Dishwasher with camera window cleaning device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a housing (1), a door (2) arranged to close the housing (1), and a camera (3), the camera comprising a camera window (4) fixed inside the housing (1) or inside the door (2). The camera (3) is configured to monitor the loading of dishes into the dishwasher. The dishwasher further comprises a washing device (11, 13, 18, 19) configured to wash the camera window (4).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dishwasher with a camera window cleaning device and a computer-implemented method for cleaning the camera window of a dishwasher. [Background technology]

[0002] Nowadays, dishwashers may be equipped with cameras to determine the loading of one or more baskets of the dishwasher with dishes. Depending on the loading, the dishwasher may perform various actions automatically, i.e., without any manual intervention on the part of the user. For example, the dishwasher may automatically start the washing process if the loading exceeds a certain threshold, or may adapt the amount and / or type and / or ingredients of detergent used in the washing process to the loading.

[0003] However, cameras located inside the dishwasher almost inevitably suffer from contamination on the camera window, for example, due to food particles and liquids falling and dripping from dishes placed in one or more baskets. Such contamination undesirably interferes with the determination of dish load, making the above-mentioned functions relying on the determination of load unfeasible. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is therefore to provide a dishwasher that ideally allows reliable determination of the loading of dishes at any time, and in particular also at times other than during the dishwashing process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Throughout this document, the term "dishes" is intended to include any object to be washed, i.e. cleaned, such as dishes, e.g., plates, bowls, glasses, cups and cutlery. Typically, the dishes are placed by the user in one or more baskets configured within the dishwasher.

[0006] Furthermore, the term "load" is intended to refer in particular to a measure indicating one or more of the following parameters: the degree of loading of dishes in a dishwasher, in particular the area or volume in one or more baskets covered with dishes, the material of the dishes, and the type or degree of soiling of the dishes.

[0007] The first aspect of the invention solves the above problem by the dishwasher described in claim 1. Housing: the housing comprises an interior space, in particular of cubic shape, in which one or more baskets can be placed. Advantageously, the baskets may be placed in the housing by means of a pull-out or swing-out mechanism. - a door arranged to close the housing: the door is advantageously attached to the housing in a pivotable manner, for example via a hinge. According to one embodiment, the door is configured to open and close the front side of the housing. - a camera with a camera window fixed inside the housing or inside the door: the camera is configured to monitor the dishwasher, in particular the loading of dishes into one or more baskets. Advantageously, the camera is configured to monitor the loading continuously or at least repeatedly, for example at regular intervals, outside the dishwashing process.

[0008] In different embodiments, the camera can be positioned on any interior side of the housing or on any interior side of the door. Advantageously, the camera is positioned so that its viewing angle covers a large portion of the basket or baskets, in particular at least 50% or at least 75% of the area of ​​the basket or baskets in the dishwashing position and / or in the loading / unloading position, e.g., swung or pulled out of the housing. Advantageously, the camera window forms a liquid-tight surface on the interior of the housing or door, respectively.

[0009] In other words, a camera window can be defined as a transparent cover that covers the camera to the interior of the dishwasher, and in particular allows the camera to take pictures of the interior of the dishwasher or one or more baskets being swung or pulled out of the dishwasher. The camera window can include or be a camera lens.

[0010] The cleaning device for cleaning the camera window is advantageously configured to remove contamination on the camera window resulting from food particles and liquids falling or dripping from dishes loaded in the dishwasher, in particular in one or more baskets. The cleaning device is particularly configured to ensure a sufficient camera view on the dishes to facilitate determining the loading of the dishwasher from one or more pictures taken by the camera. In an embodiment, the cleaning device may be configured to apply mechanical and / or chemical cleaning to the camera window.

[0011] Such dishwashers equipped with a camera window for cleaning devices allow reliable monitoring of the interior space of the dishwasher, particularly by ensuring a clear camera view of the dishes. This allows for reliable and accurate determination of the dishwasher's load. Determining the load facilitates further advantageous functions, such as automatic start of the dishwashing process depending on the load, or adapting the dishwashing program or amount of washing liquid depending on the load.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the cleaning device comprises a wiper configured to wipe the camera window. Advantageously, the wiper comprises a rubber blade configured to wipe the camera window. In particular, the wiper can be driven by a motor or, for example, by a pivoting actuator. In particular, the wiper is configured to mechanically wipe particles and / or liquids from the camera window. Such a wiper is capable of cleaning even persistent contamination such as dried food residues, especially when combined with the application of a cleaning liquid as described below.

[0013] In one embodiment, the cleaning device comprises a cleaning fluid nozzle configured to squirt cleaning fluid onto the camera window. "Squirting" cleaning fluid onto the camera window can include, among other things, flooding the camera window with cleaning fluid or spraying cleaning fluid onto the camera window, as detailed in certain embodiments below.

[0014] The cleaning liquid may be, for example, water with or without detergent. Generally, the cleaning liquid nozzle may be an outlet for the cleaning liquid. Spraying the cleaning liquid may combine mechanical and chemical cleaning of the camera window. In particular, the cleaning liquid nozzle may be connected to a supply of cleaning liquid, for example to a reservoir. Advantageously, the cleaning liquid supply may be configured to supply cleaning liquid retained from a previous dishwashing or rinsing step. This saves cleaning liquid and is environmentally friendly. Furthermore, cleaning liquid retained from a previous dishwashing or rinsing step typically contains a rinse aid or surfactant. The use of such cleaning liquid is generally beneficial as it aids in the evacuation of the cleaning liquid from the camera window without leaving any deposits.

[0015] In particular, the cleaning fluid nozzle may be located inside the housing or inside the door. Advantageously, the cleaning fluid nozzle is directed toward the camera window so that a jet of cleaning fluid emitted from the cleaning fluid nozzle strikes the camera window. Furthermore, the cleaning fluid nozzle may be controllable to selectively point toward the camera window and at least one other direction. In this way, the cleaning fluid nozzle can serve several purposes, for example, when washing dishes.

[0016] In certain embodiments, the cleaning liquid nozzle is positioned above the camera window when the dishwasher is in its operating position. If the camera window is located in a recess in the door, the cleaning liquid nozzle may be positioned above the camera window in the loading position, i.e., with the door open. In these cases, cleaning liquid ejected from the cleaning liquid nozzle may flow past the camera window only by gravity. This positioning of the cleaning liquid nozzle relative to the camera window can be achieved in a simple, compact, and energy-saving manner.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the dishwasher further comprises a spray arm on which the cleaning liquid nozzle is arranged. In particular, the cleaning liquid nozzle may be arranged at the distal end of the spray arm. In such a configuration, the spray arm is advantageously configured to be orientable so that the cleaning liquid nozzle faces the camera window. To control the orientation of the spray arm, the dishwasher may comprise an angle sensor for the spray arm in communication with the respective drive of the spray arm, or a mechanical limit stop for the orientation of the cleaning liquid nozzle toward the camera window. Arranging the cleaning liquid nozzle on the spray arm allows for simple implementation of the cleaning device without requiring additional nozzles or openings inside the housing or inside the door.

[0018] In one embodiment, the dishwasher further comprises a protrusion on the housing or on the door around the camera window to form a reservoir for cleaning fluid on the camera window. If the camera window is located on a movable part of the dishwasher, such as the door, the reservoir may be able to fill with cleaning fluid only in one state of the movable part, for example, when the door is closed or open.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, the camera window can be located in a recess on the interior side of the housing or in the door. Similar to the protrusion described above, the recess can be configured to form a container for cleaning fluid on the camera window. Again, the recess can be configured to form a container in one or more positions of the dishwasher or door, such as the closed or open position of the door. Such a container can facilitate cleaning the camera window from persistent contamination in a particularly energy- and resource-efficient manner.

[0020] In one embodiment, the camera window is located on the inside of the door. This placement of the camera window facilitates the camera's viewing angle covering most of the basket, particularly in the case of a lifting basket that is located above the camera window when the door is open. Advantageously, when the door is closed, the camera window may be located at the same height as the spray arm, i.e., within a difference of + / - 10 cm. In this way, the camera's viewing angle covers both the upper and lower baskets when the door is closed. Furthermore, a spray arm equipped with a cleaning liquid nozzle as described above can be used to clean such a camera window.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the cleaning liquid nozzle is located on the inside of the door. In this case, the dishwasher further comprises a cleaning liquid supply located on the interior, door or housing. Such a cleaning liquid nozzle can be configured to clean a camera window located on the interior side of the door and / or housing.

[0022] Typically, the cleaning liquid supply consists of, for example, a pipe connecting the cleaning liquid nozzle with a main supply of cleaning liquid located in the housing, or a reservoir for cleaning liquid located in the door or housing, or on the housing. Advantageously, the reservoir may be configured to hold cleaning liquid from a previous rinsing step. Such cleaning liquid contains surfactants that reduce the surface tension of the liquid, thus helping to flush the camera window without residue. Furthermore, the surfactants bind contaminants and prevent their redeposition on the camera window. This also saves cleaning liquid and is environmentally friendly by minimizing the release of cleaning agents.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the dishwasher further includes a lighting assembly disposed on the interior side of the housing or the interior side of the door. The lighting assembly may include LEDs and is configured to illuminate the interior of the dishwasher. The lighting assembly may, in particular, illuminate the interior of the dishwasher through the camera window. Alternatively or additionally, the dishwasher may include a second window disposed on the interior side of the housing or the interior side of the door. The lighting assembly may then be configured to illuminate the interior of the dishwasher through the second window. In such a case, the dishwasher advantageously includes a second cleaning device configured to, in particular, clean the second window, for example, depending on the contamination state of the camera window or the second window. The above feature facilitates sufficient illumination of the interior of the dishwasher, for example, for determining whether to load dishes even when soiled.

[0024] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a (e.g., computer-implemented) method for cleaning a camera window of a camera in a dishwasher. In particular, the dishwasher may be as described above. For the implementation of such a method, the dishwasher advantageously comprises a control unit configured to perform the steps of the method. It is noted that features disclosed with respect to the dishwasher are also applicable to the method, where feasible, and vice versa.

[0025] The computer-implemented method includes the following steps: a: Receiving one or more photographs taken by the camera: In particular, the camera may be configured to take photographs continuously, for example in video format, or to take photographs periodically at certain moments. b: Derivation of the contamination status of the camera window: In particular, the contamination status resulting from contamination of the camera window facing the interior of the dishwasher is important. The contamination status can, for example, indicate the ratio of the number of camera pixels blurred due to contamination to the total number of camera pixels. c) Operate a cleaning device to clean the camera window depending on the contamination state. As described above, such a cleaning device may include one or more of a wiper, a cleaning nozzle, or any form of opening for dispensing cleaning liquid onto the camera window. Additionally, a second cleaning device may be operated to clean a second window for illumination, if any, depending on the contamination state.

[0026] An advantage of such a method is that it allows continuous monitoring of the loading of the dishwasher by removing contaminants from the camera window and, if any, the second window. Depending on the loading, the dishwasher control unit may start the dishwashing process or automatically initiate further actions such as adapting parameters for the dishwashing process, e.g., the temperature or amount of washing liquid.

[0027] Advantageously, the actuating of the cleaning device in step c) comprises one or more of the following steps: activating a wiper to wipe the camera window; spraying a cleaning fluid onto the camera window, in particular by means of a cleaning fluid nozzle; filling the camera window with cleaning fluid. The same method can be applied to the second window, if any.

[0028] Alternatively, cleaning of the camera window and, if present, the second window may be performed depending on the orientation or state of the door relative to the housing, for example, every time the door is closed, in particular without detecting contamination of the window. Such a method may comprise the following steps: for example, when the orientation or state of the door arranged to close the dishwasher housing is in the closed state, cleaning the camera window and, in particular, cleaning the second window, if present, by the cleaning device.

[0029] In one embodiment, such a method may be implemented by measuring the orientation or state of the door with a sensor, for example, an angle sensor or a door closure sensor, and then washing the camera window in response to a signal from the sensor, for example, when the signal indicates that the door is closed.

[0030] In other embodiments, the method may be performed entirely mechanically. In one embodiment, this may be achieved by mechanically controlling the cleaning device according to the door opening angle. For example, the supply of cleaning fluid may include a dosing unit configured to dispense a dose of cleaning fluid each time the door is closed. Such a dosing unit may comprise, for example, a mechanically controlled valve that is mechanically opened when the door is closed. In another embodiment, the dosing unit may comprise a serpentine-shaped duct that may be located in or at the door. Such a serpentine-shaped duct is advantageously oriented so that with each door opening and closing, the cleaning fluid travels a single bend toward the cleaning device, in particular toward the cleaning fluid nozzle. In this way, the serpentine-shaped duct may be configured to dispense a defined amount of cleaning fluid each time the door is closed.

[0031] Mechanically controlled cleaning of the camera window and, if present, the second window, for example, performed with the door closed each time, is particularly advantageous in conjunction with retention of cleaning liquid from the previous dishwashing or rinsing process, for example, in a dedicated reservoir as described above.

[0032] Further advantageous embodiments are set forth in the following description as well as in the dependent claims.

[0033] The present invention will be better understood and further objects will become apparent from the following detailed description, which refers to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1]1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a dishwasher with a wiper for cleaning the camera window, according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 shows a schematic representation of a dishwasher with a cleaning nozzle and a container for cleaning a camera window according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 illustrates diagrammatically a dishwasher with wash nozzles arranged on spray arms according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a detail of a dishwasher with a recess for flooding the camera window, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 2 shows a schematic view of a section through a dosing unit with a serpentine-shaped duct of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a dishwasher with a wiper 11 configured to clean a window 4 of a camera 3, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The dishwasher comprises a housing 1 that can be closed by a door 2. Generally, the housing 1 and the door 2 form a liquid-tight container for carrying out the dishwashing process. Dishes to be washed are placed in the dishwasher, typically in baskets, such as an upper basket 5 and a lower basket 6, which are attached to the interior side of the housing 1, in particular by a pull-out or swing-out mechanism. Often, the dishwasher further comprises a spray arm 7, which is rotatably mounted between the upper basket 5 and the lower basket 6, as shown in FIG. 1, for example.

[0036] Generally, the camera 3 is configured to take pictures of the baskets 5 and 6, for example continuously or at regular time intervals. For this purpose, the camera 3 including the camera window 4 may be located on the door 2 (as depicted in Figures 1 to 3) or on the interior side of the housing 1 (schematically depicted as alternative camera 3a and window 4a in Figure 3). Advantageously, the viewing angle of the camera 3 through the window 4 covers most of the dishes, in other words the baskets 5 and 6, especially when the baskets 5 and 6 are in different states, for example inside the housing 1 or when they are pulled out / shaken.

[0037] The dishwasher of Figure 1 further comprises a wiper 11 which can be driven by a motor 12 or actuator. The motor 12 is advantageously controlled via a control unit of the dishwasher in response to the soiling of the window 4, for example as determined from pictures taken by the camera 3. Alternatively, the wiper 11 and motor 12 can be configured to clean the window 4 at regular time intervals or, as mentioned above, to be triggered by an event such as the closing of the door 2. The wiper 11 can, for example, comprise a rubber membrane similar to the small windscreen wipers in a car.

[0038] Figure 2 shows a dishwasher similar to that of Figure 1, but with a cleaning liquid nozzle 13 as a cleaning device for the window 4 instead of the wiper 11 of Figure 1. The cleaning liquid nozzle 13 is configured to spray cleaning liquid onto the window 4, thereby removing dirt from the window. The cleaning liquid nozzle 13 is connected to a supply of cleaning liquid, in this case comprising a reservoir 14 for cleaning liquid located in the door 2. Alternatively, the supply of cleaning liquid may be located in the housing 1 and connected to the cleaning liquid nozzle 13 via a pipe.

[0039] Advantageously, the cleaning fluid nozzle 13 is arranged above the window 4, such that the action of gravity on the sprayed cleaning fluid supports cleaning, for example when the door 2 is closed. Alternatively to the arrangement of Figure 2, the cleaning fluid nozzle may be arranged in the housing 1 and the camera 3 with the window 4 may be attached to the door 2, or vice versa.

[0040] FIG. 2 further shows an advantageous recess 15 in the door 2 around the camera window 4. Such a recess 15 is intended to form a container for cleaning fluid, particularly when the door is in a fully open position, i.e., horizontally oriented position. The container is then filled with cleaning fluid by the cleaning fluid nozzle 13. The cleaning fluid can be applied to the dirt on the window 4 and then left for a certain period of time, for example, one minute, to better remove the dirt. Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous in combination with a wiper 11 as shown in FIG. 1. Note that, instead of the recess 15, the container for cleaning fluid can also be formed by a protrusion on the surface of the door 2 (or on the surface of the housing 1) around the window 4.

[0041] The dishwasher of Figure 3 again comprises similar features to the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2. In particular, the features of the different embodiments may be combined or arranged differently. This is especially true when the camera 3a and window 4a are alternatively mounted on the interior side of the housing 1 of Figure 3.

[0042] In Figure 3, the cleaning liquid nozzle 18 for cleaning the window 4 of the camera 3 is attached to the spray arm 7, in particular to its distal end. The window 4 is arranged on the door 2 and, in the closed state, is at the same height as the spray arm 7, so that the spray arm 7 can be controlled to clean the window 4. For this purpose, the dishwasher advantageously comprises a control unit, for example a hydraulically controlled bearing lock, which controls the direction of the spray arm 7 and the cleaning liquid nozzle 18 towards the window 4 and in particular operates the cleaning liquid nozzle 18 to spray the window 4 with cleaning liquid supplied from the reservoir 16 via the supply 17. Alternatively, the spray arm 7 may be configured to rotate while the cleaning nozzle 18 is open, so that the cleaning liquid is sprayed onto the window 4 by the action of centrifugal force.

[0043] Figure 4 shows a detail of a dishwasher in which the camera window 4 of the camera 3 is located in a recess 15 inside the dishwasher. The detail of Figure 4 may in particular be located on an inner wall of the housing 1, for example as the camera 3a and window 4a of Figure 3, or on an inner wall of the door 2, for example as the camera 3 and window 4 of Figure 2.

[0044] In such an embodiment, the dishwasher comprises a washing liquid nozzle 19 for flooding the window 4 with washing liquid, or any other means for spraying washing liquid. The washing liquid is advantageously drawn from a supply of washing liquid in the form of a reservoir 20. Such a reservoir 20 may be configured to hold a certain amount of washing liquid for a previous dishwashing or rinsing process. The supply of washing liquid onto the window 4 can be controlled either electronically, for example depending on the contamination state of the window, or mechanically, for example depending on the open state of the door 2. An advantageous embodiment of a mechanical dosing unit in the washing liquid supply device is shown in Figure 5.

[0045] Figure 5 shows a section through a serpentine duct 30 that is adapted to act as a dosing unit for supplying cleaning liquid onto the camera window 4, for example in the dishwasher of the previous figures. Due to its operating principle, such a dosing unit is useful when the camera window 4 and the cleaning device, for example the cleaning nozzle 19 of Figure 4, are arranged on a door 2 that pivots between vertical and horizontal orientations.

[0046] The serpentine-shaped duct 30 generally comprises at least two bends 31, 32. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the duct 30 comprises six bends 31-36. When the door is vertically oriented, i.e., in its closed position, the cleaning liquid is supplied from above, i.e., along the "In" arrow in FIG. 5, through the duct 30 (shown as a solid line in FIG. 5). A first portion of the liquid then accumulates in the first bend 31. When the door is opened, i.e., by orienting the door horizontally with the duct 30 (shown as a dashed line), the first portion of the liquid flows into the second bend 32. This process is repeated each time the door is opened and closed. Obviously, this leads to the supply of a portion or dose of cleaning liquid along the "Out" arrow, which is advantageously directed towards the camera window 4.

[0047] The serpentine duct 30 thus forms a mechanical dosing unit that facilitates cleaning of the window 4 with each closure of the door 2, without the need for electronic control. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, such a mechanical dosing unit is combined with a reservoir configured to hold cleaning liquid from a previous dishwashing or rinsing step, thereby saving not only cleaning liquid but also energy, while providing a clean camera view through the window.

Claims

1. A dishwasher that washes dishes a housing (1), a door (2) arranged to close said housing (1); a camera (3) with a camera window (4) fixed on the inner side of the housing (1) or the door (2), adapted to monitor the loading of dishes into the dishwasher; - a cleaning device (11, 13, 18, 19) configured to clean said camera window (4).

2. 2. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the cleaning device comprises a wiper (11) configured to wipe the camera window (4).

3. 2. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the cleaning device comprises a cleaning liquid nozzle (13, 18, 19) configured to spray cleaning liquid onto the camera window (4).

4. - further comprising a spray arm (7), 4. The dishwasher of claim 3, wherein the cleaning liquid nozzle (18) is arranged on the spray arm (7).

5. 5. The dishwasher of claim 4, wherein the spray arm (7) is configured to be orientable so that the cleaning liquid nozzle (18) faces the camera window (4).

6. A dishwasher according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the cleaning liquid nozzles (13, 18, 19) are controllable to be selectively pointed towards the camera window (4) and in at least one other direction.

7. The dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a protrusion on the housing (1) or on the door (2) around the camera window (4), forming a container for cleaning liquid in the camera window (4).

8. 6. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the camera window (4) is arranged in a recess (15) on the interior side of the housing (1) or the door (2), the recess (15) forming a container for cleaning liquid in the camera window (4).

9. 6. The dishwasher according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, in the closed state of the door (2), the camera window (4) is arranged at the same height as the spray arm (7).

10. The cleaning nozzle (13) is arranged inside the door (2), A dishwasher according to any one of claims 3 to 5, further comprising a supply of cleaning liquid arranged in or at the door (2).

11. 11. Dishwasher according to claim 10, wherein the supply of cleaning liquid comprises a dosing unit configured to deliver a dose of cleaning liquid each time the door (2) is closed.

12. The supply of cleaning fluid includes any of the following: a pipe connecting said cleaning nozzle (13) with a main supply of cleaning liquid located inside said housing (1), or a reservoir (14, 20) for cleaning fluid located on the door (2) or on the housing (1); 12. The dishwasher of claim 11.

13. A dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a lighting assembly arranged inside the housing (1) or the door (2) and configured to illuminate the interior of the dishwasher.

14. a second window located on the inner side of the housing (1) or on the inner side of the door (2); a second cleaning device configured to clean said second window, 14. The dishwasher of claim 13, wherein the lighting assembly is configured to illuminate the interior of the dishwasher through the second window.

15. A computer-implemented method for cleaning a camera window (4) of a camera (3) of a dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising: The method comprises the steps of: a: receiving one or more photographs taken by said camera (3); b: Deriving the dirt state of the camera window (4); c) A method for cleaning the camera window (4) by operating a cleaning device (11, 13, 18, 19) depending on the state of contamination.

16. The step (c) of operating the cleaning device (11, 13, 18) comprises one or more of the following: - activating the wiper (11) to wipe the camera window (4); - spraying the camera window (4) with a cleaning solution, A method according to claim 15, characterized in that the camera window (4) is filled with a cleaning liquid.

17. A method for cleaning a camera window (4) of a camera (3) of a dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising: The method comprises the steps of: - A method in which the camera window (4) is cleaned by a cleaning device (11, 13, 18, 19) depending on the orientation and state of the door (2) arranged to close the dishwasher housing (1).

18. 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the camera window (4) is washed in response to a signal from an angle sensor or a closure sensor of the door (2).

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