DEVICE FOR CAPTURING AT LEAST ONE PROCESS VARIABLE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A CLEANING MACHINE

Abstract

A device (1) is provided for capturing at least one process variable in a liquid-carrying work chamber (2) of a cleaning machine (3), in particular a washing machine (4) and/or dishwasher (15). The device includes a sensor unit (5) configured to capture the process variable and is designed for detachable arrangement in the work chamber (2).

Claims

1. A device (1) for capturing at least one process variable in a liquid-carrying work chamber (2) of a cleaning machine (3), the device comprising: a sensor unit (5) configured to capture the at least one process variable, the sensor unit (5) being configured for detachable arrangement in the work chamber (2).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit (5) comprises an encapsulated power supply (6).

3. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit (5) comprises at least one sensor (7) for at least one of temperature, pH value or exposure.

4. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit (5) comprises a memory for capturing measurement values of the at least one process variable.

5. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit (5) comprises a timer for capturing a time of measurement of the at least one process variable.

6. The device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a collecting surface (10) for cleaning liquid (13) formed on the sensor unit (5).

7. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit (5) forms a heat buffer (11).

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the heat buffer (11) is configured to simulate a temperature response behaviour of a cleaning item.

9. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit (5) comprises a transmitter (12) for the wireless transmission of measurement values.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the cleaning machine is a washing machine (4) or dishwasher (15).

11. A method for operating a cleaning machine (3), the method comprising measuring at least one process variable in a liquid-carrying work chamber (2) of the cleaning machine using a sensor unit.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one process variable is a physical property of a cleaning liquid (13) which flows in the work chamber (2).

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one process variable is an ambient characteristic variable.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the ambient characteristic value is an exposure of the sensor unit (5).

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one process variable is measured using the sensor unit (5) which is configured for detachable arrangement in the work chamber (2), and the method further comprises placing the sensor unit (5) in the work chamber (2) before a cleaning procedure.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises removing the sensor unit (5) from the work chamber (2) after the cleaning procedure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments without however being restricted to these exemplary embodiments. Further exemplary embodiments arise by combining the features of individual claims or of a plurality of claims among themselves and/or with individual features or a plurality of features of the exemplary embodiments.

[0036] In the figures:

[0037] FIG. 1 shows an operating cleaning machine designed as a dishwasher, comprising a device according to the invention arranged in the work chamber of the cleaning machine,

[0038] FIG. 2 shows the dishwasher shown in FIG. 1 after operation has taken place, with the device according to the invention having been removed from the work chamber,

[0039] FIG. 3 shows an operating cleaning machine designed as a washing machine, comprising a device according to the invention arranged in the work chamber of the cleaning machine, and

[0040] FIG. 4 shows the washing machine shown in FIG. 3 after operation has taken place, with the device according to the invention having been removed from the work chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] FIGS. 1 and 3 show an operating cleaning machine 3 comprising a device 1 according to the invention arranged in the work chamber 2 of the cleaning machine 3.

[0042] The device 1 according to the invention is detachably arranged in the work chamber 2, which can be recognized, for example, by virtue of the device 1 having been removed from the cleaning machine 3 after its operation has finished (see FIGS. 2 and 4).

[0043] Provision can also be made for only the at least one sensor unit 5 to be able to be removed from the device 1 and hence from the cleaning machine 3.

[0044] During operation of the cleaning machine 3 designed as a dishwasher 15 (FIG. 1) or as a washing machine 4 (FIG. 3), the device 1 is in a cleaning liquid 13 which cleans dirty dishes or laundry in the work chamber 2. In the process, the device 1 can be fixed at one location during the cleaning procedure, for example in a dish insert 16 (FIG. 1). Free positioning of the device 1 in the work chamber 2, as shown in FIG. 3, is also possible. The cleaning liquid 13 or a part thereof can be supplied to the sensor unit 5 via the collecting surface 10 (FIGS. 1 and 3). This may be advantageous, in particular, if a specific sensor 7 is located at one end of the collecting surface 10 in order to capture measurement data.

[0045] At least one process variable is captured by the at least one sensor unit 5. Certain process variables, such as a pH value, a temperature or an exposure, can each be captured by the sensor unit 5 using a sensor 7 that is suitable for the respective process variable.

[0046] The sensor unit 5 can be powered by its own encapsulated power supply 6 such that the sensor unit 5 is supplied with power during the cleaning procedure and while situated in the cleaning liquid 13. Consequently, a cleaning procedure can be recorded in full in a particularly advantageous manner, in particular due to the sensor unit 5 comprising a storage means 8 such as a data memory for recording measurement values of the at least one process variable and due to the sensor unit 5 comprising a time measuring means 9 such as a timer for capturing a measurement time of the process variable. Consequently, conclusions can be drawn about the cleaning procedure and individual components installed in the cleaning machine 3, and this may be particularly advantageous.

[0047] As shown in the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4, it is particularly advantageous if the measurement values captured by a sensor unit 5 are transmitted to a receiver 14 located outside the work chamber 2 via a transmitter 12 for wireless transmission. As a result, measurement values can be saved and/or stored externally, for example by way of the receiver 14 or for example in a cloud. As a result, the measurement values can be backed up and/or an analysis of a plurality of cleaning procedures advantageously can be made possible for observing the performance of the cleaning machine 3.

[0048] A wireless transmission of measurement values by the transmitter 12 of the sensor unit 5, as depicted in FIG. 1 or in FIG. 3, can also allow the current cleaning procedure to be tracked.

[0049] The heat buffer 11 of the sensor unit 5 is advantageously designed to simulate a temperature response behaviour of a cleaning item.

[0050] During an operation of a cleaning machine 3, such as the dishwasher 15 in FIGS. 1 and 2 or the washing machine in FIGS. 3 and 4, at least one process variable can be measured, in terms of process technology, in the liquid-carrying work chamber 2.

[0051] In the process, the sensor unit 5 is placed in the work chamber 2 before a cleaning procedure. At least one process variable can be measured with the ingress of the free-flowing cleaning liquid 13, or else before that, in particular if the process variable is an ambient variable, in particular an ambient variable as described above. By way of example, it is possible to capture an exposure of the sensor unit 5.

[0052] During the cleaning procedure, one or more physical properties of the cleaning liquid 13 which preferably flows freely in the work chamber 2 can then preferably be captured, transmitted to the receiver 14 via the transmitter 12 and stored. Consequently, at least one process variable of the cleaning procedure can advantageously be ascertained.

[0053] A cleaning procedure can be particularly improved by a method and a device 1 by way of an at least partially continuous capture of measurement values during operation, as is the case in the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 or FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0054] The sensor unit 5 is removed from the work chamber 2 after the cleaning procedure. The measurement values captured by the sensor unit 5 can also be read out and/or stored, in particular outside of the cleaning machine 3, after the cleaning procedure.

[0055] In general terms, the invention proposes a device 1 for capturing at least one process variable in a liquid-carrying work chamber 2 of a cleaning machine 3, in particular a washing machine 4 and/or dishwasher 15, wherein a sensor unit 5 configured to capture the process variable is designed for detachable arrangement in the work chamber 2.

List of Reference Signs

[0056] 1 Device

[0057] 2 Work chamber

[0058] 3 Cleaning machine

[0059] 4 Washing machine

[0060] 5 Sensor unit

[0061] 6 Power supply

[0062] 7 Sensor

[0063] 8 Storage means

[0064] 9 Time measuring means

[0065] 10 Collecting surface

[0066] 11 Heat buffer

[0067] 12 Transmitter

[0068] 13 Cleaning liquid

[0069] 14 Receiver

[0070] 15 Dishwasher

[0071] 16 Dish insert