Domestic dishwasher and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a domestic dishwasher (1), comprising a washing container (2), a spray arm (18) for applying washing liquid and / or clear water (F) to laundry contained in the washing container (2), a drive device (27) for actively driving the spray arm (18), a circulation pump (30) for conveying washing liquid and / or clear water (F), and a control device (31) for actuating the drive device (27) and the circulation pump (30), the control device (31) actuates the circulation pump (30) during a washing operation of the domestic dishwasher (1) in such a way that the washing liquid and / or the clean water (F) is sprayed out of the spray arm (18) in a pulsed manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a domestic dishwasher and a method for operating such a domestic dishwasher. Background Art

[0002] A dishwasher consists of a washing container, which holds the laundry to be cleaned. Typically, the washing container contains laundry of varying degrees of difficulty. For example, glasses or dishes containing cold food are generally easier to clean than dishes with cooking or frying residue. To ensure that all laundry is thoroughly cleaned, a particularly strong cleaning effect must be achieved at every location within the washing container, which consumes a lot of energy, water, and time. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the present invention provides a household dishwasher comprising a washing container, a spray arm for applying washing liquid and / or clean water to laundry placed in the washing container, a drive device for actively driving the spray arm, a circulation pump for conveying washing liquid and / or clean water, and a control device for driving the drive device and the circulation pump, wherein the control device drives the circulation pump during a washing operation of the household dishwasher so that the washing liquid and / or clean water is sprayed from the spray arm in a pulsed manner.

[0004] The pulsed spraying of washing liquid and / or fresh water not only improves the cleaning effect, for example by achieving a non-steady-state impact and / or by allowing the outflow of already applied washing liquid and / or fresh water, but also allows for delayed "fresh" washing liquid and / or fresh water pulses. The pulsed, and in particular discontinuous, spraying method also advantageously reduces the amount of liquid required in the washing container, as the time between pulses allows even small amounts of liquid to flow back to the pump sump of the domestic dishwasher in sufficient quantity for the next pulse. Furthermore, the reduced amount of liquid reduces energy consumption, as the smaller amount of water can be heated more quickly, both actively and passively, on the already heated laundry, thereby reducing the amount of heat absorbed from the laundry.

[0005] The spray arm can be actively driven by the drive device. Therefore, the spray arm is not only moved passively (for example by the recoil force of the washing liquid and / or water sprayed out), but is actively controlled by the drive device. To this end, the spray arm can be moved in the circumferential direction and in the counter-circumferential direction around a first rotation axis arranged on the pump tank. In this process, a variety of rotation speeds can be achieved, so that the spray arm can move both quickly and slowly. If the spray arm is equipped with a spray arm satellite, the boom supporting the spray arm satellite can be actively driven by the drive device, while the spray arm satellite is driven by the recoil force, that is, passively driven.

[0006] Furthermore, domestic dishwashers comprise a circulation pump for conveying washing liquid and / or clean water. For example, clean water can be conveyed from outside the domestic dishwasher into the washing container, or washing liquid can be conveyed from a pump sump inside the domestic dishwasher during circulation, impinge on the laundry, and then flow back into the pump sump under the effect of gravity.

[0007] The domestic dishwasher further comprises a control device for controlling the drive device and the circulation pump. During the washing operation of the domestic dishwasher, the control device controls the circulation pump so that the washing liquid and / or clean water are sprayed from the spray arm in a pulsed manner, at least in time. To this end, the spray arm can be equipped with spray nozzles. These spray nozzles can be arranged in particular on the satellite components of the spray arm. "Pulsed manner" means that the washing liquid and / or clean water are not sprayed continuously, but in the form of separate, mutually distinguishable pulses, the duration of which is much shorter than the duration of the program operation. For example, one pulse may be generated for each rotation of the spray arm around the rotation axis. In contrast, if the washing liquid and / or clean water are not sprayed in a pulsed manner, a continuous flow of washing liquid and / or clean water will be formed, which will not be interrupted for most of the time the program is running (for example, a few seconds or minutes), thereby continuously impacting the washing items.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the spray arm comprises a boom which is mounted so as to be rotatable about a first axis of rotation and a spray arm satellite which is mounted on the boom so as to be rotatable about a second axis of rotation.

[0009] In particular, the drive device is used to actively drive the boom. Preferably, the boom is rotatably mounted on the pump sump of a household dishwasher about a first rotational axis. The pump sump is adjacent to the vertically lower area of ​​the washing container, that is, the part of the washing container that points toward the ground. Due to the action of gravity, the washing liquid and / or clean water automatically flows back into this pump sump. The pump sump can also serve as a mounting point for the spray arm, wherein the boom is rotatably mounted on the pump sump in its central area, allowing the spray arm to rotate about the first rotational axis. The rotational movement of the boom can achieve multiple complete rotations. The boom, in turn, serves as a mounting point for a spray arm satellite, which has multiple spray nozzles designed to spray washing liquid and / or clean water onto the laundry. The spray arm satellite is rotatably mounted on the boom, allowing the spray arm satellite to rotate about a second rotational axis (even when the boom is stationary). The second rotational axis is not fixed in one position, but its position is defined by the boom, and the second rotational axis moves with the boom. If both the boom and the spray arm satellite rotate, the two rotational movements are superimposed. This allows for independent movement of the boom and spray arm satellite, allowing the spray arm satellite to be positioned precisely within the wash container using the boom movement. Furthermore, the superposition of the two rotational movements allows for higher peripheral speeds, which can have a positive impact on the cleaning result.

[0010] According to another embodiment, the boom is actively driven by the drive device, while the spray arm satellites are passively driven by the washing liquid and / or clean water flowing from their corresponding spray nozzles.

[0011] A "passive" drive is here particularly understood to mean a recoil drive. The spray arm satellite rotates because washing liquid and / or clean water flows out of the spray nozzle associated with the spray arm satellite, changing the direction of movement of the washing liquid and / or clean water in the process and, due to the conservation of angular momentum, setting the spray arm satellite in a rotational movement in the opposite direction. The spray arm satellite therefore moves purely passively, in reaction to the outflow of washing liquid and / or clean water. The movement of the boom, in particular the speed of rotation, therefore does not have a targeted influence on the movement of the spray arm satellite. The advantage of this approach is that a functional separation of the boom movement and the spray arm satellite movement can be achieved. For example, the spray arm satellite can rotate and spray washing liquid and / or clean water in a surrounding horizontal direction relative to its position without the boom having to rotate for this purpose. This makes the design of the cleaning program particularly flexible and allows for the targeted cleaning of certain predetermined sections.

[0012] According to a further embodiment, the drive device comprises a drive element and a detection device for determining the angular position of the drive element.

[0013] To drive the spray arm, in particular the boom, the drive device is equipped with a drive element. This drive element can be an electric motor, in particular a motor with adjustable speed. Most preferably, the drive element is designed as a synchronous motor. The drive device can also include a transmission, in particular a gearbox, via which the drive element can be connected to the spray arm, in particular the boom of the spray arm. The transmission can include multiple gears. Furthermore, the drive device is equipped with a detection device for determining the angular position of the drive element. The angular position of the drive element is its rotational position relative to a polar coordinate system whose center coincides with the rotation axis of the drive element and whose radial direction is perpendicular to the rotation axis. Therefore, the rotational movement of the drive element can be detected as a change in its angular position over time. In this case, the rotation axis of the drive element can coincide with the first rotation axis. Of course, it is also possible for the rotation axis of the drive element to be parallel to the first rotation axis and spaced a certain distance apart. The detection device can include a sensor signal generator, in particular a signal generator for a Hall effect sensor, which can be mounted on one of the gears to determine the zero position of the gear, in particular the angular zero position. The angular zero position represents a reference position that is fixed in the domestic dishwasher and describes a fixed, specific orientation of one of the gears relative to the entire domestic dishwasher. Starting from this angular zero position, one of the gears can be rotated about any angle. The position, in particular the angular position, of the drive element, in particular one of the gears, can be determined partially by calculation using the angular zero position and the number of revolutions completed by one of the gears and / or the rotational speed. If the motor is designed as a speed-controlled motor, the position, in particular the angular position, of the drive element, in particular one of the gears, can be determined using the drive element's control signal, in particular the number of oscillations of the control signal since the last time the angular zero position was reached, for example, outside the angular zero position. It is also conceivable to use the angular zero position as a reference value each time the angular zero position is reached, from which the angular position of one of the gears is determined using the control signal. Alternatively, the angular position of one of the gears can be detected directly, in particular at each angular position, for example, using an encoder connected to one of the gears, which has a circumferential resolution of, for example, 10°, 5°, 2°, or 1°. This approach has the advantage of being able to determine the angular position of a gear very accurately and with minimal effort.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the control device and the drive device are designed to determine the angular position of the boom as a function of the determined angular position of the drive element, wherein the control device controls the drive device as a function of the determined angular position of the boom such that the angular position of the boom can be adjusted.

[0015] When the detection device is first configured to determine the angular position of the drive element, in particular the angular position of one of the gears, the control device can deduce the angular position of the spray arm, in particular the boom, from this information. Combined with the possibility of actively driving the spray arm, in particular the boom, the angular position of the spray arm, in particular the boom, can therefore be adjusted. The spray arm, in particular the boom, can thus be brought to a predetermined angular position by the drive device and positioned there, i.e., remain stationary. The spray arm, in particular the boom, can thus be positioned specifically for cleaning specific areas of laundry. Depending on the degree of contamination of the laundry, it can be subjected to personalized, prolonged and / or intensive cleaning. This results in a more efficient and faster cleaning process for the entire cleaning process. At the same time, by determining the angular position of the drive element, it is ensured that neither the movement of the boom nor the measurement is affected by detergent, water, and / or dirt deposits.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the control device is configured to actuate the drive device such that the boom rotates and stops after a certain predetermined time interval.

[0017] In this embodiment, the control device is designed to determine the angular position of one of the gears using the detection device, in particular a sensor signal from the detection device, and the time interval that has elapsed since the detection device signal was emitted. In other words, the angular position of one of the gears is determined by determining the time when the angular position of that gear last coincided with an angular zero position. The control device is further configured to stop the drive device based on this time, thereby stopping the one of the gears and, for example, the boom at a time-dependent angular position. Advantageously, this allows the boom to be brought to a specific angular position and positioned there without having to detect the rotational speed of the drive element.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the control device and the drive device are designed to move the boom in the circumferential direction and / or counter-circumferential direction about the first rotation axis at a predetermined rotational speed among a plurality of different rotational speeds.

[0019] The boom can move around the first rotation axis in both a clockwise and counterclockwise direction. This provides for expanded flexibility and controllability of the boom's movement, such as the ability to predetermine the cleaning program or the current phase of the cleaning program. For example, the boom may move more slowly during the cleaning program than during the rinsing program. Furthermore, the cleaning program and / or the rinsing program can be executed in both a clockwise and counterclockwise direction.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the control device is designed to control the drive device to stop the boom in a predetermined section according to a certain angular position of the boom, and to start the boom in this section and / or to fix it in a stationary manner over time even during the spraying of washing liquid and / or clean water from the spray arm.

[0021] Here, a segment refers to the portion of the circular area swept by the boom during one rotation about the first axis of rotation. This circular area is centered on the first axis of rotation and, in the typical orientation of a domestic dishwasher, is essentially horizontal, that is, parallel to the floor surface. The circular area is divided into segments by drawing multiple radial lines from its center to its perimeter within the plane of the circular area. A segment is defined as the portion of the circular area bounded by two radial lines and a portion of the perimeter between them. Therefore, a segment is arranged circumferentially around the first axis of rotation and can also be understood as the angular extent of the circular area. For example, the circular area can be divided into twelve or ten equal-sized segments, but preferably, it is divided into eight equal-sized segments. Based on a comparison with the actual angular position of the boom, the drive device moves it to a predetermined segment and keeps it stationary over time. In this predetermined segment, the boom remains in this position even when detergent and / or fresh water flows from the spray arm. In other words, the spray arm can perform "in-place" cleaning. In this way, the spray arms can not only clean the laundry in a targeted manner in a specific section, but can also clean particularly soiled laundry for a longer time than lightly soiled laundry.

[0022] According to another embodiment, a domestic dishwasher is configured to achieve a predetermined and symmetrical or asymmetrical distribution of the cleaning intensity relative to a first rotation axis by controlling the cumulative residence time of the spray arm satellites in a specific section during a program segment by targeted control of the drive device, and / or by targeted control of the power level of the circulation pump.

[0023] Thus, it is possible to influence the length of time that the spray arm satellite stays in a specific section during the program segment. Here, a specific predetermined time length can be assigned to each individual section. In addition, the household dishwasher is set to control the power level of the circulation pump in a targeted manner. Depending on the section in which the boom is located, the washing liquid and / or washing water can be discharged at a specific predetermined power level of the circulation pump and thus at a specific discharge speed. In general, in this way, the distribution of the cleaning intensity within the circular area swept by the boom can be influenced. The cleaning intensity here is not a physical quantity, but a qualitative indicator that measures the degree to which the washing items are cleaned. It is a combination of the cleaning duration at a specific position and the discharge speed of the washing liquid and / or clean water at that position. By controlling the drive device in a targeted manner, thereby controlling the residence time of the spray arm satellite in a specific section and / or the power level of the circulation pump, a predetermined cleaning intensity can be achieved.

[0024] According to another embodiment, the control device is designed to divide the circular area covered by the rotation of the boom into a limited number of segments and to assign to each segment a relevant amount of cleaning intensity to be performed by means of a cleaning program, wherein the control device is designed to, in particular, enable a user of the domestic dishwasher to influence the distribution of the cleaning intensity by means of a program input on the domestic dishwasher and / or by means of a portable electronic terminal device.

[0025] In this way, a cleaning program can implement and execute a specific, predefined cleaning intensity distribution, which can be designed symmetrically or asymmetrically with respect to the first axis of rotation. The electronic terminal device can be a mobile communication device, a laptop, a tablet, or the like. This allows users to tailor the cleaning program to their needs and requirements, for example, adjusting the cleaning performance of a domestic dishwasher based on the distribution and degree of contamination of the laundry within the dishwasher. Advantageously, the cleaning intensity distribution can be particularly precisely adapted to the boom's movement pattern, resulting in more efficient, water-efficient, energy-efficient, and time-saving cleaning.

[0026] According to another embodiment, the control device is designed to control the circulating pump to repeatedly change between a high power level and a low power level, thereby achieving pulsed flushing, wherein the duration of the high power level and the low power level of the circulating pump are each short.

[0027] After the circulation pump runs at a low power level and thus produces a low spray velocity of washing liquid and / or clean water, it is then run at a high power level, which will produce a high spray velocity of washing liquid and / or clean water, and vice versa. It is also possible to consider switching between a medium power level and a low power level, or to completely shut down the circulation pump instead of using a low power level. The repeated switching of the circulation pump between power levels at different heights causes the spray velocity of washing liquid and / or clean water to be repeatedly switched between different heights, which is referred to as pulse flushing. Here, running the circulation pump at a high (or medium) power level is referred to as pulse. In this process, the duration of the various power levels of the circulation pump is short, for example, less than 10 seconds, 8 seconds, 6 seconds, 4 seconds, 2 seconds, 1 second or 0.5 seconds. The duration can be selected so that, for example, one or more pulses of pulse flushing are performed in each rotation of the boom. Pulse flushing can advantageously improve the cleaning effect of the washing liquid and / or clean water because, on the one hand, the laundry is sprayed with liquid in an "impact-like" manner, and on the other hand, the liquid sprayed by the previous pulse can flow away from the laundry, thereby avoiding a possible braking effect on the liquid sprayed by the subsequent pulse.

[0028] According to a further embodiment, the volume of washing liquid and / or clean water located in the pump sump is reduced from a higher amount to a lower amount during the duration of the high power level of the circulation pump.

[0029] Thus, within a pulse of the circulation pump or over the duration of a pulse-rinsing series (i.e., within a plurality of pulses), the volume of washing liquid and / or fresh water in the pump sump is reduced from a higher volume to a lower volume. At the latest when the lower volume is reached, the circulation pump can be stopped or operated at a lower power level, allowing the washing liquid and / or fresh water to accumulate again in the pump sump and the volume therein to be increased back to the higher volume, allowing the domestic dishwasher to perform a new pulse or a new series of pulses. By coordinating the amount of liquid in the washing container with the pulse-rinsing, the amount of liquid can be reduced to a minimum. This approach has the advantage not only of saving the required amount of fresh water but also of reducing the energy required for heating the liquid. Furthermore, the installation space required for the washing container can be precisely adapted to the required amount of liquid and reduced accordingly.

[0030] According to another embodiment, the boom has a first arm and a second arm, wherein the spray arm satellite is rotatably supported about a second rotation axis on the first arm, and a filter cleaning nozzle directed toward the bottom of the washing container is provided on the second arm.

[0031] The first arm extends from a bearing position of the boom, by which the boom is rotatably mounted on the pump sump, and extends to the radial end of the boom. On the side of the boom radially opposite to the first arm, the boom has a second arm, on which a filter cleaning nozzle is arranged. The filter cleaning nozzle is aligned toward the bottom of the washing container, that is, vertically downward, toward the ground. The bottom of the domestic dishwasher can be cleaned by the washing liquid and / or clean water flowing out of the filter cleaning nozzle. If there is a filter at the bottom of the domestic dishwasher, then this filter can also be cleaned by the filter cleaning nozzle. Advantageously, this allows the domestic dishwasher to be cleaned at the same time as the washing, without the need to use additional water or additional heating energy for this purpose.

[0032] Furthermore, a method for operating such a domestic dishwasher is proposed. The domestic dishwasher comprises a washing container, a spray arm, a drive device, and a circulation pump, the method comprising the following steps: a) performing a washing operation of the domestic dishwasher, wherein washing liquid and / or clean water are applied to laundry in the washing container via the spray arm actively driven by the drive device; and b) controlling the circulation pump so that the washing liquid and / or clean water are sprayed from the spray arm in a pulsed manner.

[0033] Particularly preferably, a domestic dishwasher comprises a washing container, a drive device with a drive element, a spray arm, and a circulation pump. The method comprises the following steps: a) performing a washing operation of the domestic dishwasher, wherein washing liquid and / or clean water are applied to the laundry contained in the washing container by means of a spray arm actively driven by the drive device; b) determining the angular position of the drive element; c) controlling the drive device in accordance with the determined angular position of the drive element to adjust the angular position of the spray arm; and d) controlling the circulation pump so that washing liquid and / or clean water are sprayed from the spray arm in a pulsed manner. The washing program is divided into different program segments, thereby achieving particularly efficient cleaning by washing in specific program segments. Furthermore, by determining and controlling the angular position of the spray arm, combined with the targeted control of the circulation pump, a predetermined cleaning effect can be achieved for the laundry located in a specific section.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the angular position of a drive element of the drive device is determined, and the drive device is controlled as a function of the determined angular position of the drive element, so that the angular position of the spray arm is adjusted.

[0035] According to another embodiment, the washing liquid and / or clean water is sprayed out from the spray arms in a pulsed manner during the pre-wash program segment as well as during the washing, intermediate rinsing and / or rinsing, wherein different durations of the high power level and the low power level of the circulation pump are assigned to different program segments.

[0036] Therefore, a pulsed rinse is performed. In this context, "pulsed rinse" refers in particular to the fact that the washing liquid and / or clean water is ejected from the spray arms in a pulsed manner. For example, different power levels of the circulation pump can be assigned different power levels and / or different durations depending on the current program segment. For example, stronger and / or longer pulses can be performed in the washing program segment than in the rinsing phase. The advantage of this is that the program operation can be adapted particularly flexibly to the current task to be performed. For example, if a specific program segment only requires shorter pulses, the execution time can be shortened accordingly, thereby limiting energy consumption and noise emissions.

[0037] According to another embodiment, pulsed rinsing is performed both during the rotational movement of the spray arm and when the spray arm is in a fixed position.

[0038] Pulse flushing can be dependent on or independent of the movement and / or angular position of the spray arms (particularly the boom). For example, pulse flushing can be performed when the spray arms are positioned in a specific section. This allows for particularly intensive cleaning of the laundry, depending on the degree of soiling, through pulse flushing, while minimizing noise emissions.

[0039] According to another embodiment, the drive device is driven by a control device to control the cumulative residence time of the spray arm satellite in a specific section during a program segment, and / or the power level of the circulation pump is driven by the control device in a targeted manner to achieve a predetermined symmetrical or asymmetrical distribution of the cleaning intensity relative to the first rotation axis of the spray arm.

[0040] Therefore, the control device controls the drive device so that the spray arm satellite stays in a specific section for a specific cumulative time within the program segment. Alternatively, the control device can also specifically control the power level of the circulation pump, so that the circulation pump operates at a specific power level according to the section in which the spray arm satellite is located. In this way, a preset distribution of cleaning intensity that is symmetrical or asymmetrical relative to the first rotation axis can be achieved. This allows the program operation to adapt to the distribution of the laundry in the domestic dishwasher and its degree of contamination, thereby performing particularly efficient cleaning. Overall, this not only saves water and energy, but also allows the entire cleaning process to be completed in a shorter time and produces lower cumulative noise emissions.

[0041] According to a further embodiment, the detection device for detecting the angular position of the drive element comprises an optical, magnetic, electrical and / or mechanical sensor device.

[0042] In this way, the angular position of the drive element can be determined particularly reliably while simultaneously avoiding influencing the rotational movement of the drive element.

[0043] According to another embodiment, when pulsed rinsing is performed, the durations of the different power levels of the circulation pump are selected such that the spray arm satellite completes approximately one complete rotation about the second axis of rotation within the duration of the high (or medium) power level and the low power level of the circulation pump.

[0044] In this way, each individual pulse advantageously enables an application of washing liquid and / or clean water to the laundry that is evenly distributed in all horizontal directions relative to the spray arm satellites, so that overall, in particular within a section, a particularly uniform cleaning effect can be achieved.

[0045] According to another embodiment, the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis are arranged in parallel and maintain a certain distance from each other in the lateral direction (ie, horizontal direction).

[0046] Advantageously, in this way, the movement of the spray arm satellites can be superimposed on the movement of the boom, so that an extended movement pattern is achieved and thus an improved cleaning effect is achieved.

[0047] Further possible embodiments of the domestic dishwasher and / or the method include combinations of features or embodiments described above or below with respect to the exemplary embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned. In the process, a person skilled in the art may also incorporate individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the domestic dishwasher and / or the method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Further advantageous configurations and aspects of the domestic dishwasher and / or the method are the subject matter of the dependent claims and of the exemplary embodiments of the domestic dishwasher and / or the method described below. Preferred embodiments of the domestic dishwasher and / or the method will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0049] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a domestic dishwasher;

[0050] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the lower area of ​​a domestic dishwasher is shown;

[0051] Figure 3 Shown according to Figure 1 A schematic top view of one embodiment of a spray arm of a domestic dishwasher is shown;

[0052] Figure 4 Shown according to Figure 1 A schematic top view of an embodiment of a drive element for a domestic dishwasher is shown;

[0053] Figure 5 Shown according to Figure 1 A non-scale schematic diagram of the power levels of a circulation pump for a domestic dishwasher is shown; and

[0054] Figure 6 Shown according to Figure 1 The diagram shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a method for operating a domestic dishwasher. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference signs unless otherwise indicated.

[0056] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a domestic dishwasher 1 is shown. The domestic dishwasher 1 includes a washing container 2, which can be sealed, in particular waterproofed, by a door 3. To this end, a sealing device can be provided between the door 3 and the washing container 2. The washing container 2 is preferably rectangular and can be installed within the housing of the domestic dishwasher 1. The washing container 2 and the door 3 form a washing chamber 4 for washing laundry.

[0057] Door 3 Figure 1 The washing container 2 is shown in its open state. The door 3 can be closed or opened by swinging a swing shaft 5 provided at the lower end of the door 3. The door 3 also allows the inlet 6 of the washing container 2 to be closed or opened. The washing container 2 has a bottom 7, a top 8 opposite the bottom 7, a rear wall 9 opposite the closed door 3, and two opposing side walls 10 and 11. The bottom 7, top 8, rear wall 9, and side walls 10 and 11 can be made, for example, of stainless steel sheet metal. Alternatively, the bottom 7 can be made of a plastic material, for example.

[0058] The domestic dishwasher 1 further comprises at least one laundry rack 12 to 14. Preferably, a plurality (e.g., three) laundry racks 12 to 14 can be provided, wherein the laundry rack 12 can be a lower laundry rack or a lower basket, the laundry rack 13 can be an upper laundry rack or an upper basket, and the laundry rack 14 can be a cutlery drawer. Figure 1 As further shown, the laundry racks 12 to 14 are stacked one on top of the other in the washing container 2. Each laundry rack 12 to 14 can be selectively moved into or out of the washing container 2. In particular, each laundry rack 12 to 14 can be pushed into or driven into the washing container 2 along an insertion direction E and pulled out or driven out of the washing container 2 along a withdrawal direction A opposite to the insertion direction E.

[0059] Figure 2 The figure shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the lower area of ​​a domestic dishwasher 1. A pump sump 15 is arranged vertically below the washing container 2, which has a filter 16 and a bottom 17. Due to the effect of gravity, washing liquid and / or fresh water F accumulates in the lower area of ​​the pump sump 15. The amount of liquid in the pump sump 15 is within the upper limit V. O and the lower limit V U changes between. The pump tank 15 is also used to support the spray arm 18, which is rotatably mounted on the pump tank 15 around a first rotation axis 19. The spray arm 18 has a boom 20, which in turn has a first arm 21 and a second arm 22 arranged opposite to the first arm 21. A filter cleaning nozzle 23 can be provided on the second arm 22 for spraying washing liquid and / or clean water F vertically downward to clean the filter 16. The spray arm satellite 24 is rotatably mounted on the first arm 21 of the boom 20 around a second rotation axis 25. The first rotation axis 19 and the second rotation axis 25 are arranged in parallel and laterally spaced from each other. The spray arm satellite 24 has an upwardly directed spray nozzle 26 for applying washing liquid and / or clean water F to the laundry.

[0060] The boom 20 is connected to a drive device 27, which includes a drive element 28 and a detection device 29. The drive element 28 enables targeted, active driving of the boom 20. The boom 20 is connected to the drive element 28, for example, via a gearbox of the drive device 27. The gearbox has multiple gears. The angular zero position of the drive element 28, particularly the angular zero position of one of the gears, is detected by the detection device 29 using optical, magnetic, electrical, or mechanical means. The spray arm satellite 24 is driven by the recoil force of the cleaning liquid and / or clean water F flowing out of the spray nozzle 26, i.e., it is driven passively.

[0061] A circulation pump 30 is provided between the pump sump 15 and the spray arm 18. The circulation pump generates a pressure jump for conveying washing liquid and / or clean water F from the pump sump 15, through the spray arm 18, and spraying it out of the spray nozzle 26 and (if present) from the filter cleaning nozzle 23, so that the washing is rinsed with the washing liquid and / or clean water F. The control device 31 is used on the one hand to drive the circulation pump 30 and on the other hand to drive the drive device 27. The control device 31 can, for example, determine the angular position of the drive element 28 from the angular zero position of the drive element 28, that is, its circumferential position around the first rotation axis 19. In addition, the control device 31 can, for example, control the drive element 28 based on the angular position of the boom 20 determined by the detection device 29 and the control device 31.

[0062] Figure 3 A schematic top view of the spray arm 18 and the circular area 32 it covers during one rotation about the first rotation axis 19 are shown. The boom 20, which is rotatably supported in a central region about the first rotation axis 19, and the spray arm satellite 24, which is rotatably mounted on the boom 20 about the second rotation axis 25, can be seen. The angular position 33 of the boom 20 defines the orientation of the boom 20 and, in particular, the position of the spray arm satellite 24 in the circumferential direction U. The angular position 33 thus describes the extent to which the boom 20 has been rotated about the first rotation axis 19.

[0063] The circular area 32 swept by the boom 20 during one rotation about the first rotation axis 19 is divided into a plurality of segments 34, 35, wherein Figure 3 Thus, each segment 34, 35 represents a subregion of the circular area 32, which is bounded on both sides by straight radial lines 36 (at Figure 3The radial lines (only one of which is marked with a reference numeral) extend from the center of the circular area 32 to the circumference 37 of the circular area 32 and are defined on the third side by corresponding portions of the circumference 37. The figure shows the division of the circular area 32 into eight segments 34, 35. However, the circular area 32 can also be divided into six, ten, or twelve segments 34, 35, etc. The angular position 33 of the boom 20 determines in which segment 34, 35 the spray arm satellite 24 is located.

[0064] The boom 20 rotates around the first rotation axis 19 at a rotation speed that can be oriented in the circumferential direction U or counter to the circumferential direction U. Thus, the boom 20 can rotate around the first rotation axis 19 clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0065] Figure 4 A top view of the drive element 28 is shown. An angular position 38 of the drive element 28 can be seen, indicating the position of the drive element 28 about the first rotation axis 19. The drive element 28 can include a drive shaft 39 that is rotatable about the first rotation axis 19. However, the drive shaft 39 can also be offset relative to the first rotation axis 19. The so-called angular position 38 refers to the extent to which the drive shaft 39 has been rotated by a specific angle.

[0066] Figure 5 A non-scale diagram shows the power level L of the circulation pump 30 during an exemplary program. The horizontal axis represents the time points during the program, which is exemplarily divided into the program segments: pre-wash V, wash R, intermediate rinse Z, and rinse K. The vertical axis represents the power level L of the circulation pump 30, which is transmitted to the circulation pump 30 as a setpoint by the control unit 31. A high power level L results in a higher discharge velocity of the washing liquid and / or wash water F from the spray nozzles 26. Correspondingly, a low power level L of the circulation pump 30 results in a lower discharge velocity.

[0067] In the program segment for pre-washing V, the circulation pump 30 operates at a medium power level L and is continuously driven. In the program segment - cleaning R, the control device 31 drives the circulation pump 30 to perform pulsed flushing, that is, repeatedly switching between different power levels. During the period t R,H and the period t during which the circulation pump 30 has a low power level L R,N The cleaning segments R have the same length of approximately 2 seconds each. During the cleaning segment R, pulsed flushing initially occurs between the high power level and the low power level L, but as the cleaning segment R progresses, the high power level L is replaced by the medium power level L.

[0068] The cleaning intensity can vary over time during the program segment, for example, and can also depend on the angular position 33 of the boom. During the program segment - intermediate rinse Z, pulsed rinse is also performed, but this time the time period t of the high (or medium) power level L is Z,H The period t during which the circulating pump 30 is at the low power level L is reduced. Z,N During the rinse program segment K, the circulation pump 30 is again operated continuously at the medium power level L. Pulsed rinsing primarily involves alternating the circulation pump 30 between the high or medium power level L and the low power level L. However, it is also conceivable to completely and periodically shut down the circulation pump 30. In this case, pulsed rinsing would alternate between the high or medium power level L and the stopped state of the circulation pump 30.

[0069] Figure 6 A schematic block diagram shows an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a domestic dishwasher 1. Step S1 comprises the various program segments, namely, prewash V, rinse R, intermediate rinse Z, and rinse K. Within the rinse R program segment, step S2 is executed to determine the angular position 33 of the boom 20. Subsequently, in step S3, the drive 27 is activated to move and / or position the boom 20 in a targeted manner. Finally, in step S4, the circulating pump 30 is activated to achieve a specific output level L of the circulating pump 30. However, steps S2 to S4 can also be components of all program segments K, R, V, and Z within step S1.

[0070] Although the invention has been described by way of example, it can be modified in many ways.

[0071] Reference Number List

[0072] 1. Household dishwasher

[0073] 2 washing containers

[0074] 3 doors

[0075] 4 Washing chamber

[0076] 5 Swing axis

[0077] 6 Feed port

[0078] 7 Bottom

[0079] 8 Top

[0080] 9 Posterior wall

[0081] 10 Sidewall

[0082] 11 Sidewall

[0083] 12 laundry rack

[0084] 13 laundry rack

[0085] 14 laundry rack

[0086] 15 Pump Pool

[0087] 16 filter

[0088] 17 bottom

[0089] 18 spray arms

[0090] 19 Rotation axis

[0091] 20 boom

[0092] 21 arms

[0093] 22 arms

[0094] 23 Filter cleaning nozzle

[0095] 24 Spray arm satellites

[0096] 25 Rotation axis

[0097] 26 spray nozzles

[0098] 27 Drive unit

[0099] 28 drive components

[0100] 29 Detection device

[0101] 30 Circulation Pump

[0102] 31 Control device

[0103] 32 Area of ​​a circle

[0104] 33 Angular position

[0105] 34 Segment Domain

[0106] 35 Segment Domain

[0107] 36 radial lines

[0108] 37 Circumference

[0109] 38 Angular Position

[0110] 39 drive shaft

[0111] A Extraction direction

[0112] E Insertion direction

[0113] F Detergent and / or water

[0114] K Rinse / Program segment

[0115] L Power Level

[0116] R Cleaning / Program segment

[0117] S1 Step

[0118] S2 step

[0119] S3 Steps

[0120] S4 step

[0121] t R,H Duration

[0122] t R,N Duration

[0123] t Z,H Duration

[0124] t Z,N Duration

[0125] U Circumferential direction

[0126] V Prewash / Program segment

[0127] V O Higher amount

[0128] V U Lower amount

[0129] Z Intermediate flush / program segment.

Claims

1. A household dishwasher (1), comprising: A washing container (2), a spray arm (18) for applying washing liquid and / or clean water (F) to laundry contained in the washing container (2), a drive device (27) for actively driving the spray arm (18), a circulation pump (30) for conveying the washing liquid and / or clean water (F), and a control device (31) for driving the drive device (27) and the circulation pump (30), wherein the control device (31) drives the circulation pump (30) during the washing operation of the domestic dishwasher (1) so that the washing liquid and / or clean water (F) is sprayed from the spray arm (18) in a pulsed manner.

2. The household dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized in that The spray arm (18) comprises a suspension rod (20) rotatably mounted around a first rotation axis (19) and a spray arm satellite (24) rotatably mounted on the suspension rod (20) around a second rotation axis (25).

3. The household dishwasher according to claim 2, characterized in that The drive device (27) has a drive element (28) and a detection device (29) for determining an angular position (38) of the drive element (28).

4. The household dishwasher according to claim 3, characterized in that The control device (31) and the drive device (27) are designed to determine the angular position (33) of the boom (20) based on the determined angular position (38) of the drive element (28), wherein the control device (31) drives the drive device (27) based on the determined angular position (38) of the boom (20) so that the angular position (33) of the boom (20) can be adjusted.

5. The household dishwasher according to claim 2, characterized in that The control device (31) is designed to control the drive device (27) so that the boom (20) rotates and stops after a specific predetermined time interval.

6. The domestic dishwasher according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The control device (31) and the drive device (27) are designed to move the boom (20) in a circumferential direction (U) and / or counter-circumferential direction (U) around the first rotation axis (19) at a predetermined rotation speed among a plurality of different rotation speeds.

7. The household dishwasher according to claim 6, characterized in that The control device (31) is designed to control the drive device (27) to stop the boom (20) in a predetermined section (34, 35) according to a determined angular position (33) of the boom (20), and to start the boom (20) in the section (34, 35) and / or to fix the boom in a stationary manner over time even during the spraying of the washing liquid and / or fresh water (F) from the spray arm (18).

8. The household dishwasher according to claim 7, characterized in that The domestic dishwasher (1) is designed to control the cumulative residence time of the spray arm satellite (24) in a specific section (34, 35) during a program segment by targeted actuation of the drive device (27) and / or to achieve a predetermined and symmetrical or asymmetrical distribution of the cleaning intensity relative to the first rotation axis (19) by targeted actuation of the power level (L) of the circulation pump (30).

9. The household dishwasher according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that The control device (31) is designed to divide the circular area (32) covered by the rotation of the boom (20) into a limited number of segments (34, 35) and to allocate a relevant amount of cleaning intensity to be performed to each segment (34, 35) by means of a cleaning program, wherein the control device (31) is particularly designed to enable a user of the domestic dishwasher (1) to influence the distribution of the cleaning intensity by means of a program input on the domestic dishwasher (1) and / or by means of a portable electronic terminal.

10. The domestic dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The control device (31) is designed to control the circulation pump (30) to repeatedly change between a high power level and a low power level (L) to achieve pulse flushing, wherein the duration of the high power level and the low power level (L) of the circulation pump (30) are respectively short.

11. The household dishwasher according to claim 10, characterized in that During the duration of the high power level (L) of the circulation pump (30), the volume of the washing liquid and / or clean water (F) in the pump sump (15) decreases from a higher amount (V O ) is reduced to a lower amount (V U ).

12. A method for operating a domestic dishwasher (1), in particular according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a washing container (2), a spray arm (18), a drive device (27) and a circulation pump (30), wherein: The method comprises the following steps: a) performing (S1) a washing operation of the domestic dishwasher (1), wherein washing liquid and / or fresh water (F) is applied to the laundry contained in the washing container (2) by means of the spray arm (18) actively driven by the drive device (27), and b) driving (S4) the circulation pump (30) so that the washing liquid and / or clean water (F) is sprayed out from the spray arm (18) in a pulsed manner.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The angular position (38) of the drive element (28) of the drive device (27) is determined, and the drive device (27) is controlled according to the determined angular position (38) of the drive element (28) so that the angular position (33) of the spray arm (18) is adjusted.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that Pulse flushing is performed both during the rotational movement of the spray arm (18) and when the spray arm (18) is in a fixed position.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that During the program segments for prewash (V) and during the program segments for washing (R), intermediate rinsing (Z) and / or rinsing (K), the washing liquid and / or clean water (F) is sprayed out from the spray arm (18) in a pulsed manner, wherein different durations of the high power level and the low power level (L) of the circulation pump (30) are assigned to different program segments (V, K, R, Z), and / or wherein the drive device (27) is driven by the control device (31) to control the cumulative residence time of the spray arm satellite (24) of the spray arm (18) in a specific segment (34, 35) during the program segments (V, R, Z, K), and / or the power level (L) of the circulation pump (30) is driven in a targeted manner by the control device (31) to achieve a predetermined symmetrical or asymmetrical distribution of the washing intensity relative to the first rotation axis (19) of the spray arm (18).

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