Method for operating a dishwasher

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a dishwasher (1) that has a dishwashing container (2) in which one or more washware carriers (3) are arranged for receiving washware items (4) to be washed. The method has the steps of: - depositing a washware item (4) into the washware carrier (3) or one of the washware carriers; - detecting the washware item (4) upon being deposited or after being deposited into the washware carrier (3) or one of the washware carriers by means of a loading detection device (10, 12) and outputting a detection signal to a controller (13); - analyzing the detection signal by means of the controller (13), said analysis process including the process of determining and storing the time of deposition of the washware item (4); - ascertaining the dwell time of the washware item (4) in the dishwasher (1) and analyzing the dwell time; and - carrying out a washing process, wherein on the basis of the analysis of the dwell time: - upon starting the washing process, a washing program or one or a plurality of washing program parameters of the washing program are proposed, automatically set, or modified, and / or - a washing process is automatically started or a start recommendation is output via an operating device of the dishwasher (1) or via a mobile terminal.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Method for operating a dishwasher

[0003] The invention relates to a method for operating a dishwasher which has a washing container in which one or more washware carriers are arranged for receiving items to be washed.

[0004] Dishwashers typically offer several different wash programs, allowing the user to select a suitable wash program based on load size, load type, and level of soiling. Automatic programs are also available that adjust wash program parameters based on sensor data acquired during the wash program, such as the turbidity of the wash water. This is intended to ensure a certain level of cleaning success and efficient operation. However, there are situations in which some items are not completely cleaned in the dishwasher despite such sensors. This is due, for example, to the stubborn nature of certain types of soiling, such as sauce residue or residue from briefly fried meat at high cooking temperatures.On the other hand, there are also situations where, despite the aforementioned sensor technology, the efficiency of the wash program is not optimal, and a more economical process in terms of water, energy, and / or detergent consumption would have achieved sufficient cleaning results. This can be the case, for example, if the wash program starts shortly after loading, and the soiling on the dishes has not dried on and is therefore relatively easy to rinse off.

[0005] The invention therefore addresses the problem of providing an improved method for operating a dishwasher with which a better cleaning result can be achieved or with which the risk of an inadequate cleaning result can be minimized and / or with which a good cleaning result can be achieved more efficiently, in particular more energy-efficiently, and a dishwasher suitable for carrying out such a method.

[0006] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a method having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention emerge from the following dependent claims.

[0007] A method is proposed for operating a dishwasher which has a washing container in which one or more washware carriers are arranged to receive items to be washed, the method comprising the following steps: placing an item to be washed in the or in one of the washware carriers;

[0008] Detecting the item to be washed during or after placement, in particular immediately after placement, in or into one of the washware carriers with a load detection device and sending a detection signal to a control device;

[0009] - Evaluation of the detection signal by the control device, wherein the evaluation includes determining and storing the time at which the item of washware was deposited;

[0010] Determining the length of time the item to be washed stays in the dishwasher;

[0011] Carrying out a washing program, whereby, depending on the length of time the item to be washed, o when a washing program is started, one or more washing program parameters of the washing program are suggested, automatically set or modified, and / or o a washing program is started automatically or a start recommendation is issued via a control device of the dishwasher or a mobile device.

[0012] The dishwasher has a wash tub in which at least one washware carrier, such as a wash basket, is arranged to hold the items to be washed. Typically, the washware carrier can be arranged in a retractable and extendable manner within the wash tub. Typically, several, e.g., two or three, washware carriers are provided, such as a lower basket, an upper basket, a cutlery drawer, and / or a cutlery basket.

[0013] After a washing program has been carried out, the clean items are typically emptied from the washing compartment and then, as a rule, soiled items are gradually added to the washing compartment. This is where the method according to the invention comes into play. First, the user places an item of washing, for example a piece of crockery or cutlery, in the washware carrier or - if there are several washware carriers - in one of the washware carriers. The item of washing is detected by a load detection device during or after, in particular immediately after, placing it in or in one of the washware carriers. A detection signal is generated and transmitted to a control device, in particular the control device provided by the dishwasher. A detection signal can, for example, be generated regularly, i.e.in particular are generated at regular intervals, or are triggered by the detection of an action that has taken place, such as the placement of the item of washware or the closing of the wash cabinet door.

[0014] The load detection device can comprise one or more sensors for detecting the item to be washed. In particular, it can comprise at least one optical sensor, preferably a camera. Additionally or alternatively, the load detection device can also comprise other sensors, such as one or more weight detection devices. A weight detection device is assigned to a washware carrier. This device determines the change in weight of the load of the washware carrier when the item is placed in the washware carrier, thereby detecting the weight of the item to be washed.

[0015] The detection signal can be or include, for example, an optical signal, in particular an image. In either case, the detection signal is sent to the control device and evaluated by it. This evaluation step involves determining and storing the time at which the item of washware was deposited. The deposit time should be understood as the time at which the detection signal is generated, from which the control device, during evaluation, first determines that the item of washware was deposited in the washware carrier.

[0016] In a further step, the length of time the item to be washed remains in the dishwasher. This step calculates how much time has elapsed since the time it was placed on the dishwasher, i.e., the time between the time it was placed on the dishwasher and the current time of the determination step. Such a determination step is performed continuously or regularly, i.e., repeated at regular intervals. Alternatively or additionally, a determination step is triggered by a user action, such as closing the wash cabinet door, inserting a washware carrier, or operating the operating device.

[0017] This is followed by the step of carrying out a washing process. According to the invention, the washing process is carried out depending on the determined residence time of the item to be washed. Thus, when a washing process is started, a washing program or one or more washing program parameters of the washing program are suggested, automatically set, or modified depending on the residence time of the item to be washed. Alternatively, a washing process is started automatically depending on the residence time of the item to be washed, or a start recommendation is issued via the control device of the dishwasher or a mobile device. Thus, for example, if the user intends to start a washing process, the control device can suggest a washing program from a list of several predefined washing programs depending on the length of the determined residence time. In the case of a comparatively short residence time, for example, a specific washing program, e.g.A "Short" or "Light" wash cycle may be suggested, i.e., a wash cycle in which the temperature used is comparatively low and / or the amount of water, detergent, and / or duration is comparatively short. On the other hand, if a relatively long wash time is determined, an "Intensive" wash cycle may be suggested, i.e., a wash cycle in which the temperature used is comparatively high and / or the amount of water, detergent, and / or duration is comparatively long.

[0018] Alternatively, it is also possible for one or more washing program parameters, for example one or more of the parameters temperature to which heating takes place in the cleaning section, water quantity, number of rinse cycles, detergent quantity, duration of individual washing program sections, and / or duration of the application of the various washing levels alternately supplied during alternating washing (e.g. lower spray arm, middle spray arm, upper spray arm) to be automatically set when the washing process starts depending on the determined dwell time, or for one or more of these parameters to be modified in a washing program selected by the user.

[0019] Thus, the dishwashing process can automatically take into account whether and to what extent the soiling on the items being washed or the items being washed has already dried. Soiling that adheres particularly stubbornly to the items being washed due to the long dwell time in the dishwashing tub can still be removed from the items with increased probability thanks to appropriately adjusted dishwashing parameters. With a very short dwell time, however, the dishwashing process using the method according to the invention can run particularly efficiently without significantly impairing the cleaning result, whereby, for example, energy, water, and / or cleaning agent consumption can be reduced compared to the prior art.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, not only the residence time of a first item of wash ware, but also the residence time of a second item of wash ware is determined. The first item of wash ware is detected by a load detection device at a first deposition time during or after its placement in or into one of the wash ware carriers, and a first detection signal is transmitted to a control device. Furthermore, a second item of wash ware is detected by a load detection device at a later, second deposition time during or after its placement in or into one of the wash ware carriers, and a second detection signal is transmitted to the control device. The first and second detection signals are evaluated by the control device.In particular, the evaluation comprises determining and storing the respective deposition time of the first and second items of washware and also assigning the respective deposition time to the respective item of washware. In order to be able to determine the respective deposition time of the first and second items of washware, it can be provided in particular that the control device compares the first and second detection signals. The second item of washware, which is not yet detected in the first but only in the second detection signal, is assigned the second deposition time, or the time at which the second detection signal is generated, as the deposition time.

[0021] In a further step, the residence time of both the first and second items of washware in the dishwasher is determined. This determination step calculates how much time has elapsed since the first deposit time (i.e., between the first deposit time and the current time of the determination step), and how much time has elapsed since the second deposit time (i.e., between the second deposit time and the current time of the determination step). The subsequent step of performing a dishwashing process is carried out as previously described, but both the determined residence time of the first and second items of washware are taken into account.This means that when a dishwashing process is started, a dishwashing program or one or more dishwashing program parameters of the dishwashing program are suggested, automatically set, or modified depending on the respective residence time of the first and second items of dishware. Possible dishwashing program parameters include, for example, the temperature to which the dishwashing section heats up, the amount of water, the number of rinse cycles, the amount of detergent, and / or the duration of individual dishwashing program sections or the duration of the various dishwashing levels alternately supplied during alternating rinsing (e.g., lower spray arm, middle spray arm, upper spray arm). Alternatively, a dishwashing process is started automatically depending on the respective residence time of the first and second items of dishware, or a start recommendation is issued via the dishwasher's operating device or a mobile device.This allows for even better adaptation of the dishwashing process to the current load and drying situation, resulting in even better dishwashing results and / or more efficient dishwasher operation. The process takes into account that a dishwasher is often not loaded with dirty dishes at a single point in time, but typically gradually over a longer period of time until the next dishwashing cycle is started. This means that the dishes, or rather the respective soiling on different items of dishware that are loaded into the dishwasher at different times, are more evenly distributed.

[0022] Dishwasher, also dried to varying degrees.

[0023] In a corresponding manner, the method can also include, after the first and second items of wash ware have been detected, detecting the placement of further items of wash ware during or after placement in or into one of the wash ware carriers using the load detection device. Analogously, the respective deposit time is assigned to each detected item of wash ware, the respective residence time is determined, and in the subsequent step of carrying out a wash process, the residence time determined for each of the detected items of wash ware is taken into account. In particular, it can also be provided that all deposited items are detected in this way and their residence time is taken into account, or alternatively at least all items of a certain item of wash ware or only all items of wash ware that were deposited and detected in a certain one of several available wash ware carriers, for example in the lower basket.This allows the dishwashing process to be further optimized and adapted to the current load and drying situation. In other words, the overall loading progress for each item of dishware and soiling is recorded over time, and a loading history is created.

[0024] In a further advantageous embodiment, the step of evaluating the detection signals by the control device also includes calculating an overall load drying index that depends on the detected item or items of washware. This index is intended to assign a value to the current loading and drying situation. This value calculated in this step depends, on the one hand, on the detected item or items of washware, in particular their number, and, on the other hand, on the dwell time of the item of washware, in particular the respective dwell time of the items of washware. The washing process can then be carried out depending on the calculated value of the overall load drying index.Thus, when a dishwashing process is started, a specific dishwashing program or one or more dishwashing program parameters of the dishwashing program can be set or modified depending on the total load drying index, whereby possible dishwashing program parameters include, for example, the temperature to which the dishwashing section heats up, the amount of water, the number of rinse cycles, the amount of detergent and / or the duration of individual dishwashing program sections or the duration of the application of the various dishwashing levels alternately supplied during alternating rinsing (e.g. lower spray arm, middle spray arm, upper spray arm). Alternatively or additionally, a dishwashing process can be started automatically or a start recommendation can be issued via the dishwasher's operating device or a mobile device if or as soon as the total load drying index exceeds a predetermined or predeterminable comparison value.However, as long as the value of the total load drying index has not yet exceeded the specified or specifiable comparison value, there will be no automatic start or output of a start recommendation.

[0025] Various options for defining and calculating the total load drying index are proposed below. For example, to calculate the total load drying index, each item of washware can be weighted with a (first) weighting factor that depends on its respective dwell time, which can also be referred to as the drying factor. In other words, the control device can be configured, for example, to add together the (first) weighting factors of the items of washware to calculate the total load drying index. The weighting factors of the respective items of washware depend on their respective determined dwell time in the wash tub. In the simplest case, the weighting factors can be equated with the respective dwell times, for example.In this case, for example, the respective dwell times of the wash items can be added together to calculate the total load drying index. Surprisingly, it has been shown that even with this simple algorithm, which, although not very accurately, at least roughly approximates the non-linear relationships between dwell time and drying, or rather, the influence on the dishwashing process, a significantly improved process is possible. An improved alternative process provides for a function stored in the control unit with which the weighting factor for each wash item can be calculated based on the determined dwell time, or that the value of the respective weighting factor is stored there for a multitude of different dwell times.This function or the values ​​may already have been determined and tested in the laboratory for the specific dishwasher model and be permanently stored in the dishwasher's control unit. In any case, the resulting weighting factor or drying factor can be specified or calculated for each item of washware based on the respective dwell time by the control unit. The total load drying index can then be calculated using a predefined calculation method from the weighting factors of the respective items of washware. In the simplest case, for example, by summing the individual weighting factors of the respective items of washware.

[0026] According to a further embodiment of the proposed method, it can be provided that the step of evaluating the detection signals by the control device also includes determining the type of washware of the detected item or items. In particular, it can also be provided that a washware item or items is assigned to one of several washware type categories, such as cups, plates, cutlery, or cookware. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the evaluation step includes determining the type of material of the detected item or items, and in particular assigning a washware item or items to one of several material categories, such as ceramic, glass, plastic, or stainless steel.Alternatively or additionally, the evaluation step can also include determining the soiling type of the item(s) to be washed, and in particular assigning a piece of washware to one of several soiling categories, such as coffee stains, sauce residue, or burnt-on residue. The assignment to the washware type categories and / or material categories and / or soiling categories can be performed by the control device, for example, using conventional image processing and / or a trained artificial neural network.

[0027] According to a further feature, the type of wash ware and / or material type and / or soiling type determined for a wash ware item or for the wash ware items can be included, alternatively or in addition to the dwell time, in the overall load drying index to be determined. For example, when calculating the overall load drying index, the wash ware items can each be weighted with a weighting factor that depends on their respective wash ware type category, in particular a second weighting factor. Alternatively or additionally, when calculating the overall load drying index, the wash ware items can each be weighted with a weighting factor that depends on their respective material category, in particular a third weighting factor. Furthermore, when calculating the overall load drying index, the wash ware items can each be weighted with a weighting factor that depends on their respective soiling category, in particular a fourth weighting factor.

[0028] This allows us to consider that the drying process does not depend solely on the drying time or the dwell time of the item being washed, but is also influenced by the type of washware, material type, and / or soiling. Thus, the current load and drying situation can be even better characterized by the overall load drying index, thus further improving the process.

[0029] Furthermore, a dishwasher for washing items to be washed is proposed, comprising a washing container in which at least one washware carrier is arranged for receiving items to be washed, a load detection device for detecting the items to be washed and a control device which is designed and configured to carry out the method according to the invention or the method according to one of the previously described embodiments.

[0030] The load detection device preferably comprises at least one optical detection means, in particular at least one camera. A camera can be arranged, for example, in the door and / or on a side, rear, or ceiling wall of the washing compartment. Multiple cameras can also be present; in particular, multiple washware carriers can be present, with at least one camera being assigned to each of the multiple washware carriers, for example. Alternatively or additionally, the load detection device can also comprise at least one weight detection means. The combined use of an optical detection means and a weight detection means can reduce or prevent errors in determining the type of washware and / or material. Multiple washware carriers can each be assigned to one of several weight detection means.A washware carrier can also be assigned several weight detection devices, with individual areas of the washware carrier each being assigned a weight detection device.

[0031] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows

[0032] Figure 1 shows a dishwasher according to the invention;

[0033] Figure 2 shows a flow diagram of a method according to the invention.

[0034] Figure 1 shows a rough schematic drawing of a dishwasher 1 in which the method according to the invention can be carried out. This has a washing container 2, at least one washware carrier 3 or several, for example three as shown here, washware carriers 3 in which washware items 4 to be cleaned can be arranged, as well as a circulation circuit not shown in more detail. During the washing process, the wash liquor is collected in a collecting pan 5 and conveyed by means of a circulation pump 6, optionally via a water diverter 7, to one or, as shown here, several spray devices 8, for example spray arms. The spray devices 8 release the wash liquor in spray jets 9 onto the washware items 4.

[0035] The dishwasher 1 further comprises a load detection device. This comprises at least one or more cameras 10, for example, as shown here, two. A lighting device 11 may also be present. The load detection device may alternatively or additionally also comprise one or more weight detection means 12 assigned to the respective dish racks 3. The dishwasher 1 further comprises a control device 13. The placing of a dish item 4 on a dish rack 3 or a dish item 4 placed on a dish rack 3 can be detected by the load detection device. The one or more cameras 10 and / or weight detection means 12 are connected to the control device 13 for control purposes and, after detecting a dish item, transmit a detection signal to the control device.

[0036] Figure 2 shows a rough flow diagram of the method according to the invention according to an exemplary embodiment. It begins – after the completion of a previously run-through dishwashing program, referred to here as step 20 – with step 21 of transmitting a detection signal from the load detection device to the control device 13. A first such detection signal is transmitted after the placement of a first item of wash ware 4 placed in a (previously empty) dish rack has been detected. This is followed by a step 22 of evaluation of the detection signal by the control device, wherein the evaluation includes determining and storing the time at which the item of wash ware 4 was placed. In step 23, the residence time of the item of wash ware 4 is determined, continuously updated, and evaluated. This is followed by a test step 24 in which the existence of a specific condition, in particular as a function of the residence time of the item of wash ware 4, is checked.Subsequently, in step 25, a dishwashing process is performed. When the user starts the dishwashing process, a dishwashing program or one or more dishwashing program parameters are suggested, automatically set, or modified depending on the dwell time or if the specific condition is met. Alternatively, if the specific condition is met, a dishwashing process is started automatically without any user involvement, or a start recommendation is issued via a control device on the dishwasher or via a mobile device; in the latter case, the user only has to confirm the start.

[0037] As long as the test step 24 shows that the specific condition is not met and the user has not yet started a washing process on their own initiative, a further step 21 follows via the loop 26 in which a (further) detection signal is transmitted from the load detection device to the control device 13 after a further item of wash ware 4 has possibly been placed on a wash ware carrier 3. This is then followed in turn by a step 22 in which the control device evaluates the detection signal, wherein the evaluation includes determining and storing the time at which the further item of wash ware 4 was placed, etc. In this way, steps 21 to 24 are typically run through cyclically many times. In step 23, the residence time of each item of wash ware 4 is individually determined, continuously updated, and evaluated each time.

[0038] The evaluation of the dwell times in step 23 can be implemented in various ways. According to one embodiment, this step 23 includes calculating an overall load drying index dependent on the detected item(s). Each item can be weighted with a first weighting factor dependent on its respective dwell time, which can also be referred to as a drying factor. This means that to calculate the overall load index, the items are summed, but each item is weighted with an individual first weighting factor that depends on its respective dwell time.

[0039] Optionally, when calculating the total load, the individual items to be washed can also be weighted with a second weighting factor depending on their respective item type category and / or with a third weighting factor depending on their respective material category and / or with a weighting factor depending on their respective soiling category, in particular a fourth weighting factor. For this purpose, the step of evaluating the detection signals comprises determining the item type of the items to be washed, and in particular assigning a item to one of several item type categories, and / or determining the material type of the items to be washed, and in particular assigning a item to one of several material categories, and / or determining the soiling type of the items to be washed, and in particular assigning a item to one of several soiling categories.

[0040] Different wash ware categories, e.g. cups, plates, cutlery, glasses, cookware, can each be assigned different second weighting factors. Likewise, different material categories, e.g. ceramic, glass, plastic, stainless steel, can each be assigned different third weighting factors. Accordingly, different soiling categories, e.g. sauce residue, coffee stains, burnt-on food, dessert residue, etc., can each be assigned different fourth weighting factors. This allows for consideration of the fact that the degree to which a wash ware item dries out and the cleaning effort required for the item depend not only on the drying time, but also on the type of wash ware, type of material, and type of soiling.

[0041] In test step 24, according to one embodiment, the determined total load drying index is compared with a predefined or predefinable comparison value. If the total load drying index does not exceed the comparison value, meaning the specific condition is not met, a further cycle of steps 21-24 follows via loop 26. If the comparison value is exceeded, according to one embodiment, a washing process is started automatically or a start recommendation is issued via the dishwasher's operating device or a mobile device. Furthermore, it can additionally or alternatively be provided that, when a washing process starts, a washing program or one or more washing program parameters of the washing program are set or modified depending on the total load drying index.

[0042] List of reference symbols

[0043] 1 dishwasher

[0044] 2 rinsing containers

[0045] 3 dish racks

[0046] 4 Dishes

[0047] 5 collection pot

[0048] 6 Circulation pump

[0049] 7 Water switch

[0050] 8 Spray device

[0051] 9 spray jet

[0052] 10 Camera

[0053] 11 Lighting equipment

[0054] 12 weight recording devices

[0055] 13 Control device

[0056] 20 steps

[0057] 21 step

[0058] 22 steps

[0059] 23 Step

[0060] 24 steps

[0061] 25 steps

[0062] 26 Loop

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for operating a dishwasher (1) which has a washing container (2) in which one or more dishware carriers (3) for receiving dishware items (4) to be washed are arranged, comprising the steps: - Placing a dish item (4) into the dish item carrier or one of the dish item carriers (3); Detect the item to be washed (4) at or after it is placed in the or in one of the item carriers (3) with a load detection device (10,12) and send a detection signal to a control device (13); - Evaluation of the detection signal by the control unit (13), wherein the evaluation includes determining and storing the time of deposit of the dish item (4); Determining the dwell time of the dish item (4) in the dishwasher (1) and evaluating the dwell time; Performing a washing process, wherein, depending on the evaluation of the dwell time: o when starting the washing process, a washing program or one or more washing program parameters of the washing program are suggested, automatically set or modified, and / or o a washing process is automatically started or a start recommendation is issued via an operating device of the dishwasher (1) or via a mobile device.

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising the steps: - Placing a first item of goods to be washed into the or one of the load carriers (3) at a first placement time and placing a second item of goods into the or one of the load carriers (3) at a later second placement time; Detect the first item of dishware at or after placement in the or one of the dishware carriers (3) with a load detection device and send a first detection signal to a control unit (13); Detect the second item of the dish being washed at or after it is placed in the or in one of the dish carriers (3) with a load detection device and send a second detection signal to a control unit (13); - Evaluation of the detection signals by the control unit (13), wherein the evaluation includes determining and storing the respective deposit time of the first and second dishware item and assigning the respective deposit time to the respective dishware item (4); Determining the respective dwell time of the two items (4) in the dishwasher (1) and evaluating the dwell times; Performing a washing process, wherein, depending on the respective dwell time of the two items (4), a washing program or one or more washing program parameters are suggested, automatically set, or modified upon starting a washing process, and / or a washing process is automatically started or a start recommendation is issued via the control unit of the dishwasher (1) or a mobile device. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of evaluating the dwell times includes calculating an overall load drying index dependent on the detected item(s) (4). A method according to claim 3, wherein - when starting a rinsing process, a rinsing program or one or more rinsing program parameters of the rinsing program are set or modified depending on the total load drying indicator, and / or - a washing process is automatically started or a start recommendation is issued via the dishwasher's control unit or a mobile device if the total load drying index exceeds a predetermined or predefinable comparative value. A method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, when calculating the total load drying index, the items to be washed are each weighted with a weighting factor dependent on their respective dwell time. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step of evaluating the detection signals comprises determining the type of item or items being washed, and in particular assigning an item to one of several categories of items being washed, such as cups, plates, cutlery, or cookware. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step of evaluating the detection signals comprises determining the material type of the item or items being washed, and in particular assigning an item to one of several material categories, such as ceramic, glass, plastic, or stainless steel.A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step of evaluating the detection signals includes determining the type of soiling of the item(s) being washed and, in particular, assigning an item to one of several soiling categories, such as coffee residue, sauce residue, or burnt-on food. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the assignment to the item type categories and / or material categories and / or soiling categories is carried out by means of classical image processing and / or a trained artificial neural network. A method according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that, when calculating the total load-drying index, the items being washed are each weighted with a weighting factor, in particular a second weighting factor, that depends on their respective item type category.Method according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that, when determining the total load drying index, the parts of the washed goods are each weighted with a weighting factor that depends on their respective material category, in particular a third weighting factor. A method according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that, when determining the overall load drying index, the items to be washed are each weighted with a weighting factor, in particular a fourth weighting factor, which depends on their respective soiling category. A dishwasher (1) for washing items, comprising a wash container (2) in which at least one load carrier (3) for receiving items (4) to be washed is arranged, a load detection device (10, 12) for detecting the items (4), and a control device (13) which is designed and configured to carry out the method according to any one of the preceding claims. A dishwasher according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the load detection device comprises at least one optical detection means, in particular at least one camera (10).Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the load detection device comprises at least one weight detection means (11). Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that weighting factors for different dwell times, in particular for different dwell times, as well as additionally different categories of items to be washed and / or material categories and / or soiling categories, are stored in the control unit (13) or can be calculated by means of a mathematical function stored therein.

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