WO2021254757A1

WO2021254757A1 - System comprising a dishwasher and method for operating a dishwasher

Info

Publication number: WO2021254757A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/064143
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Lugert; Erwin Frank
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2020-06-18
Filing date: 2021-05-27
Publication date: 2021-12-23
Also published as: CN115697169A; DE102020207536A1; US20220313055A1; EP4167823A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a system with a dishwasher (1), in particular a domestic dishwasher, comprising a washing container (2), a spray device (15) for applying items to be washed (16) accommodated in the washing container (2) with a washing fluid and/or fresh water, a drive device (17) for actively driving the spray device (15) and a control device (100) for actuating the drive device (17) according to a control signal, with an input unit (120) for detecting a user input of a user for moving the spray device (15) and with a generation unit (130) for generating the control signal according to the detected user input.

Description

System with a dishwasher and method for operating a dishwasher

The present invention relates to a system with a dishwasher, such as a household dishwasher, and a method for operating a dishwasher.

A household dishwasher sometimes includes a wash container, which can be closed by a door, with a number of wash ware receptacles for receiving wash ware and a control device for carrying out a wash program from a plurality of wash programs for washing wash ware.

A rotating spray arm can be provided within the washing compartment to apply washing solution and / or fresh water to the items to be washed. This spray arm can be driven either with the help of the pressure of the rinsing liquor and / or fresh water emerging from the spray nozzles of the spray arm or with the help of an active drive, in particular with the help of an electric motor. A driven spray arm of a dishwasher is known for example from the document DE 10 2010 000 351 A1.

For this purpose, the as yet unpublished patent application of the applicant with the Ak tenzeichen 102019211410.5 shows a household dishwasher with a Spülbehäl ter, a spray arm for applying washing liquor and / or fresh water to the items to be washed in the washing container and a drive device for actively driving the spray arm. An axis of rotation of a drive shaft of the drive device and an axis of rotation of the spray arm are arranged parallel to one another and spaced from one another.

Further household dishwashers with an actively driven spray arm are described in the applicant's unpublished patent applications with the file numbers 102019211403.2, 102019211400.8, 102019211412.1, 102019211429.6 and 102019211433.4. Against this background, one object of the present invention is to further improve the operation of a dishwasher.

According to a first aspect, a system is proposed with a dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, having a washing container, a spray device for applying washing liquor and / or fresh water to items to be washed in the washing container, a drive device for actively driving the spray device and a control device for controlling the drive device as a function of a control signal, with an input unit for capturing a user input from a user for moving the spray device and with a generating unit for generating the control signal as a function of the captured user input.

In the present system, the user can control the actively driven spray device via his user input. By using the input unit and the generation unit, the user can accordingly control the spray device in particular remotely with regard to its movement.

Since no water is required to drive the present spray device, the user, for example a customer in a shop or at a trade fair, has the option of testing the function of the spray device due to its remote control and, in particular, of understanding it better. This increases the user friendliness of the dishwasher.

For such a drive without water or washing solution, the dishwasher is in particular placed in a demo mode. If, for example, the input unit and the generation unit are integrated on a mobile device, for example a smartphone or a tablet, the user can control the actively driven spray device via his mobile device. It is also possible here for the user to see an image of the interior of the dishwasher on his mobile device. This image can be, for example, a real-time image or an animation. The real-time image can be recorded by the camera of the mobile device or by a camera attached to or in the dishwasher. As stated above, the user has the option of controlling the movement of the actively driven spray device via his mobile device. The user can, for example, move the spray device into a certain position and let it either linger there or move it into a defined zone in order, for example, to depict an intensive cleaning zone (intensive rinsing zone). The Sprüheinrich device preferably follows the user inputs, which are transmitted to the dishwasher, for example via the mobile device. The movement of the spray device can take place in real time or after confirmation, for example by a further user input, or at the end of programming. The user can also use his user input to program several points which, after confirmation, can be approached one after the other by the spray device. Furthermore, the user can preferably program a dwell time of the spray device at a certain point and / or a number of repetitions, for example rotation or pendulum movements, via his user inputs.

The input unit includes, in particular, a haptic input and / or an auditory input (voice input). Furthermore, the input unit can also include a visual and / or auditory output for the user or customer. For example, the output unit includes a touch screen, a microphone and / or a loudspeaker.

The control device can be implemented in terms of hardware and / or also in terms of software. The control device is integrated in particular in the dishwasher. Alternatively, the control device can also be arranged outside the dishwasher. In the case of a hardware implementation, the control device can be designed, for example, as a computer or as a microprocessor. In the case of a software implementation, the control device can be designed as a computer program product, as a function, as a routine, as part of a program code or as an executable object.

The control device is set up to carry out a washing program from a plurality of washing programs for washing the items to be washed. A wash program includes, for example, various partial program steps, such as pre-wash, cleaning, rinsing and / or drying. Different washing programs differ, for example, in a sequence and / or type of partial program steps, as well as in various operating parameters, such as a duration and / or wash liquor temperature of one or more partial program steps.

For washing with the domestic dishwasher, items to be washed are arranged in the washing chamber, in particular on one or more items to be washed. The items to be washed include, in particular, various dishes, cutlery and / or tools that are used for the preparation, storage and / or consumption of food. These are, for example, plates, pots, cups, knives, glasses and the like.

The washing container is preferably cuboid. In particular, the washing compartment comprises a floor, a ceiling arranged opposite the floor, a door, a rear wall arranged opposite the closed door, and two side walls.

Washware receptacles for receiving the washware can be provided in the wash compartment. For example, an upper basket, a lower basket and a cutlery drawer are provided. The spray arm can be arranged below the lower basket. The spray arm can in particular be rotatably mounted on the floor.

In the present case, “loading” the items to be washed with washing solution and / or fresh water is to be understood as meaning that the items to be washed are wetted with washing solution and / or fresh water with the aid of the spray arm. In the present case, “rinsing liquor” can be understood to mean water to which a cleaning agent has been added. The wash liquor can include soiling that has been detached from the items to be washed. The fact that the spray arm is "actively" driven is to be understood as meaning that the drive device applies a torque to the spray arm. An “active” drive should therefore not include, in particular, that the spray arm is set in rotation with the aid of spray nozzles. To actively drive the spray arm, the drive device comprises a drive element, in particular an electric motor.

According to one embodiment, the spray device is designed as a spray arm. Alternatively or additionally, the spray device comprises a spray ball.

According to a further embodiment, the spray device comprises a plurality of actively driven spray arms. For example, the dishwasher can have a Comprising an upper basket and a lower basket, a first spray arm being arranged below the lower basket and a second spray arm being arranged below the upper basket. In addition, a third spray arm can be arranged above the upper basket.

In particular, all the spray arms of the dishwasher are directly controlled or regulated by means of a direct drive.

According to a further embodiment, the spray arm comprises a boom mounted rotatably on a pump well of the domestic dishwasher, which is actively driven by the drive device, and a satellite spray arm rotatably mounted on the boom.

The sump has in particular a tubular sump dome on which the off is casually rotatably mounted about its axis of rotation. The drive device comprises in particular a drive element with a drive shaft which is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The drive element further comprises, in particular, a sensor device for detecting an angular position of the drive shaft.

The spray arm is particularly rotatable about an axis of rotation on the pump sump, the axis of rotation of the spray arm and the axis of rotation of the drive shaft being arranged parallel to one another and at a distance from one another.

Furthermore, a gear is preferably provided which bridges a distance between the axis of rotation of the spray arm and the axis of rotation of the drive shaft.

According to a further embodiment, the input unit is set up to capture a user input from which a control signal for the drive device can be generated, by means of which the spray device is moved to a specific position or in a specific zone, in particular an intensive rinsing zone .

The user can thus directly control the movement of the spray device to the specific position or into the specific zone, in particular remotely control it. Via the input unit, for example designed as an app of a mobile device, the user has the option of defining a certain area in the washing compartment as an intensive washing zone, which he himself uses as a preferred place for heavily soiled items, e.g. B. Pots, is used.

This setting can be stored in the input unit, in particular up to a point in time at which the customer changes such a setting again. Alternatively, such a setting can be queried again via the app each time the dishwasher program is started.

An intensive rinsing zone or intensive rinsing zone is characterized in particular by the fact that either the rinsing pressure at the rinsing nozzles for this area is increased and / or the spray device remains in a position for a longer period of time in which the items to be washed are filled with washing liquid in the area of the intensive rinsing zone to load. Furthermore, the spray device can also oscillate over a certain area of the intensive rinsing zone.

According to a further embodiment, the input unit is set up to record a user input from which a control signal for the drive device can be generated, by means of which a certain movement pattern for the spray device can be programmed or at least one intensive rinsing zone can be programmed.

According to a further embodiment, the control device is set up to carry out a wash program from a plurality of wash programs to wash the items to be washed in the wash compartment, the control device also being set up to adapt at least one of the wash programs as a function of the recorded user input.

A spray program includes, for example, various partial program steps, such as pre-spraying, cleaning, rinsing and / or drying. Each of the subprogram steps can be determined by certain program parameters, for example including a cleaning intensity, a drying intensity and a duration. In the present case, the control device can in particular adapt one of the partial program steps and / or one of the program parameters as a function of the recorded user input of the user. According to a further embodiment, the system comprises a visualization unit which is set up to visualize for the user a washing chamber arranged within the washing compartment.

If the visualization unit is installed, for example, on the user's mobile device, the user can be shown an animation of the dishwasher interior using the visualization unit, and the user can enter his user inputs for controlling the actively driven spray device while viewing the animation .

According to a further embodiment, the system comprises an optical sensor for detecting an optical sensor signal from the washing chamber.

According to one embodiment, a camera is used as the optical sensor, in which case the optical sensor signal comprises an image of the washing chamber.

The image of the washing chamber then forms the basis for the customer to control the directly driven spray device.

According to a further embodiment, the optical sensor comprises a camera, the optical sensor signal comprising an image and / or a video of the washing compartment.

According to a further embodiment, the visualization unit is set up to visualize the washing chamber for the user by means of the detected optical sensor signal.

According to a further embodiment, the visualization unit is set up to use an augmented reality display or a virtual reality display to visualize the washing chamber for the user.

If, for example, the visualization unit is designed on a smartphone of the user or a tablet of the user, then a virtual reality display is particularly suitable for optimally supporting the user. For example, is the visual The augmented reality display is particularly advantageous when it comes to helping the user control the dishwasher.

According to a further embodiment, the system has a device which is external to the dishwasher and which integrates at least the input unit.

The external device is in particular a mobile device. The mobile device is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet or a tablet computer. The app can also be referred to as an application, application software or application program. The app can in particular be designed as a program, as a computer program, as software, as a computer program product, as a function, as a routine, as part of a program code or as an executable object.

In particular, the dishwasher comprises a communication unit which can be coupled, for example, by means of a network to the external device and thus to the app installed on the external device. The network includes in particular a cellular network, a WLAN and / or another wireless or cable-bound data network.

According to a further embodiment, the external device integrates the input unit and the generation unit.

According to a further embodiment, the external device integrates the input unit, the generation unit and the visualization unit.

According to a further embodiment, the external device integrates the input unit, the generation unit, the optical sensor and the visualization unit.

According to a further embodiment, the input unit and the visualization unit are designed as part of an app that can be installed on the external device.

According to a further embodiment, the dishwasher integrates the input unit and the generation unit. According to a second aspect, a method for operating a dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, is proposed which has a washing compartment, a spraying device for applying washing liquor and / or fresh water to items to be washed in the washing compartment, a drive device for actively driving the spray arm and has a control device for controlling the drive device as a function of a control signal. The procedure consists of the following steps:

Detecting a user input of a user for controlling the Sprüheinrich device by means of an input unit, and

Generating the control signal as a function of the captured user input.

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

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

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

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

Further advantageous refinements and aspects of the invention are the subject matter of the subclaims and of the exemplary embodiments of the invention described below. io fertil. The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of preferred embodiments with reference to the attached figures.

1 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system with a domestic dishwasher;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of the exemplary embodiment of the household dishwasher according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic plan view of the washware receptacle of the household dishwasher according to FIG. 2; and

Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of a further embodiment of a system with a domestic dishwasher and an external device; and

5 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a dishwasher.

In the figures, elements that are the same or have the same function have been provided with the same reference symbols, unless otherwise stated.

1 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system with a domestic dishwasher 1. Furthermore, FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of the exemplary embodiment of the domestic dishwasher 1 according to FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the household dishwasher 1 comprises a washing compartment 2 which can be closed by a door 3, in particular watertight. For this purpose, a sealing device can be provided between the door 3 and the washing compartment 2 (not shown). The washing container 2 is preferably cuboid. The washing container 2 can be arranged in a housing of the domestic dishwasher 1. The rinsing container 2 and the door 3 can form a rinsing chamber 4 for washing items to be washed. The door 3 is shown in FIG. 1 in its open position. The door 3 can be closed or opened by pivoting about a pivot axis 5 provided at a lower end of the door 3. With the aid of the door 3, a loading opening 6 of the washing compartment 2 can be closed or opened. The washing compartment 2 has a floor 7, a ceiling 8 arranged opposite the floor 7, a rear wall 9 arranged opposite the closed door 3 and two side walls 10, 11 arranged opposite one another. The floor 7, the ceiling 8, the rear wall 9 and the side walls 10, 11 can be made of stainless steel sheet, for example. Alternatively, for example, the bottom 7 can be made of a plastic material.

The domestic dishwasher 1 also has at least one washware receptacle 12, 13, 14. Preferably, several, for example three, washware receptacles 12,

13, 14 can be provided, wherein the washware receptacle 12 can be a lower washware receptacle or a lower basket, the washware receptacle 13 can be an upper washware receptacle or an upper basket and the washware receptacle 14 can be a cutlery drawer. As FIG. 1 further shows, the items to be washed 12, 13, 14 are arranged one above the other in the washing compartment 2. Each washware receptacle 12, 13, 14 can optionally be moved into or out of the washing container 2. In particular, each washware receptacle 12, 13, 14 can be pushed into the washing container 2 in an insertion direction E and can be pulled out of the washing container 2 in a pull-out direction A counter to the insertion direction E.

An optical sensor 110 designed as a camera is arranged on the ceiling 8 in such a way that it is set up to detect an optical sensor signal from the washing compartment 2 and in particular the washing chamber 4. The dashed lines below the camera 110 indicate a detection range of the camera 110.

The domestic dishwasher 1 also has a control device 100 which is arranged on the door 3. The control device 100 is set up to carry out a washing program from a number of washing programs for washing items 16 (see FIG. 2) arranged in the washing chamber 4.

For the sake of clarity, FIG. 2 shows only one washware receptacle 12 in the wash chamber 4, on which washware 16, for example a plate, is arranged. To the- At this point, it should be emphasized that the washing chamber 4 can have, for example, one washware receptacle, two washware receptacles or even three washware receptacles.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the domestic dishwasher 1 has at least one spray device 17, in the example in FIG. 2 a spray arm, for spraying the items 16 with washing liquid and a drive device 17 for driving the at least one spray device 17. The drive device 17 can comprise, for example, an electric motor with position detection.

The domestic dishwasher 1 in FIG. 1 further comprises an input unit 120 and a generation unit 130, which are arranged on the door 3 by way of example.

The input unit 120 is set up to record a user input from a user, such as a customer, for moving the spray device 15. In other words, control information for controlling the movement of the spray device 15 can be derived directly or indirectly from the user input. With the user input or a sequence of user inputs, the user can control the movement of the driven spray device 15 by means of the input unit. In this case, the generation unit 130 is set up to generate the control signal as a function of the captured user input, by means of which the control device 100 controls the drive device 17 for the spray device 15.

In the example of FIG. 2, the spray device 15 is designed as a spray arm arranged below the washware receptacle 12. For example, the spray arm 15 has a rotatable boom mounted on a pump sump (not shown) of the domestic dishwasher 1, which is actively driven by the drive device 17, and a spray arm satellite rotatably mounted on the boom (not shown).

For example, the input unit 120 is also set up to capture a user input from the user, from which a control signal for the drive device 17 can be generated, by means of which the spray device 15 to a specific position or to a specific zone, in particular an intensive rinsing zone II, is moved. For this purpose, FIG. 3 shows, in a schematic representation, a top view of the washware receptacle 12 of the 2. FIG. 3 illustrates that the washware receptacle 12 is subdivided, for example, into four quadrants I, II, III and IV. For example, the user can determine via the input unit 120 and his user input that the quadrant II should form an intensive rinsing zone. Depending on such a user input, the control signal is then generated by the generation unit 130 in such a way that the drive device 17 controls the spray arm 15 in such a way that the specific intensive wash zone, in the present example quadrant II in the washware receptacle 12 in FIG. 3, is formed by means of the activated spray arm 15.

Alternatively or additionally, the input unit 120 can be set up to record a user input from which a control signal for the drive device 17 can be generated, by means of which a certain movement pattern for the spray arm 15 can be programmed or at least an intensive wash zone, such as quadrant II in Fig. 3, is programmable.

Furthermore, the control device 100 can be set up to adapt at least one of the washing programs as a function of the user input captured by the input unit 120.

Furthermore, a visualization unit 140 is preferably provided. The visualization unit 140 is set up to visualize the washing chamber 4 for the user. For this visualization, the visualization unit 140 can use the optical sensor signal detected by the optical sensor 110. As an alternative or in addition, the visualization unit 140 can use an augmented reality display and / or a virtual reality display. The sensor signal provided by the optical sensor 110 includes, in particular, a real-time image within the washing chamber 4.

4 shows a schematic view of a further exemplary embodiment of a system with a dishwasher 1 and an external device 200.

The dishwasher 1 and the external device 200 can be coupled via at least one network 300, for example the Internet. The exemplary embodiment in FIG. 4 differs from the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the optical sensor 110, the input unit 120, the generation unit 130 and the visualization unit 140 are integrated in the external device 200 are. The external device 200 is, for example, a mobile device such as a smartphone or a tablet. The optical sensor 110 is, for example, the camera of the smartphone or tablet.

The input unit 120, the generation unit 130 and the visualization unit 140 are, for example, at least partially integrated in an app which is installed on the external device 200 and is operated on it.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of a method for operating a Ge dishwashing machine 1, which has a washing container 2, a spray device 15 for acting on items 16 accommodated in the washing container 2 with washing liquor and / or fresh water, a drive device 17 for actively driving the spray device 15 and a control device 100 for controlling the drive device 17 as a function of a control signal. Examples of such a dishwasher 1 are shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. The method of FIG. 3 comprises steps S1 and S2:

In step S1, a user input by a user for moving the spray device 15 is recorded by means of an input unit 120.

In step S2, a control signal is generated as a function of the captured user input, by means of which the drive device 17 can be controlled by the control device 100 in such a way that the spray device 15 is moved in accordance with the user input.

Although the present invention has been described on the basis of exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in many ways. Reference symbols used:

1 household dishwasher

2 rinsing containers

3 door

4 rinsing chamber

5 swivel axis

6 loading opening

7 floor

8 ceiling

9 rear wall

10 side wall

11 side wall

12 Washware holder

13 Washware holder

14 Washware holder

15 Spray device

16 Wash ware

17 Drive device

100 control device

110 optical sensor

120 input unit

130 generation unit

140 visualization unit

200 external device, mobile device

300 network

A direction of extension

E direction of insertion

I first quadrant of the wash ware holder

II second quadrant of the wash ware holder

111 third quadrant of the wash ware holder

IV fourth quadrant of the wash ware holder

51 procedural step

52 Process step

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A system with a dishwasher (1), in particular a domestic dishwasher, comprising a washing compartment (2), a spray device (15) for applying washing liquor and / or fresh water to items (16) accommodated in the washing compartment (2) Drive device (17) for actively driving the spray device (15) and a control device (100) for controlling the drive device (17) as a function of a control signal, with an input unit (120) for detecting a user input from a user for moving the spray device ( 15) and with a generation unit (130) for generating the control signal as a function of the captured user input.

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the spray device (15) is designed as a spray arm.

3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the spray arm (15) has a rotatably mounted on a pump well of the domestic dishwasher (1) from casual, which is actively driven by the drive device (17), and a rotatably mounted on the boom Includes spray arm satellites.

4. System according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the input unit (120) is set up to detect a user input from which a control signal for the drive device (17) can be generated, by means of which the spray device (15) is moved to a specific position or in a specific zone, in particular an intensive rinsing zone (II).

5. System according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the input unit (120) is set up to capture a user input from which a control signal for the drive device (17) can be generated, by means of which a certain th Movement pattern for the spray device (15) is programmable or at least one intensive rinsing zone (II) is programmable.

6. System according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the control device (100) is set up to carry out a washing program from a plurality of washing programs for washing the items to be washed (16) in the washing compartment (2), the control device ( 100) is also set up to adapt at least one of the washing programs as a function of the captured user input.

7. System according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by a visualization unit (140) which is set up to visualize a washing chamber (4) arranged within the washing container (2) for the user.

8. System according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by an optical sensor (110) for detecting an optical sensor signal of the washing chamber (4).

9. System according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the visualization unit (140) is set up to visualize the washing chamber (4) for the user by means of the detected optical sensor signal.

10. System according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the system has a device (200) external to the dishwasher (1) which integrates at least the input unit (120).

11. System according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the system has a device (200) external to the dishwasher (1) which integrates the input unit (120) and the generation unit (130).

12. System according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the system has a device (200) external to the dishwasher (1), which the input unit (120), the generation unit (130), the optical sensor (110) and the visualization unit (140) integrated.

13. System according to claim 12, characterized in that the input unit (120) and the visualization unit (140) are designed as part of an app that can be installed on the external device (200).

14. System according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the Ge dishwasher (1) integrates the input unit (120) and the generation unit (130).

15. A method for operating a dishwasher (1), in particular a domestic dishwasher, which has a washing container (2), a spray device (15) for applying washing liquor and / or fresh water (F ), a drive device (17) for actively driving the spray device (15) and a control device (100) for controlling the drive device (17) as a function of a control signal, with the steps of: detecting (S1) a user input from a user for movement the Sprühein direction (15) by means of an input unit (120), and

Generating (S2) the control signal as a function of the captured user input.