Provided is a component for a network system. The component for a network system which is communicable with the other component includes a communication unit for communicating with the other component, an input part for inputting a command related to an operation of the component, and a control part for controlling the operation of the component. The component includes a power saving function in which the component is operable on the basis of energy information.

A household appliance for treating at least one item according to at least one cycle of operation includes a treating chamber for receiving the at least one item for treatment according to the at least one cycle of operation, a treating chemistry dispenser receiving a unit dose container having an electrically conductive element, a physical alteration element located proximate to the treating chemistry dispenser and operable to physically alter at least a portion of the electrically conductive element and a sensor for sensing the physical alteration.

A household appliance for treating at least one item according to at least one cycle of operation includes a treating chamber for receiving the at least one item for treatment according to the at least one cycle of operation, a treating chemistry dispenser receiving a unit dose container having an electrically conductive element, a physical alteration element located proximate to the treating chemistry dispenser and operable to physically alter at least a portion of the electrically conductive element and a sensor for sensing the physical alteration.

The invention relates to a method of automatic dishwashing in a dishwasher having a wash tank, comprising: in a first step, delivering a first composition to dishware in the tank in the form of a mist; and afterwards, in a second step, delivering a second composition to the dishware in the tank in the form of a jet; wherein the first and second compositions are different, the first composition comprises a bleach, and the second composition is alkaline and comprises a builder. The invention also provides a dishwasher adapted to carry out the inventive method.

A household dishwasher includes a washware receptacle, a holding facility positioned in or on the washware receptacle to hold washware, an actively driven spray arm, and an open-loop and closed-loop control facility designed to influence a rotational movement of the spray arm as a function of a position of the holding facility in or on the washware receptacle so that the spray arm pauses close to the holding facility to apply wash liquor and/or fresh water to the washware held by the holding facility.

A household appliance has a heating circuit (140) for heating a fluid including a heating element (150) that can be selectively energized (155) to determine the heating of the fluid, and a monitoring unit (125) for monitoring the operation of the heating circuit. The monitoring unit (125) is configured to monitor at least one electrical potential internal to the heating circuit (140). The at least one electric potential internal to the heating circuit (140) is at least one among: an internal electric potential detected at a first terminal (160b) of the heating element (150) connected to an on/off switch (155) of the heating circuit (140); an internal electric potential detected at a second terminal (160a) of the heating element (150) connected to a main switch (135) of the appliance or to a safety switch provided for switching the heating circuit off in case of malfunction of the on/off switch (155). The monitoring unit (125) is further configured for: detecting a value of the voltage of the electricity distribution network; and calculating, starting from the detected value of the voltage of the electricity distribution network, first and a second reference electric potentials, comparing the at least one detected internal electric potential with the first and second reference electric potentials; recognizing a state of good operation or malfunction of the heating circuit (140) in case the at least one detected internal electric potential does not fall within a range of values between the first and second reference electric potentials.

Disclosed is a cleaning device for cleaning items to be cleaned. The cleaning device has at least one cleaning chamber and at least one covering device at least partially surrounding the cleaning chamber. The covering device can be moved in an opening movement direction from a closed position into an open position or in a closing movement direction from an open position into a closed position by means of at least one electromechanical drive via at least one transmission. The cleaning device furthermore has a sensor, which is designed to detect an action of a manual force on the covering device in the opening movement direction or in the closing movement direction. The cleaning device is furthermore designed to control the electromechanical drive in accordance with the detection of the action of the manual force.

A warewash machine includes a housing defining a chamber for receiving wares, the chamber having at least one spray zone, a wash spray system for spraying wash liquid onto wares and a rinse spray system for spraying rinse liquid onto wares. At least one radar transceiver is located for detecting wares feeding into the chamber and/or for detecting wares within the chamber. A controller is associated with the radar transceiver and configured to identify one or more of ware location, ware movement, ware size, ware shape and/or ware material based upon outputs from the at least one radar transceiver. The controller is further configured to control at least one operating parameter of the machine based at least in part upon identified ware location, identified ware movement, identified ware size, identified ware shape and/or identified ware material.

A warewash machine includes a housing defining a chamber for receiving wares, the chamber having at least one spray zone, a wash spray system for spraying wash liquid onto wares and a rinse spray system for spraying rinse liquid onto wares. At least one ultrasonic transducer is located for detecting wares feeding into the chamber and/or for detecting wares within the chamber. A controller is associated with the ultrasonic transducer and configured to identify one or more of ware location, ware movement, ware size, ware shape and/or ware material based upon outputs from the at least one ultrasonic transducer. The controller is further configured to control at least one operating parameter of the machine based at least in part upon identified ware location, identified ware movement, identified ware size, identified ware shape and/or identified ware material.

A flow through chemical sensor includes a housing having a through passage along which chemical can flow, a sidewall of the housing having first and second openings that communicate with the through passage. A first electrode is mounted on the housing and aligned with the first opening, the first electrode of a plate configuration with a unitary depression that extends through the first opening and to a peripheral edge of the through passage. A second electrode is mounted on the housing and aligned with the second opening, the second electrode of a plate configuration with a unitary depression that extends through the second opening and to the peripheral edge of the through passage. A method of detecting presence or absence of chemical is also provided.