METHOD AND CONTROL DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING A DRYING PROCESS IN A CLEANING DEVICE, COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT AND CLEANING DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a device for adapting a drying process in a cleaning device and to a cleaning device.

[0002] Dishwasher cleaning programs include a drying cycle to dry the cleaned dishes.

[0003] DE 10 2016 106430 A1 discloses a method for operating a dishwasher which has a camera for capturing an image of the dishwasher's interior, with which an image of a reference surface arranged in the wash chamber is taken. The image serves to determine the turbidity of the wash water and the type of soiling.

[0004] JP 2003 235781 A discloses a dishwasher with a camera for capturing an image of a dishwashing basket and the items it contains. This allows the amount of items to be determined and the wash program to be adjusted accordingly.

[0005] German patent DE 10 2019 100190 A1 discloses a dishwasher with a camera for recording the interior of the dishwasher. In order to be able to visually record as much of the interior as possible, the camera is mounted in a way that allows it to be moved and / or swiveled.

[0006] The invention aims to provide an improved method and an improved device for adjusting a drying process in a cleaning device, an improved camera, and an improved cleaning device.

[0007] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a method and a device for adapting a drying process in a cleaning device, as well as a cleaning device with the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are described in the following dependent claims.

[0008] The advantages achievable with the invention are that the drying process in a cleaning device can be shortened and improved. This can also improve customer satisfaction.

[0009] A method for adjusting a drying process in a cleaning device using a camera to capture the interior of the cleaning device includes the following steps: Reading an image signal via an interface to the camera, wherein the image signal represents an image captured by the camera; determining a drop signal using the image signal, wherein the drop signal represents a characteristic of drops depicted in the image on a protective lens of the camera; and providing an adjustment signal to adjust the drying process using the drop signal.

[0010] A cleaning device can be understood to be a dishwasher used for cleaning items. The cleaning device may be designed to initiate a drying process after the cleaning cycle, in which the items are exposed to a cleaning fluid. The camera can be positioned, for example, on the inside of a door of the cleaning device or on a wall of the interior. The detection area of ​​the camera's image sensor can be directed through the protective screen into the interior, i.e., the washing chamber of the cleaning device. The protective screen thus borders the interior of the cleaning device and separates it from the camera area, thereby preventing cleaning fluid from entering the camera or the camera housing.On the protective screen, i.e., on the outer surface of the screen facing the interior of the cleaning device, droplets of cleaning fluid used during a cleaning program can accumulate. The camera can be used to monitor the drying process. For this purpose, the camera can capture at least one image during the drying process. By analyzing the image, the progress of the drying process can be determined, and the further course of the drying process can be adjusted accordingly. As long as droplets are still visible on the protective screen in the image, it can be assumed that sufficient drying has not yet occurred.

[0011] Advantageously, this method prevents items being damp or even completely wet after washing, depending on the material, and thus avoids the need for manual drying. The invention also prevents customer dissatisfaction with the drying result. Despite their small size, droplets inside the dishwasher can be visualized using this method. This does not require an expensive camera system. Advantageously, the dishwasher interior can be monitored using a camera and appropriate image analysis.Such a camera may be one that is additionally used in the cleaning program, in particular the cleaning and / or drying process, for one or more further sensory tasks, for example to optically monitor and evaluate the degree and / or types of load and / or degree and / or types of soiling, and to use the information obtained to improve, for example, the washing performance and / or increase ease of use.

[0012] The method can include a step of outputting an activation signal to an interface for at least one light source to illuminate a protective lens of the camera. The activation signal activates the light source, thereby improving the detection of droplets on the protective lens. Preferably, several light sources are provided to illuminate the camera's protective lens, the light beams of which are coupled laterally into the protective lens, for example, through a circumferential side surface of the protective lens that encircles it.

[0013] The process can include a step of sending a deactivation signal to an interface for the cleaning machine's interior wash chamber lighting. This interior wash chamber lighting is not provided by the one or more light sources used to illuminate the camera's protective lens; instead, it comprises one or more additional light sources. The deactivation signal allows the interior wash chamber lighting to be deactivated. In other words, the image is captured with the cleaning machine's interior wash chamber lighting deactivated. This maximizes the illumination of the droplets on the protective lens and thus the contrast between the droplets and the background. The droplets then appear, for example, as bright, round areas against a dark background.

[0014] The method can include a step of outputting a cooling signal to an interface with a cooling device to cool the camera's protective lens. This cooling signal activates the cooling device. This offers the advantage of increasing condensation of droplets on the camera's protective lens by cooling it.

[0015] The method can evaluate, during the provisioning step, the characteristic of the imaged droplets as a number and, additionally or alternatively, a size, or in particular the ratio of the number and size of the imaged droplets. This allows the matching signal to be determined. This enables a more precise evaluation of the droplets and thus of the progress of the drying process.

[0016] In the acquisition step, an additional image signal can be acquired from the camera, representing another image captured by the camera. In the determination step, a load signal can be determined using this additional image signal, representing the type and / or quantity of material in the cleaning device. In the provisioning step, the adjustment signal for adapting the drying process can be provided using this load signal. Advantageously, the type and / or quantity of material can be incorporated into the adjustment of the drying process in this way. Both the load and the droplet formation can be captured using one and the same camera. The acquisition of the additional image signal preferably takes place with the cleaning device's internal rinsing chamber lighting activated; however, the light source used to illuminate the camera's protective lens is preferably deactivated.

[0017] A suitable camera for capturing the interior of a cleaning device may include the aforementioned protective screen and at least one light source designed to illuminate the protective screen.

[0018] The light source improves droplet detection compared to a camera without one. Despite the light source, cost-effective droplet detection using a camera on the protective screen is still possible.

[0019] The light source is located outside the interior of the cleaning device and is specifically oriented such that the light rays it emits are coupled directly into the protective screen, i.e., without passing through any part of the interior of the cleaning device. Unlike the optional interior cleaning chamber lighting, it is not intended to illuminate the interior of the cleaning device, but rather the protective screen.

[0020] The camera may have a cooling device to cool its protective lens. This increases the condensation of droplets on the lens. The cooling device may be fully integrated into the camera or partially located outside the camera housing.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the cooling device can be designed as a fan. Such a fan is cost-effective.

[0022] The protective lens, and additionally or alternatively the camera housing, can have cooling fins. These fins improve the cooling of the camera's protective lens. They increase the surface area exposed to airflow, resulting in more pronounced condensation of droplets on the lens.

[0023] Furthermore, the cooling system can be electrothermal. This can be achieved with a Peltier element and offers the advantage that a small installation space within the camera is sufficient due to the small size of a Peltier element.

[0024] In another embodiment, the cooling device can be designed as a water cooling system. This can be implemented with minimal effort, for example by using a small diaphragm pump to circulate a small flow of water to the camera.

[0025] A device for adjusting a drying process in a cleaning device, equipped with a camera for capturing the interior of the cleaning device, can perform the steps of the aforementioned procedure in appropriate units.

[0026] Such a device can be configured to read input signals and, using these input signals, determine and provide output signals. An input signal can, for example, be a sensor signal readable via an input interface of the device. An output signal can be a control signal or a data signal that can be provided at an output interface of the device. The device can be configured to determine the output signals using a processing instruction implemented in hardware or software. For example, the device can include a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, or a software module and may be implemented as, or comprised of, a discrete component.

[0027] The device can be implemented, for example, as part of a control unit of the cleaning device or in addition to such a control unit.

[0028] A suitable cleaning device with a camera can include such a device. Thus, the described approach can be advantageously implemented in a cleaning device.

[0029] The cleaning device can have a door to close the interior and a heat dissipation device. The camera can be attached to the door, and the heat dissipation device can be designed to transfer heat from the camera to the door. This is advantageous because heating the camera could make it more difficult for droplets to condense on the protective lens.

[0030] Although the described approach is based on a household appliance, the cleaning device or procedure described here can be used accordingly in connection with a commercial or professional device, for example a cleaning or disinfection device.

[0031] A computer program product or computer program with program code that can be stored on a machine-readable medium such as semiconductor memory, hard disk memory, or optical memory is also advantageous. If the program product or program is executed on a computer or device, it can be used to carry out, implement, and / or control the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described above.

[0032] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a cleaning device with a camera according to one embodiment; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a cleaning device with a camera according to another embodiment; Figure 3 is a schematic detail view of a camera in a door of a cleaning device according to one embodiment; Figure 3A is a schematic representation of a cross-section in the area of ​​the opening in a door of a cleaning device for a camera according to one embodiment; Figure 4 is a schematic detail view of a camera in a door of a cleaning device according to another embodiment; Figure 5 is a camera image with condensed droplets according to one embodiment; Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a control device of a cleaning device according to one embodiment; Figure 7 is a flowchart of a method for adjusting a drying process in a cleaning device according to one embodiment;and Figure 8 a flowchart of a method for adapting a drying process in a cleaning device according to a further embodiment.

[0033] Figure 1Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a cleaning device 100 with a camera 105 according to an exemplary embodiment. The cleaning device 100 is designed as a dishwasher, which, like conventional dishwashers, can perform a cleaning program with a drying cycle. The camera 105 is designed to capture the interior of the cleaning device 100. Using the camera 105, the progress of the drying process can be monitored. This allows for adjustments to the drying process. For example, the drying process can be terminated if an evaluation of a camera image indicates that sufficient drying has occurred, or the drying process can be extended if an evaluation of the camera image indicates that there is still too much moisture in the interior of the cleaning device.

[0034] Camera 105 can be a camera like the one already installed in cleaning devices 100. Optionally, a camera optimized for detecting droplets or moisture can be used.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the cleaning device 100 has a door consisting primarily of an outer door panel 115 and an inner door panel 120. In one embodiment, an internal camera housing 125 with a protective lens 130 is latched in an opening in the inner door panel 120 of the cleaning device 100. The protective lens 130 is, for example, a camera lens made of transparent Grilamid. An existing seal between the protective lens 130 and the inner door panel 120 is in Figure 1 not explicitly shown. The actual camera 105 is snapped into the camera housing 125. This design and arrangement of the camera 105 is merely an example.

[0036] Furthermore, in Figure 1 a rear wall 135 of the dishwasher interior, an upper basket 145 and a lower basket 150, each with items to be washed 155, 160 as load, as well as a middle spray arm 165 indicated.

[0037] To use the cleaning device 100, the operator loads the items to be cleaned 155, 160 and activates the cleaning program. The items 155, 160 are cleaned. After cleaning, the drying process begins. According to one embodiment, a droplet sensor is implemented using the camera 105, in particular based on a reflection measurement or refraction measurement on the illuminated front panel in front of the camera 105 facing the interior of the cleaning chamber. After image analysis, the drying phase of the active cleaning program can be dynamically adapted to the prevailing wetting conditions in order to achieve a better drying result.

[0038] In Figure 1 A section of the image 170 around camera 105 is marked, which is subsequently analyzed using the Figure 3 and 4 will be described in more detail.

[0039] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a cleaning device 100 with a camera 105 according to a further embodiment, wherein it is the one in Figure 1 The described cleaning device 100 can be used. Figure 2 A wash chamber interior light 200 is shown. The wash chamber interior light 200 is switched on, for example, when the door 110 is open, as well as for other applications of the camera 105. However, in the application of the camera 105 described here for adjusting the drying process, the wash chamber interior light 200 is preferably switched off. When an image for droplet detection is taken with the camera 105, the wash chamber interior light 200 is preferably deactivated to maximize the image contrast between refraction at the droplets and the background.

[0040] Figure 3Figure 1 shows a schematic detail view of a camera 105 in a door 110 of a cleaning device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. This can be the indicated image section of the camera shown in Figure 105. Figure 1 The cleaning device shown is number 100. Figure 3 For droplet detection, useful but optional extensions to the hardware components of the camera 105 are outlined. According to one embodiment, recesses 301 are provided in the camera housing 125 for switchable light sources 300, through which visible or infrared light rays 305 can be coupled laterally into the protective screen 130. Ideally, the light rays 305 are coupled in such a way that the effect of total internal (diffuse) reflection in the protective screen 130 is achieved; that is, no coupled light escapes from a clean, unwetted protective screen 130 that could be detected by the camera sensor 310.

[0041] According to the exemplary embodiment, the protective screen 130 has a first surface 320 facing the interior of the cleaning device 100, which is, for example, curved, such as in the form of a spherical cap. Set back from this surface in the direction of the camera sensor 310, the protective screen 130 has a second surface 330, which is preferably equidistant from the first surface 320. The protective screen 130 is enclosed laterally by a circumferential side surface 340, which connects the first surface 320 and the second surface 330 and encloses the protective screen 130 in an approximately ring-like manner. This side surface 340 has one or more coupling sections 360 at which the light rays 305 emitted by the light sources 300 can be coupled into the protective screen 130.At one or more coupling sections 360, the side surface 340 has, in particular, a uniformly diffuse, planar surface; for this purpose, the surface can be roughened, for example, by sandblasting, etching, or grinding. A light source 300 is oriented with respect to the associated coupling section 360 such that the principal axis of the light beam 305 or light beam emitted by the light source 300 is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the surface of the coupling section 360. This ensures that as much light as possible is coupled uniformly into the protective disc 130.Preferably, the opening angle 350 of the light beam 305, which widens into a light beam, and the arrangement of the light source 300 relative to the coupling section 360 are selected such that when the light is coupled into the protective disc 130, the protective disc is illuminated by the light beam at least approximately over its entire width between the first surface 320 and the second surface 330.

[0042] To further illustrate this, it shows Figure 3A for one of the Figure 3A corresponding embodiment is schematically illustrated in a cross-sectional drawing in the area of ​​the opening 370 in the inner door panel 120. The protective screen 130 projects beyond the opening 370 with the edge of its first surface 320. Several light sources 300, here six arranged in pairs opposite each other, emit light beams 305 which are coupled laterally into the protective screen 130 via respective coupling sections 360 in a direction tangential to its first and second surfaces. Thus, homogeneous illumination of the protective screen 130 can be achieved.

[0043] Figure 4 Figure 1 shows a schematic detail view of a camera 105 in a door 110 of a cleaning device 100. This may be the indicated image section of the camera. Figure 1 The cleaning device shown, number 100, is about the cleaning device shown, as well as the cleaning device shown. Figure 3 described camera 105.

[0044] If the protective disc 130 becomes wetted with water and moisture during a rinsing cycle, droplets 400 remain on it until the drying phase. These droplets 400 now cause disturbances in the refractive behavior of the protective disc 130 due to the altered critical angle conditions, which ideally result in reflections 405 on the image sensor 310 of the camera 105.

[0045] To actively enhance the desired effect of droplet condensation on the protective screen 130, it is advantageous to cool the protective screen 130 directly, or indirectly the camera housing 125, with a cooling device 410, which is schematically indicated here. This can be achieved with a small fan. According to one embodiment, such a fan can be used synergistically both to cool the protective screen 130 of the camera 105 and for other purposes, in particular for dehumidifying an automatic dosing system of the cleaning device 100. Ideally, in such a solution, the protective screen 130 and / or the camera housing 125 are supplemented with cooling fins that increase the surface area for the airflow. Alternatively, active cooling using Peltier elements is also possible. However, the waste heat, which is dissipated either to the outer door panel 115 or even to the inner door panel 120, must be taken into account.In the last case, according to one embodiment, the distance to the camera opening in the inner door panel 120 is maximized by means of a simple thermal coupling, a so-called heat pipe, in order to avoid thermal feedback and thus efficiency losses. A third cooling option is water cooling with fresh water, provided the cleaning device 100 is not operated from a hot water connection. For this purpose, according to one embodiment, a small diaphragm pump is used to circulate a small flow of water from a water reservoir, for example filled with cool fresh water, around the camera housing 125 to be cooled.

[0046] Figure 5 Figure 400 shows a camera image of condensed droplets according to an exemplary embodiment. The camera image was taken, for example, using a camera as described with reference to the preceding figures.

[0047] If the desired effect of droplet condensation occurs on the camera's protective lens, the resulting camera image is comparable to... Figure 5 To achieve this, the interior lighting of the wash chamber (typically one or more LEDs 200 arranged on an outer wall of the wash tank) is advantageously deactivated in order to maximize the illumination of the droplets 400 on the protective screen with a light source for illuminating the protective screen and thus maximizing the contrast between the droplets 400 and the background 500. This makes the droplets 400 appear as bright, round areas against an otherwise dark background 500. Such areas can be captured and analyzed using suitable image processing. For example, the size, shape, and / or number of areas are captured and analyzed.

[0048] Figure 6Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a control device 600 of a cleaning device according to an exemplary embodiment. The control device 600 can, for example, be implemented using the following: Figure 1 The described cleaning device can be used in conjunction with a camera 105 that is or can be arranged inside the cleaning device. The drying process of the cleaning device can be adjusted using the control device 600.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the control device 600 is connected in its ready-to-use state via one interface to the camera 105 and via another interface to a drying device 605. The drying device 605 is configured to perform or control a drying process. The camera 105 is configured to capture an image and provide an image signal 610 representing the image. Using the image signal 610, the control device 600 is configured to provide an adjustment signal 615 for adapting the drying process to the drying device 605. For example, the adjustment signal 615 is suitable for extending the drying process, changing the drying performance of the drying process, or terminating the drying process.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the control device 600 comprises a reading device 620, a determination device 625, a supply device 630, and optionally an output device 635. The reading device 620 is configured to read the image signal 610. The determination device 625 is configured to determine, using the image signal 610, a drop signal 640 that represents a characteristic of the droplets depicted in the image on the protective screen of the camera 105. For example, the drop signal 640 indicates a number and / or size of the droplets depicted in the image. The supply device 630 is configured to provide the adjustment signal 615 for adjusting the drying process using the drop signal 640.

[0051] According to different embodiments, the optional output device 635 is designed to output an activation signal 645, a deactivation signal 650 and / or a cooling signal 655.

[0052] If the camera 105 has a light source 300 for illuminating the protective lens of the camera 105, the control device 600 is configured according to one embodiment to output the activation signal 645 to an interface to the light source 300 in order to activate the light source 300 and thereby illuminate the protective lens of the camera 105. Advantageously, the image is captured by the camera 105 while the light source 300 is activated.

[0053] If the cleaning device has an interior wash chamber light 200 for illuminating the interior of the cleaning device, the control device 600 is configured according to one embodiment to output the deactivation signal 650 to an interface with the interior wash chamber light 200 of the cleaning device in order to deactivate the interior wash chamber light 200. Advantageously, the image is captured by the camera 105 while the interior wash chamber light 200 is deactivated.

[0054] If the camera 105 has a cooling device 410 for cooling the protective lens, the control device 600 is configured according to one embodiment to output the cooling signal 655 to an interface to the cooling device 410 in order to activate the cooling device and thus cool the protective lens of the camera 105. This increases the condensation of droplets on the protective lens of the camera 105.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the control device 600 is configured to initiate the recording of the image by the camera 105 or to read in the image signal 610 after the activation signal 645, the deactivation signal 650 and the cooling signal 655 have been output.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the reading device 620 is configured to read in a further image signal 660 via the interface to the camera 105. This further image signal 660 represents another image captured by the camera 105. Advantageously, this further image is captured while the interior cleaning chamber lighting 200 is activated and the light source 300 is deactivated. The determination device 625 is configured to determine the type of load in the cleaning device using the further image signal 660, or to determine a load signal 665 representing the type of load. For example, a quantity of the items to be washed or a material of the items to be washed is determined. In this case, the supply device 630 is configured to provide the adjustment signal 615 for adjusting the drying process using the load signal 665.

[0057] Figure 7Figure 700 shows a flowchart of a method 700 for adapting a drying process in a cleaning device according to an exemplary embodiment. Method 700 can, for example, be carried out in connection with a cleaning device as described with reference to the preceding figures.

[0058] Method 700 comprises step 705 of reading an image signal via an interface to the camera, wherein the image signal represents an image captured by the camera. Method 700 further comprises step 710 of determining a drop signal using the image signal, wherein the drop signal represents a characteristic of the drops depicted in the image. In step 715, an adjustment signal is provided for adjusting the drying process using the drop signal.

[0059] The procedure 700 optionally includes step 720, which outputs an activation signal to an interface for a light source to illuminate a protective lens of the camera, thereby activating the light source. In an optional step 725, a deactivation signal is output to an interface for an interior wash chamber light of the cleaning device, thereby deactivating the interior wash chamber light. In step 730, a cooling signal is output to an interface for a cooling device to cool the protective lens of the camera, thereby activating the cooling device.

[0060] In particular, steps 705 and 710 can be executed repeatedly to continuously obtain information about the current drying state. Depending on the current drying state, the drying process can be adjusted in step 715, if appropriate to optimize the drying process. Optionally, successively obtained information about the drying state can be compared, and in step 715, the drying process can be adjusted using a comparison of the drying state information.

[0061] Optionally, during the reading step, another image signal is read, and during the determining step 710, a loading signal is determined using this additional image signal. The loading signal indicates the type of load on the cleaning device. In the provisioning step, the loading signal is then used to determine and provide the adaptation signal.

[0062] Figure 8 Figure 1 shows a flowchart of a method for adapting a drying process in a cleaning device according to an exemplary embodiment. The method can be carried out, for example, in connection with a cleaning device as described with reference to the preceding figures. The method can be an extension of the method described in the preceding figures. Figure 7 describe the process steps.

[0063] Block 800 marks a state in which the cleaning machine has finished cleaning the items and is now beginning the drying phase in the cleaning machine to dry the items.

[0064] In block 805, active cooling is activated to cool the protective screen, thereby increasing the condensation of droplets on it. In the next step, block 810 checks whether the operator has activated accelerated drying within the cleaning unit's system.

[0065] If the operator has activated accelerated drying, active drying is activated in block 815, and then periodic droplet detection is started in block 820. If the operator has not activated accelerated drying, the process jumps directly to block 820, where periodic droplet detection is started.

[0066] If the interior dishwasher lighting is activated, it is deactivated in block 825. The interior dishwasher lighting is deactivated, for example, via a deactivation signal sent from an output device to an interface with the interior dishwasher lighting.

[0067] In the next step, the light sources for illuminating the protective screen are activated in block 830. The activation of the light sources is also controlled, for example, via the output device, by the output device in the control unit of the cleaning device providing or outputting an activation signal to an interface to the light sources.

[0068] Next, a camera image is taken in block 835. After the camera image has been taken in block 835, the light sources in block 840 are deactivated again.

[0069] The process then jumps to block 845. In block 845, the camera image is analyzed. This involves determining the average brightness, the number and size of bright areas (so-called blobs), and the brightness distribution in the histogram.

[0070] In block 850, the cleaning device system checks whether the values ​​have decreased compared to the previous run and / or whether further changes are expected based on information from the camera.

[0071] Block 860 then provides further information from the camera to block 850. This information includes, for example, the detected load level and the materials, such as whether there are plastic items in the cleaning device. If the values ​​have decreased or further changes are expected, the process jumps back to block 820 after a short waiting period in block 855. In block 820, the periodic drop detection is restarted and another camera image is taken.

[0072] If the values ​​have not decreased or no changes are expected, the process jumps from block 850 to block 865. In block 865, it is checked whether any droplets are still visible. If no droplets are visible, the process jumps to block 870, where active drying is deactivated. Subsequently, in block 875, active cooling is deactivated if it was previously activated in block 805.

[0073] In block 880, the drying process in the cleaning device is completed and the operator receives feedback that the drying process has ended.

[0074] However, if droplets are still detected in block 865, the process jumps to block 885. In block 885, it is checked whether active drying is present. If no active drying is present, after a short waiting period in block 890, the process jumps to block 875. There, active cooling is deactivated if it was previously activated in block 805. The drying process is then terminated in block 880. If active drying is detected in block 885, block 895 checks whether the operator has activated accelerated drying. If so, the process jumps to block 870, where active drying is deactivated. Afterward, the process jumps to blocks 870, 875, and 880 as described above. However, if it is detected in block 895 that the operator has not activated accelerated drying, the process jumps to block 815, where active drying is activated.The process then jumps to block 820, where periodic droplet detection is restarted. This procedure is then carried out until the end of the drying process in block 880.

[0075] In one exemplary embodiment of the process, active cooling is activated in block 805 at the beginning of or shortly before the drying phase to promote the condensation of droplets on the protective disc. Periodically, an image is recorded in block 835 with the light sources activated (block 830) but without the interior lighting activated (block 825). The average brightness, the number and / or size of the bright areas, or the brightness distribution in a histogram, etc., of the image are then determined in block 845. All these values ​​are expected to decrease over the course of the measurements until no more droplets are visible. In this case, after a short time adjustment in block 855, the drying phase can be completed at the optimal time. This eliminates the need for an active drying device.

[0076] Should drops still be visible (block 865), and the values ​​not or hardly change, an active drying process can be activated in block 815, e.g. in the form of a fan and / or a heater, to precisely eliminate this last bit of moisture, unless this has already been done programmatically.

[0077] If the operator has already selected a program option, such as "Accelerated drying", at the start of the program, the active drying unit can be activated in block 815 at the beginning of the drying phase and deactivated again in block 870 at an early stage when the end of drying is detected by this sensor.

[0078] In conjunction with the existing camera applications, valuable additional information for predicting and optimizing the drying process can be gathered in Block 860 even before the drying phase begins, based on the identified items (materials) and their expected heat capacity and / or load level. Finally, it is advisable to offer the operator information and potentially even recommendations, either on the appliance display or via the connected Miele app, to achieve even better drying results or to foster an understanding of potential problems and their influencing factors that can occur during drying.

[0079] Even with the most cost-effective implementation, without active cooling of the camera components and without an active drying device, there is potential to prematurely end particularly successful drying phases by shortening their duration. This could occur, for example, when no plastics were being washed, but items made of materials with high heat capacity were. This results in energy savings, and the operator also appreciates shorter drying phases.

[0080] Integrating active cooling of the protective screen improves the efficiency of this drying sensor, as more moisture can condense.

[0081] If the cleaning device has an active drying unit, its use can be enabled by selecting the "Accelerated Drying" option, which activates the unit at the start of the drying phase. While this initially results in a slight energy loss, the drying sensor presented here minimizes the drying unit's operating time. These aspects also contribute to customer benefits.

Claims

1. Method (700) for adjusting a drying process in a cleaning apparatus (100), the cleaning apparatus (100) comprising a camera (105) for capturing an interior of the cleaning apparatus (100), and the method (700) comprising the following step: reading (705) an image signal (610) via an interface to the camera (105), the image signal (610) representing an image taken by the camera (105), characterised in that the method (700) also comprises the following steps: determining (710) a drop signal (640) using the image signal (610), the drop signal (640) representing a characteristic of drops (400) depicted in the image on a protective screen (130) of the camera (105); providing (715) an adjustment signal (615) to adjust the drying process using the drop signal (640).

2. Method (700) according to claim 1, comprising a step of outputting (720) an activation signal (645) at an interface to a light source (300) for illuminating the protective screen (130) of the camera (105) in order to activate the light source (300).

3. Method according to either of the preceding claims, comprising a step of outputting (725) a deactivation signal (650) at an interface to a washing chamber interior light (200) of the cleaning apparatus (100) in order to deactivate the washing chamber interior light (200).

4. Method (700) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a step of outputting (730) a cooling signal (655) at an interface to a cooling means (410) for cooling the protective screen (130) of the camera (105) in order to activate the cooling means (410).

5. Method (700) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, in the providing step (715), a number and / or size of the depicted drops (400) is evaluated as the characteristic in order to determine the adjustment signal (615).

6. Method (700) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, in the reading step (705), a further image signal (660) is read via an interface to the camera (105), wherein the further image signal (660) represents a further image taken by the camera (105), in the determining step (710), a loading signal (665) is determined using the further image signal (660), wherein the loading signal (665) represents a type of loading of the cleaning apparatus, and, in the providing step (715), the adjustment signal (615) for adjusting the drying process is provided using the loading signal (665).

7. Control device (600) for adjusting a drying process in a cleaning apparatus (100), wherein the cleaning apparatus (100) comprises a camera (105) for capturing an interior of the cleaning apparatus (100), and wherein the control device (600) is designed to perform the steps of the method (700) according to any of the preceding claims in corresponding units.

8. Cleaning apparatus (100) for cleaning washware, comprising a camera (105) for capturing an interior of the cleaning apparatus (100) and a control device (600) according to claim 7.

9. Cleaning apparatus (100) according to claim 8, comprising a door (110) for closing the interior of the cleaning apparatus (100) and a heat dissipation means, wherein the camera (105) is attached to the door (110) and the heat dissipation means is designed to dissipate waste heat from the camera (105) to the door (110).

10. Cleaning apparatus (100) according to either of claims 8 to 9, characterised in that the camera (105) comprises a protective screen (130) and at least one light source (300) which is designed to illuminate the protective screen (130).

11. Cleaning apparatus (100) according to claim 10, comprising a cooling means (410) for cooling the protective screen (130) of the camera (105).

12. Cleaning apparatus (100) according to claim 11, wherein the cooling means (410) is designed as a fan and the protective screen (130) and / or a housing (125) of the camera (105) comprises cooling fins.

13. Cleaning apparatus (100) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the cooling means (410) is electrothermal.

14. Cleaning apparatus (100) according to any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the cooling means (410) is designed as a water cooling system.

15. Computer program product comprising program code for carrying out the method (700) according to any of claims 1 to 6 when the computer program product is performed on a control device (600) according to claim 7.