SYSTEM WITH A DISHWASHER, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT

Abstract

A system includes a dishwasher including a washing chamber, a sensor unit designed to detect a time curve of at least one sensor signal of a washing liquor and to output the detected time curve of the at least one sensor signal, a memory unit designed to store the time curve of the at least one sensor signal, an ascertaining unit designed to ascertain a temporal functional value based on the time curve of the at least one sensor signal, and a control device designed to carry out a washing program for washing washware in the washing chamber of the dishwasher and to carry out a specified action as a function of the temporal functional value..

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A system, comprising: a dishwasher including a washing chamber; a sensor unit designed to detect a time curve of at least one sensor signal of a washing liquor and to output the detected time curve of the at least one sensor signal; a memory unit designed to store the time curve of the at least one sensor signal; an ascertaining unit designed to ascertain a temporal functional value based on the time curve of the at least one sensor signal; and a control device designed to carry out a washing program for washing washware in the washing chamber of the dishwasher and to carry out a specified action as a function of the temporal functional value.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the dishwasher is embodied as a household dishwasher.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the sensor unit comprises a turbidity sensor for detecting a turbidity of the washing liquor, and/or a conductivity sensor for detecting a conductivity of the washing liquor, and/or a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the washing liquor.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the turbidity sensor is an optical turbidity sensor.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the conductivity sensor is a spectroscopic impedance sensor.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the sensor unit comprises a turbidity sensor for detecting the turbidity of the washing liquor, a conductivity sensor for detecting a conductivity of the washing liquor, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the washing liquor.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein the sensor unit comprises a filter soiling sensor designed to detect a degree of soiling of the filter arranged in the dishwasher and to output the detected degree of soiling as a further sensor signal.

22. The system of claim 15, wherein the ascertaining unit is designed to integrate the time curve of the at least one sensor signal to ascertain an integral value, said control device designed to carry out the specified action as a function of the ascertained integral value.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the sensor unit comprises at least two of a member selected from the group consisting of a turbidity sensor, a conductivity sensor, a temperature sensor and a filter soiling sensor, with each member detecting a time curve of a sensor signal of the washing liquor, said ascertaining unit designed to integrate the time curves of the at least two sensor signals and to ascertain a key figure based on the at least two integral values, said control designed to carry out the specified action as a function of the ascertained key figure.

24. The system of claim 15, wherein the ascertaining unit is designed to differentiate the time curve of the at least one sensor signal to ascertain a differential value, said control device designed to carry out the specified action as a function of the ascertained differential value.

25. The system of claim 15, wherein ascertaining unit is designed to ascertain a washing program functional value as a function of the stored time curve of the at least one sensor signal for a washing program cycle, to store the washing program functional value and to ascertain a curve of the washing program functional value based on the washing program functional value over a plurality of washing program cycles, said control device designed to carry out the specified action as a function of the ascertained curve of the washing program functional value.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the sensor unit has at least two of a member selected from the group consisting of a turbidity sensor, a conductivity sensor, a temperature sensor and a filter soiling sensor, said ascertaining unit designed to ascertain a washing program functional value as a function of the stored time curve of the signal of the at least two sensor signals for a washing program cycle, to store a respective value of the at least two washing program functional values and to ascertain a statistic based on a respective curve of the at least two washing program functional values over a plurality of washing program cycles, said control device designed to carry out the specified action as a function of the ascertained statistic.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the control device is designed to carry out a machine care program and/or a filter cleaning program as a function of the temporal functional value and/or the curve of the washing program functional value.

28. The system of claim 15, wherein the control device is designed to adapt a current washing program, in particular for shortening a sub-program step of the current washing program, as a function of the temporal functional value.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the control device is designed to adapt the current washing program by shortening a sub-program step of the current washing program.

30. The system of claim 15, further comprising a facility which is external to the dishwasher and which comprises the ascertaining unit, the dishwasher and the facility each including a communication unit for bidirectional communication.

31. A method for operating a dishwasher which includes a control device for carrying out a washing program for washing washware arranged in a washing chamber of the dishwasher, said method comprising: detecting a time curve of at least one sensor signal of a washing liquor; storing the time curve of the at least one sensor signal; ascertaining a temporal functional value based on the time curve of the at least one sensor signal; and carrying out with the control device a specified action as a function of the analysis result.

32. The method of claim 31 for operating a household dishwasher as the dishwasher.

33. A computer program product, comprising a computer program embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and comprising commands which, when the computer program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute a method as set forth in claim 31.

Description

[0061] Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the invention form the subject matter of the subclaims and the exemplary embodiments of the invention described below. The invention is described in more detail hereinafter by way of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0062] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a system with a dishwasher;

[0063] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a time curve of a sensor signal and a corresponding temporal functional value;

[0064] FIG. 3 shows a further schematic diagram of two time curves of two sensor signals and one respective temporal functional value and a schematic diagram of a curve of a key figure;

[0065] FIG. 4 shows a further schematic diagram of a time curve of a sensor signal over a plurality of washing program cycles, with an assigned washing program functional value and a schematic diagram of a curve of a washing program functional value;

[0066] FIG. 5 shows two schematic diagrams of a curve of washing program functional values for different households;

[0067] FIG. 6 shows a schematic block diagram of a system with a dishwasher;

[0068] FIG. 7 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a dishwasher; and

[0069] FIG. 8 shows a schematic block diagram of a further exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a dishwasher.

[0070] Elements which are the same or functionally the same have been provided in the figures with the same reference characters unless specified otherwise.

[0071] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a system 20 comprising a dishwasher 1 which is configured here as a household dishwasher. The household dishwasher 1 comprises a dishwasher cavity 2 which can be closed by a door 3, in particular in a water-tight manner. To this end, a sealing facility can be provided between the door 3 and the dishwasher cavity 2. The dishwasher cavity 2 is preferably cuboidal. The dishwasher cavity 2 can be arranged in a housing of the household dishwasher 1. The dishwasher cavity 2 and the door 3 can form a washing chamber 4 for washing items to be washed.

[0072] The door 3 is shown in FIG. 1 in the open position thereof. The door 3 can be closed or opened by pivoting about a pivot axis 5 provided at a lower end of the door 3. A loading opening 6 of the dishwasher cavity 2 can be closed or opened by means of the door 3. The dishwasher cavity 2 has a bottom 7, a ceiling 8 arranged opposite the bottom 7, a rear wall 9 arranged opposite the closed door 3 and two side walls 10, 11 arranged opposite one another. The bottom 7, the ceiling 8, the rear wall 9 and the side walls 10, 11 can be produced, for example, from a stainless steel sheet. The bottom 7 can be produced alternatively from a plastic material, for example.

[0073] The household dishwasher 1 also has at least one receptacle for items to be washed 12 to 14. Preferably, a plurality of receptacles for items to be washed 12 to 14, for example three thereof, can be provided, wherein the receptacle for items to be washed 12 can be a lower receptacle for items to be washed or a lower basket, the receptacle for items to be washed 13 can be an upper receptacle for items to be washed or an upper basket, and the receptacle for items to be washed 14 can be a cutlery drawer. As FIG. 1 also shows, the receptacles for items to be washed 12 to 14 are arranged one above the other in the dishwasher cavity 2. Each receptacle for items to be washed 12 to 14 can be displaced selectively into or out of the dishwasher cavity 2. In particular, each receptacle for items to be washed 12 to 14 can be pushed into or moved into the dishwasher cavity 2 in a push-in direction E and pulled out or moved out of the dishwasher cavity 2 in a pull-out direction A counter to the push-in direction E.

[0074] A sensor unit 110 which comprises at least one sensor for detecting a sensor signal SS (see FIGS. 2, 3, 4) of the washing liquor is arranged on the bottom 7. The sensor unit 110 preferably comprises a turbidity sensor, a conductivity sensor and a temperature sensor. The sensor unit 110 can also comprise further sensors, such as a water hardness sensor and/or a chemical sensor which is designed to detect a chemical composition of the active detergent released in the washing liquor or the dirt released in the washing liquor. A control device 100, a memory unit 120 and an ascertaining unit 130 are also arranged on the door 3. The sensor unit detects a time curve R1, R2, R3 of the sensor signal SS and transmits this time curve to the memory unit 120 which stores it. The ascertaining unit 130 accesses the stored time curve R1, R2, R3, ascertains a temporal functional value RES on the basis thereof and transmits this to the control device 100. The control device 100 is designed to carry out a specified action as a function of the temporal functional value RES. This is described in more detail in examples by way of FIGS. 2 - 5.

[0075] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram with two time curves R1, R2 of a sensor signal SS and two corresponding temporal functional values RES1, RES2. In this case, for example, it refers to one respective time curve R1, R2 of the conductivity sensor signal SS of a conductivity sensor and the integral of the respective time curve R1, R2 as the temporal functional value RES1, RES2. The time curves R1, R2 shown have been detected and stored, for example, in different washing program cycles and are superimposed in this diagram for better comparison. The horizontal axis shows a time t and the vertical axis shows the amplitude of the sensor signal SS, wherein a greater amplitude corresponds here to a higher conductivity.

[0076] At the time t0, for example, detergent is added to the washing liquor, whereupon the conductivity of the washing liquor rises. The time curve R1 corresponds, for example, to detergent powder and the time curve R2 corresponds, for example, to a detergent tab. The powder is more rapidly dissolved, which is why the conductivity rises significantly more rapidly than in the tab. Thus in the case of the powder, the temporal functional value RES1 rises significantly and considerably earlier than the temporal functional value RES2 in the case of the tab. The temporal functional value RES1, RES2 corresponds, for example, to a chemical work carried out by the detergent. For example, the items to be washed are clean as soon as the temporal functional value RES1, RES2 reaches a predetermined threshold value LIM. In the case of the powder, this is at a time t1 which is an earlier time than the time t2 in the case of the tab. Thus in the case of the powder, it is already possible at the time t1 to pass to the next sub-program step, for example a rinsing with rinse aid, which saves time and energy.

[0077] FIG. 3 shows a further schematic diagram of two time curves R1, R2 of two sensor signals SS (left-hand diagram) and a schematic diagram of a curve of a key figure K (righthand diagram).

[0078] The horizontal axis shows in each case a time t and the vertical axis shows the amplitude of the sensor signal SS (left-hand diagram) and the value of the key figure K (righthand diagram). The time curve R1 shows, for example, a temperature sensor signal and thus the temperature of the washing liquor, wherein at the time t0 a heating is started. The time curve R2 shows, for example, a turbidity sensor signal and thus the turbidity of the washing liquor, wherein at the time t0 the circulation of the washing liquor is started. The temperature rises up to a target value and then the heating is terminated which is why the temperature then drops again. The turbidity rises significantly at the start since a large quantity of dirt is released, wherein the slope slowly drops since the items to be washed become increasingly clean, so that less new dirt can be released. The areas A1, A2 of the respective time curve R1, R2 up to a time t1 are also shown in the diagram. The area A1, A2 results as the integral over the time t of the respective time curve R1, R2 and corresponds to a temporal functional value RES (see FIGS. 1 or 6) of the respective time curve R1, R2. The area A1 corresponds, for example, to a thermal cleaning power of the washing liquor and the area A2 corresponds to a released quantity of dirt.

[0079] The key figure K is ascertained on the basis of the respective temporal functional value RES, which is provided here by the areas A1 and A2. The key figure K in this example is ascertained, for example, as the sum of the two areas A1, A2, wherein weighting factors a, b are also taken into consideration, as shown in the following equation (2):

[00002]$\text{K = a}\cdot \text{A1 + b}\cdot \text{A2}$

[0080] At the time t1 the key figure K reaches a specified threshold value LIM, from which it is inferred, for example, that the items to be washed are clean. Thus at this time t1, the washing program can be terminated or it is possible to pass to the next sub-program step of the washing program.

[0081] FIG. 4 shows a further schematic diagram of a time curve R1, R2, R3 of a sensor signal SS over a plurality of washing program cycles with the assigned washing program functional value SF (upper diagram) and a schematic diagram of a curve of a washing program functional value SIG1 (lower diagram).

[0082] The upper diagram shows the time curve R1, R2, R3 of a sensor signal SS, for example a turbidity sensor, over three washing program cycles. The first washing program cycle starts at the time t0 and terminates at the time t1. The second washing program cycle starts at the time t2 and terminates at the time t3. The third washing program cycle starts at the time t4 and terminates at the time t5. The time integral which has the values A1, A2, A3 is formed from the respective time curve R1, R2, R3 as the washing program functional value SF. These values correspond, for example, to the quantity of dirt which has been washed out by the dishwasher 1 in one respective washing program cycle (see FIGS. 1 or 6).

[0083] The curve of the washing program functional value SIG1 is formed on the basis of the washing program functional values SF, in this example this corresponds to the sum of the washing program functional values SF of the previous washing program cycles and is shown in the lower diagram. The horizontal axis N displays here the washing program cycles carried out and the vertical axis Σ displays the value of the curve of the washing program functional value SIG1. The curve of the washing program functional value SIG1 corresponds to the total quantity of dirt which has been washed off by the dishwasher 1. After a specified total quantity of dirt which is ascertained, for example, as a predetermined threshold value LIM, a machine cleaning program is carried out in order to prevent the components of the dishwasher 1 from being soiled, which could lead to an unhygienic state and/or a reduced cleaning performance.

[0084] FIG. 5 shows two schematic diagrams of a curve of washing program functional values SIG1, SIG2 for different households H1, H2. The horizontal axis N displays here the washing program cycles carried out and the vertical axis Σ displays the respective value of the curve of the washing program functional value SIG1, SIG2. The curves shown are, for example, the curve of the washing program functional value SF (see FIG. 4) of a turbidity sensor, as described using FIG. 4.

[0085] In this example, it can be seen that the triggering of a machine cleaning program on the basis of the curve of the washing program functional value SIG1, SIG2 can be different for different households H1, H2 when the statistics of the turbidity sensor differ. This can be the case, for example, when in one of the households, in the present case for example household H2, the washware is prewashed before it is placed in the dishwasher, but not in the other household H1. In the upper diagram, the threshold value LIM is already reached after 11 washing program cycles, but in the lower diagram the threshold value LIM is only reached after 23 washing program cycles.

[0086] Instead of the curve of the washing program functional value SIG1, SIG2 the statistic which is ascertained on the basis of the plurality of washing program functional values SF can also be present, for example a weighted sum of a plurality of washing program functional values SF, as specified in the equation (1).

[0087] FIG. 6 shows a schematic block diagram of a system 20 with a dishwasher 1, for example the household dishwasher of FIG. 1, and with an external facility 200. The dishwasher 1 comprises a communication unit 101, which is configured here as a mobile communication modem and which is coupled to the control device 100. The memory unit 120 is integrated here in the control device 100. The external facility 200 comprises in this example the ascertaining unit 130 and also has a communication unit 201. A communication connection COM can be established between the two communication units 101, 201. The control device 100 transmits to the ascertaining unit 130, for example, the time curves R1, R2, R3 which have been detected by the sensor unit 110. This ascertaining unit ascertains at least one temporal functional value RES and transmits this to the control device 100 via the communication connection COM. Additionally, the ascertaining unit 130 can ascertain a key figure K (see FIG. 3), a washing program functional value SF (see FIG. 4), a curve of a washing program functional value SIG1, SIG2 (see FIGS. 4 or 5) and/or a statistic and transmit these values to the control device 100. The control device 100 carries out a specified action as a function of the temporal functional value RES, the key figure K, the washing program functional value SF, the curve of the washing program functional value SIG1, SIG2 and/or the statistic, in particular a machine care program or cleaning program.

[0088] FIG. 7 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a dishwasher 1, for example the household dishwasher 1 of FIG. 1 or FIG. 6. In a first step S1, a time curve R1, R2, R3 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6) of at least one sensor signal SS (see FIGS. 2, 3 or 4) of a washing liquor is detected. In a second step S2, the time curve R1, R2, R3 of the at least one sensor signals SS is stored. In a third step S3, a temporal functional value RES, RES 1, RES2 (see FIGS. 1, 2 or 6) is ascertained on the basis of the time curve R1, R2, R3 of the at least one sensor signal SS. In a fourth step S4, a specified action is carried out as a function of the ascertained temporal functional value RES, RES1, RES2. The specified action comprises adapting a washing program parameter of a currently running washing program, carrying out a machine cleaning program and/or outputting a warning signal to a user of the dishwasher 1.

[0089] FIG. 8 shows a schematic block diagram of a further exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a dishwasher 1, for example the household dishwasher of FIG. 1 or FIG. 6. In a first step S10, the dishwasher 1 is switched on or a washing program is started. In a second step S20, for example, an internal status indicator is queried as to whether a machine cleaning program should be carried out. If this query results in “logically true” T, a machine cleaning program is carried out S25 or it is proposed to the user to start such a machine cleaning program. After the machine cleaning program S25, the program, for example, is terminated S50.

[0090] If the query results in “logically false” F, the execution of the washing program S30 is started. The washing program S30 comprises, for example, the sub-steps S31, S32, S33. The step S31 corresponds to the start of a loop which, for example, runs continuously during the execution of the washing program S30. For example in step S31, a time curve R1, R2, R3 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6) of a sensor signal SS (see FIGS. 2, 3 or 4) is detected and stored. In step S32, a temporal functional value RES (see FIGS. 1, 2 or 6) is ascertained on the basis of the stored time curve R1, R2, R3 of the sensor signal SS and compared with a predetermined threshold value LIM (see FIGS. 3, 4 or 5). If the threshold value LIM is exceeded, for example, logically true T is output, otherwise logically false F. In the case of logically false F, the loop begins again. In the case of logically true T, the loop is terminated S33, for example then passing to the next sub-program step.

[0091] After the elapse of the washing program cycle S30 a further query S40 follows in which, for example, a curve of a washing functional value SIG1, SIG 2 (see FIGS. 4 or 5) is updated and it is ascertained whether a threshold value LIM is exceeded. If this is the case (logically true T), the internal status indicator is activated S45, for example, or another specified action is carried out. If this is not the case (logically false F), the washing program cycle is terminated S50.

[0092] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in many different ways.

TABLE-US-00001 Reference characters used: 1 Dishwasher 2 Dishwasher cavity 3 Door 4 Washing chamber 5 Pivot axis 6 Loading opening 7 Bottom 8 Ceiling 9 Rear wall 10 Side wall 11 Side wall 12 Receptacle for items to be washed 13 Receptacle for items to be washed 14 Receptacle for items to be washed 20 System 100 Control device 101 Communication unit 110 Sensor unit 120 Memory unit 130 Ascertaining unit 200 External facility 201 Communication unit A Pull-out direction A1 Integral A2 Integral A3 Integral E Push-in direction F Logically false H1 Household H2 Household K Key figure LIM Threshold value R1 Time curve R2 Time curve R3 Time curve RES Temporal functional value RES 1 Temporal functional value RES2 Temporal functional value S1 Method step S2 Method step S3 Method step S4 Method step S10 Method step S20 Method step S25 Method step S30 Method step S31 Method step S32 Method step S33 Method step S40 Method step S45 Method step S50 Method step SF Washing program functional value SIG1 Curve of washing program functional value SIG2 Curve of washing program functional value SS Sensor signal T Logically true t0 Time t1 Time t2 Time t3 Time t4 Time t5 Time