U.S. patent application number 16/960929 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-29 for method for operating a domestic dishwasher, domestic dishwasher and system.
The applicant listed for this patent is BSH Hausgerate GmbH. Invention is credited to Erwin Frank, Norbert Gerstner, Michael Lugert, Anton Oblinger, Michael Georg Rosenbauer.
Application Number | 20200337516 16/960929 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004953975 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200337516 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Frank; Erwin ; et
al. |
October 29, 2020 |
METHOD FOR OPERATING A DOMESTIC DISHWASHER, DOMESTIC DISHWASHER AND
SYSTEM
Abstract
In a method for operating a household dishwasher with a control
apparatus for carrying out a washing program from a plurality of
washing programs for washing washware arranged in a washing
chamber, an optical sensor signal of the washing chamber is
captured by an optical sensor of an external facility that is
external to the household dishwasher. At least one intensive
washing zone for intensively washing the washware in the washing
chamber is determined in response to the captured optical sensor
signal, and a drive facility is actuated to drive a spraying
facility for spraying the washware with washing liquid, such that
the determined at least one intensive washing zone is embodied by
the spraying facility.
Inventors: |
Frank; Erwin; (Binswangen,
DE) ; Lugert; Michael; (Jettingen-Scheppach, DE)
; Rosenbauer; Michael Georg; (Reimlingen, DE) ;
Gerstner; Norbert; (Herbrechtingen, DE) ; Oblinger;
Anton; (Wertingen, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BSH Hausgerate GmbH |
Munich |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004953975 |
Appl. No.: |
16/960929 |
Filed: |
February 11, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
February 11, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2019/053260 |
371 Date: |
July 9, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 15/0063 20130101;
A47L 15/4295 20130101; A47L 2501/20 20130101; A47L 15/22 20130101;
A47L 2401/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 15/00 20060101
A47L015/00; A47L 15/42 20060101 A47L015/42; A47L 15/22 20060101
A47L015/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 12, 2018 |
DE |
10 2018 202 092.2 |
Claims
1-15. (canceled)
16. A method for operating a household dishwasher with a control
apparatus for carrying out a washing program from a plurality of
washing programs for washing washware arranged in a washing
chamber, said method comprising: capturing an optical sensor signal
of the washing chamber by an optical sensor of an external facility
that is external to the household dishwasher; determining at least
one intensive washing zone for intensively washing the washware in
the washing chamber in dependence on the captured optical sensor
signal; and actuating a drive facility to drive a spraying facility
for spraying the washware with washing liquid, such that the
determined at least one intensive washing zone is embodied by the
spraying facility.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the optical sensor is a camera,
with the optical sensor signal comprising an image of the washing
chamber.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: recording the image
of the washing chamber by the camera; establishing actuation
parameters for determining the at least one intensive washing zone
depending on the recorded image based on a user input of a user on
the external facility; transmitting the established actuation
parameters from the external facility to the household dishwasher;
and actuating the drive facility as a function of the transmitted
actuation parameters in such a way that the determined at least one
intensive washing zone is embodied in the washing chamber by the
spraying facility.
19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: recording the image
of the washing chamber by the camera; establishing actuation
parameters for determining the at least one intensive washing zone
depending on the recorded image by means of an application running
on the external facility, transmitting the established actuation
parameters from the external facility to the household dishwasher;
and actuating the drive facility as a function of the transmitted
actuation parameters in such a way that the determined at least one
intensive washing zone in the washing chamber is embodied by the
spraying facility.
20. The method of claim 17, further comprising: storing actuation
parameters for actuating the drive facility in a storage facility
of the external facility; recording an image of the washing chamber
by the camera; adjusting the stored actuation parameters depending
on the recorded image by means of an application running on the
external facility and/or based on a user input of a user to the
application of the external facility; transmitting the adjusted
actuation parameters from the external facility to the household
dishwasher; and actuating the drive facility in response to the
transmitted actuation parameters.
21. The method of claim 16, further comprising illuminating the
washing chamber as the optical sensor signal is captured by the
optical sensor.
22. The method of claim 16, further comprising capturing by the
optical sensor an optical sensor signal of the washware in the
washing chamber.
23. The method of claim 16, further comprising feeding a spray arm
of the spraying facility by a circulation pump of the drive
facility with washing liquid and/or an electric drive for active
driving of the spray arm.
24. The method of claim 16, wherein the external facility is a
mobile device of a user, and further comprising running an
application on the mobile device of the user to determine the at
least one intensive washing zone for intensively washing the
washware in the washing chamber in response to the captured optical
sensor signal.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the at least one intensive
washing zone is selected by the application depending on a user
input on the mobile device.
26. The method of claim 24, further comprising establishing an
incorrect loading of washware in a washware tray of the washing
chamber of the household dishwasher depending on the captured
optical sensor signal by means of the application.
27. The method of claim 26, further comprising outputting the
established incorrect loading to the user by means of the
application and an output device of the mobile device.
28. A computer program product for operating a household dishwasher
with a control apparatus for carrying out a washing program from a
plurality of washing programs for washing of washware arranged in a
washing chamber, said computer program product comprising a
computer program embodied in a non-transitory computer readable
medium, wherein the computer program, when loaded into a
program-controlled facility and executed by the program-controlled
facility, causes the program-controlled facility to perform the
steps of: capturing an optical sensor signal of the washing chamber
using an optical sensor of an external facility that is external to
the household dishwasher, determining at least one intensive
washing zone for intensively washing the washware in the washing
chamber in dependence on the captured optical sensor signal, and
actuating a drive facility to drive a spraying facility for
spraying the washware with washing liquid, such that the determined
at least one intensive washing zone is embodied by the spraying
facility.
29. A household dishwasher, comprising: a washing chamber for
receiving washware; a control apparatus configured to carry out a
washing program from a plurality of washing programs for washing
the washware in the washing chamber; a spraying facility for
spraying the washware with washing liquid; a drive facility
configured to drive the spraying facility; a receiver unit
configured to receive an optical sensor signal of the washing
chamber from an external facility which is external to the
household dishwasher, with the optical sensor signal being captured
by an optical sensor of the external facility; a determination unit
configured to determine at least one intensive washing zone for
intensive washing of the washware in the washing chamber in
dependence on the captured optical sensor signal; and an actuation
unit configured to actuate the drive facility such that the
determined at least one intensive washing zone is embodied by the
spraying facility.
30. A system, comprising: a household dishwasher; and an external
facility external to the household dishwasher and comprising an
optical sensor, said household dishwasher comprising a washing
chamber for receiving washware, a control apparatus configured to
carry out a washing program from a plurality of washing programs
for washing the washware in the washing chamber, a spraying
facility for spraying the washware with washing liquid, a drive
facility configured to drive the spraying facility, a receiver unit
configured to receive an optical sensor signal of the washing
chamber from the external facility, with the optical sensor signal
being captured by the optical sensor of the external facility, a
determination unit configured to determine at least one intensive
washing zone for intensive washing of the washware in the washing
chamber in dependence on the captured optical sensor signal, and an
actuation unit configured to actuate the drive facility such that
the determined at least one intensive washing zone is embodied by
the spraying facility.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating a
household dishwasher, a household dishwasher and a system with a
household dishwasher and a facility external to the household
dishwasher.
[0002] Many household dishwashers employ spray arms for spraying
the washware with washing liquid, in particular made up of water
and cleaning agent, and for removing soiling from the washware. As
a rule such spray arms are driven by means of the water pressure of
the circulation pump. On the spray arms is located at least one
drive nozzle, which drives the spray arms using the recoil
principle. The possibilities for positioning this spray arm are
thus limited. A further possibility for driving the spray arm is to
drive this directly by means of a drive comprising an electric
motor. The washing program or the washing sequence is routinely
stored as a fixed process in the software of the control apparatus
of the household dishwasher. The sequence can however be changed by
means of signals from different sensors during operation.
[0003] The use of so-called intensive washing zones for more
intensive washing of washware in specific areas of the washing
container of the household dishwasher is further known. The
document DE10162505 A1 for example describes the possibility of
selecting an intensive washing zone manually on the device or via
an optical sensor arranged in the washing container. The document
US 2009/0071508 A1 further discloses the use of a movable spray
arm, which is controlled via signals from an optical sensor to
embody such an intensive washing zone. The document DE10156157 A1
further shows a method for the identification of washware with the
aid of a camera.
[0004] Against this background one task of the present invention is
further to improve the operation of a household dishwasher.
[0005] Accordingly, a method is proposed for operating a household
dishwasher with a control apparatus for carrying out a washing
program from a plurality of washing programs for washing washware
arranged in a washing chamber. The household dishwasher has at
least one spraying facility for spraying the washware with washing
liquid and a drive facility for driving the at least one spraying
facility. The method comprises the following steps a) to c):
a) Capturing an optical sensor signal from the washing chamber by
means of an optical sensor of a facility external to the household
dishwasher, b) Determining at least one intensive washing zone for
intensively washing the washware arranged in the washing chamber
depending on the captured optical sensor signal, and c) Actuating
the drive facility in such a way that the determined at least one
intensive washing zone is embodied by means of the at least one
spraying facility.
[0006] The external facility is in particular a mobile device. The
mobile device is for example a smartphone, a tablet or a tablet
computer.
[0007] In particular the household dishwasher comprises a
communication unit, which for example transmits the optical sensor
signal to the mobile device or an application (app), which is
installed on a mobile device of the user, by means of a network.
The network here comprises in particular a cellular network, a WLAN
and/or a further wireless or wired data network.
[0008] The control apparatus can be implemented using hardware
and/or also software technology. In the case of hardware-based
technical implementation, the control apparatus can for example be
embodied as a computer or a microprocessor. In the case of a
software-based implementation, the control apparatus can be
embodied as a computer program product, as a function, as a
routine, as part of a program code or as an executable object.
[0009] The control apparatus is set up to carry out a washing
program from a plurality of washing programs for washing the
washware. A washing program comprises for example different
subprogram steps, such as for example a prewash procedure, washing,
rinsing and/or drying. Different washing program are distinguished
for example in the sequence and/or nature of the subprogram steps,
and in different parameters, such as for example the duration
and/or washing liquid temperature of one more subprogram steps.
[0010] For washing with the household dishwasher in the washing
chamber, washware is in particular arranged on one or a
multiplicity of washware trays. The washware comprises in
particular different crockery, cutlery and/or utensils, which serve
the preparation, storage and/or consumption of foodstuffs. These
are for example plates, bowls, cups, knives, glasses and the like.
The washware thus comprises in particular articles comprising
various materials such as porcelain, glass, wood, metal and/or
plastic.
[0011] The optical sensor is in particular embodied as an
optoelectronic sensor, which provides an analog electrical signal
depending on an optical signal as the optical sensor signal. This
offers the advantage that the optical sensor can be manufactured
and used on a microchip employing integrated construction
techniques and thus manufactured and used in a space- and
material-saving and cost-effective manner. The analog electrical
signal can further be converted into a digital signal with minimal
effort, for example by means of an A/D converter, and subsequently
digitally processed.
[0012] The external facility with the optical sensor is held or
arranged by the user in particular in such a way that the optical
sensor can capture an optical sensor signal of the washing chamber
and in particular of the washware arranged in the washing chamber.
This condition is for example fulfilled if a line of sight from the
washing chamber to the optical sensor exists. The use of a
multiplicity of optical sensors can further be provided for,
wherein each of the optical sensors in each case captures an
optical sensor signal of an area assigned to the optical
sensor.
[0013] The optical sensor is in particular set up to capture an
optical sensor signal across a broad spectral range, which in
particular is not limited to the optical spectral range.
[0014] The optical sensor comprises for example a camera, in
particular a digital camera, for example with a CCD (CCD: Charged
Coupled Device) sensor. The camera captures for example an image
and/or a sequence of images of the washing chamber and in
particular the washware arranged therein.
[0015] An optical sensor signal, for example an image, can
advantageously be captured by the optical sensor, wherein depending
on this captured image one or a multiplicity of intensive washing
zones can be defined. Advantageously, a sensor integrated into the
household dishwasher is not used for capturing the optical sensor
signal, but rather the optical sensor of an external facility, for
example the camera of a mobile device, for example of a smartphone
belonging to the user. This is firstly more cost-effective, as most
users regularly carry a smartphone equipped with a camera with
them, and it is thus possible advantageously to dispense with the
integration of a cost-intensive optical sensor in the household
dishwasher. Furthermore the user themselves can control the
recording of the image and also take various shots or a sequence of
shots, which can serve as a basis for determining the at least one
intensive washing zone.
[0016] The example which follows can illustrate the function of the
present method. A user or customer takes a photo of the loaded
washware tray by means of their smartphone. An app installed on the
smartphone detects the loading, and can decide in which area of the
washing container an intensive washing zone is required or helpful.
For example if pots, pans or baking dishes are recognized, an
intensive washing zone is preferably defined in this detected area.
An intensive washing zone is distinguished in particular in that
either the washing pressure at the wash nozzles for this area is
increased and/or the spraying apparatus dwells in one position for
an extended period, in order to supply the washware with washing
liquid in the area of the intensive washing zone. The spraying
apparatus can also further oscillate over a specific area of the
intensive washing zone.
[0017] Via the abovementioned app on their mobile device the
customer also has the possibility of defining a specific area in
the washing container as an intensive washing zone used by
themselves as a preferred space for heavily soiled washware, for
example pans. This setting can be stored in the app, in particular
up until a point in time at which the customer once again modifies
such a setting. Alternatively such a setting can be re-interrogated
upon each start of the program sequence of the household dishwasher
via the app.
[0018] It is also possible to equip the household dishwasher with a
function, for example with an automatic function, in the case of
which before the program start the customer is requested to take a
photo of the washware tray in their household dishwasher.
[0019] Such as automatic function can advantageously influence all
spray levels of the household dishwasher, even if only one spraying
apparatus, for example a spray arm, is provided with direct
drive.
[0020] In particular, all spray arms of the household dishwasher
are directly regulated by means of a direct drive.
[0021] The washing sequence of the selected washing program can
preferably be influenced even before the program start by
determining at least one intensive washing zone. By means of the at
least one intensive washing zone thus determined, the washing
sequence is optimized depending on the loading of the washing
container, established by means of the optical sensor signal. The
intensive washing zones can also be formed in a variable manner,
either automatically for example by an app or the appliance
controller of the household dishwasher or by the customer,
depending on their user inputs on the app. Individual areas in the
washing container can thus be determined as intensive washing zones
according to the loading.
[0022] According to one embodiment a camera is used as the optical
sensor, wherein the optical sensor signal comprises an image of the
washing chamber.
[0023] The image of the washing chamber then forms the basis for
determining the at least one intensive washing zone.
[0024] According to a further embodiment the method comprises the
steps:
[0025] Recording an image of the washing chamber by means of the
camera of the external facility,
[0026] Establishing actuation parameters for determining the at
least one intensive washing zone depending on the recorded image
based on at least one user input of a user on the external
facility,
[0027] Transmitting the established actuation parameters from the
external facility to the household dishwasher, and
[0028] Actuating the drive facility by means of the transmitted
actuation parameters in such a way that the determined at least one
intensive washing zone in the washing chamber is embodied by means
of the at least one spraying facility.
[0029] In the case of this embodiment the at least one intensive
washing zone is established by the user by means of their user
input on the external facility, for example a mobile device. The
application on the mobile device can advantageously support the
user in the selection and determining of the intensive washing
zones by means of graphical representations.
[0030] According to a further embodiment the method comprises the
steps:
[0031] Recording an image of the washing chamber by means of the
camera of the external facility,
[0032] Establishing actuation parameters for determining the at
least one intensive washing zone depending on the recorded image by
means of an application running on the external facilities,
[0033] Transmitting the established actuation parameters from the
external facility to the household dishwasher, and
[0034] Actuating the drive facility by means of the transmitted
actuation parameters in such a way that the determined at least one
intensive washing zone in the washing chamber is embodied by means
of the at least one spraying facility.
[0035] In this embodiment the at least one intensive washing zone
is established automatically by the application on the external
facility. Advantageously, in the case of this embodiment no active
interaction of the user or customer is required in establishing the
intensive washing zone or intensive washing zones.
[0036] According to a further embodiment the method comprises the
steps:
[0037] Storing actuation parameters for actuating the drive
facility in a storage device of the external facility,
[0038] Recording an image of the washing chamber by means of the
camera of the external facility,
[0039] Adjusting the stored actuation parameters depending on the
recorded image by means of an application running on the external
facility and/or based on at least one user input of a user to the
application of the external facility,
[0040] Transmitting the adjusted actuation parameters from the
external facility to the household dishwasher, and
[0041] Actuating the drive facility by means of the transmitted
actuation parameters.
[0042] In this embodiment the actuation parameters are preferably
stored on the external facility specifically for the different
washing programs, and adjusted if applicable, depending on the
image currently recorded. The actuation parameters and thus the
operation of the household dishwasher can thereby be optimized.
[0043] According to a further embodiment the method comprises
illumination of the washing chamber during the capture of the
optical sensor signal by means of the optical sensor of the
external facility.
[0044] A lighting facility of the external device can be used here.
Alternatively or additionally, a lighting facility can also be
provided in the household dishwasher, which illuminates the washing
chamber. This lighting facility can in particular be embodied as a
narrow-band light source, such as for example a laser.
Alternatively the lighting facility can be embodied as a broad-band
light source, such as an incandescent lightbulb and/or a
flashgun.
[0045] According to a further embodiment the method comprises the
capture of an optical sensor signal of the washware arranged in the
washing chamber by means of the optical sensor.
[0046] According to a further embodiment the optical sensor signal
comprises an image of the washing chamber, wherein an image
analysis of the captured image is carried out.
[0047] According to a further embodiment an infrared sensor is used
as the optical sensor.
[0048] According to a further embodiment the spraying facility has
at least one spray arm, wherein the drive facility comprises a
circulation pump for feeding the at least one spray arm with
washing liquid and/or an electric drive for active driving of the
at least one spray arm. The electric drive has for example an
electric motor with a position recognition function.
[0049] According to a further embodiment the external facility is a
mobile device of a user, wherein step b) is carried out by an
application (app) running on the mobile device of the user.
[0050] According to a further embodiment the at least one intensive
washing zone is selected by the application depending on at least
one user input on the mobile device.
[0051] According to a further embodiment incorrect loading of
washware in a washware tray of the washing chamber of the household
dishwasher is established depending on the captured optical sensor
signal by means of the application.
[0052] In this embodiment the incorrect loading is established
depending on the captured optical sensor signal. By means of the
app the user or customer can be alerted to this incorrect loading.
Such incorrect loading exists, for example, if an item of washware,
for example a frying pan, would obstruct the rotation of a spray
arm. For example after recognizing wrongly loaded crockery, for
example a dish stacked the wrong way up, the customer is
immediately informed by means of the app, in order to rectify the
error. The start of the program can further also be halted until
the customer has acknowledged the rectification of the fault.
[0053] According to a further embodiment the established incorrect
loading is output to the user by means of the application (app) and
an output device of the mobile device. The output device comprises
in particular a display and/or a loudspeaker.
[0054] A computer program product is further proposed, which
initiates performance of the above-mentioned method on a
program-controlled facility.
[0055] A computer program product, such as for example a computer
program resource, can for example be provided or supplied as a
storage medium, such as a memory card for example, USB stick,
CD-ROM, DVD, or also in the form of a file downloadable from a
server in a network. This can for example take place in a wireless
communication network through the transmission of a corresponding
file with the computer program product or the computer program
resource.
[0056] According to a further aspect a household dishwasher is
proposed with a control apparatus for carrying out a washing
program from a plurality of washing programs for washing washware
arranged in a washing chamber, at least one spraying facility for
spraying the washware with washing liquid and a drive facility for
driving the at least one spraying facility. The household
dishwasher comprises a receiver unit for receiving an optical
sensor signal of the washing chamber from the external facility
captured by means of an optical sensor of a facility external to
the household dishwasher, a determination unit for determining at
least one intensive washing zone for intensively washing the
washware in the washing chamber arranged depending on the captured
optical sensor signal, and an actuation unit for actuating the
drive facility in such a way that the determined at least one
intensive washing zone is embodied by means of the at least one
spraying facility.
[0057] The embodiments and features described for the proposed
method apply analogously to the proposed household dishwasher.
[0058] Further possible implementations of the invention also
comprise not explicitly mentioned combinations of features or
embodiments previously or subsequently described in relation to the
exemplary embodiments. Here, the person skilled in the art will
also add individual aspects as improvements or augmentations to the
respective basic form of the invention.
[0059] Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the
invention are the subject of the subsidiary claims and the
exemplary embodiments of the invention described below. The
invention will now be illustrated in greater detail on the basis of
preferred embodiments with reference to the appended figures.
[0060] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of a household dishwasher;
[0061] FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of the exemplary
embodiment of the household dishwasher according to FIG. 1;
[0062] FIG. 3 shows a schematic top view of the washware tray of
the household dishwasher according to FIG. 2; and
[0063] FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary
embodiment of a method for operating a household dishwasher.
[0064] In the figures the same or functionally identical elements
have been provided with the same reference characters, unless
otherwise specified.
[0065] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of a household dishwasher 1. FIG. 2 further represents a
schematic side view of the exemplary embodiment of the household
dishwasher 1 according to FIG. 1.
[0066] The household dishwasher 1 comprises a washing container 2,
which can be closed by means of a door 3, in particular in a
water-tight manner. To this end a sealing facility (not shown) can
be provided between the door 3 and the washing container 2. The
washing container 2 is preferably cuboid in form. The washing
container 2 can be arranged in a housing of the household
dishwasher 1. The washing container 2 and the door 3 can form a
washing chamber 4 for washing washware 15.
[0067] The door 3 is shown in its open position in FIG. 1. The door
3 can be closed or opened by means of pivoting about a pivot axis 5
provided at a lower end of the door 3. With the aid of the door 3 a
loading aperture 6 of the washing container 2 can be closed or
opened. The washing container 2 has a floor 7, a ceiling 8 arranged
opposite to the floor 7, a rear wall 9 arranged opposite to the
closed door 3 and two side walls 10, 11 arranged opposite to each
other. The floor 7, the ceiling 8, the rear wall 9 and the side
walls 10, 11 can for example be manufactured from a stainless-steel
sheet. Alternatively the floor 7 can for example can be
manufactured from a plastic material.
[0068] The household dishwasher 1 further has at least one washware
tray 12, 13, 14. A multiplicity, for example three, washware trays
12, 13, 14 can advantageously be provided, wherein the washware
tray 12 can be a lower washware tray or a lower basket, the
washware tray 13 can be an upper washware tray or an upper basket
and the washware tray 14 can be a cutlery drawer. As FIG. 1 further
shows, the washware trays 12, 13, 14 are arranged on top of one
another in the washing container 2. Each washware tray 12, 13, 14
can optionally be laid in or extracted from the washing container
2. In particular each washware tray 12, 13, 14 can be slid into the
washing container 2 in an insertion direction E and withdrawn from
the washing container 2 against the insertion direction E in a
withdrawal direction A.
[0069] The household dishwasher 1 additionally has a control
apparatus 100, which is arranged on the door 3. The control
apparatus 100 is set up to execute a washing program from a
plurality of washing programs for washing washware 15 arranged in
the washing chamber 4 (see FIG. 2).
[0070] To this end, FIG. 2 on grounds of clarity shows only one
washware tray 12 in the washing chamber 4, on which washware 15,
for example in the form of plates, is arranged. At this point it
should be emphasized that the washing chamber 4 can, for example,
have one washware tray, two washware trays or even three washware
trays.
[0071] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 the household dishwasher 1
has at least one spraying facility 140, in the example from FIG. 2
a spray arm, for spraying the washware 15 with washing liquid and a
drive facility 160 for driving the at least one spraying facility
140. The drive facility 160 can for example comprise an electric
motor with a position recognition function.
[0072] As FIG. 1 in particular shows, the household dishwasher 1
comprises a receiver unit 110, a determination unit 120 and an
actuation unit 130. In the example from FIG. 1 the determination
unit 120 and the actuation unit 130 are integrated into the control
apparatus 100.
[0073] The receiver unit 110 is set up to receive an optical sensor
signal of the washing chamber 4 captured by means of an optical
sensor 210 (see FIG. 2) of a facility 200 (see FIG. 2) external to
the household dishwasher 1 from the external facility 200. The
external facility 200 is for example a mobile device of the user,
such as for example a smartphone with integrated camera. In this
example the integrated camera of the smartphone then embodies the
optical sensor 210. The optical sensor 210 of the mobile device 200
is for example set up to capture an image of the washware 15
arranged in the washing chamber 4 in a wide spectral range ranging
from a number of micrometers to several hundred nanometers.
[0074] The determination unit 120 is set up to determine at least
one intensive washing zone for intensively washing the washware 15
arranged in the washing chamber 4 depending on the captured optical
sensor signal. On this point, FIG. 3 shows a top view of the
washware tray 12 from FIG. 2 in a schematic representation. FIG. 3
here illustrates that the washware tray 12 is for example divided
into four quadrants I-IV. For example, the determination unit 120
can determine that the quadrant II should form an intensive washing
zone depending on the captured optical sensor signal.
[0075] The actuation unit 130 is then set up to actuate the drive
facility 160 (see FIG. 2) in such a way that the determined at
least one intensive washing zone, in the present example of
quadrant II in the washware tray 12 of FIG. 3, is embodied by means
of the at least one spraying facility 140.
[0076] In the representation in FIG. 2 the door 3, on which the
control apparatus 100 and the receiver unit 110 are arranged, are
shown in the open position, so that the door 3 with the washing
container 2 form the washing chamber 4. A lighting facility 150 is
arranged on the ceiling 8 of the washing container 2.
[0077] The lighting facility 156 is set up to illuminate the
washing chamber 4 during capture of the optical sensor signal by
the optical sensor 210 of the mobile device 200. The capturing of
the image of the washing chamber 4 can hereby be improved.
[0078] FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of a method for
operating a household dishwasher 1, such as for example the
household dishwasher 1 from FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. The household
dishwasher 1 comprises a control apparatus 100, at least one
spraying facility 140, for example a spray arm, for spraying the
washware 15 with washing liquid, and a drive facility 160 for
driving the at least one spraying facility 140. The drive facility
160 comprises for example a circulation pump for feeding the at
least one spray arm 140 with washing liquid and/or an electric
drive for active driving of the at least one spray arm 140.
[0079] The method from FIG. 4 comprises steps S1, S2 and S3:
[0080] In step S1 an optical sensor signal of the washing chamber
4, for example an image, of the washing chamber 4 is captured by
means of an optical sensor 210, for example a camera, of a facility
2 external to the household dishwasher 1, for example a mobile
device of the user. During this capturing process, the washing
chamber 4 can preferably be illuminated by means of a lighting
facility 150. During the capturing process, the washware arranged
in the washing chamber 4 is in particular also captured.
[0081] In step S2 at least one intensive washing zone, for example
quadrant II of the washware tray in FIG. 3, is determined for
intensively washing the washware 15 arranged in the washing chamber
4 depending on the captured optical sensor signal. If the external
facility 200 is for example a mobile device, such as a smartphone,
this determination step can then be carried out by an application
running on the smartphone 200. The at least one intensive washing
zone, for example quadrant II in FIG. 3, is for example selected by
the application depending on at least one user input on the mobile
device 200. For example, the user can select an intensive washing
zone on an image represented on their smartphone by the
application.
[0082] In step S3 the drive facility 160 is actuated in such a way
that the at least one determined intensive washing zone is embodied
by means of the at least one spraying facility 140.
[0083] For example incorrect loading of washware in the washware
tray 12 of the washing chamber 4 can also be established depending
on the captured optical sensor signal by means of the application.
Such established incorrect loading can be output to the user by
means of the application and an output device of the mobile device
200.
[0084] Although the present invention has been described on the
basis of exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in diverse
ways.
REFERENCE CHARACTERS USED
[0085] 1 Household dishwasher [0086] 2 Washing container [0087] 3
Door [0088] 4 Washing chamber [0089] 5 Pivot axis [0090] 6 Loading
aperture [0091] 7 Floor [0092] 8 Ceiling [0093] 9 Rear wall [0094]
10 Side wall [0095] 11 Side wall [0096] 12 Washware tray [0097] 13
Washware tray [0098] 14 Washware tray [0099] 15 Washware [0100] 100
Control apparatus [0101] 110 Receiver unit [0102] 120 Determination
unit [0103] 130 Actuation unit [0104] 140 Spraying facility [0105]
150 Lighting facility [0106] 160 Drive facility [0107] 200 External
facility, mobile device [0108] 210 Optical sensor [0109] A
Withdrawal direction [0110] E Insertion direction [0111] I First
quadrant of the washware tray [0112] II Second quadrant of the
washware tray [0113] III Third quadrant of the washware tray [0114]
IV Fourth quadrant of the washware tray [0115] S1 Method step
[0116] S2 Method step [0117] S3 Method step
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