SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISHWASHER AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A DISHWASHER

Abstract

A system includes a dishwasher having a dishwasher cavity, a door for closing the dishwasher cavity, and a number of receptacles receiving items to be washed. A control apparatus executes a washing program from a plurality of washing programs so as to wash the items to be washed. A pivoting facility is provided to automatically pivot the door, and a movement facility automatically moves at least one of the receptacles. An ascertaining unit ascertains a loading request of a user of a number of loading requests for loading and unloading the dishwasher cavity, and a determining unit determines a movement sequence including a pivoting of the door and a movement of one of the receptacles based on the ascertained loading request. An actuation unit actuates the pivoting facility and the movement facility so as to perform the determined movement sequence.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A system, comprising: a dishwasher including a dishwasher cavity, a door for closing the dishwasher cavity, and a number of receptacles configured to receive items to be washed; a control apparatus configured to execute a washing program from a plurality of washing programs so as to wash the items to be washed; a pivoting facility configured to automatically pivot the door; a movement facility configured to automatically move at least one of the receptacles; an ascertaining unit configured to ascertain a loading request of a user of a number of loading requests for loading and unloading the dishwasher cavity; a determining unit configured to determine a movement sequence comprising a pivoting of the door and a movement of one of the receptacles based on the ascertained loading request; and an actuation unit configured to actuate the pivoting facility and the movement facility so as to perform the determined movement sequence.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the dishwasher is a household dishwasher.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the number of receptacles comprises a lower rack and an upper rack, said movement facility comprising a raising facility configured to raise the lower rack from a starting position into an end position and/or to lower the lower rack from the end position into the starting position.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the movement facility comprises an extension facility configured to extend the upper rack from a starting position into an end position and/or to retract the upper rack from the end position into the starting position.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the determining unit is configured to determine a movement sequence comprising a pivoting of the door and a number of movements of the lower rack and/or the upper rack based on the ascertained loading request, said actuation unit configured to actuate the pivoting facility, the raising facility and/or the extension facility so as to perform the determined movement sequence.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein the determining unit is configured to determine the movement sequence based on the ascertained loading request and in dependence upon analysis data comprising user data, appliance data, data relating to the items to be washed and/or environmental data.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the number of receptacles comprises a lower rack and an upper rack, and further comprising an optical sensor, wherein the user data comprises person-related data of the user and/or a user preference of the user during operation of the dishwasher, wherein the appliance data comprises a history of selected washing programs, a respective duration, a respective time and/or a frequency of door openings of the door, a number, a respective time, a respective duration and/or a frequency of a movement of the lower rack, a number, a respective time, a respective duration and/or a frequency of a movement of the upper rack, a time in which the upper rack is retained in an extended state, a time in which the lower rack is retained in a raised state, a percentage extent to which the lower rack is filled, a percentage extent to which the upper rack is filled, a location-specific indication of the extent to which the lower rack is filled and/or a location-specific indication of the extent to which the upper rack is filled, wherein the data relating to the items to be washed is derived from image data of the items to be washed that are received or are to be received in the dishwasher cavity, with the image data being captured by the optical sensor, and/or wherein the environmental data comprises a prevailing value and/or a progression of a temperature, a prevailing value and/or a progression of an air pressure, a prevailing value and/or a progression of an air moisture and/or a prevailing value and/or a progression of exterior noises.

23. The system of claim 16, wherein, after the loading request of the user is ascertained, the determining unit is configured to analyze prevailing analysis data and the ascertained loading request by using a model comprising a plurality of rules in order to determine the movement sequence.

24. The system of claim 16, wherein, after the loading request of the user is ascertained, the determining unit is configured to analyze prevailing analysis data and the ascertained loading request using machine learning in order to determine the movement sequence.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the machine learning is based on a neural network.

26. The system of claim 24, further comprising a voice input unit configured to capture a voice command of the user so as to adapt the machine learning for determination of the movement sequence.

27. The system of claim 24, further comprising a storage unit configured to store movement sequences, which are determined by the determining unit by using the machine learning, as learned movement sequences.

28. The system of claim 27, further comprising: a network; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit the learned movement sequences via the network to a further dishwasher.

29. The system of claim 16, wherein the ascertaining unit comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of a proximity sensor for detecting an approach of a user to the dishwasher, which is indicative of the loading request, a voice input unit for capturing a voice input of the user, which is indicative of the loading request, a gesture input unit for capturing a gesture input of the user, which is indicative of the loading request, and a haptic input unit for capturing a haptic user input of the user, which is indicative of the loading request.

30. The system of claim 16, further comprising a facility external to the dishwasher, wherein at least the ascertaining unit is integrated in the facility.

31. A method for operating a dishwasher which includes a dishwasher cavity, a door for closing the dishwasher cavity, and a number of receptacles arranged in the dishwasher cavity for receiving items to be washed, said method comprising: ascertaining a loading request of a user of a number of loading requests so as to load and unload the dishwasher cavity; determining a movement sequence comprising a pivoting of the door and a movement of one of the receptacles based on the ascertained loading request; and actuating a pivoting facility to automatically pivot the door and a movement facility to automatically move the one of the receptacles so as to perform the determined movement sequence.

32. The method of claim 31, for operating a household dishwasher as the dishwasher.

33. A computer program product for operating a dishwasher, comprising a computer program embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium, wherein the computer program, when loaded into a program-controlled facility and executed by the program-controlled facility, causes the program-controlled facility to implement a method as set forth in claim 31.

Description

[0100] Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the invention are the subject matter of the subordinate claims and also the exemplary embodiments of the invention that are described below. The invention is further explained below with the aid of preferred embodiments with reference to the attached figures.

[0101] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system having a household dishwasher;

[0102] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a further exemplary embodiment of a system having a household dishwasher and an external facility; and

[0103] FIG. 3 shows a schematic block circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a household dishwasher.

[0104] Identical or functionally identical elements in the figures have been provided with the same reference characters provided nothing different is indicated.

[0105] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system having a household dishwasher 1. The household dishwasher 1 comprises a dishwasher cavity 2 that can be closed, in particular in a watertight manner, by a door 3. In this regard, a sealing facility (not illustrated) can be provided between the door 3 and the dishwasher cavity 2. The dishwasher cavity 2 is preferably cuboid. The dishwasher cavity 2 can be arranged in a housing of the household dishwasher 1. The dishwasher cavity 2 and the door 3 can form a washing chamber 4 for washing items to be washed.

[0106] The door 3 is illustrated in FIG. 1 in its opened position. The door 3 can be closed or opened by a pivoting about a pivot axis 5 that is provided on a lower end of the door 3. In this regard, a pivoting facility is preferably used so as to automatically pivot the door 3. A pivoting facility is illustrated for example in DE 10 2017 218 493 A1.

[0107] With the aid of the door 3 it is possible to close or open a loading hatch 6 of the dishwasher cavity 2. The dishwasher cavity 2 has a floor 7, a ceiling 8 that is arranged lying opposite the floor 7, a rear wall 9 that is arranged lying opposite the closed door 3, and two side walls 10, 11 that are arranged lying opposite one another. The floor 7, the ceiling 8, the rear wall 9 and the side walls 10, 11 can be produced for example from a stainless-steel sheet. Alternatively, for example the floor 7 can be produced from a plastic material.

[0108] Moreover, the household dishwasher 1 has at least one receptacle 12, 13, 14 for items to be washed. It is preferred that multiple, for example three, receptacles 12, 13, 14 for items to be washed can be provided, wherein the receptacle 12 for items to be washed can be a lower receptacle for items to be washed or a lower rack, the receptacle 13 for items to be washed can be an upper receptacle for items to be washed or an upper rack and the receptacle 14 for items to be washed can be a cutlery drawer. As is furthermore illustrated in FIG. 1, the receptacles 12, 13, 14 for items to be washed are arranged one above the other in the dishwasher cavity 2. Each receptacle 12, 13, 14 for items to be washed can be selectively displaced into or out of the dishwasher cavity 2. In particular, each receptacle 12, 13, 14 for items to be washed can be slid into the dishwasher cavity 2 in a direction of insertion E and can be pulled out of the dishwasher cavity 2 opposite the direction of insertion E in a direction of extraction A.

[0109] In particular, the household dishwasher 1 comprises a movement facility for automatically moving at least one of the receptacles 12, 13, 14 for items to be washed. For example, the movement facility comprises an extension facility that is configured so as to extend the upper rack 13 from a starting position into an end position and/or from the end position into the starting position. In this case, it is also possible that the direction of extension extends the upper rack 13 from the starting position only to an intermediate position that is between the starting position and the end position in order to render it possible for the user to place items to be washed into the upper rack 13 and subsequently to retract the upper rack 13 from the intermediate position into the starting position.

[0110] Alternatively or in addition, the movement facility can also have a raising facility. The raising facility is configured so as to raise the lower rack 12 from a starting position into an end position in which the user can comfortably load items to be washed into the raised lower rack 12 or unload the items to be washed from the raised lower rack, and/or so as to lower the lower rack from the end position into the starting position.

[0111] An optical sensor 110 that is designed as a camera is arranged on the ceiling 8 so that this sensor is configured so as to capture image data of the dishwasher cavity 2 and in particular the items to be washed that are arranged in the washing chamber 4. The dashed lines below the camera 110 indicate a capture region of the camera 110. It is to be noted that the capture region is not limited to the washing chamber 4.

[0112] Moreover, the household dishwasher 1 has a control apparatus 100, an ascertaining unit 120, a determining unit 130, an actuation unit 140 and a voice input unit 150 that are arranged on the door 3. The actuation unit 140 is implemented as part of the control apparatus 100.

[0113] The control apparatus 100 is configured so as to execute a washing program from a plurality of washing programs so as to wash the items to be washed in the dishwasher cavity 2.

[0114] The ascertaining unit 120 is configured so as to ascertain a loading request of the user from a number of loading requests to load and unload the dishwasher cavity 2.

[0115] For example, the number of loading requests of the user comprises the following: [0116] a) loading the lower rack 12, [0117] b) loading the upper rack 13, [0118] c) loading the lower rack 12 and also the upper rack 13, [0119] d) unloading the lower rack 12, [0120] e) unloading the upper rack 13, [0121] f) unloading the lower rack 12 and also the upper rack 13.

[0122] For example, the ascertaining unit 120 ascertains a loading request of the user from these various loading requests, for example from a corresponding voice input.

[0123] For example, the ascertaining unit 120 can have various sensors and/or input units. For example, the capture unit 112 has a proximity sensor for detecting an approach of the user to the household dishwasher 1, which is indicative of a loading request. The proximity sensor can be designed for example as an optical sensor and can be arranged on the outer shell of the household dishwasher 1. If the user approaches the household dishwasher 1, the proximity sensor can thus detect this and can interpret the detected approach as a loading request to load or unload the household dishwasher 1.

[0124] Alternatively or in addition, the ascertaining unit 120 can also have a voice input unit 150 (integrated or additional), a gesture input unit (not illustrated) and/or a haptic input unit (not illustrated).

[0125] The voice input unit 150 is configured for example so as to capture a voice input of the user, which is indicative of a loading request. If for example the user says “please extend upper rack”, the ascertaining unit 120 can thus interpret this as a loading request and accordingly relay the ascertained loading request to the determining unit 130.

[0126] Alternatively or in addition, the ascertaining unit 120 can also comprise a gesture input unit for capturing a gesture input of the user, which is indicative of a loading request, and/or a haptic input unit, such as for example a physical button or a button of a touch sensitive screen, so as to capture a haptic user input of the user, which is indicative of a loading request.

[0127] Based on the loading request of the user, which is ascertained by the ascertaining unit 120, the determining unit 130 is configured so as to determine a movement sequence comprising at least one pivoting of the door 3 and at least one movement of one of the receptacles 12, 13, 14 for items to be washed. If, as in the above example, the user says “please extend the upper rack” then the movement sequence that is determined by the determining unit 130 comprises a pivoting of the door 3, in such a manner that the door 3 is entirely opened, and an extension of the upper rack 13 by means of the extension facility. Based on this determined movement sequence, the actuation unit 140 will then actuate the pivoting facility and the movement facility in such a manner that the determined movement sequence is actually performed, in other words in this example the door 3 is opened and the upper rack 13 is actually extended by the extension facility with the result that the user has the possibility of loading their items to be washed into the extended upper rack 3.

[0128] The loading request of the user can however also be to load the two receptacles 12, 13 for items to be washed, in other words the lower rack 12 and subsequently the upper rack 13, with items to be washed. In one such case, the determining unit 130 is configured so as to determine a movement sequence comprising a pivoting of the door 3 and a number of movements of the lower rack 12 and the upper rack 13 based on such an ascertained loading request. The actuation unit 140 will then actuate the pivoting facility for the door 3, the raising facility for the lower rack 12 and the extension facility for the upper rack 13 according to the embodiment of the determined movement sequence.

[0129] In this example, the movement sequence is in particular as follows: The door 3 is entirely opened by the pivoting facility and the corresponding actuation by the actuation unit 140. The lower rack 12 is then raised into the end position by the raising facility with the result that the user can then load the items to be washed into the raised lower rack 12. The lower rack 12 that is loaded with the items to be washed is then retracted into the dishwasher cavity 2 by the raising facility and a corresponding actuation by the actuation unit 140. The extension facility will then extend the upper rack 13 based on corresponding actuation by the actuation unit 140 with the result that the user can load the upper rack 13 with items to be washed. The extension facility will then retract the upper rack 13 that is loaded with dirty items to be washed and the actuation unit 140 will actuate the pivoting facility in such a manner that this pivoting facility entirely closes the door 3. The control apparatus 100 can then start the washing program that is selected by the user so as to wash the washing program that is located in the dishwasher cavity 2.

[0130] It is preferred that the determining unit 130 is configured so as to determine the movement sequence not just based on the ascertained loading request but rather also in dependence upon analysis data comprising user data, appliance data, data relating to the items to be washed and/or environmental data.

[0131] The user data comprises in particular person-related data of the user and/or user preferences of the user during operation of the household dishwasher 1.

[0132] The appliance data comprises in particular a history of the selected washing programs, a respective duration, a respective time and/or a frequency of door openings of the door 3, a number, a respective time, a respective duration and/or a frequency of a movement of the lower rack 12, a number, a respective time, a respective duration and/or a frequency of a movement of the upper rack 13, a time in which the upper rack 13 is retained in an extended state, a time in which the lower rack 12 is retained in a raised state, a percentage extent to which the lower rack 12 is filled, a percentage extent to which the upper rack 13 is filled, a location-specific indication of the extent to which the lower rack 12 is filled and a location-specific indication of the extent to which the upper rack 13 is filled.

[0133] The data relating to the items to be washed is derived for example from image data of the items to be washed that are received or are to be received in the dishwasher cavity 2, said image data being captured by means of an optical sensor 11.

[0134] The environmental data preferably comprises a prevailing value and/or a progression of a temperature, a prevailing value and/or a progression of an air pressure, a prevailing value and/or a progression of an air moisture and/or a prevailing value and/or a progression of exterior noises of the household dishwasher 1.

[0135] In this case, the determining unit 130 is configured in particular so as, after a loading request of the user is ascertained by the ascertaining unit 120, to analyze prevailing analysis data, such as for example the above-described analysis data, and the ascertained loading request by means of a model comprising a plurality of rules in order to determine the movement sequence.

[0136] Alternatively, the determining unit 130 can also use machine learning, for example based on a neural network, so as to determine the movement sequence. In order to adapt the machine learning, the user can input voice commands, in particular by means of a voice input unit 150.

[0137] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of a further exemplary embodiment of a system having a dishwasher 1 and an external facility 200. The dishwasher 1 and the external facility 200 can be coupled via at least one network 300, for example the internet. The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 differs from the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 in particular in that the ascertaining unit 120 and the voice input unit 150 are integrated in the external facility 200. The external facility 200 is for example a smartphone or a tablet. The ascertaining unit 120 is for example at least in part integrated in an app that is installed on the external facility 200 and is operated on this external facility.

[0138] Furthermore, the dishwasher 1 according to FIG. 2 comprises a storage unit 160 and a transmitting unit 170. The storage unit 160 is configured so as to store movement sequences, which are determined by the determining unit 130 by means of the machine learning, as learned movement sequences.

[0139] The transmitting unit 170 is configured so as to transmit the learned movement sequences via the network 300 to a further dishwasher (not illustrated) and/or to a server of the appliance manufacturer.

[0140] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic block circuit diagram of a method for operating a dishwasher 1 having a dishwasher cavity 2, which can be closed by a door 3 and has a number of receptacles 12, 13, 14 for items to be washed in order to receive items to be washed, a control apparatus 100 for executing a washing program from a plurality of washing programs so as to wash items to be washed, a pivoting facility for automatically pivoting the door 3 and a movement facility for automatically moving at least one of the receptacles 12, 13, 14 for items to be washed.

[0141] An example of a household dishwasher 1 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The method of FIG. 3 comprises the steps S1 to S3:

[0142] In step S1, a loading request of a user is ascertained from a number of loading requests so as to load and unload the dishwasher cavity 2 of the dishwasher 1.

[0143] In step S2, a movement sequence comprising at least one pivoting of the door 3 and at least one movement of one of the receptacles 12, 13, 14 for items to be washed is determined based on the ascertained loading request.

[0144] In step S3, the pivoting facility and the movement facility are actuated so as to perform the determined movement sequence.

[0145] Although the present invention has been described with the aid of exemplary embodiments, the invention can be modified in diverse ways.

TABLE-US-00001 Reference characters that are used 1 Household dishwasher 2 Dishwasher cavity 3 Door 4 Washing chamber 5 Pivot axis 6 Loading hatch 7 Floor 8 Ceiling 9 Rear wall 10 Side wall 11 Side wall 12 Receptacle for items to be washed 13 Receptacle for items to be washed 14 Receptacle for items to be washed 100 Control apparatus 110 Optical sensor 120 Ascertaining unit 130 Determining unit 140 Actuation unit 150 Voice input unit 160 Storage unit 170 Transmitting unit 200 External facility 300 Network A Direction of extraction E Direction of insertion S1 Method step S2 Method step S3 Method step