DISHWASHER FOR USE IN A MEANS OF TRANSPORT

Abstract

The invention relates to a dishwasher (110) for use in a means of transport (114) The dishwasher comprises a) at least one cleaning chamber (122) for receiving an item (112) to be cleaned, b) at least one application device (130) for applying the item (112) to be cleaned in the cleaning chamber (122) with at least one cleaning fluid (126): c) at least one washing tank (128) for receiving the at least one cleaning fluid (126), wherein the dishwasher (110) is designed to control a fill level of the washing tank (128) with the cleaning fluid (126) to a variably adjustable target level; d) at least one receiving device (186) for receiving at least one item of spatial information relating to the dishwasher (110); and e) at least one controller (166), wherein the controller (166) is programmed to determine the target level according to the spatial information.

Claims

1. A dishwasher for use in a means of transport, comprising: a) at least one cleaning chamber for receiving items to be cleaned; b) at least one application device for applying at least one cleaning fluid to the items to be cleaned in the cleaning chamber; c) at least one washing tank for receiving the at least one cleaning fluid, the dishwasher being designed to control a filling level of the washing tank with the cleaning fluid to a variably adjustable target level; d) at least one receiving device for receiving at least one item of spatial information concerning the dishwasher; and e) at least one controller, the controller being programmed to determine the target level in accordance with the spatial information.

2. The dishwasher as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spatial information has at least one item of information selected from the group consisting of: an item of location information concerning a location of the dishwasher; an item of position information concerning a spatial alignment of the dishwasher; an item of movement information concerning a movement of the dishwasher; an item of acceleration information concerning an acceleration of the dishwasher; an item of topographical information concerning a topography of the location of the dishwasher; an item of change information concerning a change to be expected of at least one item of information selected from the group consisting of the item of location information, the item of position information, the item of movement information, the item of acceleration information and the item of topographical information.

3. The dishwasher as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to convert the spatial information into the target level by means of at least one conversion process, selected from the group consisting of: application of an assignment algorithm, the spatial information being assigned the corresponding target level by means of the assignment algorithm; referral to an electronic table, in which items of spatial information are respectively assigned corresponding target-level values; a self-learning algorithm.

4. The dishwasher as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving device has at least one electronic interface (188) for receiving the spatial information.

5. The dishwasher as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving device comprises at least one sensor for sensing the spatial information.

6. The dishwasher as claimed in claim 5, wherein the sensor has at least one sensor, selected from the group consisting of: a GPS sensor; a tilt sensor; an acceleration sensor; a pressure sensor, a triangulation sensor.

7. The dishwasher as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller has at least one digitized map with a plurality of possible locations at which the dishwasher may be located.

8. The dishwasher as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dishwasher also has at least one equalizing tank, the controller being designed to transfer part of the cleaning fluid from the washing tank into the equalizing tank when there is a lowering of the target level and/or the controller also being designed to transfer part of the cleaning fluid from the equalizing tank into the w ashing tank when there is a raising of the target level.

9. The dishwasher as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dishwasher is designed as a batch dishwasher, the controller being programmed to perform at least one cleaning program, the cleaning program comprising at least one washing step in which the cleaning fluid from the washing tank is applied to the items to be cleaned, the controller being designed to change the target level in the washing tank in accordance with the spatial information during the washing step.

10. The dishwasher as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving device is also designed to receive at least one item of type information concerning the type of the means of transport, the controller being designed to take the type information into account when determining the target level.

11. The dishwasher as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving device is also designed to receive at least one control signal from the means of transport, the controller being designed to take the control signal into account when determining the target level.

12. A means of transport, comprising at least one dishwasher as claimed in claim 1.

13. A method for operating the dishwasher as claimed in claim 1 in a means of transport, comprising the following steps: i) receiving the at least one item of spatial information concerning the dishwasher by means of the receiving device; ii) determining the target level in accordance with the spatial information by means of the controller; and iii) controlling the filling level of the washing tank with the cleaning fluid to the target level corresponding to the spatial information.

14. A computer program for use in a controller of a dishwasher as claimed in claim 1, wherein the computer program comprises commands which bring about the effect that the controller determines the target level in accordance with the spatial information.

15. A method of washing dishes in a means of transport, the method comprising using the dishwasher as claimed in claim 1.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the means of transport is selected from the group consisting of: a railroad train; an overland bus; a ship; an aircraft; a mobile field kitchen.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0109] Further details and features may be found in the following description of exemplary embodiments, in particular in conjunction with the subclaims. The respective features may be implemented separately, or several of them may be implemented in combination with one another. The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments. The exemplary embodiments are schematically represented in the figures. Designations which are the same in the individual figures denote elements which are the same or have the same function, i.e. they correspond to one another in respect of their functions.

[0110] Specifically:

[0111] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a dishwasher in a sectional representation from the side; and

[0112] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a means of transport in the form of a train.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0113] In FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a dishwasher 110 according to the invention is shown in a sectional representation from the side. The dishwasher 110 serves for cleaning items to be cleaned 112, for example in the form of dishes. The dishwasher 110 is intended for use in a means of transport 114, which by way of example is shown in a schematic representation in FIG. 2 as a train 116 or, more specifically, as a dining car 118 or rail lounge car of a train 116. In the text which follows, the two figures are explained together.

[0114] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the dishwasher 110 comprises a cleaning chamber 122 enclosed by at least one housing 120. The items to be cleaned 112 may be kept in this cleaning chamber 122, in particular in a stationary state, for example by means of one or more holding devices 124, for example one or more dish racks. In the cleaning chamber 122, at least one cleaning fluid 126 can be applied to the items to be cleaned 112 from at least one washing tank 128. For the purpose of this applying, the dishwasher 110 comprises for example an application device 130. This application device 130 may for example comprise a washing line 132, which is connected to the washing tank 128 and in which for example a circulating pump 134 is provided. The application device 130 also comprises by way of example above and below the items to be cleaned 112 nozzle arms 136, which may also be referred to as washing nozzle arms. By way of these nozzle arms 136, which may for example be pivotably mounted, cleaning fluid 126 from the washing tank 128 can be applied to the items to be cleaned 112, for example in circulating mode. After application has taken place and/or at the end of an operating period, the cleaning fluid 126 may be discharged into a drain 142, for example by way of at least one drain line 138 and optionally at least one drain pump 140. For controlling the temperature of the cleaning fluid 126, at least one heating device 144, also referred to as the washing tank heater, may for example be provided in the washing tank 128.

[0115] The dishwasher 110 may comprise one or more application devices. Thus, in addition to the application device 130 described, which may also be referred to as the washing system, the dishwasher 110 may have at least one rinsing system 146, which may also be referred to as the final-rinsing system. The rinsing system 146 may for example have at least one rinsing tank 148, which may likewise have for example at least one heating device 150 and which may be configured for example as a boiler. Furthermore, the rinsing system 146 may have at least one rinsing line 152, through which cleaning fluid in the form of rinsing fluid can be passed by means of at least one rinsing pump 154 to rinsing nozzle arms 156. These may for example be formed separately from the nozzle arms 136 of the washing system and may for example once again be arranged above and below the items to be cleaned 112. The rinsing tank 148 may for example be filled with fresh water and/or some other type of cleaning liquid by way of at least one fresh-water line 158, optionally with at least one valve 160.

[0116] The dishwasher 110 may for example be configured as a batch dishwasher 162. Thus, for example, the cleaning chamber 122 may be loaded with the items to be cleaned 112 by way of at least one door 164, for example a front flap. Subsequently, a cleaning program, which for example can be selected from a list and is for example controlled in its sequence by a controller 166 of the dishwasher, may be started. Thus, whether in the case of a configuration as a batch dishwasher 162 or else in some other configuration, generally the controller 166 may be designed to adjust operating parameters of the dishwasher 110 in order to act on functional elements, such as for example the pumps 134, 140 or 154, or in order to activate valves such as for example the valve 160. In a program sequence, for example a cleaning program may be carried out, with preferably at least two program steps, for example first a washing step, in which cleaning fluid 126 in the form of washing fluid is applied to the items to be cleaned 112, and subsequently for example at least one rinsing step, in which rinsing fluid from the rinsing tank 148 is applied to the items to be cleaned 112. While the washing step may for example take place in circulating mode, the rinsing step may be carried out for example in the form of once-only application. Subsequently, for example, at least one drying step may also be carried out.

[0117] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the washing tank 128 is arranged for example on the bottom of the cleaning chamber 122. Thus, the washing tank 128 may for example take up the entire bottom region of the cleaning chamber 122, or for example only a partial region of this bottom, for example a depression tapering in the form of a funnel in the bottom of the cleaning chamber 122. Generally, however, in most cases the washing tank 128 is open toward the cleaning chamber 122, so that cleaning fluid 126 can flow off from the items to be cleaned 112 directly or indirectly into the washing tank 128. When used in the means of transport 114, for example according to FIG. 2, there is however in this case often the difficulty that, in various transporting situations, the dishwasher 110 is tilted greatly from the horizontal and/or that the cleaning fluid 126 in the washing tank 128 is subjected to strong accelerations, and consequently generally a liquid level 168 of the cleaning fluid 126 can become tilted with respect to a plane of the dishwasher 110, for example a base plane denoted in FIG. 1 by way of example by the designation 170. For example, this may be a plane on which the dishwasher 110 is set up and in relation to which the liquid level 168 is aligned parallel in a non-tilted state of rest of the dishwasher 110 and/or of the means of transport 114. This changing of the tilting of the liquid level 168 of the cleaning fluid 126 with respect to the base plane 170 may however cause the liquid level 168 to rise above a tank limitation at certain points, for example when cornering particularly sharply, in the case of particularly strong accelerations, braking maneuvers, ascending or descending procedures, or else when there are fluctuations of the dishwasher 110, such as for example under heavy swell.

[0118] In order to avoid these problems in general, the dishwasher 110 is designed to make a filling level of the washing tank 128 with the cleaning fluid 126 variable. In particular, for this purpose the dishwasher 110 may for example have at least one level sensor 172, which senses an actual level of the cleaning fluid 126 in the washing tank 128 and provides information concerning the level to the controller 166, for example by way of a sensor line that is not shown or else wirelessly at least one sensor. Thus, for example, the filling level may be lowered, in that cleaning fluid 126 is discharged into the drain 142 by way of the drain pump 140. Alternatively or additionally, however, at least one equalizing tank 174 may also be provided, and may be connected for example to the washing tank 128 by way of at least one equalizing line 176 and optionally by way of at least one equalizing pump 178 and/or by way of at least one valve. For the purpose of lowering the level in the washing tank 128, the equalizing pump 178 and/or the drain pump 140 may be activated, for example by means of the controller 166 and/or by means of a feedback controller 180 that is entirely or partially identical to the controller 166 or is formed separately from it, in such a way that cleaning fluid 126 is transferred from the washing tank 128 into the equalizing tank 174 and/or into the drain 142. Conversely, for the purpose of raising the level in the washing tank 128, the equalizing pump 178 may be activated, for example by means of the controller 166 and/or the feedback controller 180, in such a way that cleaning fluid is transferred from the equalizing tank 174 into the washing tank 128. Alternatively or additionally, however, for example a valve 182 of a supply line 184, for example a hot water supply, may also be activated, so that alternatively or additionally the washing tank 128 may also be fed with other cleaning fluid than cleaning fluid from the equalizing tank 174 and the level thereby raised. The changing of the level of the cleaning fluid 126 in the washing tank 128 may take place in a controlled manner on an open-loop basis or else on a closed-loop basis, in particular by means of the feedback controller 180.

[0119] The dishwasher 110 is designed in particular to control the filling level of the washing tank 128 with the cleaning fluid 126 to a variably adjustable target level. As stated above, this controlling may take place in particular by means of the feedback controller 180, which may be entirely or partially configured in software or else entirely or partially configured as hardware. The feedback controller 180 may be entirely or partially formed separately from the controller 166 or may also be entirely or partially integrated in the controller 166.

[0120] The dishwasher 110 also comprises at least one receiving device 186 for receiving at least one item of spatial information concerning the dishwasher 110 and optionally the means of transport 114. This receiving device 186 may be of a one-part form or, as shown in FIG. 1, also of a multi-part form. Furthermore, the receiving device 186 may be entirely or partially formed separately from the controller 166 or may also be entirely or partially integrated in the controller 166. The spatial information may for example comprise at least one item of information concerning how the dishwasher 110 is currently or in a future time interval tilted, accelerated, subjected to fluctuations or where the dishwasher 110 is currently located and/or where the dishwasher 110 will be located in a future time interval. The receiving device 186 may for example have at least one interface 188 for receiving the spatial information, for example an LAN or WLAN interface. Alternatively or additionally, the receiving device 186 may also for example comprise at least one sensor 190 for sensing the at least one item of spatial information. Thus, the sensor 190 may for example have at least one tilt sensor 192 and/or at least one acceleration sensor 194, for example in order to sense at least one current spatial orientation of the dishwasher 110 and/or at least one current acceleration of the dishwasher 110. These may form the items of spatial information or may also be included as part of the spatial information. Alternatively or additionally, the receiving device 186, in particular the sensor 190, may also for example have at least one GPS sensor 196, also referred to as a GPS receiver, for example in order to obtain or generate an item of information concerning a location of the dishwasher 110 and/or of the means of transport 114, an item of topographical information or else an item of information concerning a speed of the dishwasher 110 and/or of the means of transport 114. Also this information may, alternatively or additionally, form the spatial information or else be included as part of the spatial information.

[0121] The controller 166 may for example comprise at least one data processing device, for example at least one processor and/or at least one integrated circuit, for example at least one application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The controller 166 is programmed to choose the target level in the washing tank 128 in accordance with the spatial information. Thus, an algorithm which calculates or selects the target level while taking into account the spatial information may for example be stored in the controller 166. For example, one or more lists may be used for this. For example, specific tilts of the dishwasher 110 may be assigned specific levels. Thus, for example, in the case of a horizontal alignment of the dishwasher 110, a maximum target level may be set, for example with a tolerance of ±5° or another tolerance range. If, by contrast, it is found that the dishwasher 110 deviates from a horizontal orientation by an angle of 5-10°, for example a second-highest target level may be set. If it is found that the dishwasher 110 is oriented at an angle of 10-15° in relation to the horizontal, a third-highest target level may be set. This schema may be varied as desired. Analogous schemas may for example also be set for acceleration values.

[0122] The location of the means of transport 114 and/or of the dishwasher 110 and/or a speed of the same may also be included in the choice of the target level by way of the spatial information. This is explained by way of example on the basis of the example of FIG. 2. Thus, for example, the spatial information may include information concerning a location of the means of transport 114 and/or of the dishwasher 110 and/or a speed of the same in various ways. For example, the GPS sensor 196 may communicate with one or more satellites 198 and thereby obtain coordinates and/or the speed of the means of transport 114 and/or of the dishwasher 110. Alternatively or additionally, however, communication may for example also take place with at least one route network sensor of a railroad route 200, or at least one item of location information may be obtained from a central controller of the means of transport 114, for example by way of the interface 188.

[0123] This location information may be used in various ways in order to influence the target level. Thus, at least one digital map, for example at least one route network map, may for example be stored in the controller 166, which may for example also comprise at least one data store 206. This may be for example a topographical map. In this digital map, setpoint values intended for specific regions may for example already be stored. For example, it can be seen in FIG. 1 that, at location x.sub.1 there is an upward incline 202 just ahead, which can be detected from the digital map, so that here the target level can already be lowered in order that, when the upward incline 202 is actually reached at the location x.sub.2, the target level already lies in the correct region. At the location x.sub.3, it can be detected for example that a downhill gradient 204 is just ahead, so that once again a lowering of the target level can take place. At a location x.sub.4, it can for example be detected that a bend 208 is just ahead, so that, here too, a lowering of the target level can take place, so that at the location x.sub.5 of the bend 208 itself there is already a lowered level. At the location x.sub.6, it can for example be detected that a station 210 will soon be approached, and consequently there will soon be a braking operation, so that, here too, the target level can be lowered. Between these particular events, the target level may for example be raised again to a normal value in the meantime in each case.

[0124] Optionally, the controller 166 may also be designed to receive at least one control command from the means of transport 114. Thus, for example, at least one control command for a change of direction, an ascent, a descent or else an acceleration or a braking operation may be transmitted to the controller 166, so that also this information can be included in the determination of the target level.

[0125] Generally, the controller 166 may also have for example at least one self-learning algorithm, which can for example be correspondingly learned. This algorithm may for example independently, for example on the basis of the level sensor 172 and/or on the basis of further sensors which for example detect unwanted overflowing of the washing tank 128, independently or at least partially independently create a plan for target levels in accordance with the obtained spatial information. This plan may include discrete or else continuous values for target levels. Generally, the controlling of the filling level of the washing tank 128 may take place continuously or else in steps.

[0126] Altogether, consequently, while taking into account the at least one item of spatial information, overflowing of the washing tank 128 as a result of transportation-related tilts and/or fluctuations of the dishwasher 110 can be effectively avoided or at least reduced. This reduction may in particular take place completely without any human intervention and automatically.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

[0127] 110 Dishwasher [0128] 112 Items to be cleaned [0129] 114 Means of transport [0130] 116 Train [0131] 118 Dining car [0132] 120 Housing [0133] 122 Cleaning chamber [0134] 124 Holding device [0135] 126 Cleaning fluid [0136] 128 Washing tank [0137] 130 Application device [0138] 132 Washing line [0139] 134 Circulating pump [0140] 136 Nozzle arms [0141] 138 Drain line [0142] 140 Drain pump [0143] 142 Drain [0144] 144 Heating device [0145] 146 Rinsing system [0146] 148 Rinsing tank [0147] 150 Heating device [0148] 152 Rinsing line [0149] 154 Rinsing pump [0150] 156 Rinsing nozzle arms [0151] 158 Fresh-water line [0152] 160 Valve [0153] 162 Batch dishwasher [0154] 164 Door [0155] 166 Controller [0156] 168 Liquid level [0157] 170 Base plane [0158] 172 Level sensor [0159] 174 Equalizing tank [0160] 176 Equalizing line [0161] 178 Equalizing pump [0162] 180 Feedback controller [0163] 182 Valve [0164] 184 Supply line [0165] 186 Receiving device [0166] 188 Interface [0167] 190 Sensor [0168] 192 Tilt sensor [0169] 194 Acceleration sensor [0170] 196 GPS sensor [0171] 198 Satellite [0172] 200 Railroad route [0173] 202 Upward incline [0174] 204 Downhill gradient [0175] 206 Data store [0176] 208 Bend [0177] 210 Station