DEVICE, WATER-CONDUCTING HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE AND METHOD FOR CUSTOMIZING A WASHING PROGRAM

Abstract

A device for customizing a washing program for removing soiling from items being washed in a water-conducting household appliance includes a sensor configured to acquire spectral measurement values of organic compounds in washing water in the water-conducting household appliance. A determination unit determines functional groups of the organic compounds based on the acquired spectral measurement values of the organic compounds, and a customization unit customizes washing parameters of a current washing program based on the determined functional groups.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A device for customizing a washing program for removing soiling from items being washed in a water-conducting household appliance, said device comprising: a sensor configured to acquire spectral measurement values of organic compounds in washing water in the water-conducting household appliance; a determination unit configured to determine functional groups of the organic compounds based on the acquired spectral measurement values of the organic compounds; and a customization unit configured to customize washing parameters of a current washing program based on the determined functional groups.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the washing parameters are selected from the group consisting of a temperature of the washing water, a type of washing agent, a time when the washing agent is added, and any combination thereof.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the sensor is configured to perform a spectroscopy selected from the group consisting of infrared spectroscopy, near infrared spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, electron absorption spectroscopy, microwave spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the determination unit is configured enable determination of the functional groups of proteins, fats and/or carbohydrates.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the customization unit is configured to customize the washing parameters in such a manner that a cold prewash without alkalinity is performed, when the functional group of proteins is determined.

21. The device of claim 19, wherein the customization unit is configured to customize the washing parameters in such a manner that protease is added to the washing water, when the functional group of proteins is determined.

22. The device of claim 19, wherein the customization unit is configured to customize the washing parameters in such a manner that an alkaline agent is added to the washing water and a cold prewash with alkalinity is performed, when the functional group of carbohydrates is determined.

23. The device of claim 19, wherein the customization unit is configured to customize the washing parameters in such a manner that amylase is added to the washing water, when the functional group of carbohydrates is determined.

24. The device of claim 19, wherein the customization unit is configured to customize the washing parameters in such a manner that lipase is added to the washing water, when the functional group of fats is determined.

25. The device of claim 19, wherein the determination unit is configured to determine a gelatinization temperature of the carbohydrates, when the functional group of carbohydrates is determined.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the customization unit is configured to customize the washing parameters in such a manner that the temperature of the washing water corresponds to the gelatinization temperature.

27. The device of claim 19, wherein the determination unit is configured to determine a melting temperature of the fats, when the functional group of fats is determined.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein the customization unit is configured to customize the washing parameters in such a manner that the temperature of the washing water corresponds to the melting temperature.

29. A water-conducting household appliance, comprising a device for customizing a washing program for removing soiling from items being washed in the water-conducting household appliance, said device comprising a sensor configured to acquire spectral measurement values of organic compounds in washing water in the water-conducting household appliance, a determination unit configured to determine functional groups of the organic compounds based on the acquired spectral measurement values of the organic compounds, and a customization unit configured to customize washing parameters of a current washing program based on the determined functional groups.

30. The water-conducting household appliance of claim 29, wherein the washing parameters are selected from the group consisting of a temperature of the washing water, a type of washing agent, a time when the washing agent is added, and any combination thereof.

31. The water-conducting household appliance of claim 29, wherein the sensor is configured to perform a spectroscopy selected from the group consisting of infrared spectroscopy, near infrared spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, electron absorption spectroscopy, microwave spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy.

32. The water-conducting household appliance of claim 29, wherein the determination unit is configured enable determination of the functional groups of proteins, fats and/or carbohydrates.

33. The water-conducting household appliance of claim 32, wherein the customization unit is configured to customize the washing parameters in such a manner that a cold prewash without alkalinity is performed, when the functional group of proteins is determined.

34. The water-conducting household appliance of claim 32, wherein the customization unit is configured to customize the washing parameters in such a manner that protease is added to the washing water, when the functional group of proteins is determined.

35. The water-conducting household appliance of claim 32, wherein the customization unit is configured to customize the washing parameters in such a manner that an alkaline agent is added to the washing water and a cold prewash with alkalinity is performed, when the functional group of carbohydrates is determined.

36. The water-conducting household appliance of claim 32, wherein the customization unit is configured to customize the washing parameters in such a manner that amylase is added to the washing water, when the functional group of carbohydrates is determined.

37. The water-conducting household appliance of claim 32, wherein the customization unit is configured to customize the washing parameters in such a manner that lipase is added to the washing water, when the functional group of fats is determined.

38. The water-conducting household appliance of claim 32, wherein the determination unit is configured to determine a gelatinization temperature of the carbohydrates, when the functional group of carbohydrates is determined.

39. The water-conducting household appliance of claim 38, wherein the customization unit is configured to customize the washing parameters in such a manner that the temperature of the washing water corresponds to the gelatinization temperature.

40. The water-conducting household appliance of claim 32, wherein the determination unit is configured to determine a melting temperature of the fats, when the functional group of fats is determined.

41. The water-conducting household appliance of claim 40, wherein the customization unit is configured to customize the washing parameters in such a manner that the temperature of the washing water corresponds to the melting temperature.

42. A method for customizing a washing program for removing soiling from items being washed in a water-conducting household appliance, said method comprising: acquiring spectral measurement values of organic compounds in washing water in the water-conducting household appliance; determining functional groups of the organic compounds based on the acquired spectral measurement values of the organic compounds; and customizing washing parameters of a current washing program based on the determined functional groups.

Description

[0062] Further advantageous configurations and aspects of the invention are set out in the subclaims and the exemplary embodiments of the invention described in the following. The invention is also described in more detail based on preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0063] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a water-conducting household appliance;

[0064] FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a device for customizing a washing program for removing soiling from items being washed in the water-conducting household appliance;

[0065] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a method for customizing a washing program for removing soiling from items being washed in the water-conducting household appliance;

[0066] FIG. 4 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a cleaning segment of a washing program for removing soiling from items being washed in the water-conducting household appliance; and

[0067] FIG. 5 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a cleaning segment of a washing program for removing soiling from items being washed in the water-conducting household appliance.

[0068] Identical elements or those of identical function are shown with the same reference characters in the figures, unless otherwise specified.

[0069] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a water-conducting household appliance 1, in particular a dishwasher or washing machine. A dishwasher is described by way of example in the following. The described elements and functions can be applied to a washing machine, where appropriate.

[0070] The dishwasher 1 has a carcass comprising a wash container 2 and a door 3. The wash container 2 and door 3 form a wash chamber 4 for washing items to be washed. The door 3 is shown in its opened 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.

[0071] The wash container 2 is box-shaped for example and can comprise a base 5, a top 6 positioned opposite the base 5, a rear wall 7 positioned opposite the door 3 and two opposing side walls 8, 9. The side walls 8, 9 in particular can be made of stainless steel.

[0072] The dishwasher 1 also has at least one load level 10. The at least one load level 10 is preferably a receptacle for items to be washed in the dishwasher 1. A number of load levels 10 in particular can be provided, comprising a lower rack, an upper rack and/or a flatware drawer. The several load levels 10 are preferably arranged one above the other in the wash container 2. Each load level 10 can be moved as required into the wash container 2 in an insertion direction E or out of it in a pull-out direction A. A rail 11 is preferably provided on both sides of a respective load level 10 for this purpose.

[0073] A control device 12, provided optionally in the carcass or in the door 3 of the dishwasher 1, is designed to control the progress of washing programs for washing items being washed. The control device 12 can comprise a device 12 for customizing a washing program for removing soiling from items being washed, as described for example in FIG. 2.

[0074] A sensor 13 is also shown, which can be deployed at different points in the dishwasher 1. The sensor 13 serves to perform spectroscopy, in order to detect organic compounds in the washing water of the dishwasher 1.

[0075] The control device 12 is designed to control the sensor 13 and optionally a number of further sensors and/or actuators of the household appliance 1.

[0076] FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a device 12 for customizing a washing program for removing soiling from items being washed in the water-conducting household appliance, for example a dishwasher 1.

[0077] The device 12 has a sensor 13, a determination unit 14 and a customization unit 15.

[0078] The sensor 13 performs spectroscopy, for example near infrared spectroscopy to detect organic compounds in the form of spectral measurement values in the washing liquor of the dishwasher 1. The determination unit 14 can determine functional groups of the organic compounds based on the acquired spectral measurement values of the organic compounds.

[0079] The customization unit 15 can use the information about the functional groups to customize washing parameters of a current washing program or to customize stored washing programs already available. The customization unit 15 can also customize automatic dosing by a dosing unit (not shown).

[0080] The customization unit 15 can be used to customize the individual program steps of the washing program with regard to temperature and the washing agent used based on the functional groups present.

[0081] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a method for customizing a washing program for removing soiling from items being washed in the water-conducting household appliance 1.

[0082] In step S1 spectral measurement values of organic compounds in the washing water in the water-conducting household appliance 1 are acquired.

[0083] In step S2 functional groups of the organic compounds are determined based on the acquired spectral measurement values of the organic compounds.

[0084] Then in step S3 washing parameters of a current washing program are customized based on the determined functional groups.

[0085] FIG. 4 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a cleaning segment of a washing program for removing soiling from items being washed in the water-conducting household appliance 1.

[0086] A washing program can be as follows for example, the individual steps being optional depending on the functional groups present:

[0087] According to a further embodiment the washing program is performed in the following sequence, the individual steps being optional and a function of the determined functional groups: [0088] (a) cold prewash without alkalinity for soiling containing protein [0089] (b) addition of alkaline agent [0090] (c) cold prewash with alkalinity for soiling containing starch [0091] (d) adjusting the temperature level to approx. 30° C. for enzymes (customized based on the optimum effective temperatures of the enzymes then used, if known) [0092] (e) addition of amylase for soiling containing starch [0093] (f) addition of protease for soiling containing protein [0094] (g) addition of lipase for soiling containing fat [0095] (h) adjusting the temperature level as a function of the gelatinization temperatures of the types of starch determined to clean away already gelatinized soiling containing starch (for example in the case of cooked noodles) [0096] (i) if not already done, adjusting to a temperature level that is higher than the highest melting temperature of the fats detected [0097] (j) when the cleaning operation has been completed, bleach can be added, the quantity of detected staining soiling being determined. A basic quantity is already added for hygiene purposes.

[0098] Steps (a) to (c) serve as the prewash, steps (d) to (i) are the cleaning segment of the washing program and step (j) is a final rinse operation for hygiene purposes. Further final rinse and drying segments can optionally follow.

[0099] FIG. 4 shows a diagram of a cleaning segment, in which only the functional group of carbohydrates from rice has been determined. In this instance it is sufficient to perform steps (e) and (h) for the cleaning segment. Amylase is first optionally added in step (e) and then in step (h) the temperature is increased to 70° C., as this corresponds to the gelatinization temperature of rice. The temperature can then be lowered again, as shown by step (n).

[0100] FIG. 5 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a cleaning segment of a washing program for removing soiling from items being washed in the water-conducting household appliance. Only the functional group of carbohydrates from flour, for example processed flour in the form of noodles, was determined here.

[0101] It is therefore expedient first to perform a cold soak with an alkaline agent (steps (b) and (c)). Amylase is then added in step (e) and the temperature is increased to 30° C., as amylase is most effective at this temperature. The temperature is then increased further to 59° C. in step (h), as this corresponds to the gelatinization temperature of flour. The temperature can then be lowered again, as shown by step (n).

[0102] These cleaning segments can be customized based on the functional groups present.

[0103] Although the present invention has been described based on exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in many different ways.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS USED

[0104] 1 Water-conducting household appliance [0105] 2 Wash container [0106] 3 Door [0107] 4 Wash chamber [0108] 5 Base [0109] 6 Top [0110] 7 Rear wall [0111] 8, 9 Side walls [0112] 10 Load level [0113] 11 Rail [0114] 12 Control device (device for determining soiling) [0115] 13 Sensor [0116] 14 Determination unit [0117] 15 Customization unit [0118] A Pull-out direction [0119] E Insertion direction [0120] S Pivot axis [0121] S1-S2 Method steps [0122] (a)-(n) Cleaning segments