DISHWASHER, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A DISHWASHER, COMPUTER PROGRAM AND DATA CARRIER

Abstract

A dishwasher has a tub with tub walls and with an outlet, water pipes, valves, a pump, a water inlet into the tub, a dosing module in the tub that has supply compartments for additives and cleaning agents for a cleaning process, wherein the dosing module is designed as a self-contained structural unit independent of the dishwasher and removable therefrom. A control unit is provided for the dishwasher, for the dosing module, for the pump and for the valves. The dosing module has a communication module for communication with the control unit, wherein a planar transmission device having a plurality of L-C-resonant circuits inductively coupled to one another and each with a transmitting coil and a transmitting capacitor is arranged along a tub wall of the tub for transmitting signals and power. The transmission device connects the control unit and the dosing module to one another to permit signal transmission.

Claims

1. Dishwasher having: a tub with tub walls and with an outlet, water pipes, valves and a pump, at least one water inlet into said tub connected to said pump by means of said water pipes, a dosing module in said tub containing additives and/or cleaning agents for adding to a cleaning process, wherein said dosing module has at least one supply compartment for an additive and/or a cleaning agent and has a dosing valve for release into said tub, wherein said dosing module is designed as a self-contained structural unit being independent of said dishwasher and is removable from said dishwasher, a control unit for said dishwasher, for said dosing module, for said pump and for said valves, wherein: said dosing module has a communication module for communicating with said control unit, a planar transmission device is arranged in a surface of said transmission device along a wall of said tub for transmission of signals and/or power, said transmission device has a plurality of resonant circuits inductively coupled to one another and each said resonant circuit having a transmitting coil and a transmitting capacitor as an L-C resonant circuit, wherein said transmitting coils extend substantially within said surface of said transmission device, said transmission device is arranged up to said communication module or up to a distance of less than 5 cm from said communication module and is connected to said communication module to permit signal transmission, said transmission device is connected to said control unit to permit said signal transmission.

2. Dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein a signal-transmitting connection between said communication module of said dosing module and said transmission device is designed wireless, namely inductively, wherein said communication module has for said purpose a coil being inductively couplable to said transmission device.

3. Dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein said dosing module has its own power source, said power source being a primary or secondary battery.

4. Dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein a wireless power supply of said dosing module is provided by means of said transmission device.

5. Dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein said control unit is connected directly or galvanically to said transmission device to permit said signal transmission.

6. Dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein said control unit is connected wirelessly and inductively to t said he transmission device to permit said signal transmission via a control coil, said control coil being inductively coupled to said transmission device.

7. Dishwasher according to claim 6, wherein said control unit is connected to an inverter, said converter being connected to said control coil, wherein said control unit controls said control coil via said inverter in a control mode for said signal transmission by means of said transmission device at said communication module of said dosing module.

8. Dishwasher according to claim 7, wherein said inverter is designed to operate said pump in a pump mode based on control signals of said control unit and to supply said pump with power.

9. Dishwasher according to claim 4, wherein said inverter, via t said he control coil and said transmission device, supplies said dosing module with power and controls said dosing module with control signals via its communication module.

10. Dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein said control unit is designed to control said valves in said dishwasher.

11. Dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein said control unit is the only control unit in said entire dishwasher.

12. Dishwasher according to claim 11, wherein said control unit has a microcontroller which is the only microcontroller in said entire dishwasher.

13. Dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein a signal-transmitting connection to said control unit from outside said dishwasher is provided by means of a mobile terminal such as a tablet computer or a smartphone.

14. Dishwasher according to claim 13, wherein said transmission device is also provided on said inner face of an outside of said dishwasher in order to provide an inductive coupling to said mobile terminal there for signal transmission to said control unit or to said dosing module.

15. Dishwasher according to claim 14, wherein said transmission device is also provided on a door of said dishwasher.

16. Dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein said transmission device takes up at least one third of a floor surface of said tub as a tub wall.

17. Dishwasher according to claim 16, wherein said transmission device takes up at least two thirds of said floor surface.

18. Dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein said transmission device and said control unit are designed to detect a location at which said dosing module is arranged in said tub.

19. Dishwasher according to claim 18, wherein said at least one water outlet is controllable by said control unit such that water is conveyed substantially or exclusively to a location at which said dosing module is arranged.

20. Dishwasher according to claim 19, wherein said at least one water outlet is a nozzle adjustable in its direction or has a nozzle adjustable in its direction.

21. Method for controlling a dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein said control unit controls said dosing module by means of its communication module via said transmission device in order to release a certain additive and/or cleaning agent.

22. Computer program designed to perform the method according to claim 21 at said control unit of said dishwasher having: a tub with tub walls and with an outlet, water pipes, valves and a pump, at least one water inlet into said tub connected to said pump by means of said water pipes, a dosing module in said tub containing additives and/or cleaning agents for adding to a cleaning process, wherein said dosing module has at least one supply compartment for an additive and/or a cleaning agent and has a dosing valve for release into said tub, wherein said dosing module is designed as a self-contained structural unit being independent of said dishwasher and is removable from said dishwasher, a control unit for said dishwasher, for said dosing module, for said pump and for said valves, wherein: said dosing module has a communication module for communicating with said control unit, a planar transmission device is arranged in a surface of said transmission device along a wall of said tub for transmission of signals and/or power, said transmission device has a plurality of resonant circuits inductively coupled to one another and each said resonant circuit having a transmitting coil and a transmitting capacitor as an L-C resonant circuit, wherein said transmitting coils extend substantially within said surface of said transmission device, said transmission device is arranged up to said communication module or up to a distance of less than 5 cm from said communication module and is connected to said communication module to permit signal transmission, said transmission device is connected to said control unit to permit said signal transmission.

23. Data carrier, on which a computer program according to claim 22 is stored.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Examples of the invention are shown schematically in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following. The drawings show in:

[0023] FIG. 1 a schematic and simplified representation of a design of a dishwasher in accordance with the invention,

[0024] FIG. 2 the lower area of the dishwasher from FIG. 1 in a slightly enlarged representation,

[0025] FIG. 3 a variation of the lower area of the dishwasher with an external operating device on a door,

[0026] FIG. 4 an oblique representation of the view from FIG. 3,

[0027] FIG. 5 a functional overview of the invention, showing how a transformer is connected to several functional units to permit signal transmission,

[0028] FIG. 6 a plan view onto the transformer with rectangular single-winding transmitting coils and transmitting capacitors as L-C-resonant circuits and

[0029] FIG. 7 a single L-C-resonant circuit with a single-winding transmitting coil and a transmitting capacitor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLES

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a dishwasher 11 in accordance with the invention in a housing 12 inside which a tub 14 is located. The tub 14 has side tub walls, an upper cover and a tub floor 15. Access is via a door, not shown here.

[0031] A rack 17 is arranged at the bottom of the tub 14, further racks may be arranged in particular above it. A downward outlet 19 is provided on the tub floor 15, possibly draining from a so-called sump of the tub 14. A filter device known per se is advantageously provided in the outlet 19. A pump line 20 leads from the outlet 19 to a pump 22 by means of a pump valve 21. By means of the pump valve 21, a water flow can be controlled, of course also using the operation of the pump 22. A supply line 23 runs in turn from the pump 22 away to the side and then upwards to a spray arm 24 arranged at the top of the tub 14 in known manner. A further spray arm may also be provided in accordance with FIG. 2 at the bottom of the tub 14, as is known per se from the prior art.

[0032] The dishwasher 11 has a control unit 26 which is connected to an electronic power unit 27 or which controls the latter. The control unit 26 is advantageously in control of the entire dishwasher 11 and hence is the only control unit, in particular with a single microcontroller. The control unit 26 is thus provided for an integrated operating device, not shown here, of the dishwasher 11, but also to control the pump 22 and the pump valve 21 and any further valves, not shown here, which are of course present. The control unit 26 however does not control the pump 22, at least not a pump motor, directly, but via an electronic power unit 27, advantageously an inverter. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pump 22 can also have an associated heating unit, particularly advantageously integrated therein. This heating unit too can then be advantageously precisely controlled via the control unit 26 and the electronic power unit 27. Sensors, in particular temperature sensors, arranged in the pump 22, in particular on said heating unit, are also evaluated using the control unit 26.

[0033] The control unit 26 is also connected to a communication device 29, shown in FIG. 1 top right on the housing 12. This communication device 29 can be an interface to the outside, for example for servicing the dishwasher 11, alternatively also for mobile external operating devices, for example mobile terminals, that can be wirelessly connected and using which the dishwasher 11 can be controlled or at least its operation monitored. The communication device 29 could therefore be designed for example as a USB port, advantageously for wireless communication, for example by means of NFC, Bluetooth or the like.

[0034] A transformer 32 is arranged as a transmission device in accordance with the invention and as described above on the tub floor 15, in particular arranged on its underside so that no tightness problems can occur. Such a transmission device is known from DE 10 2017 201 109 A1, previously mentioned, to which explicit reference is made concerning details of its structure and design. The transformer 32 can in one embodiment of the invention extend substantially directly from a place near the control unit 26 or above the latter to an area underneath a dosing module 36. The arrangement of the dosing module 36 is then however restricted to a point above this strip-like transformer 32. Alternatively and advantageously, the transformer 32 takes up an area substantially corresponding to the tub floor 15, of course with a cutout around the outlet 19. The dosing module 36 can then be placed wherever required. Furthermore, other additional sensors, additional actuators or additional devices too can be connected thereto, with signal transmission possible and if required also power transmission, and hence be controlled and/or evaluated by the control unit 26, as explained in more detail in the following. As can be seen from the enlargement in FIG. 3, the dosing module 36 has in its lower region a module coil 38 designed for connection to the transformer 32 and hence corresponding to the aforementioned communication module. Reference is made in this connection to the above description as well as to the aforementioned DE 10 2017 201 109 A1. The dosing module 36 itself is advantageously designed as known from WO 2020/152004 A1. An integrated control unit of the dosing module 36 described there can be designed considerably more simply with the invention. Above all, a power source of the dosing module 36 is superfluous, since power can be supplied/transmitted by means of the transformer 32. The transformer 32 is also controlled with the electronic power unit 27 via the control unit 26. Since the transformer 32 in fact consists of a plurality of resonant circuits 35, as shown by the following figures in detail and as described in that connection, the electronic power unit 27 or the appropriate inverter takes on this function. A power requirement of the dosing module 36 and its valves, sensors or the like contained therein is as a rule not very great and hence can be supplied without any problem via the electronic power unit 27. The dosing of, for example, additives contained in the dosing module 36, such as detergents, rinsing agents, softeners or the like, can be very precisely controlled by the control unit 26. The control unit 26 can also access information from sensors or the like contained in the dosing module 36.

[0035] The slightly enlarged representation of a section through the dishwasher 11 according to FIG. 2 shows a lower spray arm 24′ in the tub 14, the rack being omitted for the sake of clarity. Furthermore, it is shown that the control unit 26 is connected to a communication device 29 designed for radio contact. Also shown here is an external operating device 44, as mentioned above. This can either connect by radio to the communication device 29, such that the dishwasher 11 can be controlled therewith; alternatively, the external operating device 44 can also, as shown in FIG. 3, be fastened directly to the dishwasher 11. A signal transmission can then be varied, and a communication device 29 is no longer needed or in any event is not used. Instead the external operating device 44 can be attached to a door 16 of the dishwasher 11, for example in easily detachable manner. The transformer 32 is routed from the tub floor 15 practically around the corner and upwards along the door 16 as transformer 32′, i.e. continuously, or possibly connected to a further transformer of this type. The transformer 32′ in the door 16 has resonant circuits 35′ and is thus similar in structure to the transformer 32 on the tub floor 15. Since transformers of this type can however transmit signals and power in the sideways or lateral direction anyway, such transmission also goes around the corner or from the tub floor 15 into the door 16.

[0036] The external operating device 44 is also supplied with power via the transformer 32, for example to operate lights and/or a display used as an indicator. Inputs by an operator at the external operating device 44 are transmitted by means of the transformers 32′ and 32 to the control unit 26 to be processed there.

[0037] As indicated in FIGS. 2 to 4 in sketch form, the transformer 32 has a plurality of resonant circuits 35 in the surface in two directions. These are, in accordance with the prior art as per DE 10 2017 201 109 A1, arranged close to one another, with this not being explained again in detail.

[0038] The dosing module 36 can also have a module transmitter 40 for transmitting radio signals for example to outside the dishwasher 11, in particular either also to the external operating device 44 arranged there or to a diagnostics unit or the like. Advantageously, the dosing module 36 has however no module transmitter 40 of its own, as both expense can be spared and any communication with the control unit 26 can be via the transformer 32. The control unit 26 in turn can have the previously described communication device 29 to the outside, which is then for example is arranged outside the tub 14. This usually consists of stainless steel and thus is often an obstacle to radio transmission of signals passing through it.

[0039] In FIG. 4 it can be discerned from the perspective illustration how the transformer 32 is designed spatial or planar and in particular largely covers the tub floor 15 of the tub 14. The previously explained dosing module 36 is shown in the left-hand region. A self-sufficient additional sensor 46 is arranged in the rear region, and can detect certain sensor values inside the tub 14. These can go beyond the purpose for which the dosing module 36 was designed. It is for example possible to subsequently purchase appropriate self-sufficient additional sensors as relatively inexpensive functional units. The expensively designed dosing module 36 then no longer needs to be replaced. It is readily discernible from FIG. 4 that the dosing module 36 per se can be arranged as required in the tub 14 on the tub floor 15 or in a rack 17 extending just above it, in accordance with FIG. 1. It is always connected to the control unit 26 and to the electronic power unit 27 by means of the transformer 32.

[0040] The control unit 26 and the electronic power unit 27 can be designed such that there is a control mode and a pump mode. In the control mode, the transformer 32 is controlled, and so all functional units connected thereto are controlled and evaluated. In a pump mode, the transformer 32 is advantageously disconnected from the electronic power unit 27, and the latter operates only a drive motor and/or a heating unit of the pump 22. The electronic power unit 27 can then be kept simpler in its design.

[0041] The schematic general drawing in FIG. 5 shows how the transformer 32 represents, in a manner of speaking, a kind of communication network. The dosing module 36 is connected to the transformer 32 and hence to the control unit 26 as indicated by dashed lines. This also applies for dosing sensors 39 and for a module transmitter 40 that are part of the dosing module 36.

[0042] A further dashed-line connection can be formed to self-sufficient additional sensors 46 or to self-sufficient additional actuators 47. Such self-sufficient unit actuators can also permit dosing of certain agents for which the dosing module 36 might not be designed.

[0043] A further dashed-line connection extends from the transformer 32 to a self-sufficient additional unit 48. This can for example be, according to the example in FIG. 3, an external operating device and in general a mobile terminal.

[0044] The transformer 32 is directly connected to the electronic power unit 27 that controls it and hence receives its signals, which are passed on to the control unit 26. Furthermore, the pump 22 too is connected to the electronic power unit 27. The latter is in turn connected to the control unit 26, to which a previously described communication device 29 is connected.

[0045] Thanks to the signal-transmitting connection, using which power can also be distributed to the tub floor 15 of the dishwasher 11, a corresponding functionality in the dosing module 36 can be dispensed with. It can therefore be of simpler design and above all easier and simpler to operate. Furthermore, further functional units such as the aforementioned additional sensors, additional actuators or additional devices in the dishwasher 11 can be subsequently inserted, although the dishwasher 11 was not even originally designed for this.

[0046] As previously explained, the control unit 26 can detect, based on the information from the transformer 32, where in the region of the latter or where on the tub floor 15 the dosing module 36 or one of the aforementioned additional units is arranged. A control unit can then take into account this attachment place in particular, which makes the control and hence also the functioning of the dosing module particularly precise and versatile as well as adaptable.

[0047] A transformer 32 is shown in FIG. 6 in a plan view. It is, as the sectional view of FIG. 2 already shows, very flat and has for example a thin carrier 34, which can even be designed film-like. The L-C-resonant circuits 35 can be directly attached to this carrier 34, even as a film, either by affixing or by direct coating or printing. The person skilled in the art is familiar with corresponding methods and is not presented with any problems. It can be discerned that the L-C-resonant circuits 35 each have a transmitting coil L and a transmitting capacitor C. In the representation in FIG. 6, the carrier 34 should be provided largely over its full surface, in particular except for a central leadthrough for the outlet 19, with L-C-resonant circuits 35 of this type.

[0048] Advantageously, all L-C-resonant circuits 35 are designed identical. As can be discerned, they are also aligned or arranged in the same way. This is not essential, but has proved advantageous for good power transmission inside the transformer.

[0049] The distance between adjacent L-C-resonant circuits 35 and above all the transmitting coils L can be relatively short and for example be between 1 mm and 15 mm, advantageously between 2 mm and 10 mm. This applies for transmitting coils L arranged both laterally adjacent to one another and arranged one behind the other. The distance should be so short that they are in any case inductively coupled to one another in every direction. In an embodiment of the invention, it is even conceivable for different transmitting coils L, in particular adjacent ones, to extend in different planes and even overlap in the plan view.

[0050] FIG. 7 shows in an enlargement an L-C-resonant circuit 35′ as it might be designed in actual practice. It has a transmitting coil L′ that consists of a single winding and whose coil ends are not completely closed or have a short distance from one another. A transmitting capacitor C′ is connected to these coil ends, wherein this transmitting capacitor is a discrete component, for example an SMD component. The capacitance can be in the region of <1 mF, advantageously <100 μF.

[0051] An inductance of a single-winding transmitting coil L′ can be in the region of around 1 μH. A capacitance of the transmitting capacitor C′ can be, for a desired frequency of around 20 kHz, slightly above 30 μF, and for a frequency of 30 kHz around 15 μF. The transmitting capacitors C′ must be selected accordingly.

[0052] An increase in the number of windings of a transmitting coil L has a significant effect on its inductance, as can easily be predicted. With each additional winding, of course, the expense of manufacturing the transmitting coils L and hence also the entire transformer 32 rises.

[0053] However, the expense of manufacturing additional windings can be worthwhile, if in particular very different frequencies in the system or in the dishwasher are to be harmonized, for example the frequency of the inverter with the frequency of the transmission, by means of NFC, Bluetooth, or the like. The options for harmonization are known to the person skilled in the art from the theory of coupled resonant circuits. It is only necessary to harmonize the L-C resonances and the couplings to one another, as is however described in detail in the literature on coupled resonant circuits. Furthermore, it can generally be of advantage to focus internally in the dishwasher on frequencies in the higher kHz range, advantageously frequencies of 30 kHz or 50 kHz up to frequencies of 80 kHz or 200 kHz. This can ensure that no disturbances of the electromagnetic field from the outside negatively affect communication between for example the transmission device and the dosing module.