Cleaning device and method for cleaning articles to be cleaned

Abstract

The invention proposes a cleaning device (110) for cleaning articles (116) to be cleaned. The cleaning device (110) comprises at least one cleaning chamber (114) and at least one application device (120) for applying at least one cleaning fluid to the articles (116) to be cleaned in the cleaning chamber (114). The cleaning device (110) further comprises at least one controller (157) which is designed to actuate the cleaning device (110) for carrying out at least two operating modes. The controller (157) is further designed to detect at least one utilization variable. The utilization variable characterizes a current utilization of the cleaning device (110). The controller (157) is further designed to assign at least one weighting to the at least one utilization variables. The controller (157) further has at least one counting device (170) which is designed to cumulate utilization times of the cleaning device (110) which are weighted with the weighting and to generate at least one item of use information about a use of the cleaning device (110) therefrom.

Claims

1. A cleaning device for cleaning articles to be cleaned, comprising at least one cleaning chamber and at least one application device for applying at least one cleaning fluid to the articles to be cleaned in the cleaning chamber, further comprising at least one controller, wherein the controller is designed to actuate the cleaning device for carrying out at least two operating modes, wherein the controller is further designed to detect at least one utilization variable, wherein the utilization variable characterizes a current utilization of the cleaning device, wherein the controller is further designed to assign at least one weighting to the at least one utilization variables, wherein the controller further has at least one counting device, wherein the counting device is designed to cumulate utilization times of the cleaning device which are weighted with the weighting and to generate at least one item of use information about a use of the cleaning device therefrom.

2. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning device is selected from the group consisting of: a single-chamber dishwasher; a pass-through dishwasher; a hood-type dishwasher; a conveyor dishwasher; a cleaning and disinfection apparatus; and a cleaning device for one or both cleaning and/or disinfecting personal protection equipment.

3. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is designed to detect the utilization times in accordance with a time detection mode, wherein the time detection mode is selected from the group consisting of: a continuous time detection operation; a cumulative time detection operation in discrete time intervals; and a cumulative time detection operation in discrete utilization cycles.

4. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is designed to carry out the assignment of the weighting by means of one or both of at least one assignment algorithm and at least one assignment table.

5. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the utilization variable comprises at least one operating parameter of the cleaning device, which operating parameter is detected by the controller, or is ascertained by means of at least one operating parameter of the cleaning device, which operating parameter is detected by the controller.

6. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one operating parameter is selected from the group consisting of: a temperature of the at least one cleaning fluid; and a level of media consumption.

7. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the counting device is designed to determine the use information in accordance with at least one algorithm selected from the group consisting of:
N(T)=c.Math..sub.T(p.sub.1, . . . ,p.sub.n)dti)
N(T)=c.Math..sub.i(p.sub.1, . . . ,p.sub.n).Math.t.sub.iii)
N(T)=c.Math..sub.T(p.sub.1, . . . ,p.sub.n)dtB(T)iii)
N(T)=c.Math..sub.i(p.sub.1, . . . ,p.sub.n).Math.t.sub.iB(T)iv) where N(T) is a current value of the use information at time T, c is a calibration coefficient, T is an observation time at which the use information is intended to be determined, p.sub.i, . . . , p.sub.n are utilization variables of the cleaning device, is a weighting function which is dependent on at least one utilization variable p.sub.i, i is a running variable over all detected discrete use intervals, and B(T) is a bonus function which takes into account at least one performance of at least one maintenance process of the cleaning device.

8. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the weighting function is a linear combination of at least two utilization variables which are weighted with weighting factors b.sub.j: $f\left(p_1,\mathrm{.Math.},p_n\right)=\underset{j=1}{\overset{n}{.Math.}}{b}_j.Math.p_j$

9. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is further designed in such a way that the at least one utilization variable comprises one or both of at least one service life and at least one standby time of the cleaning device.

10. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is further designed to detect performance of at least one maintenance process, wherein the counting device is designed to take into account the maintenance process when generating the use information.

11. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the controller is designed to take into account the maintenance process with an opposite mathematical sign in relation to a regular use in the use information.

12. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the maintenance process comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a self-cleaning cycle; a use of a maintenance medium; a routine cleaning operation; and a servicing operation of the cleaning device.

13. A cleaning system for cleaning articles to be cleaned, comprising at least one cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one reading apparatus, wherein the reading apparatus is designed to read out the use information from the cleaning device.

14. The cleaning system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the reading apparatus is designed separately from the cleaning system and can be connected to the cleaning device via at least one interface.

15. The cleaning system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the reading apparatus further has at least one cost calculation device, wherein the cost calculation device is designed to assign at least one use fee to the read-out use information.

16. A method for operating a cleaning device for cleaning articles to be cleaned, wherein the cleaning device has at least one cleaning chamber and at least one application device for applying at least one cleaning fluid to the articles to be cleaned in the cleaning chamber, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) detecting at least one utilization variables of the cleaning device, wherein the utilization variable characterizes a current use of the cleaning device; b) assigning at least one weighting to the at least one utilization variable; c) generating at least one item of use information about a use of the cleaning device from a cumulation of the utilization times of the cleaning device which are weighted with the weighting.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein a cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, is used.

18. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the method steps a) to c) are carried out using at least one computer or computer program.

19. A computer program comprising program code for carrying out the method as claimed in claim 16.

20. The use of a cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, for use-dependent calculation of a utilization fee for the cleaning device.

21. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning device is a dishwasher.

22. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the level of consumption of at least one medium is selected from the group consisting of: water or a detergent; a switch-on period of at least one consumer of the cleaning device; a rotation speed of at least one nozzle arm of the application device; a property of at least one cleaning fluid; a type of one or both of the at least one cleaning fluid; a component of the at least one cleaning fluid; a heating power of at least one heating element of the cleaning device; an electrical energy intake of the cleaning device; a rotation speed of at least one pump; a number of pump revolutions; a pressure with which the articles to be cleaned are acted on; a volume flow which is sprayed by means of the application device; a door operation of at least one door of the cleaning device; a transportation parameter of at least one transportation device of the cleaning device; a transportation distance per unit of time; an absolute transportation distance; a quantity of articles to be cleaned; a quantity of transportation racks for articles to be cleaned; a throughput of articles to be cleaned; a type of a selected cleaning program; a quantity of cleaning fluid in at least one fluid tank of the cleaning device; a vibration of the cleaning device; an ambient temperature of the cleaning device; a type of at least one article to be cleaned which is cleaned in the cleaning device; a quantity of at least one article to be cleaned which is cleaned in the cleaning device; a material of at least one article to be cleaned which is cleaned in the cleaning device; a degree of soiling of at least one article to be cleaned which is cleaned in the cleaning device; and a location of the cleaning device.

23. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the property of at least one cleaning fluid is selected from the group consisting of: one or both of a pH value, a hardness of at least one cleaning fluid; and one or both of a pH value and a hardness of water which is used in the cleaning fluid.

24. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the transportation parameter of at least one transportation device of the cleaning device is a transportation speed.

25. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the maintenance medium is one or both of a water softener and a descaler.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) Further details and features of the invention can be found in the description of preferred exemplary embodiments which follows, in particular in conjunction with the dependent claims. In this context, the particular features may be implemented alone or severally in combination with one another. The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments. The exemplary embodiments are shown schematically in the figures. Identical reference numerals in the individual figures refer to identical elements or elements with an identical function, or elements which correspond to one another in respect of their function.

(2) Specifically:

(3) FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning device in the form of a single-chamber dishwasher and also an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning system;

(4) FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating the cleaning device; and

(5) FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning device in the form of a pass-through dishwasher and also a further exemplary embodiment of a cleaning system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(6) FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate exemplary embodiments of cleaning devices 110 according to the invention. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, said cleaning device is a single-chamber dishwasher 112, whereas a pass-through dishwasher 312, also referred to as a conveyor dishwasher, is illustrated in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3. It should be noted that these are merely examples of possible cleaning devices 110. As an alternative or in addition, other cleaning devices also come into consideration, for example cleaning and disinfection apparatuses or cleaning devices for types of washware other than dishes.

(7) The cleaning device 110 in FIG. 1 can be configured, in particular, as a commercial single-chamber dishwasher. However, a configuration as a domestic dishwasher is also possible in principle. Reference can be made, by way of example, to DE 10 2008 015 796 B4 for examples of possible configurations of single-chamber dishwashers 112 of this kind. However, other configurations are also possible.

(8) The cleaning device 110 has at least one cleaning chamber 114. Cleaning fluid 118 is applied to articles 116 to be cleaned, in particular dishes, in the cleaning chamber 114. One or more application devices 120, which can also be referred to as fluid devices in this exemplary embodiment, are provided for this application operation. These application devices 120 can comprise, by way of example, a washing nozzle system 122 and a rinse nozzle system 124. The application device 120 comprises, for example, a plurality of nozzles 123 which can be arranged, for example, in spray arms 125 of the application device 120, for example in rotating spray arms 125. The nozzle systems 122, 124 can be arranged, for example, within the cleaning chamber 114 above and/or below a rack 126 in which the articles 116 to be cleaned are accommodated. The cleaning chamber 114 can be loaded with the articles 116 to be cleaned, for example, via a door 128, for example a front hatch.

(9) The nozzle system 122 can be fed, for example via washing lines 130, a washing pump 132 and via a 3-way valve 134, with cleaning fluid 118, for example a detergent solution, from a washing tank 136 which can be located, for example, in the bottom region of the cleaning chamber 114. Cleaning fluid 118 from a rinse tank 144, for example rinse fluid in the form of final rinse aid solution, can be applied to the optional rinse nozzle system 124, for example, via rinse lines 138, a rinse valve 140 and a rinse pump 142. The rinse tank 144 can be fed, for example, with fresh water via a fresh water supply line 146. Furthermore, the cleaning device 110 can have a discharge line 148 which can be connected, for example, to the washing tank 136 via the 3-way valve 134 and can optionally have a discharge pump 150 and can optionally be connected to an outlet 152.

(10) The cleaning device 110 can further have at least one temperature control device 153 for controlling the temperature of the at least one cleaning fluid 118. Furthermore, the heating device 110 can have a further heating element 156 in the rinse tank 144 for heating the cleaning fluid 118 in the form of the rinse fluid which is accommodated there. For example, the rinse tank 144 can be configured as a boiler and/or can have a flow heater.

(11) At least one cleaning program, for example, can be executed in the cleaning device 110 which can be configured, for example, as a box-type dishwasher. To this end, at least one controller 157, by means of which a program sequence can be controlled, can be provided for example. In said cleaning program, a first program step can be carried out for example, the articles 116 to be cleaned being washed with liquid from the wash tank 136 in said first program step. This washing can be performed, for example, in a circulation mode via the washing pump 132 which can also be referred to as a circulation pump. The washing liquid can then be partially or completely drained from the washing tank 136 via the discharge pump 150 and the 3-way valve 134. In parallel with the washing step, rinse fluid can be prepared, for example heated, in the rinse tank 144 in advance. In a further program step which follows the washing step, the articles 116 to be cleaned can then be subjected to rinsing or final rinsing with cleaning fluid from the rinse tank 144, it being possible for this to be performed in a single operation or, optionally, likewise in a circulation mode. One or more further program steps can follow, for example one or more drying steps, before the cleaning program can be terminated.

(12) The controller 157 can comprise, for example, at least one processor 158 and at least one data memory 160. The controller 157 can further have at least one user interface 162 and/or at least one data interface 164, for example for wireless or wired interchange of data and/or control commands. The controller 157 is designed, in particular, to actuate the cleaning device 110 in at least two operating modes. Said operating modes may be, for example, two or more cleaning programs. Said cleaning programs can be selected by a user, for example, via the user interface 162. However, as an alternative or in addition, the user can also select further details, such as directly adjust specific operating parameters for example, via the user interface 162.

(13) The cleaning device 110 further has, for example, a plurality of sensors for detecting operating parameters. For example, these sensors can comprise a temperature sensor 166 in the washing tank 136 and also a temperature sensor 168 in the rinse tank 144. Furthermore, the controller 157 can also be designed to detect operating parameters, for example pump rotation speeds of the pumps 132, 142 and 150, pump rotation speeds of the pumps 132, 142 and 150, valve positions of the valves 134, 140 and also heating powers of the heating elements 154, 156, in another way. As an alternative or in addition, other operating parameters can also be detected, for example by means of pressure sensors, volume flow sensors or similar sensors or items of control information.

(14) The controller 157 is accordingly designed to detect at least one utilization variable, wherein the at least one utilization variable can comprise, for example, at least one operating parameter. However, as an alternative or in addition, the at least one utilization variable can also comprise other types of information, for example which washing program the user has selected. The at least one utilization variable characterizes a current utilization of the cleaning device 110. The controller 157 is designed to assign at least one weighting to the at least one utilization variables. The controller 157 further has a counting device 170 which, in this case, can comprise the processor 158 and the data memory 160 for example. The counting device is designed, for example in terms of programming, to cumulate utilization times of the cleaning device 110 which are weighted with the weighting and to generate at least one item of use information about a use of the cleaning device therefrom. This will be explained by way of example with reference to a flowchart of a possible method for operating the cleaning device 110 in FIG. 2.

(15) In the method, after the start 210, a value for a current, already cumulated utilization variable N(t.sub.0) is read out from the data memory 160. The start time of this method t is therefore set to t=t.sub.0, and the utilization variable at the beginning of this run of the method is set to N(t)=N(t.sub.0). This method step 212 serves to allow values cumulated in a previous performance of the method to be re-used, so that a value for the utilization variable N, which value is cumulated over a plurality of method sequences overall, can be generated. However, servicing personnel can, for example, also reset the value N in the data memory 160 or adjust said value to a prespecified start value.

(16) In step 212, a query is then made as to whether a maintenance process is currently being carried out. This query can be answered, for example, by way of a corresponding item of information of the controller 157, for example by way of whether a user has set a maintenance program or another cleaning program. If the maintenance program is being carried out (method step 216), a bonus B is subtracted from the current value N(t.sub.0) and, in method step 228, the current value N=N(t.sub.0)B is written to the data memory 160. The program is then terminated. If, in contrast, a maintenance program is not being carried out, detection of the one or more utilization variables is then carried out in method step 218. By way of example, said utilization variables are designated p.sub.1, . . . , p.sub.n. A weighting is then assigned to these utilization variables in method step 220. This is shown by way of example with reference to table 1.

(17) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Example of an assignment of a weighting to the utilization variable in the form of two heating powers in fluid tanks p.sub.2 = 3.0 kW p.sub.2 = 6.0 kW p.sub.1 = 2.0 kW f = 0.5/min f = 0.8/min p.sub.1 = 2.5 kW f = 0.6/min f = 0.9/min p.sub.1 = 3.0 kW f = 0.8/min f = 1.1/min

(18) This table 1 contains, by way of example, two operating parameters which are used as utilization variables, specifically a heating power p.sub.1 of the heating element 154 in the washing tank 136 and a heating power p.sub.2 of the further heating element 156 in the rinse tank 144. However, it should be noted that significantly more complex assignments are possible by means of multidimensional tables. In this exemplary embodiment, the heating power can be set, by programming, for example for the heating element 154 to the values 2.0 kW, 2.5 kW and 3.0 kW, and the heating power p.sub.2 can be set to the values 3.0 kW and 6.0 kW. The values for the weighting f which are assigned to each of these possible combinations are indicated in the table. As can be seen here, the weighting can be provided with a dimension or, in principle, can also be dimensionless, depending on the ultimately desired value for the utilization variable. In this case, the weighting is indicated, for example, with the unit/min since multiplication by units of time, indicated in min, is then performed, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

(19) The assignment according to table 1 is only one of several possible assignments which represent an actual utilization, for example an actual loading, of the cleaning device 110. If, for example, in addition to said operating parameters p.sub.1, p.sub.2 in the form of said heating powers, a pump rotation speed for example of the rinse pump 142 in revolutions/min is detected as utilization variable p.sub.3 and a temperature in C. which is detected by means of the temperature sensor 168 in the rinse tank 144 is detected as utilization variable p.sub.4, an assignment could also be performed, for example, by means of an assignment algorithm, for example of the following type:

(20) $f\left(p_1,p_2,p_3,p_4\right)=\frac{0.5.Math.p_1}{10\mathrm{kW}.Math.\min }+\frac{0.8.Math.p_2}{10\mathrm{kW}.Math.\min }+\frac{0.3.Math.p_3}{10,000}+\frac{0.1.Math.p_4}{85C..Math.\min }$

(21) As can be seen, the ascertained weighting ultimately has the unit of time/min in this case too.

(22) Following method step 220 which can be carried out by the counting device 170, in method step 222 the utilization variables N are incremented for the time period between t.sub.0 and t.sub.0+t, for example in accordance with the formula
N(t+t)=N(t)+c.Math..Math.t

(23) Here, c designates a calibration factor which can optionally also be incorporated in addition. This new value of N can be stored, for example, in the data memory 160, for example likewise still in step 222, so that the next program run and also the next program loop can, for example, already be carried out with this incremented value. Then, there is a waiting time period t in step 224. The time period t can be fixed or else can be flexible, for example depending on the program sequence. For example, the time period t can be a time period of 0.5 min or else 1 min Other values are also feasible.

(24) Then, in step 226, a query is made as to whether the program has been terminated. If this is the case, the current value for the use information N is written to the data memory 160 in step 228 again. If this is not the case, the program can return, for example with the current value N(t) as the start value, to step 218 and detect the utilization variables once again. In this way, a cumulated use, which takes into account actual loadings of the cleaning device 110, is detected by means of this simple program over the operation of the cleaning device. It should be noted that the illustrated sequence merely represents an example of a sequence which can be significantly more complex in practice.

(25) At the same time, FIG. 1 also illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning system 172. This cleaning system 172 further comprises, in addition to the cleaning device 110, at least one reading apparatus 174 which is designed to read the use information from the cleaning device 110, in particular from the controller 157. To this end, the reading apparatus 174 can comprise, for example, at least one interface 176 which can communicate, for example, with the data interface 164 of the cleaning device 110. Furthermore, the reading apparatus 174 can comprise different types of user interfaces 178.

(26) In addition, the reading apparatus 174 can further comprise at least one cost calculation device 180, for example once again as a component of a processor 182 and/or as a software program which can be executed on the processor 182. The cost calculation device 180 is designed to assign at least one use fee to the read-out use information. However, as an alternative, the reading apparatus 174 can also simply be designed for reading out the utilization variable, for example by service personnel, and then, for example when returned to the supplier, to calculate a use fee there from the use information or to use the use information in another way, for example for determining servicing intervals on the basis of actual use.

(27) It should be noted that, in this exemplary embodiment of the cleaning system 172, the reading apparatus 174 can be configured, by way of example, as a handheld apparatus. However, this is not necessarily the case. Therefore, the reading apparatus 174 can be, for example, a computer which is connected to the cleaning device 110 via a computer network, and therefore the utilization information can also be read out online for example. Various configurations are feasible.

(28) The above-described examples of detecting utilization variables and the assignment thereof can be configured with any desired complexity. A further option for the configuration involves, for example, the cleaning device 110 comprising a GPS device 184 as a further sensor. This GPS device 184 can determine, for example, the location of the cleaning device 110. Information of this kind can also be of interest for a utilization. Therefore, a single-chamber dishwasher 112 specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 1, can be easily transported for example. However, different tariffs for calculating a use fee can apply for different users. This can be taken into account, for example, by the location being detected as an additional utilization variable and, for example depending on the installation site, weightings being assigned differently in method step 220. For example, the location can be incorporated in the assignment by a tariff factor or a tariff table or, as an alternative, different formulae and/or different tables can be employed depending on the installation site.

(29) The cleaning device 110 is configured as a single-chamber dishwasher 112 in FIG. 1 by way of example. However, this is not necessarily the case, as will be explained by way of example with reference to FIG. 3. Therefore, as an alternative or in addition, other types of cleaning devices, for example for the care sector or else dishwashers of a larger size, can also be configured according to the invention. FIG. 3 shows, in turn, a sectional illustration of an example of a cleaning device 110 and a cleaning system 172.

(30) In FIG. 3, the cleaning device 110 is configured as a pass-through dishwasher 312 and has a transportation device 314 by means of which articles 116 to be cleaned, for example dishes, can be transported through a cleaning chamber 114 of the cleaning device 110. For example, the cleaning device 110 can be configured as a rack conveyor washer and can be designed to transport the articles 116 to be cleaned in transportation racks 316, or can be configured as a flight-type washer in which the articles 116 to be cleaned are transported directly on a conveyor belt, as shown in this exemplary embodiment.

(31) The articles 116 to be cleaned can be transported from a feed zone 320 to a discharge zone 322 in a transportation direction 318 by means of the transportation device 314. In this case, the cleaning chamber 114 can be subdivided into a plurality of zones, wherein a pre-clearing zone 324, a wash zone 326 and a final rinse zone 328 can be provided for example. Furthermore, at least one drying zone 330, in which the articles 116 which have been cleaned are dried by means of a fan 332, can be provided following said zones.

(32) The zones 324, 326 and 328 can be referred to, in general, as washing zones 334 within which application devices 336, in the form of nozzle systems with nozzles 123, can be provided to apply at least one cleaning fluid 118 to the articles 116 to be cleaned.

(33) Therefore, a pre-clearing nozzle system 338, which is fed with liquid from a pre-clearing tank 342 by means of a pre-clearing pump 340, can be provided in the pre-clearing zone 324. A wash zone nozzle system 344, which can be fed with liquid from a wash tank 348 by means of a wash zone pump 346, can be provided in the wash zone 326. The final rinse zone 328 can have a pump final rinse arrangement 350 and also a fresh water final rinse arrangement 352 which follows in the transportation direction 318. The pump final rinse arrangement 350 has a pump final rinse nozzle system 354, and the fresh water final rinse arrangement 352 has a fresh water final rinse nozzle system 356. Whereas the pump final rinse nozzle system 354 is fed with liquid from a final rinse tank 358 by means of a final rinse pump 360, the fresh water final rinse nozzle system 356 is fed with fresh water from a building-side fresh water connection 364 via a fresh water supply line 362. The fresh water supply line 362 can comprise, for example, a temperature control device 153 in the form of a heating device 366 by means of which the supplied fresh water can be heated up, for example to a temperature of from 80 C. to 100 C., preferably to a temperature of at least 85 C. The fresh water supply line 362 can optionally be routed via at least one heat recovery device 368 in which waste heat from the cleaning device 110 can be used in order to heat up supplied fresh water.

(34) The articles 116 to be cleaned can be continuously or discontinuously passed through the washing zones 334 by means of the transportation device 314, before the articles 116 which have been cleaned are dried in the drying zone 330. The washing zones 334 can each be closed off by partition curtains 370.

(35) The cleaning device 110 preferably uses several types of cleaning fluid 118 in the form of washing liquids which are preferably all aqueous washing liquids. For example, fresh water is preferably used as washing liquid in the fresh water final rinse arrangement 352, optionally with added final rinse aid. In the fresh water final rinse arrangement 352, the washing liquid only once comes into contact with the articles 116 to be cleaned. In the pump final rinse arrangement 350 however, final rinse liquid from the final rinse tank 358 is applied in a circulation mode to the articles 116 to be cleaned. In the wash tank 348, detergent, for example detergent solution, can be added to the washing liquid for example. In the wash zone 326, the articles 116 to be cleaned can be cleaned in circulation mode with the washing liquid from the wash tank 348. In the pre-clearing zone 324, the articles 116 to be cleaned can be acted on in circulation mode.

(36) As discussed above, one or more wash-active substances can each be admixed to the cleaning fluid 118 in the form of the washing liquids in the tanks 342, 348 and 358. To this end, one or more metering devices, which are not shown in FIG. 3, can be provided. For example, a metering device can optionally be provided on the fresh water supply line 362, it being possible for a final rinse agent and/or a disinfectant to be supplied to the fresh water final rinse arrangement 352 by means of said fresh water supply line. The connection of the at least one metering point can be, for example, in front of and/or behind the heating device. As an alternative or in addition, a metering device can be provided on the final rinse tank 358, it being possible for a final rinse agent and/or a disinfectant to be metered into the final rinse tank 358 by means of said metering device. By way of example, at least one metering device, by means of which one or more detergents can be metered into the wash tank 348, can optionally be provided in the wash zone 326. As an alternative or in addition, at least one metering device, by means of which at least one detergent can be metered into the pre-clearing tank 342, can be provided in the pre-clearing zone 324. The metering devices can be realized individually, in pairs or in said combinations. However, a different arrangement, combination and type of metering are also possible in principle.

(37) Furthermore, in the illustrated arrangement, the cleaning device 110 once again has a controller 157 which can be configured, for example, analogously to the controller in FIG. 1. Said controller may be, for example, a centralized machine controller which can, however, also be configured in a decentralized manner. For example, one or more cleaning programs in the cleaning device 110 can be controlled by means of the at least one controller 157. The controller 157 can be connected, in particular, to at least one supply valve 372, which can control a fresh water supply, and/or to one or more of said metering devices and can actuate these elements. Furthermore, the controller 157 can be, for example, entirely or partially connected to the pumps 340, 346 and 360 and can actuate these pumps. Furthermore, the controller 157 can be connected, for example, to the at least one transportation device 314 and can control the transportation device 314. The controller 157 can be configured, for example, entirely or partially as a regulation device and/or can comprise at least one regulation arrangement. The controller 157 once again comprises, for example analogously to the configuration according to FIG. 1, a counting device 170 which can, for example, entirely or partially comprise the processor 158 and the data memory 160, can be entirely or partially designed as a hardware and/or software component or can also be designed separately.

(38) The controller 157 is once again designed to detect one or more utilization parameters which can comprise, for example, one or more operating parameters. Therefore, the cleaning device 110, as in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, can generate, for example, one or more utilization parameters by setting a specific program and/or in the form of one or more setpoint values for actuating the cleaning device 110, for example setpoint values for pump rotation speeds. However, as an alternative or in addition, one or more utilization parameters can once again, as in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, be detected using sensors. Therefore, the cleaning device 110 can once again, as in FIG. 1 too, have one or more sensors for detecting one or more operating parameters. Therefore, the cleaning device 110 can have, for example, one or more sensors for detecting a pressure with which the articles to be cleaned are acted on, or a volume flow sensor for detecting the flow of a cleaning fluid. As an alternative or in addition, the cleaning device 110 can have, for example, one or more sensors for detecting a supply and/or a concentration of one or more components of the washing liquid. In general, the sensors can be directly or indirectly connected to the at least one controller 157. Therefore, the cleaning device 110 can have, for example, at least one flow meter for detecting a volume flow and/or mass flow of a supply of fresh water. As an alternative or in addition, the cleaning device 110 can also have one or more sensors in the tanks 342, 348 and 358. For example, turbidity sensors and/or conductivity sensors, by means of which a detergent concentration and/or a degree of soiling can be detected for example, can be provided there. In order to regulate a supply of one or more components of the washing liquids of the cleaning device 110, for example in order to regulate a fresh water supply and/or to regulate metering of detergent, the controller 157 can comprise, for example, one or more regulators which can be implemented, for example, in the form of software and/or in the form of hardware. These regulators can detect one or more actual values, for example by means of the sensors and/or by means of a flow meter, and can adjust a supply to at least one setpoint value, for example by means of said metering devices and/or the supply valve 372.

(39) A similar method to that described above with reference to the example in FIG. 2 can be carried out by means of the cleaning device 110 in principle. However, the utilization variables in the cleaning device 110 according to FIG. 3 can be of considerably more complex configuration since there are considerably more actuating variables in the cleaning device 110 according to FIG. 3. For example, a transportation speed, a plurality of tank temperatures, further pump rotation speeds or fluid pressures of the individual washing zones 334, a heating power of the fan 332 and/or an air output of said fan or other parameters can be used as further operating parameters. Furthermore, throughput parameters can also be used here, for example a number of transportation racks 316 per unit of time or a total number of transportation racks 316, can also be used here. Various configurations are possible.

(40) FIG. 3, in turn, also illustrates an example of a cleaning system 172 which, in addition to the cleaning device 110, comprises a reading apparatus 174. This at least one reading apparatus 174 can once again, by way of example, be configured as a handheld apparatus or else as a stationary apparatus. In the case of fixed installation of the cleaning device 110, it is possible, for example, to use a fixed network or else a mobile network as the means for transmitting use information.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(41) 110 Cleaning device 112 Single-chamber dishwasher 114 Cleaning chamber 116 Articles to be cleaned 118 Cleaning fluid 120 Application device 122 Washing nozzle system 123 Nozzles 124 Rinse nozzle system 125 Spray arms 126 Rack 128 Door 130 Washing line 132 Washing pump 134 3-way valve 136 Washing tank 138 Rinse line 140 Rinse valve 142 Rinse pump 144 Rinse tank 146 Fresh water supply line 148 Discharge line 150 Discharge pump 152 Outlet 153 Temperature control device 154 Heating element 156 Further heating element 157 Controller 158 Processor 160 Data memory 162 User interface 164 Data interface 166 Temperature sensor 168 Temperature sensor 170 Counting device 172 Cleaning system 174 Reading apparatus 176 Interface 178 User interface 180 Cost calculation device 182 Processor 184 GPS device 210 Start 212 Read value N(t.sub.0) from memory, set t=t.sub.0, N(t)=n(t.sub.0) 214 Query: is a maintenance process being carried out? 216 Subtract bonus 218 Detect utilization variables 220 Assign weighting 222 Increment the use information for time interval t 224 Wait for time interval t 226 Termination? 228 Write current value for use information into memory 312 Pass-through dishwasher 314 Transportation device 316 Transportation rack 318 Transportation direction 320 Feed zone 322 Discharge zone 324 Pre-clearing zone 326 Wash zone 328 Final rinse zone 330 Drying zone 332 Fan 334 Washing zone 336 Application device 338 Pre-clearing nozzle system 340 Pre-clearing pump 342 Pre-clearing tank 344 Wash zone nozzle system 346 Wash zone pump 348 Wash tank 350 Pump final rinse arrangement 352 Fresh water final rinse arrangement 354 Pump final rinse nozzle system 356 Fresh water final rinse nozzle system 358 Final rinse tank 360 Final rinse pump 362 Fresh water supply line 364 Fresh water connection 366 Heating device 368 Heat recovery device 370 Partition curtains 372 Supply valve