US20180325346A1

US20180325346A1 - Water-conducting domestic appliance and method for operating a water-conducting domestic appliance

Info

Publication number: US20180325346A1
Application number: US15/774,600
Authority: US
Inventors: Michaela Gerstenlauer; Heinz Heissler
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2015-12-22
Filing date: 2016-12-21
Publication date: 2018-11-15
Also published as: PL3393326T3; EP3393326B1; WO2017108892A1; CN108471922A; EP3393326A1; DE102015226572A1

Abstract

A water-conducting domestic appliance includes a dispensing apparatus configured to dispense a cleaning agent into a dishwasher cavity of the water-conducting domestic appliance, and a controller configured to carry out a number of wash programs for washing items to be washed and to carry out a cleaning program for cleaning the water-conducting domestic appliance. The cleaning program includes a first cleaning phase with a first cleaning agent at a first temperature and a second cleaning phase with a second cleaning agent at a second temperature. The controller is configured to actuate the dispensing apparatus such as to dispense the second cleaning agent into the dishwasher cavity during the second cleaning phase.

Description

The present invention relates to a water-conducting domestic appliance, such as a dishwasher, for instance. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for operating a water-conducting domestic appliance. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a computer program product, which triggers the realization of such a method using a program-controlled device.
As a function of the use of a dishwasher, dirt or impurities may develop in the interior, i.e. the dishwasher cavity, at different points, even after a wash phase for washing the dishes. This dirt in the dishwasher cavity can be caused as a result of the manner in which dishes are arranged, the cleaning agent used or as a result of the type of soiling of the dishes.
What are known as spray shadows may develop as a result of the arrangement of the dishes. This means that the wet jet is shielded or deflected by dishware and as a result does not reach the full interior of the dishwasher.
If, in the case of heavy soiling of the dishes, too weak a program is selected, it may not be possible for dirt to be removed entirely from the dishwasher. In such cases the dirt accumulates predominantly at points at which less water is sprayed or there is less of a water impulse.
When the cleaning power of the selected cleaning agent is too low, the soiling of the dishes may likewise not be removed entirely from the dishwasher and thus accumulates in the interior. This may be the case for instance if the cleaning agent has aged or is inefficient.
In order to eliminate such impurities in the interior, machine cleaning agents can be used, which are to eliminate these impurities within the scope of a machine cleaning program. To this end the dishwasher is typically operated without dishes, but with the machine cleaning agent introduced. Such machine cleaning programs are however only designed for specific types of impurities. Therefore residues of impurities frequently remain in the interior of the dishwasher even after such a program has been applied.
Against this background, one object of the present invention consists in providing an improved water-conducting domestic appliance.
Accordingly, a water-conducting domestic appliance is proposed, which has a controller for carrying out a number of wash programs for washing items to be washed and a dispensing apparatus for dispensing at least one cleaning agent and/or rinse-aid into a dishwasher cavity of the water-conducting domestic appliance. The controller is configured to carry out a cleaning program for cleaning the water-conducting domestic appliance, wherein the cleaning program has a first cleaning phase with a first cleaning agent at a first temperature and a second cleaning phase with a second cleaning agent at a second temperature. The controller is furthermore configured to control the dispensing apparatus such that said dispensing apparatus dispenses the second cleaning agent into the dishwasher cavity during the second cleaning phase.
Here the proposed domestic appliance can use the same dispensing apparatus as the dispensing apparatus, which is introduced into the wash programs for the dish cleaning agent. By using two cleaning phases to clean the water-conducting domestic appliance, two different cleaning agents can be used, which are each optimized for specific requirements in each case. To this end the two cleaning phases can use different cleaning agents at different temperatures.
The first cleaning agent can be provided directly on the base of the dishwasher cavity, for instance, or, in the event of a liquid cleaning agent, in a receptacle for instance in the top basket or cutlery drawer in the dishwasher cavity. After the first cleaning phase with the directly introduced first cleaning agent has elapsed, the second cleaning agent can then be released by the dispensing apparatus. This is then used in the second cleaning phase.
With the proposed domestic appliance, it is therefore possible to be able to employ two cleaning phases, independent of one another, with different purposes, by using hardware which is already present, such as the dispensing apparatus. The use of two cleaning phases also makes it possible to swell and dissolve specific types of dirt, such as e.g. starch, cellulose etc., in the first cleaning phase, in order to be able to ensure a significantly improved removal capacity in the second cleaning phase.
The water-conducting domestic appliance is in particular a domestic dishwasher. In particular, the domestic dishwasher uses zeolite to dry the dishwasher cavity and the dishes.
According to a further embodiment, the domestic appliance is a dishwasher, a washing machine, a dryer, in particular a tumble dryer or a steamer.
According to a further embodiment, the first temperature is higher than the second temperature.
The first temperature can be optimized here to specific dirt and a specific cleaning agent. For instance, a liquid machine cleaning agent can be used in the first cleaning phase. This can be inserted into the dishwasher cavity in a receptacle, e.g. a bottle. Such receptacles frequently have a waxy seal, which initially has to be dissolved. The temperature of the first cleaning phase can be geared hereto.
According to a further embodiment, the first temperature is higher than 60° C., in particular lies in a range of 65° C. to 80° C.
With a temperature above 60° C., specific soiling in the domestic appliance, i.e. the dishwasher cavity as well as feed and removal systems, can be dissolved. Furthermore, the first cleaning agent may be suitable for this temperature range.
According to a further embodiment, the second temperature lies in a range of 45° C. to 55° C.
In the second cleaning phase, a lower temperature range is sufficient, since dirt that can only be dissolved at higher temperatures has already at least been partly dissolved in the first cleaning phase. The energy consumption due to high temperatures can therefore be reduced in the second cleaning phase.
According to a further embodiment, the first cleaning phase and/or the first cleaning agent is designed to dissolve limescale, fat and/or microorganisms.
The first cleaning agent can be designed to free the domestic appliance of fat and limescale. Such a cleaning agent can contain a high portion of tenside in order to emulsify existing fat. Furthermore, the cleaning agent can contain acids, e.g. citric acid or formic acids, in order to dissolve limescale in the dishwasher cavity and other water-conducting parts. The cleaning effect takes place here in an acidic environment.
Alternatively or in addition, the cleaning agent may be suitable for reducing microorganisms. Such a cleaning agent contains bleaching agents, inter alia. As a result, the disinfecting effect of oxygen, which is released from the bleaching agents, can be employed.
Both types of first cleaning agent are suited in particular to temperatures above 60° C. and deploy their effect in this range.
According to a further embodiment, the second cleaning phase and/or the second cleaning agent is designed to dissolve carbohydrate, protein and/or cellulose.
To this end the second cleaning agent can contain enzymes, for instance, which are embodied to break down carbohydrate, protein or cellulose. In the second cleaning phase, an alkaline solution is generated here by the water and the second cleaning agent.
According to a further embodiment, the user can select whether the machine cleaning program is to be carried out in a manner so as to save energy and/or optimize cleaning effect. This can also be selected again while the cleaning program is being carried out. As a function of the selection, the controller can supplement the cleaning program by a pre-rinse phase, one or more intermediate wash phases, a rinse-aid phase and/or a drying phase. Alternatively, the controller can supplement the cleaning program automatically by these phases, wherein information relating to the degree of impurities in the domestic appliance may have an influence.
According to a further embodiment, the cleaning program has a pre-rinse phase prior to the first cleaning phase.
Impurities, which are already dissolved, can be rinsed out of the domestic appliance in the pre-rinse phase. Therefore solid dirt can be prepared directly in the first cleaning phase, without expending the cleaning agent with already dissolved dirt. The pre-rinse phase can be carried out heated or unheated. In the first case, dirt can be dissolved or broken up more easily. In such cases the temperature reached can lie below the temperature at which the waxy seal of the receptacle, in which the machine cleaning agent is disposed, dissolves. In the second case, the energy consumption is reduced. The pre-rinse phase can additionally be selected in particular by the user prior to starting the machine cleaning program. Alternatively, the pre-rinse phase can be selected automatically by the controller. To this end, information can be used by sensors which make it possible to provide information about the degree of impurity in the domestic appliance.
According to a further embodiment, the cleaning program has an intermediate wash phase between the first cleaning phase and the second cleaning phase.
The intermediate wash phase can be used to prevent the first cleaning agent, which contains acid, for instance, from carrying over into the second cleaning phase. Such a carryover of cleaning agent could result in unwanted reactions between the first and the second cleaning agent.
The intermediate wash phase serves furthermore to rinse dissolved dirt out of the domestic appliance. The intermediate wash phase can likewise be carried out heated or unheated and with one or more baths, depending on whether the energy consumption is to be reduced or the cleaning power is to be improved. The intermediate wash phase can likewise be selected by the user prior to starting the machine cleaning program in addition to or automatically by means of the controller.
According to a further embodiment, the cleaning program has an intermediate wash phase after the second cleaning phase.
The intermediate wash phase after the second cleaning phase can be used to rinse dissolved dirt out of the domestic appliance. The intermediate wash phase can likewise be carried out heated or unheated and with one or more baths, depending on whether the energy consumption is to be reduced or the cleaning power is to be improved. This intermediate wash phase can likewise be selected by the user prior to starting the machine cleaning program in addition to or automatically by means of the controller.
According to a further embodiment, the cleaning program has a rinse-aid phase after the second cleaning phase.
The rinse-aid phase can be used to once again rinse components or dissolved dirt out of the domestic appliance. The rinse-aid phase can be carried out heated or unheated. Depending on the type of drying, it may be necessary to carry out the rinse-aid phase heated. Furthermore, rinse-aid can be added to the rinse-aid phase by means of the dispensing apparatus.
According to a further embodiment, the cleaning program has a final drying phase.
A final drying phase may ensure that no microorganisms are able to propagate on account of a damp environment in the domestic appliance.
Furthermore, a method for operating a water-conducting domestic appliance is proposed, in particular a dishwasher, which has a controller for carrying out a number of wash programs for washing items to be washed and a dispensing apparatus for dispensing at least one cleaning agent into a dishwasher cavity of the water-conducting domestic appliance. Here the method has the following steps: Carrying out a cleaning program for cleaning the water-conducting domestic appliance, wherein the cleaning program has a first cleaning phase with a first cleaning agent at a first temperature and a second cleaning phase with a second cleaning agent at a second temperature, and dispensing the second cleaning agent into the dishwasher cavity during the second cleaning phase.
Furthermore, a computer program product is proposed which triggers the execution of the method as described above on a program-controlled device.
A computer program product, such as e.g. a computer program means, can, for example, be provided or supplied as a storage medium, such as memory cards, USB sticks, CD-ROMs, DVDs or also in the form of files which can be downloaded from a server in a network. This can take place, for example, in a wireless communications network through the transmission of a corresponding file with the computer program product or the computer program means.
The forms of embodiment and features described for the proposed device apply accordingly to the proposed method.
Further possible implementations of the invention also comprise combinations—not explicitly cited—of features or forms of embodiment described above or below in respect of the exemplary embodiments. Here the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or amendments to the respective basic form of the invention.

Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims as well as the exemplary embodiments of the invention described below. The invention is also described in greater detail on the basis of preferred forms of embodiment with reference to the attached figures.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a water-conducting domestic appliance;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic time diagram for an example of a machine cleaning program, which is carried out by the domestic appliance in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating the water-conducting domestic appliance.

Elements which are the same or function the same have been provided with the same reference characters in the figures, unless specified otherwise.
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a water-conducting domestic appliance 1. In the example in FIG. 1, the domestic appliance 1 is a dishwasher.
The dishwasher 1 has a carcass comprising a dishwasher cavity 2 as well as a door 3. The dishwasher cavity 2 and the door 3 form a washing chamber 4 for washing items to be washed. The door 3 is shown in its open position in FIG. 1. The door 3 can be closed or opened by pivoting about a pivot axis S provided at a lower end of the door 3.
The dishwasher cavity 2 is square, for instance, and can comprise a base 5, a ceiling 6 arranged opposite to the base 5, a rear wall 7 arranged opposite to the door 3 and two side walls 8, 9 arranged opposite to one another. In particular, the side walls 8, 9 can be manufactured from stainless steel.
The dishwasher 1 further has at least one loading level 10. The at least one loading level 10 is preferably a receptacle for items to be washed of the dishwasher 1. In particular, a number of loading levels 10 can be provided, which can comprise a lower basket, an upper basket and/or a cutlery drawer. The number of loading levels 10 are preferably arranged one above the other in the dishwasher cavity 2. Each loading level 10 can optionally be moved in an insertion direction E into the dishwasher cavity 2 or in an extraction direction A out of this. To this end, a rail 11 is preferably provided on both sides of a respective loading level 10.
A controller 12 provided optionally in the carcass or in the door 3 of the dishwasher 1 is configured to control the process of wash programs for washing items to be washed as well as a machine cleaning program.
The dishwasher 1 in FIG. 1 also has a dispensing apparatus 13 for dispensing cleaning agent into the dishwasher cavity 2. Cleaning agent can be dispensed by way of the dispensing apparatus 13 both into the wash programs and also the machine cleaning program. The dispensing apparatus 13 is located in FIG. 1 in the door 3, but can however also be arranged in the dishwasher cavity 2.
The controller 12 is embodied to carry out the machine cleaning program. This has at least one first cleaning phase P2 with a first cleaning agent at a first temperature and a second cleaning phase P4 with a second cleaning agent at a second temperature. During the second cleaning phase P4, the controller 12 controls the dispensing apparatus 13 such that this dispenses the second cleaning agent into the dishwasher cavity 2.
In addition to the first cleaning phase P2 and the second cleaning phase P4, the machine cleaning program can have one or more further wash cycles or phases, as shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 2 shows a schematic time diagram for an example of a machine cleaning program. The length of the individual phases is only schematic and need not correspond to the actual time ratio of the individual phases.
Firstly an, in particular heated, pre-rinse phase P1 is optionally carried out.
A machine cleaning agent is added in the first cleaning phase P2. This phase P2 can be carried out at 65° C. to 80° C. for instance, in order to assist the cleaning agent optimally.
An optional intermediate wash phase P3 is then carried out. This can be used to prevent the first cleaning agent from being carried over into the second cleaning phase P4.
The second cleaning phase P4 is carried out with a second cleaning agent at 45° C. to 55° C. The second cleaning phase can optionally contain a heating phase.
In an optional intermediate wash phase P5, dissolved dirt can be rinsed out.
A rinse-aid phase P6 can then optionally be carried out. In this phase the domestic appliance 1 can be heated once again to approx. 70° C. in order to assist a subsequent drying phase P7. Rinse-aid can be added to the rinse-aid phase to further assist the drying process.
The final drying phase P7 is optional.
FIG. 3 shows a method for operating a water-conducting domestic appliance 1. One example of such a water-conducting domestic appliance 1 is shown in FIG. 1.
In this regard, in a first step S1, a cleaning program is carried out for cleaning the water-conducting domestic appliance, wherein the cleaning program has a first cleaning phase P2 with a first cleaning agent at a first temperature and a second cleaning phase P4 with a second cleaning agent at a second temperature.
In step S2, the second cleaning agent is dispensed into the dishwasher cavity 2 during the second cleaning phase P4.
The steps S1 and S2 can also be executed in parallel with one another.
Although the present invention has been described on the basis of exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in a variety of ways.
Reference characters used:

1 water-conducting household appliance
2 dishwasher cavity
3 door
4 washing chamber
5 base
6 ceiling
7 rear wall
8, 9 side walls
10 loading level
11 rail
12 controller
13 dispensing apparatus
A extraction direction
E insertion direction
P1-P7 phases
S pivot axis
S1-S2 method steps

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A water-conducting domestic appliance, comprising:

a dispensing apparatus configured to dispense a cleaning agent into a dishwasher cavity of the water-conducting domestic appliance; and

a controller configured to carry out a number of wash programs for washing items to be washed and to carry out a cleaning program for cleaning the water-conducting domestic appliance, with the cleaning program including a first cleaning phase with a first cleaning agent at a first temperature and a second cleaning phase with a second cleaning agent at a second temperature, said controller being configured to actuate the dispensing apparatus such as to dispense the second cleaning agent into the dishwasher cavity during the second cleaning phase.

15. The domestic appliance of claim 14, constructed in the form of a dishwasher.

16. The domestic appliance of claim 14, wherein the first temperature is higher than the second temperature.

17. The domestic appliance of claim 14, wherein the first temperature is higher than 60° C.

18. The domestic appliance of claim 14, wherein the first temperature is in a range of 65° C. to 80° C.

19. The domestic appliance of claim 14, wherein the second temperature is in a range of 45° C. to 55° C.

20. The domestic appliance of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first cleaning phase and the first cleaning agent is configured to dissolve limescale, fat and/or microorganisms.

21. The domestic appliance of claim 14, wherein at least one of the second cleaning phase and the second cleaning agent is configured to dissolve carbohydrate, protein and/or cellulose.

22. The domestic appliance of claim 14, wherein the cleaning program includes a pre-rinse phase prior to the first cleaning phase.

23. The domestic appliance of claim 14, wherein the cleaning program includes an intermediate wash phase between the first cleaning phase and the second cleaning phase.

24. The domestic appliance of claim 14, wherein the cleaning program includes an intermediate wash phase after the second cleaning phase.

25. The domestic appliance of claim 14, wherein the cleaning program includes a rinse-aid phase after the second cleaning phase.

26. The domestic appliance of claim 14, wherein the cleaning program includes a final drying phase.

27. A method for operating a water-conducting domestic appliance, comprising:

configuring a cleaning program for cleaning the water-conducting domestic appliance such that the cleaning program includes a first cleaning phase with a first cleaning agent at a first temperature and a second cleaning phase with a second cleaning agent at a second temperature; and

carrying out by a controller the cleaning program such that the dispensing apparatus is actuated to dispense the second cleaning agent into a dishwasher cavity of the water-conducting domestic appliance during the second cleaning phase.

28. The method of claim 27 for operating a dishwasher.

29. A computer program product embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium, wherein the computer program product, when loaded into a controller of a water-conducting domestic appliance and executed by the controller, causes the controller to:

carry out a cleaning program having a first cleaning phase with a first cleaning agent at a first temperature and a second cleaning phase with a second cleaning agent at a second temperature; and

actuate a dispensing apparatus of the water-conducting domestic appliance to dispense the second cleaning agent into a dishwasher cavity of the water-conducting domestic appliance during the second cleaning phase.