System, method, and computer program product having a dishwasher

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (20) having a dishwasher (1), preferably a household dishwasher, the system having: a control device (100) for carrying out a rinsing program for rinsing items to be rinsed located in a rinsing chamber (4) of the dishwasher (1); a sensor unit (110) for detecting a time profile (R1, R2, R3) of at least one sensor signal (SS) for a rinsing liquid and for outputting the detected time profile (R1, R2, R3) of the at least one sensor signal (SS); a storage unit (120) for storing the time profile (R1, R2, R3) of the at least one sensor signal (SS); a determination unit (130) for determining a time function value (RES, RES1, RES2) based on the time profile (R1, R2, R3) of the at least one sensor signal (SS), wherein the control device (100) is designed to carry out a predetermined action as a function of the time function value (RES, RES1, RES2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system, a method and a computer program product having a dishwasher. Background Art

[0002] The following problems exist in dishwashers: components of the dishwasher, in particular components that guide the rinsing liquid, such as the circulation pump, the spray arm, the dish basket or the inside of the rinsing container, become dirty over time. Here, for example, a layer of dirt is provided on or in these components, and this layer can impair the cleaning performance of the dishwasher. As a countermeasure, machine maintenance programs are known. In known dishwashers, the machine maintenance program is started especially after a preset number of rinse program cycles have been executed. However, this has nothing to do with the actual degree of dirt of the dishwasher. Therefore, it occurs that the machine maintenance program is started too early or too late. In one case, energy, detergent and water are consumed unnecessarily, and in the other case, the cleanliness of the dishwasher may have been significantly impaired when the machine maintenance program is started. In addition, premature aging of the components or failure of the functional units affected by dirt may occur here.

[0003] DE 10 2008 040 647 A1 describes a dishwasher in which, when a start signal is present, a special cleaning program for cleaning the rinsing container is executed, in particular by loading the washing liquid to clean the rinsing container. DE 10 2008 040 650 A1 describes a dishwasher in which a special rinsing process with an elevated temperature is executed after a preset number of rinsing processes and / or based on the process parameters of the previous rinsing processes. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In this context, an object of the present invention is to improve the operation of a dishwasher.

[0005] According to a first aspect, a system is proposed, which system has a dishwasher, preferably a household dishwasher, and the system has: a control device for executing a rinsing program for rinsing the rinsing object provided in the rinsing chamber of the dishwasher; a sensor unit for detecting the time curve of at least one sensor signal of the rinsing liquid for rinsing the rinsing container and for outputting the detected time curve of the at least one sensor signal; a storage unit for storing the time curve of the at least one sensor signal; and a determination unit for determining a time function value based on the time curve of the at least one sensor signal. The control device is designed to execute a predetermined action according to the determined time function value.

[0006] The system has the following advantages: The operation of the dishwasher is improved because not only the individual measured values of the sensors are considered for controlling the dishwasher, but also the temporal evolution of the sensor signals. For example, when the turbidity of the rinse liquid is only changing slowly while the overall turbidity is still high, the pre-rinse can be ended within the scope of the rinse program. In addition, long-term trends such as a slow and increasing contamination of the dishwasher after multiple rinse program cycles can be identified by continuously detecting and storing the sensor signals, and corresponding measures can be taken. In particular, for example, machine maintenance or cleaning programs can be carried out in a targeted manner.

[0007] The control device or the determination unit can be implemented in hardware and / or software, respectively. In the case of a hardware implementation, the control device or the determination unit can be configured, for example, as a computer or a microprocessor. In the case of a software implementation, the control device or the determination unit can be configured as a computer program product, a function, a routine, a part of the program code, or an executable object. The determination unit can be part of the control device, but can also be arranged outside the dishwasher.

[0008] The sensor unit can include one or more sensors that each detect a sensor signal of the rinse liquid. Here, the sensor signal relates to physical, chemical, and / or biological parameters of the rinse liquid, i.e., for example, turbidity, conductivity, water hardness, temperature, etc. Here, the sensor signal is indicative of the value of the corresponding parameter. In the following, the term sensor signal represents the value of the corresponding parameter. Thus, for example, the sensor signal of a temperature sensor is 50 °C. Multiple sensors can be provided for the same parameter, and the sensors are arranged, for example, at different positions in the dishwasher where they come into contact with the rinse liquid.

[0009] The sensor unit preferably detects at least one sensor signal multiple times within a specific time interval, for example, at a frequency greater than 0.5 / min, preferably greater than 1 / min, more preferably greater than 2 / min, and even more preferably greater than 6 / min. The sensor unit preferably detects the sensor signal regularly and / or periodically, preferably with a cycle length of less than 100 s, preferably less than 60 s, more preferably less than 30 s, and even more preferably less than 10 s.

[0010] Currently, the temporal curve of the sensor signal is particularly understood as: storing the sensor signals detected in chronological order in a time series, particularly using time stamps. Here, the time stamp can be an absolute time, but the time stamp preferably relates to the start time point of the rinse program cycle or to the time point when the dishwasher is switched on. The temporal curve of the sensor signal exists, for example, as a table in which the corresponding time stamps are associated with the corresponding values of the sensor signal.

[0011] The storage unit is configured as a data memory such as a flash memory, for example. The storage unit can be configured as a separate device, but can also be part of a sensor unit, a determination unit or a control device.

[0012] Currently, the time function value is particularly understood as a value derived from a time curve. For example, at least two of the stored values, preferably two values directly following each other, more preferably the entire time curve are used to determine the time function value. Examples of time function values include the derivative of a sensor signal with respect to time or the integral of a sensor signal with respect to time. When determining the time function value, time-dependent and / or sensor-signal-value-dependent weights can be used. For example, the first minute of the time curve can be weighted more or less heavily than other time curves and / or sensor signals above a specific threshold, and can be weighted more or less heavily than sensor signal values below the threshold.

[0013] The predetermined actions performed by the control device include, for example, adapting the rinse program parameters, ending a subroutine step, outputting a prompt to the dishwasher user, setting a status indicator, etc.

[0014] For example, the control device compares the determined time function value with a predetermined threshold or the function value of a predetermined function, where the independent variable used to determine the function value of the predetermined function is related, for example, to the time interval on which the determined time function value is based.

[0015] Therefore, the proposed system is particularly different from a system in which monitoring or control is based only on the current value of the sensor signal.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the system, the sensor unit includes a turbidity sensor for detecting the turbidity of the rinse liquid, preferably an optical turbidity sensor, and / or includes a conductivity sensor for detecting the conductivity of the rinse liquid, preferably a spectral impedance sensor, and / or includes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the rinse liquid.

[0017] In one embodiment, the sensor unit further includes a water hardness sensor for detecting water hardness, a dirt sensor for detecting the dirt of the rinsed objects, especially the chemical composition of the dirt, a load sensor for determining the loading of the dishwasher, and / or a detergent sensor for determining the type of detergent.

[0018] For each of these sensors, the sensor unit is designed to detect the time curve of the sensor signal, and the determination unit is designed to determine the corresponding time function value. The control device is designed to perform a predetermined action according to each of the possibly multiple time function values.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the sensor unit includes a turbidity sensor for detecting the turbidity of the flushing liquid, preferably an optical turbidity sensor, a conductivity sensor for detecting the conductivity of the flushing liquid, preferably a spectral impedance sensor, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the flushing liquid.

[0020] In this embodiment, the sensor unit includes at least three of the above sensors. Accordingly, at least three time curves are stored and the determination unit determines a corresponding time function value for each of the three time curves. The control device is designed to perform a predetermined action according to each of the three time function values.

[0021] This has the following advantages: The correlation between different sensor signals can be determined, and / or more complex analysis can be performed by the control device to perform a predetermined action. For example, it can be proposed that at least two of the three time function values are higher than the corresponding thresholds or the sum of the three time function values is compared with a threshold, etc.

[0022] According to another embodiment of the system, the sensor unit additionally includes a filter dirt sensor, which is designed to detect the degree of dirt of the filter provided in the dishwasher and output the detected degree of dirt as an additional sensor signal.

[0023] The storage unit is designed to store the time curve of the additional sensor signal, and the determination unit is designed to determine an additional time function value based on the time curve of the additional sensor signal.

[0024] The filter dirt sensor includes, for example, the function of monitoring the pump flow when pumping out the flushing liquid from the dishwasher. If the pump flow has dropped shortly after the start of pumping out but before all the flushing liquid has been pumped out and is first high after a short pumping pause and then quickly drops again, this is an indication that the filter is dirty and should be cleaned. Because when the filter is clean, the flushing liquid then flows continuously into the pump pit as quickly as it is pumped out. However, if the filter is dirty, the flushing liquid is pumped out more quickly than it can flow continuously, causing the load on the pump and thus the pump flow to drop, but after a short waiting time, once the flushing liquid flows continuously, it is high again.

[0025] If the filter is dirty, for example, a filter cleaning program can be executed as a predetermined action and / or the user of the dishwasher can be requested to manually clean the filter.

[0026] According to another embodiment of the system, the determination unit is designed to integrate the time curve of at least one sensor signal to determine an integral value, wherein the control device is designed to perform a predetermined action according to the determined integral value.

[0027] In this embodiment, the integral value corresponds to the value of the time function. The integration can relate to the entire time curve during the flushing program cycle, but can also be limited to partial segments thereof, such as the heating phase, etc.

[0028] In an embodiment, it is proposed that the determination unit compares the integral value with a threshold value and outputs the comparison result, wherein the control device is designed to perform a predetermined action based on the comparison result.

[0029] According to another embodiment of the system, the sensor unit includes at least two of a turbidity sensor, a conductivity sensor, a temperature sensor, and a filter dirt sensor, wherein the determination unit is designed to integrate the respective time curves of at least two sensor signals and to determine a characteristic value based on at least two integral values, and wherein the control device is designed to perform a predetermined action based on the determined characteristic value.

[0030] The characteristic value is in particular related to all of the integral values among at least two integral values. For example, the characteristic value is the sum or product of at least two integral values. Here, a separate weighting factor can be provided for each of the at least two integral values. Since the integral value corresponds to the value of the time function in the said example, it can also be said that the characteristic value is a function of the value of the time function.

[0031] According to another embodiment of the system, the determination unit is designed to differentiate the time curve of at least one sensor signal to determine a differential value, and wherein the control device is designed to perform a predetermined action based on the determined differential value.

[0032] In this embodiment, the differential value corresponds to the value of the time function.

[0033] According to another embodiment of the system, the determination unit is designed to determine a flushing program function value according to the stored time curve of at least one sensor signal for a flushing program cycle, store the flushing program function value, and to determine a curve of the flushing program function value based on the flushing program function values after a plurality of flushing program cycles, and wherein the control device is designed to perform a predetermined action based on the determined curve of the flushing program function value.

[0034] This embodiment is particularly advantageous because in this way long-term changes can be determined and corresponding measures can be taken. In particular, statistics regarding the influence of different flushing program parameters can also be determined. For example, it can be determined that the filter contamination increases rapidly when using a specific cleaning agent, and a higher flushing liquid temperature is set as a countermeasure for this.

[0035] Currently, the flushing program function value should in particular be understood as a value determined based on the time curve of the sensor signal used to execute the flushing program. For example, the flushing program function value can be the integral of the sensor signal curve from the start time point of the flushing program until the end time point of the flushing program or the average value of the time derivative during the execution of the flushing program.

[0036] The curve of the flushing program function value is determined in particular based on the sequence of flushing program function values after a plurality of flushing program cycles, for example as a function of a plurality of flushing program function values. An example for this is the sum of the flushing program function values determined after a plurality of flushing program cycles starting from the last reset curve.

[0037] For example, a model for determining when machine maintenance or machine cleaning procedures should be performed can be based on the curve of the flushing program function value. For example, the value of a turbidity sensor is proportional to the amount of dirt dissolved in the flushing liquid. Therefore, the integral of the time curve of the turbidity sensor value, for example, corresponds to the amount of dirt cleaned by the dishwasher during a flushing program cycle. The curve of the flushing program function value is, for example, the sum of the amounts of dirt in the sequentially executed flushing program cycles, from which the total amount of dirt already cleaned by the dishwasher is obtained. The greater the total amount of dirt, the more likely the dishwasher components are to get dirty. Therefore, for example, the total amount of dirt can be compared with a threshold value, and if it exceeds the threshold value, a machine cleaning procedure is performed.

[0038] Another example is based on a conductivity sensor, the value of which is proportional to the active rinsing agent dissolved in the flushing liquid. The active cleaning agent is understood, for example, as a cleaning agent that has not yet been consumed to dissolve dirt. The smaller this value, the greater the likelihood that the dishwasher components will get dirty. For example, the sum of the reciprocals of the integrals of the time curves of the conductivity values of the respective flushing program cycles is determined as the curve of the flushing program function value, which is an indication of when a machine cleaning procedure is required. If the curve of the flushing program function value determined in this way exceeds a predetermined threshold value, a machine cleaning procedure is performed.

[0039] Another example is based on a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the flushing liquid. If a large amount of items to be rinsed is placed in the rinsing chamber, the heating of the flushing liquid takes longer at a constant heating power. Therefore, if, for example, a predetermined target temperature is reached, the time integral of the flushing liquid temperature curve from the start of the heating phase to the end of the heating phase is proportional to the total heat capacity or the amount of heat of the items rinsed with the flushing liquid. Since the dish basket and the rinsing chamber partition walls are also heated, a reference measurement can be performed when the rinsing chamber is empty, and the value of the reference measurement is, for example, subtracted from the determined value. In addition, fluctuations in the mains voltage that affect the heating power of the flushing liquid heating device can be taken into account here. In this way, the flushing program function value of a flushing program cycle is determined, for example. The curve of the flushing program function value is obtained by summing the flushing program function values of the sequentially executed flushing program cycles.

[0040] The greater the heat, the more the rinsing substances provided in the rinsing chamber and the greater the expected amount or load of dirt of the dishwasher. Therefore, the curve of the rinsing program function value develops according to the amount of rinsing substances that have been cleaned by the dishwasher, which is an indication of, for example, when machine maintenance is required. If the curve of the rinsing program function value exceeds a predetermined threshold, a machine cleaning program is executed.

[0041] In an embodiment, the determination unit is designed to store a plurality of time curves of at least one sensor signal, and detect and store the time curves during different rinsing program cycles that have elapsed in terms of execution time.

[0042] Based on the plurality of stored time curves of sensor signals, for example, the influence of different rinsing program parameters on the sensor signal curve can be inferred by means of statistics, and thus the influence of the variable associated with the sensor signal can be indirectly inferred.

[0043] According to another embodiment of the system, the sensor unit includes at least two of a turbidity sensor, a conductivity sensor, a temperature sensor, and a filter dirt sensor, wherein the determination unit is designed to determine a corresponding rinsing program function value according to the stored time curve of the corresponding sensor signal among at least two sensor signals for a rinsing program cycle, store the corresponding rinsing program function values of at least two rinsing program function values, and determine a statistic based on the corresponding curves of at least two rinsing program function values after a plurality of rinsing program cycles, wherein the control device is designed to execute a predetermined action according to the determined statistic.

[0044] The statistic can be obtained, for example, as the sum or product of the rinsing program function values, preferably with individual weights. The determined statistic is, for example, compared with a predetermined threshold, and if the statistic exceeds the predetermined threshold, a machine cleaning program is executed.

[0045] For example, the dishwasher has a turbidity sensor, a conductivity sensor, a temperature sensor, and a filter dirt sensor. For example, the statistic can be determined according to the following equation (1):

[0046] MZ = a·T + b·L + c·H + d·N + e·D Equation (1),

[0047] In Equation (1), MZ is the statistic, T is the rinsing program function value of the turbidity sensor signal, L is the rinsing program function value of the conductivity sensor signal, H is the rinsing program function value of the temperature sensor signal, N is the number of rinsing programs executed since the last executed machine cleaning program, D is the rinsing program function value of the filter dirt sensor signal, and a, b, c, d, and e are individual weighting parameters for different rinsing program function values. If MZ exceeds the predetermined threshold, a machine maintenance program is executed.

[0048] According to another embodiment, the control device is designed to perform a machine maintenance program and / or a filter cleaning program according to the curve of a time function value and / or a flushing program function value.

[0049] According to another embodiment, the control device is designed to adapt the currently running flushing program according to a time function value, in particular to shorten the subroutine steps of the currently running flushing program.

[0050] The subroutine steps are, for example, soaking, pre-rinsing, main rinsing, cooling the dishes, and / or drying. This embodiment is advantageous because, for example, it can be determined based on the time curve of the turbidity sensor signal that no additional dirt is dissolved in the rinsing liquid. For example, the time function value is determined here as a differential value based on the time curve, which corresponds to the rate of change of the turbidity sensor signal. This indicates that the rinsed items are clean. Then, as a predefined action, the main rinsing subroutine step can be ended, which results in time and energy savings. Other time function values can also be considered, such as the time function values of a conductivity sensor or a temperature sensor. If the conductivity sensor signal is very small, it indicates that there is not enough active detergent in the rinsing liquid to dissolve the dirt. In this case, as a predefined action, the detergent can be re-dosed, for example, by means of an automatic dosing system.

[0051] Based on the time function value of a single sensor signal or on multiple time function values of different sensor signals, a large number of different indications can be derived in this way, and predefined actions can be triggered respectively. Thus, the operation of the dishwasher is improved overall.

[0052] According to another embodiment, the determination unit is provided in a peripheral device outside the dishwasher, where the dishwasher and the peripheral device each have a communication unit for two-way communication.

[0053] In this embodiment, the determination unit preferably provides greater computing power than when the determination unit is integrated in the dishwasher. This also enables more complex calculations to be performed, which achieves more accurate results.

[0054] The communication unit particularly includes a modem, especially a mobile radio modem, and / or includes a network adapter.

[0055] The peripheral device including the determination unit can be the user's computer or a server in the Internet, etc. The communication connection can be a direct connection, or it can also be a relay connection relayed via one or more intermediate access devices, such as a router. Here, different technologies and / or communication protocols can also be used for different segments of the connection. In addition, the communication connection can be established locally and / or wirelessly. Examples of this are WLAN, LAN, Firewire, Zig-Bee, mobile communications (2G, 3G, LTE / 4G, 5G), etc. The communication can especially be carried out in a password-protected manner.

[0056] In an embodiment, the dishwasher has a determination unit, and the determination unit is also arranged in a peripheral device. Here, for example, a simple determination can be carried out locally, and / or if the communication with the peripheral device is disturbed, the local determination unit takes over the determination task.

[0057] According to a second aspect, a method for operating a dishwasher, preferably a household dishwasher, is proposed. The dishwasher has a control device for executing a rinsing program for rinsing the rinsing object arranged in the rinsing chamber of the dishwasher. In a first step, the time curve of at least one sensor signal for the rinsing liquid is detected. In a second step, the time curve of at least one sensor signal is stored. In a third step, a time function value is determined based on the time curve of at least one sensor signal. In a fourth step, a predetermined action is executed according to the analysis result.

[0058] This method has the same advantages as the system of the first aspect. The embodiments and features described for the proposed system correspondingly apply to the proposed method.

[0059] Furthermore, a computer program product is proposed, which includes instructions that, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute the above method.

[0060] The computer program product, for example, a computer program medium, can be provided or delivered, for example, in the form of a storage medium, such as a memory card, a USB stick, a CD-ROM, a DVD, or also in the form of a file that can be downloaded from a server in a network. For example, this can be carried out in a wireless communication network by transmitting the corresponding file having the computer program product or the computer program medium.

[0061] Other feasible embodiments of the present invention also include combinations of features or embodiments not explicitly proposed before and hereinafter described with respect to the embodiments. Here, those skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or supplements to the corresponding basic forms of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] Other advantageous designs and aspects of the present invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims of the present invention and the embodiments described below. The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0063] Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a system having a dishwasher;

[0064] Figure 2A schematic diagram showing a time curve of a sensor signal and a time curve of a corresponding time function value;

[0065] Figure 3 A further schematic diagram showing two time curves of two sensor signals and corresponding time function values, and a schematic diagram of the curve of a characteristic value;

[0066] Figure 4 A further diagram showing a time curve of a sensor signal and an associated flush program function value over a plurality of flush program cycles and a diagram showing a curve of the flush program function value;

[0067] Figure 5 Two schematic diagrams showing curves of flushing program function values for different household tasks;

[0068] Figure 6 A schematic block diagram of a system having a dishwasher is shown;

[0069] Figure 7 a schematic block flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for operating a dishwasher; and

[0070] Figure 8 A schematic block flow chart shows a further exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a dishwasher.

[0071] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols unless otherwise indicated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a system 20 is shown, which includes a dishwasher 1, which is designed as a domestic dishwasher. The domestic dishwasher 1 includes a rinse container 2, which can be closed, in particular watertightly, by a door 3. To this end, a seal can be provided between the door 3 and the rinse container 2. The rinse container 2 is preferably cuboid. The rinse container 2 can be arranged in the housing of the domestic dishwasher 1. The rinse container 2 and the door 3 can form a rinse chamber 4 for rinsing the items to be washed.

[0073] Door 3 in Figure 1 is shown in its open position. The door 3 can be opened or closed by pivoting about a pivot axis 5 provided at the lower end of the door 3. The door 3 can be used to close or open the filling opening 6 of the rinsing container 2. The rinsing container 2 has a bottom 7, a top 8 opposite the bottom 7, a rear wall 9 opposite the closed door 3, and two side walls 10 and 11 opposite each other. The bottom 7, top 8, rear wall 9, and side walls 10 and 11 can be made, for example, of stainless steel. Alternatively, the bottom 7 can be made of a plastic material, for example.

[0074] The household dishwasher 1 also has at least one rinsing item receiving part 12 to 14. Preferably, a plurality of, for example three, rinsing item receiving parts 12 to 14 can be provided, wherein the rinsing item receiving part 12 can be the lower rinsing item receiving part or the bottom basket, the rinsing item receiving part 13 can be the upper rinsing item receiving part or the upper basket, and the rinsing item receiving part 14 can be the cutlery drawer. As Figure 1 also shown in: The rinsing item receiving parts 12 to 14 are arranged in a vertically stacked manner in the rinsing container 2. Each of the rinsing item receiving parts 12 to 14 can be selectively moved into or out of the rinsing container 2. In particular, each of the rinsing item receiving parts 12 to 14 can be pushed into the rinsing container 2 along the pushing direction E and can be pulled out of the rinsing container 2 along the pulling direction A opposite to the pushing direction E.

[0075] The sensor unit 110 is arranged at the bottom 7 and includes at least one sensor for detecting the sensor signal SS of the rinsing liquid (see Figure 2 , 3 , 4). The sensor unit 110 preferably includes a turbidity sensor, a conductivity sensor, and a temperature sensor. The sensor unit 110 can also include other sensors, such as a water hardness sensor and / or a chemical sensor, and the chemical sensor is designed to detect the chemical composition of the active cleaning agent dissolved in the rinsing liquid or the dirt dissolved in the rinsing liquid. A control device 100, a storage unit 120, and a determination unit 130 are also arranged at the door 3. The sensor unit detects the time curves R1, R2, R3 of the sensor signal SS and transmits the time curves to the storage unit 120, and the storage unit stores the time curves. The determination unit 130 accesses the stored time curves R1, R2, R3, determines the time function value RES based on them, and transmits the time function value to the control device 100. The control device 100 is designed to perform a predetermined action according to the time function value RES. This is explained in more detail according to Figures 2 to 5 the example of.

[0076] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing two time curves R1, R2 of the sensor signal SS and two corresponding time function values RES1, RES2. Here, for example, they are respectively the time curves R1, R2 of the conductivity sensor signal SS of the conductivity sensor and the integrals of the corresponding time curves R1, R2 as the time function values RES1, RES2. The shown time curves R1, R2 are detected and stored, for example, in different rinsing program cycles, and can be arranged vertically one above the other in this chart for better comparison. The horizontal axis shows the time t, and the vertical axis shows the amplitude of the sensor signal SS, where a larger amplitude corresponds to a larger conductivity value.

[0077] For example, at time point t0, a cleaning agent is added to the rinsing liquid, so the conductivity value of the rinsing liquid increases. The time curve R1 corresponds to the cleaning agent powder, for example, and the time curve R2 corresponds to the cleaning agent tablet, for example. The powder dissolves faster, which is why the conductivity value increases significantly faster than in the tablet. Therefore, in the case of the powder, the time function value RES1 rises strongly significantly earlier than the time function value RES2 in the tablet. The time function values RES1, RES2 correspond to the chemical work done by the cleaning agent, for example. For example, once the time function values RES1, RES2 reach the preset threshold LIM, the rinsed object is clean. This is the case at time point t1 in the case of the powder, and time point t1 is an earlier time point than time point t2 in the case of the tablet. Therefore, in the case of the powder, for example, at time point t1, it is already possible to transition to the next subroutine step, such as the salad plate, which saves time and energy.

[0078] Figure 3 Another schematic diagram (left figure) showing two time curves R1, R2 of two sensor signals SS and a schematic diagram (right figure) of the curve of the characteristic value K.

[0079] The horizontal axis shows the time t respectively, and the vertical axis shows the amplitude of the sensor signal SS (left figure) and the value of the characteristic value K (right figure). The time curve R1 shows the temperature sensor signal and thus the temperature of the rinsing liquid, for example, where heating is started at time point t0. The time curve R2 shows the turbidity sensor signal and thus the turbidity of the rinsing liquid, for example, where the rinsing liquid is cycled starting at time point t0. The temperature rises until the target value and then the heating ends, which is why the temperature then drops again. At the beginning, the turbidity increases strongly because a large amount of dirt is dissolved, and the increase weakens slowly because the rinsed object becomes cleaner and less new dirt can be dissolved. The areas A1, A2 of the corresponding time curves R1, R2 up to time point t1 are also shown in the graph. The areas A1, A2 are obtained as the integral of the time t of the corresponding time curves R1, R2 and correspond to the time function values RES of the corresponding time curves R1, R2 (see Figure 1 or Figure 6 ). For example, area A1 corresponds to the thermal cleaning performance of the rinsing liquid, and area A2 corresponds to the amount of dirt dissolved.

[0080] The characteristic value K is determined based on the corresponding time function values RES given by areas A1 and A2 here. In the example, for example, the characteristic value K is determined as the sum of the two areas A1, A2, where the weighting factors a, b are also considered, as shown in the following equation (2):

[0081] K = a·A1 + b·A2 Equation (2).

[0082] At time point t1, the characteristic value K reaches a predetermined threshold LIM, from which it can be inferred, for example, that the rinse is clean. Thus, the rinsing program can be ended at time point t1, or a transition can be made to the next subprogram step of the rinsing program.

[0083] Figure 4 Another schematic diagram (upper figure) showing the time curves R1, R2, R3 of the sensor signal SS and the associated rinsing program function value SF after multiple rinsing program cycles, and a schematic diagram (lower figure) of the curve of the rinsing program function value SIG1.

[0084] The upper figure shows the time curves R1, R2, R3 of the sensor signal SS, for example the sensor signal SS of a turbidity sensor, after three rinsing program cycles. The first rinsing program cycle starts at time point t0 and ends at time point t1. The second rinsing program cycle starts at time point t2 and ends at time point t3. The third rinsing program cycle starts at time point t4 and ends at time point t5. Time integrals are formed from the respective time curves R1, R2, R3 as rinsing program function values SF, which have the values A1, A2, A3. These values correspond, for example, to the amount of dirt that is rinsed off by the dishwasher 1 (see Figure 1 or 6).

[0085] The curve of the rinsing program function value SIG1 is formed based on the rinsing program function value SF. In this example, the curve corresponds to the sum of the rinsing program function values SF of the previous rinsing program cycles and is shown in the lower figure. The horizontal axis N shows here the rinsing program cycles carried out, and the vertical axis ∑ shows the values of the curve of the rinsing program function value SIG1. The curve of the rinsing program function value SIG1 corresponds to the total amount of dirt rinsed off by the dishwasher 1. After a predetermined total amount of dirt is determined, for example, as a preset threshold LIM, a machine cleaning program is carried out to avoid contamination of the components of the dishwasher 1, which can lead to an unhygienic state and / or a reduction in cleaning performance.

[0086] Figure 5 Two schematic diagrams showing the curves of the rinsing program function values SIG1, SIG2 for different household chores H1, H2. Here, the horizontal axis N shows the rinsing program cycles carried out, and the vertical axis ∑ shows the respective values of the curves of the rinsing program function values SIG1, SIG2. The curves shown are, for example, the curves of the rinsing program function value SF of a turbidity sensor (see Figure 4 ), as shown according to Figure 4 shown.

[0087] It is obvious in this example that if the measured values of the turbidity sensor are different, the machine cleaning programs for different housework H1, H2 are triggered based on the curves of the flushing program function values SIG1, SIG2. This can be the case, for example, when pre-flushing the items before placing them in the dishwasher during one of the housework, e.g., during housework H2, but not during another housework H1. In the upper figure, the threshold LIM has been reached after 11 flushing program cycles, while in the lower figure, the threshold LIM is reached only after 23 flushing program cycles.

[0088] Statistics can replace the curves of the flushing program function values SIG1, SIG2. The statistics are determined based on multiple flushing program function values SF, e.g., determined based on the weighted sum of multiple flushing program function values SF, as illustrated in equation (1).

[0089] Figure 6 A schematic block diagram of system 20 is shown, which system has a dishwasher 1, e.g., Figure 1 a household dishwasher and a peripheral device 200. The dishwasher 1 includes a communication unit 101, which is configured here as a mobile wireless modem and is coupled to a control device 100. The storage unit 120 is integrated in the control device 100 here. In this example, the peripheral device 200 includes a determination 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, for example, sends the time curves R1, R2, R3 detected by the sensor unit 110 to the determination unit 130. The determination unit determines at least one time function value RES and transmits the time function value to the control device 100 via the communication connection COM. Additionally, the determination unit 130 can determine a characteristic value K (see Figure 3 ), a flushing program function value SF (see Figure 4 ), the curves of the flushing program function values SIG1, SIG2 (see Figure 4 or 5), and / or determine statistics and transmit them to the control device 100. The control device 100 performs a predetermined action, in particular a machine maintenance or cleaning program, based on the time function value RES, the characteristic value K, the flushing program function value SF, the curves of the flushing program function values SIG1, SIG2, and / or the statistics.

[0090] Figure 7 A schematic block flow chart of an embodiment of a method for operating a dishwasher 1, e.g., Figure 1 or Figure 6 a household dishwasher 1 is shown. In a first step S1, the time curves R1, R2, R3 (see Figure 1 , 2, 3, 4, or 6) at least one sensor signal SS for the rinse liquid is detected (see Figure 2 , 3 or 4). In a second step S2, the time curves R1, R2, R3 of at least one sensor signal SS are stored. In a third step S3, time function values RES, RES1, RES2 are determined based on the time curves R1, R2, R3 of at least one sensor signal SS (see Figure 1 , 2 or 6). In a fourth step S4, a predetermined action is performed according to the determined time function values RES, RES1, RES2. The predetermined action includes adjusting the rinse program parameters of the currently running rinse program, performing a machine cleaning program, and / or outputting an indication signal to the user of the dishwasher 1.

[0091] Figure 8 shows a schematic block flow diagram of another embodiment of a method for operating a dishwasher 1, for example Figure 1 or Figure 6 a household dishwasher 1. In a first step S10, the dishwasher 1 is switched on or a rinse program is started. In a second step S20, for example, an internal status indicator is requested to check whether a machine cleaning program should be performed. If the request gives a "logical true" T, the machine cleaning program S25 is performed or the user is advised to start such a machine cleaning program. For example, the program ends after the machine cleaning program S25 at S50.

[0092] If the request gives a "logical false" F, the execution of the rinse program S30 is started. The rinse program S30 includes, for example, sub-steps S31, S32, S33. Step S31 corresponds to the start of a loop that runs continuously, for example, during the execution of the rinse program S30. For example, in step S31, the sensor signal SS (see Figure 2 , 3 or 4) time curves R1, R2, R3 are detected and stored (see Figure 1 , 2 , 3, 4, or 6). In step S32, a time function value RES (see Figure 1 , 2 or 6) is determined based on the stored time curves R1, R2, R3 of the sensor signal SS and compared with a preset threshold LIM (see Figure 3 , 4 or 5). If it is checked that it exceeds the threshold LIM, a logical true T is output, otherwise a logical false F is output. In the case of a logical false F, the loop is restarted. In the case of a logical true T, the S33 loop ends, for example, and then transitions to the next subprogram step.

[0093] After the expiration of the flushing program cycle S30, there follows another request S40, where, for example, the function values of the flushing program SIG1, SIG2 are updated (see Figure 4 or 5) and it is checked whether it exceeds the threshold LIM. If this is the case (logical true T), then, for example, an internal status indicator is activated S45 or another predefined action is carried out. If this is not the case (logical false F), then the flushing program cycle S50 is ended.

[0094] Although the invention has been described according to the embodiments, however, it can be modified in various ways.

[0095] Reference numerals used

[0096] 1 Dishwasher

[0097] 2 Flushing container

[0098] 3 Door

[0099] 4 Flushing chamber

[0100] 5 Pivot axis

[0101] 6 Loading opening

[0102] 7 Bottom

[0103] 8 Top

[0104] 9 Rear wall

[0105] 10 Side wall

[0106] 11 Side wall

[0107] 12 Flushing material receptacle

[0108] 13 Flushing material receptacle

[0109] 14 Flushing material receptacle

[0110] 20 System

[0111] 100 Control device

[0112] 101 Communication unit

[0113] 110 Sensor unit

[0114] 120 Storage unit

[0115] 130 Determination unit

[0116] 200 Peripheral device

[0117] 201 Communication unit

[0118] A Withdrawal direction

[0119] A1 Integral

[0120] A2 Integral

[0121] A3 Integral

[0122] E Pushing Direction

[0123] F Logical False

[0124] H1 Housework

[0125] H2 Housework

[0126] K Characteristic Value

[0127] LIM Threshold

[0128] R1 Time Curve

[0129] R2 Time Curve

[0130] R3 Time Curve

[0131] RES Function Time Value

[0132] RES1 Function Time Value

[0133] RES2 Function Time Value

[0134] S1 Method Step

[0135] S2 Method Step

[0136] S3 Method Step

[0137] S4 Method Step

[0138] S10 Method Step

[0139] S20 Method Step

[0140] S25 Method Step

[0141] S30 Method Step

[0142] S31 Method Step

[0143] S32 Method Step

[0144] S33 Method Step

[0145] S40 Method Step

[0146] S45 Method Step

[0147] S50 Method Step

[0148] SF Flushing Program Function Value

[0149] Curve of the function value of the SIG1 flushing program

[0150] Curve of the function value of the SIG2 flushing program

[0151] SS sensor signal

[0152] T logical true

[0153] Time point t0

[0154] Time point t1

[0155] Time point t2

[0156] Time point t3

[0157] Time point t4

[0158] Time point t5.

Claims

1. A system (20) having a dishwasher (1), the system having: a control device (100) for performing a rinsing program for rinsing an item to be rinsed provided in a rinsing chamber (4) of the dishwasher (1); a sensor unit (110) for detecting a time profile (R1, R2, R3) of at least one sensor signal (SS) for a rinsing liquid and for outputting the detected time profile (R1, R2, R3) of the at least one sensor signal (SS); a storage unit (120) for storing the time profile (R1, R2, R3) of the at least one sensor signal (SS); and a determination unit (130) for determining a time function value (RES, RES1, RES2) based on the time profile (R1, R2, R3) of the at least one sensor signal (SS), wherein, The control device (100) is designed to perform a predetermined action based on the time function values (RES, RES1, RES2), and the determination unit (130) is designed to integrate the time curve (R1, R2, R3) of the at least one sensor signal (SS) to determine an integrated value, wherein the control device (100) is further designed to perform the predetermined action based on the determined integrated value.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein The dishwasher is a household dishwasher.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The sensor unit (110) includes a turbidity sensor for detecting the turbidity of the rinse liquid, and / or the sensor unit includes a conductivity sensor for detecting the conductivity of the rinse liquid, and / or the sensor unit includes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the rinse liquid.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein The turbidity sensor is an optical turbidity sensor.

5. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The conductivity sensor is a spectral impedance sensor.

6. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The sensor unit (110) additionally includes a filter dirt sensor, which is designed to detect the degree of dirt of a filter provided in the dishwasher (1) and output the detected degree of dirt as an additional sensor signal.

7. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The sensor unit (110) includes at least two of a turbidity sensor, a conductivity sensor, a temperature sensor, and a filter dirt sensor, wherein the determination unit (130) is designed to integrate the respective time curves (R1, R2, R3) of at least two of the sensor signals (SS) and the determination unit is used to determine a characteristic value (K) based on at least two of the integrated values, wherein the control device (100) is designed to perform the predetermined action based on the determined characteristic value (K).

8. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The determination unit (130) is designed to differentiate the time curve (R1, R2, R3) of the at least one sensor signal (SS) to determine a differential value, wherein the control device (100) is designed to perform the predetermined action based on the determined differential value.

9. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The determination unit (130) is designed to determine a rinse program function value (SF) according to the stored time curve (R1, R2, R3) of the at least one sensor signal (SS) for a rinse program cycle, store the rinse program function value (SF), and determine a curve of the rinse program function value based on the rinse program function value (SF) after a plurality of rinse program cycles, wherein the control device (100) is designed to perform the predetermined action according to the determined curve of the rinse program function value.

10. The system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The sensor unit (110) includes at least two of a turbidity sensor, a conductivity sensor, a temperature sensor, and a filter dirt sensor, wherein the determination unit (130) is designed to determine a corresponding flushing program function value (SF) according to the stored time curves (R1, R2, R3) of the corresponding sensor signals among at least two of the sensor signals (SS) for a flushing program cycle, store the corresponding flushing program function value among at least two flushing program function values (SF), and determine a statistic based on the corresponding curves of at least two of the flushing program function values (SF) after a plurality of flushing program cycles, wherein the control device (100) is designed to perform the predetermined action according to the determined statistic.

11. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The control device (100) is designed to perform a machine maintenance program and / or a filter cleaning program according to the time function values (RES, RES1, RES2) and / or the curve of the flushing program function value.

12. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The control device (100) is designed to adjust the currently running flushing program according to the time function values (RES, RES1, RES2).

13. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that, The control device (100) is designed to shorten the subroutine steps of the currently running flushing program.

14. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, There is a peripheral device (200) outside the dishwasher (1), the peripheral device includes the determination unit (130), wherein the dishwasher (1) and the peripheral device (200) each have a communication unit (101, 201) for two-way communication.

15. A method for operating a dishwasher (1), the dishwasher having a control device (100) for performing a flushing program for flushing an object to be flushed provided in a flushing chamber (4) of the dishwasher (1), the method comprising: Detecting a time curve (R1, R2, R3) of at least one sensor signal (SS) for the flushing liquid, Storing the time curve (R1, R2, R3) of the at least one sensor signal (SS), Determining a time function value (RES, RES1, RES2) based on the time curve (R1, R2, R3) of the at least one sensor signal (SS), and Integrating the time curve (R1, R2, R3) of the at least one sensor signal (SS) to determine an integral value, and performing a predetermined action according to the determined integral value.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein The dishwasher is a household dishwasher.

17. A computer program product comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to claim 15 or 16.

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