase in the noise level of the dishwasher;

- optimize washing performance and

- ensure that the dishes are cleaned of dirt and detergent. Brief description of the drawings

The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a possible practical embodiment, shown as a non-limiting example in the drawings, where:

fig. 1 is a flow chart of the method according to the present invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a sector of a digital image obtained according to a method step of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a perspective front view of a built-in type dishwasher without finishing panels, adapted to implement the method of FIG. one;

fig. 4 is a rear perspective view of the dishwasher of FIG. 3 without some dishwasher components and utensils;

fig. 5 is a schematic side view of the dishwasher of FIG. 3;

fig. 6 is a diagram of a system according to the present invention.

Implementation of the invention

Even implicit individual characteristics described with reference to specific embodiments should be considered as aids and/or characteristics interchangeable with other characteristics described with reference to other embodiments.

With reference to the attached figures 3, 4 and 5 pos. 1 denotes a dishwasher, for example a dishwasher built into a piece of kitchen furniture, shown without trim panels for a better understanding of the internal volumes.

Such a dishwasher 1 comprises a washing area 2 and a door 3 which, when closed, is connected to the washing area 2.

The dishwasher 1 has a base 1A, generally designed to accommodate the necessary mechanisms/devices in order to perform the basic operations of the machine 1.

Washing zone 2 limits the volume inside which the dishes S are located.

Specifically, the washing area 2 is defined by a plurality of walls such as base wall 2A, side walls 2B and 2C, top wall 2D and rear wall 2E, and defines an upper portion 2'' and a lower portion 2'.

The term “top/bottom” should be interpreted in terms of the correct installation and conditions of use of the dishwasher 1. In such a situation, the term “top” refers to the part further away from the base 1A, while the term “bottom” refers to the closer part to the base 1A.

The door 3, which can be operated manually or by means of an electric servomotor, serves to hermetically close the washing zone 2 in order to prevent wastage of washing liquid during the washing program.

In the following description, the term "S" means, for example, a plate, cutlery, glass, saucepan, etc.

The impellers 5A, 5B are impellers of an essentially known type, and therefore will not be described. It should be noted that one or preferably two impellers 5A, 5B can be located in the washing zone 2. In particular, the lower impeller 5A is located in the lower zone 2' near the base 1A, and the upper impeller 5B is located in the upper zone 2'', preferably in the lower part of the upper zone 2''.

The lower zone 2' of the washing zone 2 during operation of the dishwasher 1 defines a collection zone 2''' of the washing medium. In particular, such a cleaning medium collection area 2''' is located between the lower impeller 5A and the base wall 2A. With reference to FIG. 5, the cleaning medium collecting area 2''' is designed as a washing water collecting tray, which is first cleaned during the suction of water from the water mains at the beginning of the washing cycle and subsequently contaminated with residual detergent residues at the end of the washing cycle.

In the lower zone 2' and/or the upper zone 2'', a corresponding basket 21 with dish holders is installed, which is designed to hold various dishes S according to the methods known from the prior art, therefore, its description will not be given.

The term "basket 21 with dish holders" means a device and/or aids intended for their positioning and therefore suitable for supporting dishes S.

Such a basket and/or aids must correspond to the dimensions of the washing zone 2 of the dishwasher 1.

The dishwasher 1 includes a dispenser 6 configured to determine a suitable volume for accommodating products or detergents required for washing objects, in particular dishes S.

Such a dispenser 6 may contain one or more compartments, each of which is designed to accommodate a specific detergent product.

According to an embodiment, the dispenser 6 includes a door 7 which is movable between a closed position and a position of free access to the internal volume of the dispenser 6.

For example, in the closed position of the door 7, the release of products from the respective compartments is excluded, while in the open position of the door 7, the release of such washing products is possible from the moment when the door 3 is in the closed position and the washing program P is selected, with which dishwasher S.

In other words, the movement of the door 7 between the closed position and the open position is mechanically and/or electrically controlled by the control unit 4 based on the closing of the door 3 of the dishwasher 1.

According to the embodiment, and also with reference to FIG. 3 and 4, the dispenser 6 is located on the door 3, in particular on the side facing the washing area 2, at a predetermined height. In particular, the dispenser 6 is placed inside the door 3 along its thickness.

The dishwasher 1 includes a control unit 4, for example, located inside the door 3 along its thickness and equipped with a motherboard on which conventional electrical and electronic devices are placed, which may include a central processor, a group of input / output ports for receiving and issuing data to a storage device, the latter having a special area for permanent storage of at least one washing program.

The wash program P results from one or a combination of several of the following parameters:

- the duration of the washing phase;

- washing pump pressure

- temperature at the stages of washing and drying;

- volume of loaded water in liters.

The P program may also contain other parameters that are not listed for the sake of simplicity of description.

The control unit 4 is a unit for controlling and monitoring the operating functions of the dishwasher 1.

In an embodiment of the present invention, it is also provided that a database is permanently stored in the memory of the control unit 4, in which, by means of appropriate parameters, information about the operating data collected by the sensors installed inside the dishwasher is stored. Various sensors are described below, designed to collect the parameters of the dishwasher during its operation, for example, optical devices.

In order to ensure the implementation of the selected washing program, the dishwasher 1 includes a pump, for example, located in the base 1A, which can be connected to the inlet of the water network according to methods known to the person skilled in the art, the description of which is not given.

Such a pump is controlled by a control unit 4 and serves to create a flow of water into the impellers 5A, 5B located in the washing area.

The dishwasher 1 contains one or more optical devices 8 capable of obtaining digital images of the washing zone 2.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the optics 8 are positioned so that their optics face the washing medium collection area 2''' which, as mentioned above, is located between the lower impeller 5A and the base wall 2A.

In particular, in each wall 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and / or 2E of the washing zone 2, one or more of the above optical devices 8 can be placed along its thickness.

For this purpose, a socket 2F is provided for each optical device 8.

Said socket 2F defines a usable volume for accommodating the corresponding optical device, and preferably, a light-transmitting cover panel 8A is provided to cover the optics of the optical device.

Such cover panel 8A is, for example, made of glass or plastic or materials having similar specifications.

Cover panel 8A is preferably positioned substantially flush with or slightly protruding from the surface of wall 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E.

According to the preferred embodiment, shown schematically in FIG. 5, the optical devices 8 are placed inside respective sockets 2F formed in the body of the dishwasher 1 in the cleaning medium collection area 2'''. Preferably, the cleaning medium collection area 2''' is shaped like a washing liquid collection tray which has a bottom wall F and a side wall LT (or a series of side walls) which define a container for collecting liquids.

With specific reference to FIG. 5, the socket 2F, in which one or more respective optical devices 8 are located, is formed along the thickness of the side wall LT of the cleaning medium collection area 2''', so that the optical device 8 is capable of transversely scanning the washing medium collection area 2''', for example , to obtain images of a given sector Q. Accordingly, the cover panel 8A is located substantially flush with the side wall LT of the cleaning medium collection area 2'''. Alternatively, according to an example not shown in detail in the appended figures, the seat 2F can be made according to the thickness of the top wall 2D of the dishwasher 1.

Each socket 2F contains all the electrical and electronic components necessary for the operation of the optical device 8. This arrangement is advantageous in view of the fact that it allows the optical device 8 to frame the cleaning medium collection area 2''' throughout the entire wash cycle.

For example, with reference to FIG. 2 and 5, it can be noted that the optical device 8 has an optical field of view which makes it possible to obtain images of the washing medium collection area 2''' that fall within such a predetermined field of view, i.e. to a given sector Q, to obtain an image.

The purpose of the optical devices 8 used in the dishwasher 1 is to obtain two-dimensional images that are fixed and/or sequential, at predetermined capture rates, for example, a single photogram or a series of images or a continuous stream of images of the cleaning medium collection zone 2'''.

In particular, the optics 8 create images of the washing liquid viewed transversely from the side wall LT of the cleaning medium collection area 2''', so that at least the level line reached by the surface of the washing liquid can be seen and clearly identified.

It should be noted that the above optical devices 8 preferably create images of the collection area 2''' of the washing medium throughout the wash cycle at predetermined time intervals or a predetermined frequency of imaging.

Such optical devices 8 are in communication with the control unit 4 via input/output ports to send the received data to the control unit 4.

Such optical devices 8 are, for example, included in a still camera and/or video camera. Such devices are known in the art and are therefore not described in detail in the present invention.

However, it should be appreciated that in the present description, the camera and/or video camera that can be used in the dishwasher 1 is preferably capable of producing images with a capture time of less than a tenth of a second and meets the specifications that they can also operate in water, those. the camera and/or video camera conform to the IPx(1-8) standard.

Alternatively, or in combination with such specifications, it is provided that the socket 2F, in which the optical devices 8 are located, is made in such a way that it is watertight, for example, using sealing methods.

The dishwasher 1 contains a user interface 9, i. e. a command interface through which the user can control and manage the operations and functions of the dishwasher itself.

To this end, the user interface 9 communicates with the control unit 4 via input/output ports to receive data processed by the central processor of the control unit 4 itself.

In an embodiment, the user interface 9 is a screen 23 built into the dishwasher 1 so that it is visible to the user during normal use and/or with the addition of an alarm device (not shown in the figure).

In the embodiment with reference to FIG. 3 and 4, the user interface 9 is built into the door 3 so that the screen faces outwards from the washing area 2.

It will be appreciated that the screen 23 of the user interface 9 is configured to display light emitting indications, text messages and/or individual or continuous images. In particular, the images that can be displayed on the screen can be images of the washing area 2 and the corresponding objects located therein, detected by the optical devices 8. In particular, the screen can be of a touch type.

In another embodiment, the user interface 9 comprises one or more analog buttons and/or a combination of analog/digital controls and/or a combination of analog/digital controls and a screen, the latter being a touchscreen type.

The user interface signaling device 9 is used to inform the user about operating conditions and states by means of an audible signal.

In an embodiment, the dishwasher 1 includes a transceiver configured to communicate with a wired or wireless network. For example, the wireless network may be an Internet Protocol based network over a Wi-Fi connection or a WPAN (Wireless Personal Area Network) over Bluetooth.

With reference to the above, the user interface 9 also includes a portable device (ie, carried by the user manually) 22, such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop, and the like.

In other words, the user interface 9 comprises the conventional control interface of the dishwasher 1 and the screen of the portable device 22.

In particular, the portable device 22 includes its own transceiver, configured to communicate with the transceiver of the dishwasher 1.

According to an embodiment, the portable device 22, capable of communicating with the control unit 4 of the dishwasher 1, can also be connected via the Internet, for example, via a GSM infrastructure, to one or more remote servers 24, in order to perform archiving, storage and/or processing of data operations. from images obtained with optical devices 8.

In other words, the portable device 22 is capable of connecting both directly to the dishwasher 1 and to the Internet via the GSM infrastructure. In such a case, a system 25 is provided comprising a dishwasher 1 and a portable device 22 communicating with each other via a GSM network, a Wi-Fi connection and/or a WPAN network.

It should be noted that the screen of the portable device 22 is configured to display light emitting indications, text messages and/or images received from optical devices 8.

In an embodiment of the present invention, if the user interface 9 also includes a portable device 22, it is provided that the database can be stored at least partially, preferably completely, in the memory unit of the portable device 22, in the mass storage unit of the server and/or in a distributed mode in the memory unit of the dishwasher 1, portable device 22 and server 23.

According to an embodiment, the control unit 4 is in communication with a user interface 9 (be it an interface in the form of a specific screen of the dishwasher 1 only or a screen interface of the portable device 22) in order to be able to transmit information via the user interface 9 about the presence of foam in the dishwasher 1 and/ or modifications to be made to one or more specified wash parameters of the wash program P.

The term "one or more specified washing parameters of the wash program P" means in the present description any change in the parameters of the program P according to the identification of the presence of foam in the dishwasher.

With reference to FIG. 1, the method for automatically judging the presence of foam in the dishwasher 1 preferably comprises the step 10A of supplying the detergent to the dispenser 6, i.e. it is envisaged that the user places in the compartment of the dispenser 6 the detergent chosen by him.

Preferably, the method includes the step 10B of automatically filling the washing medium collection area 2''' with clean water obtained from the water supply network connected to the dishwasher 1.

It should be appreciated that the steps of the method described below, namely the steps of acquiring and processing images, can be performed either directly by the CPU of the control unit 4 or, more preferably, by the CPU of the user's portable device, also via an Internet connection to the CPUs of remote servers. used for data analysis and processing.

After closing the door 7 of the dispenser 6, selecting the program P using the interface 9 and closing the door 3 of the dishwasher 1, the method includes the step 11 of obtaining the first digital image 11A characterizing the first state of the washing medium collection zone 2'''.

Such an image acquisition step 11 is performed by the optical device(s) 8 installed inside the washing zone 2. To this end, the control unit 4 monitors the stage of image acquisition by controlling the optical device(s) 8.

The method also includes a digital processing step 12 of the first digital image 11A to obtain a first processed image 11B, in which the first processed image 11B identifies the amount of the first volume of medium contained in the washing medium collection zone 2'''. It should be noted that the first processed image 11B identifies a value characterizing the first volume of medium contained in the cleaning medium collection zone 2''', i. e. the volume of the medium located in the collection zone 2''' of the washing medium. It is clear that the volume of the medium may contain both the volume occupied by the liquid medium, eg water, and the volume occupied by the medium at least partially in the gaseous state, eg in the case of foam.

The method includes the step 13 of obtaining the second digital image 13A, characterizing the second state of the area 2''' collection of washing medium after a predetermined time interval has elapsed since the execution of step 11 of obtaining the first digital image 11A. Preferably, the step 13 of obtaining the second digital image 13A is performed after the release of the detergent into the cleaning medium collection area 2''' and/or after the washing pump has been actuated at periodic intervals, preferably at intervals of a minute or more.

The method also includes a step 14 of processing the second digital image 13A to obtain a second processed image 13B, in which the second processed image 13B identifies the amount of the second volume of medium contained in the cleaning medium collection zone 2'''. In addition, in this case, it should be noted that the second processed image 11B identifies a value indicative of the second volume of the medium contained in the collection area 2''' of the washing medium, i. e. the volume of the medium located in the collection zone 2''' of the washing medium. It is clear that the volume of the medium contains both the volume occupied by the liquid medium, eg water, and the volume occupied by the medium at least partially in the gaseous state, eg in the case of foam.

The method includes the step 15 of comparing the first processed image 11B with the second processed image 13B, i. e. the value of the first volume of the medium with the value of the second volume of the medium to calculate the amount DV of the change in the volume of the medium between the first state and the second state of the specified area 2''' collection of washing medium.

Additionally, the method comprises the step 16 of generating a foam presence signal Sig indicative of the presence of foam in the cleaning medium collection zone 2''' when the medium volume change amount DV exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

The method also includes the step 17 of modifying the washing parameters of the washing program P of the dishwasher 1 when the foam presence signal Sig is generated.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first digital image 11A characterizes the first state of the washing medium collection area 2''' before the washing pump is activated. In particular, the image 11A is obtained, alternatively, before the step 10B of filling the cleaning medium collection area 2''' with clean water or after such a step when the washing medium collection area 2''' is filled with clean water (in both cases, before the pump is driven). for washing). Preferably, the method includes the step of automatically actuating the washing pump. In addition, the second digital image 13A shows the second state of the washing medium collecting area 2''' after a predetermined period of time following the step of driving the washing pump.

According to the embodiment of the invention described above, the method includes the step 10B of automatically filling the washing medium collection area 2''' with clean water. In this case, the first digital image 11A preferably characterizes the first state of the washing medium collection area 2''', in which the washing medium collection area 2''' contains pure water. In addition, the second digital image characterizes the second state of the cleaning medium collection area 2''' after a predetermined time interval following the step of filling the washing medium collection area 2'''. According to another form of the previous embodiment, the method also includes the step of automatically dispensing the detergent into the cleaning medium collection area 2'''. In this case, the second digital image 13A shows the second state of the washing medium collecting area 2''' after a predetermined time interval following the execution of the step of automatically dispensing detergent into the washing medium collecting area 2'''.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first processed image 11B identifies the first level line L1 of the first medium volume contained in the washing medium collection zone 2'''. Similarly, the second processed image 13B identifies the second level line L2 of the second medium volume contained in the washing medium collection zone 2'''. With specific reference to FIG. 3 and 5, it should be noted that the level lines L1, L2 are lines that delimit the surface of the medium contained in the collection area 2''' of the washing medium, if the volume of the medium is monitored in the transverse direction by means of an optical device 8 located in the side wall LT zone 2''' collection of washing medium. The level lines L1, L2 need not be strictly horizontal as intended in the case of clear or foam-free water, and may vary erratically with rises and falls in the presence of foam on the surface of the liquid. Preferably, the step 15 of comparing the first medium volume with the second medium volume includes a sub-step of comparing the first level line L1 with the level line L2 to calculate the amount of medium volume change DV between the first state and the second state of the washing medium collecting area 2'''.

According to another variant or variant, which can be combined with the previous variant, the first processed image 11B identifies the first surface S1 characterizing the space occupied by the first volume of the medium in the predetermined sector Q of the cleaning medium collection zone 2'''. Sector Q is formed like a grating and, as mentioned above, its boundaries are defined and defined by the scanning capabilities of the optical devices 8, which create cross-sectional images of the medium contained in the cleaning medium collection zone 2'''. The second processed image 13B identifies the second surface S2 indicative of the space occupied by the second volume of the medium in the predetermined sector Q of the cleaning medium collection zone 2'''. The step 15 of comparing the first medium volume with the second medium volume includes a sub-step of comparing the first surface S1 with the second surface S2 to calculate the change value DV of the medium volume between the first state and the second state of the washing medium collecting area 2'''. Advantageously, it is possible to divide the obtained image with a grating and store the first digital image 11A so as to divide the Q sector space into a predetermined number of units to compare each segment in order to determine changes in the volume of the environment in the space of the analyzed area.

It should be noted that in both of the above variant/combinable solutions, i.e. in the analysis of lines L1, L2 of levels or surfaces SI, S2 in sector Q (see FIGS. 2 and 5) these parameters can be related to the volume of the holding tray for the medium in the collection zone 2''' of the washing medium to enable the volume of the medium to be calculated contained in the collection area of the washing medium, depending on the specific case.

According to a preferred embodiment, the method involves iterative repetition during the washing cycle:

- step 13 of obtaining the second digital image 13A, characterizing the second state of the cleaning medium collection area 2''' after a predetermined time interval has elapsed from the moment of performing step 11 of obtaining the first digital image 11A, preferably at time intervals greater than or equal to 1 minute;

- step 14 of digital processing of the second digital image 13A to obtain a second processed image 13B;

- step 15 comparing the first volume of medium with the second volume of medium to calculate the amount DV of the change in volume of medium between the first state and the second state of the zone 2''' collection of washing medium;

- a step 16 of generating a signal Sig about the presence of foam in the collection area 2''' of the washing medium when the amount of change in the volume of the medium DV exceeds a predetermined threshold value;

- a step 17 of modifying the washing parameters of the washing program P of the dishwasher 1, when the foam signal Sig is generated.

According to a preferred embodiment, the method includes the step of obtaining the initial digital image RIF, characterizing the initial state of the zone 2''' collection of washing medium. In particular, the original digital image RIF identifies the original volume of the medium contained in the collection zone 2''' of the washing medium. The comparison step 15 includes a sub-step of comparing the original digital image RIF with the first processed image 11B, i. e. the value of the initial volume of the environment with the value of the first volume of the environment for calculating the amount DV of the change in the volume of the environment between the initial state and the first state of the zone 2''' collection of washing medium. Preferably, the initial digital image RIF refers to the state of the initial washing medium collection zone 2''', which may be empty or filled with clean water. It should be noted that the original image is known to the dishwasher manufacturer and stored in a database.

According to a preferred embodiment, the method includes one or more steps for modifying the washing parameters of the washing program P of the dishwasher 1 when a foam presence signal is generated:

- pressure reduction of the washing pump;

- heating the washing medium to increase the temperature of the medium contained in the collection zone 2''' of the washing medium;

- release of the washing medium and automatic filling of the zone 2''' of collecting the washing medium with clean water.

In a preferred embodiment, the method includes the step of reporting via the user interface 9 the presence of foam, when a foam signal is generated, and/or modifications made to one or more cleaning parameters of the cleaning program P.

Advantageously, the method of the present invention makes it possible to detect the presence of foam in the dishwasher 1.

Also advantageously, the method allows one or more cleaning parameters of the cleaning program P to be modified depending on the possible presence of foam.

In particular, the cleaning parameters of the cleaning program, which can be modified based on the amount of foam detected and the length of the cycle during which foam was detected, include one or a combination of several of the following parameters:

- the duration of the washing phase;

- washing pump pressure;

- temperature at the stages of washing and drying;

- volume of loaded water in liters.

According to a preferred step, the method includes the step of reporting via the user interface the presence of foam and/or modifications made to one or more cleaning parameters of the cleaning program P, in order to promptly inform the user of the changes being made.

As has been shown, with the method and the dishwasher 1, it is possible to signal through the user interface 9 to identify a change in the operating state of the machine itself, so as to enable the machine to be restored to its installed state. This reduces the need to perform a predetermined wash of certain dishes and/or repeat the wash cycle with the subsequent supply of water, detergent, and also reduces energy costs.

According to an embodiment, the method can be implemented as follows:

- one or more cameras are installed in such a way as to allow observation of the area between the lower impeller 5A used for distributing the washing medium and the bottom part 2A of the dishwasher tray (washing medium collection zone 2''') where the water supplied for washing is collected ;

- the camera(s) connected to the dishwasher control and/or remote device creates an image before the wash pump is activated (original image, tray filled with clean water);

- after actuating the washing pump, the system starts to create images at intervals greater than or equal to 1 minute;

- by analyzing the images and the space occupied by the cleaning medium, using an image processing system (for example, a control panel and/or a remotely connected device), the presence of foam can be determined by analyzing the comparison of the spaces with the original image.

It should be noted that in the absence of foam, the second processed image 13B does not differ from the first processed image 11B. However, in the presence of foam, the space will be occupied by foam and hence the "foam presence" state will be identified.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, it is possible to generate a foam reset signal if, after modifying the washing program and parameters, all or substantially all of the previously detected foam has been removed, providing a negative change in the amount of medium. In addition, it is possible to generate a signal of no foam when the value of the change in the amount of medium is zero.

Obviously, a person skilled in the art, in order to meet additional specific requirements, can make numerous modifications to the above options, corresponding to the scope of protection established in the following claims.

Claims (52)

1. A method for automatically assessing the presence of foam in a dishwasher (1) containing a washing zone (2) having a washing medium collection zone (2'''), said method being characterized in that it includes step (11) of obtaining the first digital image (11A), characterizing the first state of the specified zone (2''') for collecting the washing medium, step (12) of digital processing of said first digital image (11A) to obtain a first processed image (11B), in which said first processed image (11B) identifies the value of the first medium volume contained in said washing medium collection zone (2''') , step (13) for obtaining the second digital image (13A) characterizing the second state of the specified zone (2''') for collecting the washing medium after a predetermined time interval has elapsed from the moment of performing the specified step (11) for obtaining the first digital image (11A), step (14) of digital processing of said second digital image (13A) to obtain a second processed image (13B), in which said second processed image (13B) identifies the value of the second medium volume contained in said washing medium collection zone (2''') , step (15) comparing the specified value of the specified first volume of the medium with the value of the specified second volume of the medium to calculate the value (DV) of the change in the volume of the medium between the specified first state and the specified second state of the specified zone (2''') for collecting the washing medium, step (16) generating a signal (Sig) about the presence of foam, characterizing the presence of foam in the specified zone (2''') of collecting the washing medium, when the value (DV) of the specified change in the volume of the medium exceeds a predetermined threshold value, step (17) modifying the washing parameters of the washing program (P) of said dishwasher (1), when said foam presence signal (Sig) is generated. 2. The method according to claim 1, in which: the indicated dishwasher (1) contains a washing pump, said first digital image (11A) characterizes the first state of said washing medium collection area (2''') before actuating said washing pump, said method comprises the step of automatically actuating the washing pump, said second digital image (13A) characterizes the second state of said washing medium collection zone (2''') after a predetermined time interval following the said actuation step of said washing pump. 3. The method according to p. 1, including: step (10B) of automatic filling of the specified zone (2''') of collecting the washing medium with clean water, and said first digital image (11A) characterizes the first state of said washing medium collection area (2'''), in which said washing medium collection area (2''') contains clean water, said second digital image (13A) characterizes the second state of said washing medium collection area (2''') after a predetermined time interval following the said step of filling said washing medium collection area (2'''). 4. The method according to claim 1, including: step (10B) automatically filling said washing medium collection area (2''') with clean water, wherein said first digital image (11A) characterizes the first state of said washing medium collection area (2''') in which said area (2' '') collection of washing medium contains pure water, said method includes the step of automatically dispensing detergent into said washing medium collection zone (2'''), wherein said second digital image (13A) characterizes the second state of said washing medium collection zone (2''') after a predetermined time interval following for performing the specified step of automatic release of the detergent into the specified zone (2''') of the collection of the washing medium. 5. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-4, in which: the specified zone (2''') for collecting the washing medium is located between the lower impeller (5A) and the wall (2A) of the base of the specified zone (2) washing, said first processed image (11B) identifies a first level line (L1) of said first medium volume contained in said washing medium collection zone (2'''), said second processed image (13B) identifies a second level line (L2) of said second medium volume contained in said washing medium collection zone (2'''), said step (15) of comparing said first medium volume with said second medium volume includes a sub-step of comparing said first level line (L1) with said second level line (L2) to calculate said medium volume change value (DV) between said first state and said second state the state of the specified zone (2''') collection of the washing medium. 6. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-4, in which: the specified zone (2''') for collecting the washing medium is located between the lower impeller (5A) and the wall (2A) of the base of the specified zone (2) washing, said first processed image (11B) identifies the first surface (S1) characterizing the space occupied by said first medium volume in a given sector (Q) of said washing medium collection zone (2'''), said sector (Q) being made like a grid, said second processed image (13B) identifies a second surface (S2) characterizing the space occupied by said second medium volume in a given sector (Q) of said washing medium collection zone (2'''), said step (15) of comparing said first medium volume with said second medium volume includes a sub-step of comparing said first surface (S1) with said second surface (S2) to calculate said medium volume change value (DV) between said first state and said second state of said zone (2''') collection of washing medium. 7. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-6, wherein said method is iteratively repeated during a wash cycle: stage (13) of obtaining the second digital image (13A), characterizing the specified second state of the specified zone (2''') for collecting the washing medium after the specified time interval has elapsed from the moment of performing the specified stage (11) of obtaining the first digital image (11A), step (14) of digital processing of said second digital image (13A) to obtain a second processed image (13B), step (15) comparing said first volume of medium with said second volume of medium to calculate the value (DV) of the change in volume of medium between said first state and said second state of said washing medium collection zone (2'''), step (16) generating a signal (Sig) about the presence of foam in the specified zone (2''') of collecting the washing medium, when the value (DV) of the specified change in the volume of the medium exceeds a predetermined threshold value, step (17) of modifying the washing parameters of the washing program (P) of said dishwasher (1), when said foam presence signal (Sig) is generated. 8. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-7, including: the stage of obtaining the initial digital image (RIF) characterizing the initial state of the specified zone (2''') of the collection of the washing medium, and the specified initial digital image (RIF) identifies the initial volume of the medium contained in the specified zone (2''') of the collection of the washing medium , wherein said comparison step (15) includes a sub-step of comparing said initial medium volume with said first medium volume to calculate the amount (DV) of the change in medium volume between said initial state and said first state of said washing medium collection zone (2'''). 9. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-8, including one or more of the following steps for modifying the washing parameters of the washing program (P) of said dishwasher (1) when the above foam presence signal is generated: decreasing the pressure of said washing pump; heating the washing medium to raise the temperature of the medium contained in said cleaning medium collection zone (2'''); the release of the washing medium and the automatic filling of the specified zone (2''') collection of the washing medium with clean water. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said dishwasher (1) comprises a user interface (9), the method comprising the step of reporting via said user interface (9) the presence of foam when said foam presence signal is generated, and/or modifications made to one or more of said wash parameters of said wash program (P). 11. Dishwasher (1), containing a pump that can be connected to the inlet of the water supply network to supply clean water from the water supply network, one or more (5A, 5B) impellers in fluid communication with such a pump, a washing zone (2) , having a zone (2''') for collecting the washing medium, located between the lower impeller (5A) and the wall (2A) of the base of the specified zone (2) of washing, and a door (3), which can be connected in the closed state with the specified zone ( 2) washing, a control unit (4) having a memory block, in one area of which the washing program (P) is stored, a dispenser (6) configured to release the detergent into the specified zone (2''') of collecting the washing medium, and one or more resistive means for varying the tap water temperature, one or more optical devices (8) capable of obtaining digital images (11, 16) of the indicated cleaning medium collection zone (2'''), and a user interface (9), moreover, the indicated one or more optical devices ( 8) and the specified user interface (9) are connected by sending signals to the specified control unit (4), characterized in that it contains a program located in another area of the specified memory unit and configured to implement the method according to any of the previous paragraphs. 1-10. 12. Dishwasher according to claim. 11, in which the specified user interface (9) is a screen built into the specified dishwasher, and the specified screen (23) is configured to display the specified signal about the presence of foam and/or modifications to be performed in relation to one or more specified washing parameters of the specified washing program (P), by means of light-emitting indication, text messages and/or images. 13. The dishwasher according to claim. 11, containing a transceiver device, while the specified user interface (9) is a portable device having its own transceiver device, configured to communicate by sending signals with the specified transceiver device of the specified dishwasher (1) for receiving data characterizing said signal about the presence of foam and/or modifications to be made in relation to one or more of the specified washing parameters of the specified washing program, using light-emitting indication, text messages and/or images. 14. System for automatic assessment of the presence of foam in the dishwasher (1), comprising: a dishwasher containing a pump that can be connected to the inlet of the water supply network for supplying clean water from the water supply network, one or more (5A, 5B) impellers in fluid communication with such a pump, a washing zone (2) having a zone (2 ''') collection of the washing medium, located between the lower impeller (5A) and the wall (2A) of the base of the specified washing zone (2), and the door (3), which can be connected in the closed state with the specified washing zone (2), block (4) control, having a memory unit, in one area of which the washing program (P) is stored, a dispenser (6) for dosing detergent, and one or more resistive means for varying the temperature of tap water, one or more optical devices (8), capable of obtaining digital images of the specified cleaning medium collection area (2'''), and a user interface (9), wherein the specified one or more optical devices (8) and the specified user interface (9) are connected by sending a signal ov with the specified control unit (4) like the specified pump and transceiver; a portable device (22) that the user can hold by hand, having its own transceiver device, configured to communicate by sending signals with the specified transceiver device of the specified dishwasher, a screen configured to display light-emitting indication, text messages and / or images, and memory block, characterized in that it contains a program located in the area of the memory block of the specified portable (22) device that can be held by the user, and the specified program is configured to implement the method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-10 and displaying on said interface (9) and/or said screen of said portable device held by the user, said signal about the presence of foam and/or modifications to be made in relation to one or more of said washing parameters of said wash program, with using light emitting indications, text messages and/or images.

Images