Dishwasher, method for operating a dishwasher, and computer program product

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1), in particular a household dishwasher, and having: a control device (150) for performing a rinsing program for rinsing items to be rinsed provided in a rinsing chamber (4) of the dishwasher (1); a first injection device (112) and a second injection device (122), which can be selectively loaded with rinsing liquid (F) via a pump device (140) to form respective rinsing zones; and a booster injection device (132), which is assigned to the first injection device (112) or the second injection device (122) and can be brought into an active state or a deactivated state by means of a switching valve (133), wherein the control device (150) is configured to detect a first pump flow rate (I0) during the loading of the first injection device (112) with rinsing liquid (F) and to detect a second pump flow rate (I1, I2) during the loading of the second injection device (122) with rinsing liquid (F), and to form a current difference (ΔI0) based on the detected first pump flow rate (I0) and the second pump flow rate (I1, I2), and to determine the current switching state of the booster injection device (132) based on the current difference (ΔI0), a plurality of stored previous differences (ΔI1-ΔI8) and a preset class difference (K), and wherein the control device (150) is configured to adapt the rinsing program based on the determined current switching state.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Dishwashers with different spraying devices are known. For example, the user can manually switch between different spraying devices. One of the spraying devices can be designed to provide a special cleaning area that enables particularly high cleaning performance, or is set for items to be cleaned in a specific manner. US 2015 / 0250374A1 thus shows a dishwasher in which a bottle washing device can be opened by a manually switchable valve. WO 2015 / 090433 discloses a similar device in which rinsing liquid can be supplied to a special rinsing article holder with an integrated nozzle, such that on the one hand the rinsing liquid is directed specifically towards the article to be cleaned through the integrated nozzle, and on the other hand the article to be cleaned is firmly held by a bracket during the cleaning cycle.

[0003] The switching position of such an additional spraying device affects the cleaning effect of the dishwasher. For example, if there is not enough rinsing liquid in the rinsing circuit to supply all spraying devices with rinsing liquid, or because the liquid pressure of the rinsing liquid is too low. Therefore, it is advantageous that the switching position of the additional spraying device is known so that appropriate responses can be made. However, arranging corresponding sensors in the rinsing area of such a dishwasher is complex and expensive. In addition, due to the conditions in the rinsing space, such sensors are prone to errors.

[0004] DE 10 2007 017 274A1 describes a method for detecting the position of a closing element in a water distributor of a dishwasher. Here, the signal value of a circulation pump is recorded and compared with a stored signal value corresponding to the reference position of the closing element. In this way, it can be recognized when the closing element is in the reference position. WO 2014 / 071980A1 discloses a method for detecting the switching position of an additional spraying device, which is based on the measurement of the pump flow rate at different speeds of the circulation pump.

[0005] DE 10 2017 206 947A1 discloses a dishwasher in which it is determined whether to activate or deactivate an activatable enhanced rinsing area based on the pump flow rate difference between loading rinsing liquid for a first spraying device and loading rinsing liquid for a second spraying device by a circulation pump.

[0006] DE 102017217 989A1 discloses a dishwasher in which the rinsing program is adjusted according to the activated powerful rinsing area. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of this background, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved dishwasher.

[0008] According to a first aspect, a dishwasher is proposed, in particular a household dishwasher, which has: a control device for performing a rinsing program for rinsing objects to be rinsed provided in a rinsing chamber of the dishwasher; a first spraying device and a second spraying device, which can be selectively loaded with rinsing liquid via a pump device to form corresponding rinsing zones; and a strengthening spraying device, which is assigned to the first or the second spraying device and can be brought into an active state or a deactivated state by means of a switching valve. The control device is configured to detect a first pump flow rate during the loading of the rinsing liquid to the first spraying device, and to detect a second pump flow rate during the loading of the rinsing liquid to the second spraying device, and to form a current difference based on the detected first pump flow rate and the second pump flow rate. The control device is further configured to determine the current switching state of the strengthening spraying device based on the current difference, a plurality of stored previous differences, and a preset class difference. The control device is further configured to adapt the rinsing program according to the determined current switching state.

[0009] The advantage of such a dishwasher is that, without additional sensors, it is possible to identify whether the strengthening spraying device is activated by the pump flow rate and to adapt the rinsing program accordingly. By using the previous differences instead of fixed values during determination, slow changes in the differences that may be caused, for example, by component aging and / or hydraulic line contamination, can be automatically taken into account. This means that false identifications due to such slow changes are avoided. In addition, false judgments due to unreliable power grids with large voltage fluctuations can be avoided.

[0010] The strengthening spraying device is configured to form a strong rinsing zone or a strong rinsing area. The strengthening spraying device can, for example, be arranged on one of the object receptacles. However, the strengthening spraying device can also be located on the side wall of the rinsing chamber, its top plate, or the rear wall of the rinsing chamber. Preferably, the first and second spraying devices are designed as rinsing arms. However, this is not mandatory.

[0011] By means of the switching valve, the strengthening spraying device can be brought into an active switching state in which it is in fluid connection with the corresponding spraying device, or into a deactivated switching state in which it is fluidly separated from the corresponding spraying device. In the present case, the "switching valve" should in particular be understood as a valve that enables the strengthening spraying device to switch back and forth between an active state and a deactivated state and cannot move to an intermediate position. The switching valve is preferably a manually operated valve. However, the switching valve can alternatively also be electronically controlled. For example, the switching valve can be a solenoid valve. Thus, the switching state can exactly have one of two states.

[0012] In the design solution, the first and second injection devices are connected to the pump device via a common supply line. Alternatively, the two injection devices can also each have their own supply line.

[0013] In particular, the common supply line has branches, where a water distributor can be provided at the branch, through which the flushing liquid can be directed to the first or second injection device. Depending on the design of the water distributor, it can have two to four switching positions. In the first switching position, only the first injection device is loaded with the flushing liquid. In the second switching position, only the second injection device is loaded with the flushing liquid. These two switching positions must always be provided. In the third switching position, both injection devices are loaded with the flushing liquid, while in the fourth switching position, no injection device is loaded with the flushing liquid. The third and fourth switching positions are optional. The water distributor can in particular be controlled by a control device.

[0014] The pump device is preferably the circulation pump of a dishwasher. The pump device can in particular be arranged on the pump sump of the flushing container. The pump sump is in turn arranged on the bottom plate of the flushing container. In the present case, the fact that the pump device "loads" the flushing liquid into the injection device means that the pump device pumps the flushing liquid to the corresponding injection device through a hydraulic system. The pumping device can be, but does not have to be, part of the hydraulic system.

[0015] In the present case, the flushing liquid should in particular be understood as any liquid used for cleaning the flushing object. It can be fresh water, water mixed with a cleaning agent, or water mixed with dissolved dirt. The flushing liquid is preferably replaced several times during the flushing program. In the individual subprogram steps of the flushing program, the flushing liquid preferably reaches a specific temperature through a heating device, for example in the range between 35°C and 70°C.

[0016] The two injection devices are in particular different in terms of the volume flow rate of the flushing liquid, and the flushing liquid is sprayed through the corresponding injection device in the flushing chamber at a specific pressure. Therefore, when the first or second injection device is loaded with the flushing liquid, there is a difference in the pump flow rate absorbed by the pump device. This difference depends in particular on how the corresponding hydraulic system of the injection device is designed. The hydraulic system is understood to be, for example, the entire supply line from the pumping device to the injection device and the injection device itself. The greater the flow resistance in the hydraulic system, the lower the volume flow rate at a specific pressure. The pressure depends in particular on the speed of the pumping device. When the enhanced injection device is activated, the flow resistance of the corresponding hydraulic system decreases, which increases the volume flow rate compared to the deactivated enhanced injection device, and thus also increases the pump flow rate.

[0017] There are characteristic differences in the pump flow between the activated and deactivated intensifying injection devices, which are described here by a class difference value. The class difference value can be a variable related to any scale and it does not have to be the current value. For example, the class difference value is fixed. In a design solution, it is also possible to provide a calibration measurement of the class difference value by detecting the pump flow when the intensifying injection device is activated and when the intensifying injection device is deactivated, and then determining and defining the difference between the two flow values as the class difference value.

[0018] The effects that cause changes in the pump flow in the two injection devices, such as a fluctuating input voltage, etc., are compensated for by the difference between the detected values of the pump flow when loading the first and second injection devices. Preferably, the first pump flow and the second pump flow are detected quickly and continuously, for example, directly before and directly after switching from the first injection device to the second injection device.

[0019] With each run of the flushing program, the control device records two values of the pump flow and forms the corresponding current difference value using them. For example, it stores it in a storage unit so that it is available for subsequent runs of the flushing program. Based on the relationship between the difference value, the class difference value, and the current switching state, if two of these variables are known, the third variable can be determined.

[0020] To determine the current switching state, the control device, for example, compares the current difference value with a plurality of stored previous difference values. Preferably, for at least one of the stored previous difference values, the switching state is known. Then this previous difference value can be used as a reference value or a starting value. If the current difference value is close to the reference value, the switching state of the reference value is determined as the current switching state. If the current difference value differs from the reference value by approximately the class difference value, the other switching state is determined as the current switching state.

[0021] The control device can be implemented in hardware and / or software. In the case of a hardware implementation, the control device can, for example, be designed as a computer or a microprocessor. In the case of a software implementation, the control device can be implemented as a computer program product, as part of a function, a routine, program code, or as an executable object.

[0022] The control device is set up to adjust the flushing program of a household dishwasher according to the determined switching state for the intensifying injection device, for example, such that the pressure in the hydraulic circuit of the household dishwasher is at least equal to the pressure in the hydraulic circuit corresponding to the activated switching state in the deactivated switching state.

[0023] In particular, the volume flow rate in the hydraulic circuit in the deactivated switching state also corresponds to at least one volume flow rate in the hydraulic circuit in the activated switching state. Additionally, the temperature during the flushing process can be increased to improve the flushing performance. The activation time can also be increased, for example, during the upper basket operation. This also improves the flushing performance. Each of the above modifications can be made at any part of the flushing process, such as during pre-flushing, intermediate flushing, cleaning, or rinsing.

[0024] According to a design of the dishwasher, when the dishwasher performs the flushing process for the first time, the enhanced spraying device is in a predetermined switching state.

[0025] In this way, it is ensured that there is a reference value to determine the current switching state. A calibrated flushing process can also be proposed. For example, deactivating the enhanced spraying device is proposed for the calibrated flushing process. For this purpose, a dissolvable plug is preferably arranged in the supply line of the enhanced spraying device, and the plug dissolves during and / or after the first use. Alternatively, a user dialogue can also be provided, which guides the user to bring the enhanced spraying device into the predetermined switching state.

[0026] If, during a subsequent run of the flushing process, a current difference is determined that differs from a previous difference by a predetermined class difference, it is determined that the enhanced spraying device is in another switching state.

[0027] According to another design of the dishwasher, the control device is configured to store at least one previous difference together with the switching state assigned to the previous difference.

[0028] According to another design of the dishwasher, the control device is configured to store the formed current difference together with the determined current switching state.

[0029] According to another design of the dishwasher, the control device is configured to determine the current switching state based on the stored previous differences of the most recent N executed flushing processes, where N is a natural number from the interval [0, 100].

[0030] Preferably, several earlier runs of the flushing process are considered. By considering not only individual runs of the flushing process, all subsequent incorrect determinations due to individual outliers can be excluded. In a preferred design, N = 25. The number N can also be variable. In particular, for new dishwashers that are not used frequently, this number can be increased with each use until the preferred number is reached.

[0031] In particular, when the flushing process is performed for the first time, i.e., when the dishwasher is used for the first time, N = 0.

[0032] According to another design of the dishwasher, the control device is configured to determine a virtual difference based on the current difference and the determined current switching state. In the activated switching state of the intensive injection device, the virtual difference corresponds to the difference between the current difference and a preset class difference, and in the deactivated switching state of the intensive injection device, the virtual difference corresponds to the sum of the current difference and the preset class difference. The control device is also configured to store a value pair that includes the current difference and the determined virtual difference.

[0033] Thus, there is a value pair for each rinse cycle run. Depending on the comparison method used, this can be advantageous for later comparing the current difference with a previous difference.

[0034] According to another design of the dishwasher, the preset class difference for determining the virtual difference includes a first value for the activated switching state and a second value for the deactivated switching state.

[0035] For example, the first value of the class difference is used to determine the virtual difference with respect to the current difference based on which the activated switching state is determined, and the first value of the class difference is used to determine the virtual difference with respect to the current difference based on which the deactivated switching state is determined. In this way, differences caused by, for example, the switching direction can be taken into account.

[0036] According to another design of the dishwasher, the control device is configured to determine the current switching state based on a plurality of stored value pairs. The control device is configured to form an upper average value, which is the average of the respective higher values of the plurality of stored value pairs, and to form a lower average value, which is the average of the respective lower values of the plurality of stored value pairs, and to compare the current difference with the upper average value and the lower average value.

[0037] The switching state of the higher value also belongs to the upper average value. Similarly, the switching state of the lower value belongs to the lower average value.

[0038] For example, the distance between the current difference and the upper and lower average values is determined. The current switching state is determined as the switching state associated with the average value that determines the smaller distance.

[0039] According to another design of the dishwasher, the control device is configured to determine the current switching state based on the selection of the stored value pairs. The control device is configured to determine a plurality of the closest values among all the values included in the selection of the stored value pairs and to determine the switching state of the corresponding values among the plurality of the closest values.

[0040] This method can be called the nearest neighbor method. The selection of the stored value pairs includes, for example, the value pairs of the last five rinse cycle runs. Thus, the selection includes a total of ten individual values, the respective switching states of which are known.

[0041] The closest values are those for which the difference from the current difference is the smallest in the comparison. It is preferably to determine an odd number of closest values, so as to rule out the case of a stalemate. In a preferred design, 3, 5 or 7 closest values are determined. Advantageously, at most as many closest values as there are value pairs in the selection are determined. If the number of stored value pairs is less than the number provided for the selection, it is preferably to use the next smallest odd number of stored value pairs. For example, assume that the selection includes five value pairs, but only four value pairs are stored. Then only the three stored value pairs are used for the selection.

[0042] The switching state is determined as the switching state that occurs most frequently among the closest values.

[0043] In the case of searching for the number of the last closest value and finding two values having the same distance from the current difference, it can be specified, for example, to consider the older value. If the times of these two values are also the same, the value corresponding to the deactivated switching state can be considered, for example, and vice versa. As an alternative to this, in this case, it is possible to return to the next smaller odd number of values.

[0044] According to another design of the dishwasher, the switching valve for setting the switching state of the intensive injection device can be manually operated by the user of the dishwasher.

[0045] In particular, the switching valve can be manually brought into the activated switching state or the deactivated switching state.

[0046] According to another design of the dishwasher, the control device is arranged to perform a plausibility check on the correspondence between the switching state and the stored previous difference according to a predetermined class difference and the difference between the previous difference and the current difference.

[0047] For example, in the case of the deactivated switching state, when switching to the activated switching state, it is expected that the difference will decrease by the class difference, and vice versa. Only when the switching state remains unchanged is it expected that the difference will increase, where only a small change is expected. If a large increase greater than a predetermined threshold, in particular greater than the class difference, is determined, the plausibility can be checked. For example, the user is prompted to verify the current switching state. Alternatively or additionally, a new calibration rinse cycle can be performed under the control of the user in order to determine a new reference value for the switching state.

[0048] According to another design of the dishwasher, the control device is arranged to operate the pump device at a predetermined rotational speed during the detection of the first and second pump flows.

[0049] According to a second aspect, a method for operating a dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, is proposed. The dishwasher includes: a control device for performing a rinsing program for rinsing items placed in a rinsing chamber of the dishwasher; and a first spraying device and a second spraying device, and a pump device can selectively load rinsing liquid for the spraying devices to form corresponding rinsing zones. In addition, a strengthening spraying device is provided, which is assigned to the first or the second spraying device and can be switched into an activated or deactivated state by means of a switching valve. In a first step, a first pump flow rate is detected during loading of the rinsing liquid for the first spraying device. In a second step, a second pump flow rate is detected during loading of the rinsing liquid for the second spraying device. In a third step, a current difference is formed based on the detected first and second pump flow rates. In a fourth step, a current switching state of the strengthening spraying device is determined based on the current difference, a plurality of previously stored differences, and a predetermined class difference. In a fifth step, the rinsing program is adapted according to the determined current switching state.

[0050] The method is preferably carried out using the dishwasher according to the first aspect.

[0051] The method has the same advantages as those described for the dishwasher according to the first aspect. The design solutions and features described for the proposed dishwasher are correspondingly applicable to the proposed method.

[0052] According to a design of the method, when the dishwasher performs the rinsing program for the first time, the strengthening spraying device is in a predetermined switching state.

[0053] According to a third aspect, a computer program product is proposed, which includes instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to the second aspect.

[0054] The computer program product (for example, a computer program device) can be provided, for example, in the form of a storage medium (such as a memory card, a USB stick, a CD-ROM, a DVD) or a file downloadable from a server in a network. This can be achieved, for example, in a wireless communication network by transmitting the corresponding file with the computer program product or the computer program device.

[0055] Other possible embodiments of the present invention also include combinations of features or embodiments described above or below with respect to embodiments not explicitly mentioned. Those skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or supplements to the corresponding basic forms of the present invention.

[0056] Other advantageous improvements and aspects of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims and the embodiments of the present invention described below. The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings based on the embodiments. Description of the Drawings

[0057] Figure 1 Schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of a dishwasher;

[0058] Figure 2 Highly simplified schematic view showing another embodiment of a dishwasher;

[0059] Figure 3 Chart showing exemplary flow measurement values;

[0060] Figure 4 Chart showing exemplary differences;

[0061] Figure 5 Graph showing an exemplary frequency distribution; and

[0062] Figure 6 Schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of a method for operating a dishwasher. Detailed Description

[0063] Unless otherwise specified, elements that are the same or have the same function in the drawings have the same reference numerals.

[0064] Figure 1 Schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of a dishwasher 1. The dishwasher 1 is designed here as a household dishwasher 1. The household dishwasher 1 includes a rinsing container 2, which can be closed by a door 3, the door being in particular waterproof. For this purpose, a sealing device (not shown) can be provided between the door 3 and the rinsing container 2. The rinsing container 2 is preferably cuboid. The rinsing container 2 can be arranged in the housing of the household dishwasher 1. The rinsing container 2 and the door 3 can form a rinsing chamber 4 for cleaning the rinsing objects.

[0065] The door 3 is shown in Figure 1 its open position. The door 3 can be closed or opened by pivoting about a pivot 5 provided at the lower end of the door 3. With the help of the door 3, the loading opening 6 of the rinsing container 2 can be closed or opened. The rinsing container 2 has a bottom 7, a top 8 opposite to the bottom 7, a rear wall 9 opposite to the closed door 3, and two side walls 10, 11 opposite to each other. For example, the bottom 7, the top 8, the rear wall 9 and the side walls 10, 11 can be made of stainless steel plates. Or for example, the bottom 7 can be made of plastic material.

[0066] The household dishwasher 1 also has at least one rinsing object receiving part 12, 13, 14. Preferably, a plurality of, for example three, rinsing object receiving parts 12, 13, 14 can be provided, where the rinsing object receiving part 12 is a lower rinsing object receiving part or a lower rack, the rinsing object receiving part 13 is an upper rinsing object receiving part or an upper rack, and the rinsing object receiving part 14 is a cutlery drawer. Also as Figure 1As shown, the rinse-agent containers 12, 13, 14 are arranged superposed in the rinse container 2. Each rinse-agent container 12 to 14 can be selectively moved into or out of the rinse container 2. In particular, each rinse-agent container 12, 13, 14 can be moved into the rinse container 2 in the insertion direction E and can be moved out of the rinse container 2 in the extraction direction A opposite to the insertion direction E.

[0067] The household dishwasher 1 further has: a first hydraulic system 110 with a first injection device 112, the first injection device being designed as a rinse arm; a second hydraulic system 120 with a second injection device 122, the second injection device also being designed as a rinse arm; and a booster injection device 132 assigned to the second injection device 122. Thus, the booster injection device 132 is part of the second hydraulic device 120. The first rinse arm 112 is arranged on the bottom 7 of the rinse container 2, the second rinse arm 122 is arranged on the top 8 of the rinse container 2, and the booster injection device 132 designed as a plurality of rinse nozzles is arranged on the side wall 9 of the rinse container 2. A pump device 140 is provided for loading the first injection device 112 and the second injection device 112 and optionally for loading the booster injection device 132 with rinse liquid F (see Figure 2 ), wherein the rinse liquid F is pumped through the respective hydraulic systems 110, 120. A switching valve 133 is arranged in the supply line to the booster injection device 132 and is designed to open or close the supply line. When the switching valve 133 is open, the booster injection device 132 is in an active switching state, and when the switching valve 133 is closed, the booster injection device 132 is in a deactivated switching state.

[0068] Furthermore, a control device 150 is shown, which is arranged on the door 3 of the household dishwasher 1. The control device 150 is in particular provided for detecting the pump flow rate 142 for operating the pump device 140 (see Figure 3 ). By the control device 150 detecting the pump flow rate 142 when loading the first injection device 112 with rinse liquid F and loading the second injection device 122 with rinse liquid F, a current difference ΔI0 is formed (see Figure 4 or Figure 5 ) and is compared with the previously stored differences ΔI1 - ΔI8 (see Figure 4 or Figure 5 ), the control device 150 can determine the current switching state of the booster injection device 132.

[0069] Figure 2 A highly schematic view of another embodiment of the dishwasher 1 is shown, which is designed as a household dishwasher. Below, only the differences from the household dishwasher 1 according to Figure 1 will be discussed.

[0070] The pump sump 15 is provided on the bottom 7. The pump device 140 is provided at the pump sump 15. For example, the pump device 140 can be connected to the pump sump 15 by means of a supply line 16. The distributor 102 is provided downstream of the pump device 140. For example, the distributor 102 is connected to the pump device 140 by means of a supply line 17. In addition to the rinsing container 2, the household dishwasher 1 also includes a base support 20 that bears the rinsing container 2. The base support 20 is, for example, a plastic part, in particular a plastic injection molded part.

[0071] The household dishwasher 1 also has a hydraulic circuit 100, which includes a first hydraulic device 110 having a first injection device 112 and a second hydraulic device 120 having a second injection device 122. The first injection device 112 is designed as a rinsing arm, which is rotatably mounted in the rinsing container 2 and is, for example, assigned to the lower rinsing object receiving part 12 (see Figure 1 ). The second injection device 122 is also designed as a rinsing arm, which is rotatably provided in the rinsing container 2 and is assigned to, for example, the central rinsing object receiving part 13 (see Figure 1 ). Each injection device 112, 122 includes a large number of nozzles for uniformly distributing fresh water and / or rinsing liquid F in the rinsing container 2.

[0072] The injection device 112 is connected to the distributor 102 via the supply line of the first hydraulic device 110. The injection device 122 is connected to the distributor 102 via the supply line of the second hydraulic system 120. With the help of the distributor 102, for example, during the operation of the rinsing program, fresh water and / or rinsing liquid F can be supplied to only the first injection device 112, only the second injection device 122, or both injection devices 112, 122 of the injection devices 112, 122 simultaneously.

[0073] Furthermore, the hydraulic circuit 100 includes a strengthening injection device 132, which in the present example is assigned to the second injection device 122. The strengthening injection device 132 also includes a large number of nozzles. For example, the strengthening injection device 132 can be attached to the rinsing object receiving part 13. The strengthening injection device 132 is fluidly connected to the pump device 140 via the supply line of the second hydraulic device 120. However, here, a switching valve 133 is provided between the supply line 120 and the strengthening injection device 132, by means of which the strengthening injection device 132 can be fluidly separated or disabled from the hydraulic circuit 100 and coupled or activated to it again. In particular, the switching valve 133 can be manually operated by the user, so that the strengthening injection device 132 can be deactivated and activated.

[0074] In this example, a closure 121 made of a water-soluble material is provided upstream of the switching valve 133. The closure 121 can be provided above or within a dispensing element 104, which is suitable for dispensing fresh water and / or rinsing liquid F to the injection devices 122, 132. However, the closure 121 can also be provided downstream of the valve 133. In the present example, "upstream" means arranged before the valve 133 when viewed in the flow direction of the fresh water and / or rinsing liquid F. "Downstream" in the present case means arranged after the valve 133 when viewed in the flow direction of the fresh water and / or rinsing liquid F. When the household dishwasher 1 is started for the first time, the closure 121 is used to ensure that the intensive injection device 132 is in a deactivated switching state, regardless of the switching position of the switching valve 133. The intensive injection device 132 is thus in a predetermined reference switching state, which enables calibration measurements to be made of the first pump flow rate I0 (see Figure 3 ) and the second pump flow rates I1, I2 (see Figure 3 ). The closure 121 is released during or after the first rinsing program run so that the position of the switching valve 133 determines the switching state of the intensive injection device 132 during further rinsing program runs. The switching state can be determined by the control device 150, for example as elaborated below with reference to Figure 3-5 .

[0075] Figure 3 A graph D shows a schematic example of the pump flow rate 142 over a period from a start time t0 to an end time t2. The illustrated pump flow rate 142 is detected, for example, during the operation of the household dishwasher 1 of Figure 1 or Figure 2 . At a transition time t1 located between the start time t0 and the end time t2, for example, the diverter 102 (see Figure 2 ) is switched so that, for example, instead of the first injection device 112 (see Figure 1 or Figure 2 ), the second injection device 122 (see Figure 2 ) is loaded with the rinsing liquid F (see Figure 1 or Figure 2 ). This means that in the time period t0 - t1, the first injection device 112 is loaded with the rinsing liquid F, while in the time period t1 - t2, the second injection device 122 is loaded with the rinsing liquid F.

[0076] The pump flow rate 142 is on the vertical axis of the graph D. Three values I0, I1, and I2 are specifically marked. In this example, I0 corresponds to the pump flow rate 142 required, for example, when the first injection device 112 is loaded with the rinsing liquid F. This pump flow rate 142 can also be referred to as the first pump flow rate I0. When the intensive injection device 132 (see Figure 1 or Figure 2 ) is in a deactivated switching state, i.e., the switching valve 133 (see Figure 1 orFigure 2 ) When closed, for example, I1 corresponds to the pump flow rate 142 required when the second injection device 122 is loaded. When the intensifying injection device 132 is in the activated switching state, i.e., when the switching valve 133 is open, I2 corresponds to the pump flow rate 142 required when the second injection device 122 is loaded. In this way, the intensifying injection device 132 is also filled with the flushing liquid F. Each of I1 and I2 can be referred to as the second pump flow rate.

[0077] Chart D shows how the pump flow rate 142 changes at the switching time point t1 when switching from the first injection device 112 to the second injection device 122. Two possibilities regarding the current switching state of the intensifying injection device 132 are shown here, where the solid line represents the pump flow rate 142 in the deactivated switching state, and the dashed line represents the pump flow rate 142 in the activated switching state. It can be seen that the pump flow rate 142 is different in the two switching states. In addition, for each switching state, the differences between the first pump flow rate I0 and the second pump flow rates I1, I2 are denoted as ΔI01, ΔI02. The difference between the two possible values of the second pump flow rates I1, I2 is denoted by K. K is also referred to as the class difference. For a predetermined hydraulic circuit 100 (see Figure 2 ), the class difference K is substantially constant. For example, due to the contamination of the respective nozzles of the injection devices 112, 122, 132, a change in the class difference K may occur.

[0078] The control device 150 (see Figure 1 ) is specifically arranged to determine the current differences ΔI01, ΔI02 and to determine the current switching state of the intensifying injection device 132 based on a comparison with the stored previous differences ΔI1 - ΔI8 (see Figure 4 or 5) and the predetermined class difference K. This is elaborated in more detail below by way of example with reference to Figure 4 and Figure 5 .

[0079] Figure 4 Chart D showing the exemplary differences ΔI1 - ΔI8 that are recorded and stored during the execution of the flushing program is presented. The horizontal axis represents the number of flushing program cycles N. The vertical axis represents the differences ΔI1 - ΔI8 determined in arbitrary units (a.u. represents arbitrary units). Chart D also shows the corresponding virtual differences ΔI1v - ΔI8v for each difference ΔI1 - ΔI8. The corresponding virtual differences ΔI1v - ΔI8v correspond to the difference or sum of the respective difference ΔI1 - ΔI8 and the class difference K, depending on the switching state. The first flushing program run N = 1 is performed in a predetermined reference switching state, for example as Figure 2 shown, where the virtual difference ΔI1v corresponds to the difference between the difference ΔI1 and the class difference K.

[0080] During further rinsing program runs, where N = 2 to N = 8, the current difference ΔI0 is determined and stored, which depends on the switching position corresponding to Figure 3 the difference ΔI01 or ΔI02 in . Additionally, based on the current difference ΔI0, the corresponding switching state is determined by comparing it with the stored earlier difference values. It can be seen that at the same switching position, the individual differences may exhibit slight fluctuations, which may be caused, for example, by the dirt load in the rinsing liquid F and / or the contamination of the injection devices 112, 122, 132.

[0081] For example, during the fourth rinsing program run, where N = 4, the switching state is switched, for example, from deactivated to activated, such that in this case the virtual difference ΔI4v corresponds to the sum of the difference ΔI4 and the class difference K.

[0082] The ninth rinsing program run is being executed, where N = 9. The current switching state is unknown. Based on the first pump flow I0 (see Figure 3 ) and the second pump flows I1, I2 (see Figure 3 ) the current difference ΔI0 is determined. The control device 150 (see Figure 1 or Figure 2 ) loads the selection SEL, which includes the stored previous differences ΔI4 - ΔI8 or the value pairs for the last five rinsing program runs (N = 4 - 8).

[0083] If only a single value is stored, it is preferred to store the respective switching states together with the single value. Then the value pair can consist of the single value and the class difference K. If value pairs are stored, the switching state of the corresponding values results from their relationship to the other value in the value pair, so the switching state does not necessarily have to be stored as well.

[0084] For example, the control device 150 determines a frequency distribution, such as as Figure 5 shown. All the individual values ΔI4 - ΔI8, ΔI4v - ΔI8v from the five value pairs included in the selection SEL are entered into the diagram D according to their magnitudes. In Figure 5 the solid columns represent the differences ΔI4, ΔI5, ΔI7, ΔI8 in the activated state, the empty column represents the difference ΔI6 in the deactivated state, and the shaded columns ΔI4v, ΔI5v, ΔI6v, ΔI7v, ΔI8 correspond to the virtual differences with their respective other switching states.

[0085] Based on this frequency distribution, the control device 150 determines the five values closest to the current difference ΔI0, which are shown with different hatching. In this example, they are ΔI4v, ΔI5v, ΔI6v, ΔI7v, ΔI8. The control device 150 now determines the frequencies of the active switching state and the inactive switching state with the closest values. In this example, the inactive switching state is determined five times, while the active switching state is never determined. The control device 150 thereby determines that the current switching state is the inactive switching state.

[0086] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 The measures described can be represented by a mathematical formula, for example as follows. There are value pairs (X1, Y1),..., (Xn, Yn), where Xi is the stored previous difference and Yi is the associated switching state, with Yi = 0 representing the inactive switching state and Yi = 1 representing the active switching state. There is a reclassification of the value pairs (X1', Y1'),..., (Xn', Yn'), such that X* (the current difference) is suitable for the sequence X1' - X* < X2' - X* <... < Xn' - X* to hold. Let k be odd. If 1 / k·ΣYi' > 0.5, where the sum is formed from the values i = 1 - k, then Y* = 1, otherwise Y* = 0.

[0087] As an alternative to the described measures, the control device 150 can set to determine the average value of the differences with the active switching state and the average value of the differences with the inactive switching state, and determine the current switching state using the distance between the current difference and the average value. In this case, the corresponding average values are formed based on the same number of stored previous differences. In this case, it is not absolutely necessary to store the value pairs, but it is also possible to only form virtual differences corresponding to the differences when calculating the average value and include them in the average value.

[0088] Figure 6 Shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a method for operating a dishwasher 1 (such as Figure 1 or Figure 2 ) a household dishwasher).

[0089] In a first step S1, the first pump flow rate I0 (see Figure 1 or 2) is detected when loading the rinsing liquid F (see Figure 2 ) into the first spraying device 112 (see Figure 3 ). In a second step S2, the second pump flow rates I1, I2 are detected when loading the rinsing liquid F into the second spraying device 122 (see Figure 1 or Figure 2 ). In a third step S3, a flow rate difference ΔI0 (see Figure 3 ) is formed based on the detected first and second pump flow rates I0, I1, I2 (seeFigure 4 or Figure 5 )。In the fourth step, based on the current difference ΔI0, the plurality of stored previous differences ΔI1 - ΔI8 (see Figure 1 ) and the predetermined class difference K (see Figure 3 or Figure 4 ), the current switching state of the intensifying injection device 132 (see Figure 1 or Figure 2 ) is determined. In the fifth step S5, the rinsing program is adapted according to the determined current switching state. For example, the pump speed is changed and / or the amount of rinsing liquid is adjusted.

[0090] Although the present invention has been described using embodiments, it can be modified in various ways.

[0091] Therefore, the described concept can be extended to a larger number of injection devices and / or more than one intensifying injection device. One condition is that at least one injection device has a known or can be automatically determined switching state, in particular one that does not have an associated switchable intensifying injection device. The difference of each injection device is always determined relative to the injection device with the known switching state.

[0092] For example, the dishwasher also has a third spraying device with a selectable powerful spraying device. Then the same scheme as above can be used for the third injection device.

[0093] Alternatively or additionally, an injection device with an assigned intensifying injection device can have another intensifying injection device. Then it can be proposed that only one of the two intensifying injection devices can be activated. Alternatively, it can be proposed that the two intensifying injection devices can be started optionally individually or together. In this case, preferably a plurality of class differences are provided, each class difference describing the corresponding difference between the switching states of activation and deactivation.

[0094] Reference numerals used

[0095] 1 Dishwasher

[0096] 2 Rinsing container

[0097] 3 Door

[0098] 4 Rinsing chamber

[0099] 5 Pivot

[0100] 6 Loading opening

[0101] 7 Bottom

[0102] 8 Top

[0103] 9 Rear wall

[0104] 10 Side wall

[0105] 11 Side wall

[0106] 12 Flushing material holding part 13 Flushing material holding part 14 Flushing material holding part 15 Pump sump

[0107] 16 Supply pipeline

[0108] 17 Supply pipeline

[0109] 20 Base support

[0110] 100 Hydraulic circuit

[0111] 102 Water distributor

[0112] 104 Distribution element

[0113] 110 First hydraulic device

[0114] 112 First injection device

[0115] 120 Second hydraulic device

[0116] 121 Sealing element

[0117] 122 Second injection device

[0118] 132 Enhanced injection device

[0119] 133 Changeover valve

[0120] 140 Pump device

[0121] 142 Pump flow rate

[0122] 150 Control device

[0123] A Withdrawal direction

[0124] D Chart

[0125] ΔI01 Pump flow rate difference

[0126] ΔI02 Pump flow rate difference

[0127] ΔI0 Pump flow rate difference

[0128] ΔI1 Pump flow rate difference

[0129] ΔI1v Pump flow rate difference

[0130] ΔI2 Pump flow rate difference

[0131] ΔI2v Pump flow rate difference

[0132] ΔI3 pump flow difference

[0133] ΔI3v pump flow difference

[0134] ΔI4 pump flow difference

[0135] ΔI4v pump flow difference

[0136] ΔI5 pump flow difference

[0137] ΔI5v pump flow difference

[0138] ΔI6 pump flow difference

[0139] ΔI6v pump flow difference

[0140] ΔI7 pump flow difference

[0141] ΔI7v pump flow difference

[0142] ΔI8 pump flow difference

[0143] ΔI8v pump flow difference

[0144] E insertion direction

[0145] I0 flow value (first pump flow)

[0146] I1 flow value (second pump flow)

[0147] I2 flow value (second pump flow)

[0148] K type difference

[0149] S1 method step

[0150] S2 method step

[0151] S3 method step

[0152] S4 method step

[0153] S5 method step

[0154] SEL selection

[0155] t0 start time

[0156] t1 switching time

[0157] t2 end time.

Claims

1. A dishwasher (1) having: a control device (150) for performing a rinsing program for rinsing an object to be rinsed provided in a rinsing chamber (4) of the dishwasher (1); a first injection device (112) and a second injection device (122) which can be selectively loaded with rinsing liquid (F) via a pump device (140) to form corresponding rinsing zones; and a strengthening injection device (132) which is assigned to the first injection device (112) or the second injection device (122) and which can be brought into an active state or a deactivated state by means of a switching valve (133), wherein, The control device (150) is configured to detect a first pump flow rate (I0) during loading of the flushing liquid (F) for the first injection device (112), and to detect second pump flow rates (I1, I2) during loading of the flushing liquid (F) for the second injection device (122), and to form a current difference (ΔI0) based on the detected first pump flow rate (I0) and the second pump flow rates (I1, I2), and to determine a current switching state of the intensifying injection device (132) based on the current difference (ΔI0), a plurality of stored previous differences, and a preset class difference (K), and wherein the control device (150) is configured to adapt the flushing program based on the determined current switching state.

2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized in that The dishwasher is a household dishwasher.

3. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, When the dishwasher (1) executes the flushing program for the first time, the intensifying injection device (132) is in a predetermined switching state.

4. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The control device (150) is configured to store at least one previous difference together with the switching state assigned to the previous difference.

5. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The control device (150) is configured to store the formed current difference (ΔI0) together with the determined current switching state.

6. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The control device (150) is configured to determine the current switching state based on the stored previous differences of the most recent N executed flushing programs, where N is a natural number from the interval [0, 100].

7. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The control device (150) is configured to determine a virtual difference based on the current difference (ΔI0) and the determined current switching state, where the virtual difference corresponds to the difference between the current difference (ΔI0) and the preset class difference (K) in the activated switching state of the intensifying injection device (132), and the virtual difference corresponds to the sum of the current difference (ΔI0) and the preset class difference (K) in the deactivated switching state of the intensifying injection device (132), wherein the control device (150) is configured to store a value pair that includes the current difference (ΔI0) and the determined virtual difference.

8. The dishwasher according to claim 7, characterized in that, The preset class difference (K) for determining the virtual difference includes a first value for the activated switching state and a second value for the deactivated switching state.

9. The dishwasher according to claim 7, characterized in that, The control device (150) is configured to determine the current switching state based on a plurality of stored value pairs, where the control device (150) is configured to form an upper average value and a lower average value, the upper average value being the average of the respective higher values of the plurality of stored value pairs, the lower average value being the average of the respective lower values of the plurality of stored value pairs, and the control device is configured to compare the current difference (ΔI0) with the upper average value and the lower average value.

10. The dishwasher according to claim 7, characterized in that, The control device (150) is configured to determine the current switching state based on the selection of stored value pairs, wherein the control device (150) is configured to determine a plurality of closest values among all the values included in the selection of stored value pairs and to determine the switching state of the corresponding values among the plurality of closest values.

11. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The switching valve (133) for setting the switching state of the intensifying injection device (132) can be manually operated by a user of the dishwasher (1).

12. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The control device (150) is configured to perform a plausibility check of the correspondence between the switching state and the stored previous difference based on the preset class difference (K) and the difference between the previous difference and the current difference (ΔI0).

13. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The control device (150) is configured to operate the pump device (140) at a preset rotational speed during the detection of the first pump flow rate (I0) and the second pump flow rates (I1, I2).

14. A method for operating a dishwasher (1), the dishwasher having: a control device (150) for performing a rinsing program for rinsing items to be rinsed provided in a rinsing chamber (4) of the dishwasher (1); a first injection device (112) and a second injection device (122) which can be selectively loaded with rinsing liquid (F) via a pump device (140) to form respective rinsing zones; and an intensifying injection device (132) which is assigned to the first injection device (112) or the second injection device (122), and the intensifying injection device can be brought into an active state or a deactivated state by means of a switching valve (133), the method having the following steps: Detecting a first pump flow rate (I0) during the loading of rinsing liquid (F) into the first injection device (112), Detecting second pump flow rates (I1, I2) during the loading of rinsing liquid (F) into the second injection device (122), Forming a current difference (ΔI0) based on the detected first pump flow rate (I0) and the second pump flow rates (I1, I2), Determining the current switching state of the intensifying injection device (132) based on the current difference (ΔI0), a plurality of stored previous differences, and a preset class difference (K), and adapting the rinsing program based on the determined current switching state.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The dishwasher is a household dishwasher.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, When the dishwasher (1) performs the rinsing program for the first time, the intensifying injection device (132) is in a predetermined switching state.

17. A computer program product, comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 14 to 16.

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