First-time start-up of a domestic appliance

Abstract

In a method for starting up a household appliance, the household appliance checks whether a start-up operating sequence predetermined for a start-up of the household appliance has been carried out. Operation of the household appliance remains disabled in a predetermined operating setting, when the start-up operating sequence predetermined for a start-up of the household appliance has not been carried out, whereas, when the start-up operating sequence predetermined for a start-up of the household appliance has been carried out, operation of the household appliance in the predetermined operating setting is enabled.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for starting up a household appliance in which a check is made to determine whether a start-up operating sequence predetermined for the start-up of the household appliance has been carried out. The invention also relates to a household appliance which is configured to carry out the method. The invention can be applied particularly advantageously to baking ovens.

[0002] In the manufacture of cooking appliances, residues on the individual parts from upstream manufacturing processes are unavoidable. The finished appliance can no longer be freed from all residues by way of washing, as some of the residues are located in gaps or in covered or overlapping regions into which washing liquid or washing aerosol can no longer penetrate and thus can have no further cleaning effect. If these residues are located on hot parts or on hot surfaces, they are incinerated the first time the appliance is heated through completely (also referred to as “burning in”). Examples are residues on heating elements and the fastening elements thereof as well as residues of an oven muffle and all parts mounted in the oven muffle and on the outside of the oven muffle (baffle wall, fan impeller, lighting elements, pull-out elements, covers, bushings, seals, adhesive bondings on the door, and so on). In addition to the gaseous incineration products arising, an evaporation of volatile substances already takes place during the heating-up process. These unwanted gases are gradually blown outside through the waste fumes extractor and the ventilation system of the appliance. Particles which can be easily disturbed and are already present from the manufacturing process, as well as newly formed particles, are transported outside in the same manner via the cooling air flow.

[0003] The problem of unpleasant odors produced thereby when the appliance is heated through is generally known, and is typically countered either by a note being included in the instructions for use to the effect that odors can arise the first time the appliance is heated through, and / or by the customer's attention being drawn to the fact that the first heating through or burning in should be carried out without food loaded into the cooking compartment (referred to as “empty burning in”) and the kitchen space subsequently ventilated. As a general rule, clear recommendations are given as to the appliance settings and time duration the customer should use when heating the appliance through for the first time.

[0004] Here, however, the problem can arise that it is not always obvious in an as-new appliance whether or not the initial burning-in process has already taken place. On the one hand, some distributors and kitchen installation companies supply their customers with appliances which they have already burned in or which they burn in immediately after installation in the customer's kitchen before handing over the complete kitchen to the customer. This very customer-friendly service is not immediately obvious from looking at the appliance, and as most customers want to make sure that no odors are transferred to the food to be cooked, they repeat the burning-in process as a precautionary measure. On the other hand, many consumers do not know that cooking appliances tend to produce strong odors the first time they are operated, often omit to read the notes in the instructions for use, or simply read and forget the distributor's note or advice and skip straight to cooking their first dish in an appliance which has not yet been burned in. The situation is moreover unclear to further family members who use a new kitchen, and this is likewise unclear to guests staying in holiday accommodation where a new kitchen has been installed. Uncertainty as to prior use also exists when a “demonstration appliance” or other “B stock” is purchased. In all cases, the appliance must first be burned in as a precautionary measure, which not only leads to unnecessary power consumption but is also associated with unnecessary waiting time.

[0005] DE 10 2012 210 749 A1 discloses a cooking appliance with a cooking compartment and at least one sensor for detecting at least one property of the cooking compartment, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one lambda probe. The cooking appliance can be configured to identify a correct first-time start-up of the cooking compartment on the basis of a drop in the oxygen content. The cooking appliance can be configured such that it outputs a warning indication in the event of an incorrect start-up. Alternatively or in addition, the monitoring of the start-up can also be carried out by means of a hydrocarbon sensor. It is disadvantageous that the cooking appliance cannot differentiate whether the first-time start-up of the cooking compartment has been carried out by a user correctly as an empty burning-in process or incorrectly as a cooking process.

[0006] It is the object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0007] This object is achieved in accordance with the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are described in particular in the dependent claims.

[0008] The object is achieved by a method for starting up a household appliance in which the household appliance checks whether a start-up operating sequence predetermined for the start-up of the household appliance has been carried out and, if this is not the case, operation of the household appliance in at least one predetermined operating setting remains disabled, otherwise operation in this at least one operating setting is enabled.

[0009] On account of the proposed method, the household appliance identifies autonomously whether or not the initial start-up operating sequence has already been carried out successfully and prevents normal operation with all functions if the start-up operating sequence has not yet been carried out. The fixed, uncircumventable nature of this procedure provides clarity for a user, as a result of which the user-friendliness of the household appliance is improved. Users, distributors and manufacturers alike can be certain for example that no odor and / or flavor is transferred onto food during initial start-up and that no unknown and potentially harmful substances are deposited on the food. The same applies to the room air, which—especially if the household appliance is a cooking appliance—is contaminated during initial operation and exchanged in particular by way of ventilation. Operation is moreover particularly safe and easy, as it is no longer essential for the user to read the instructions for use but instead the user can be guided entirely by the household appliance. Once the guidance by the household appliance is finished, it is certain that the household appliance can be used safely.

[0010] In one development, the household appliance checking whether a start-up operating sequence predetermined for the start-up of the household appliance has been carried out comprises a predetermined start-up operating sequence (comprising for example operating mode(s) to be carried out for start-up, values of operating parameters to be reached and / or time durations) being stored, for example saved, in the household appliance.

[0011] If the predetermined start-up operating sequence has not yet been carried out, operation of the household appliance in at least one predetermined operating setting is disabled. This can comprise that this at least one operating setting cannot be set or selected or can comprise that this at least one operating setting can be set or selected but that the household appliance does not activate or carry out any operation under these operating settings. Operation of the household appliance in the at least one predetermined operating setting remains disabled until such time as the household appliance identifies that the start-up operating sequence has been carried out. In this case, operation in this at least one operating setting is enabled. Household appliances in which operation in this at least one operating setting can be carried out can thus advantageously also be used safely.

[0012] Operation of the household appliance being disabled in at least one predetermined operating setting before the start-up operating sequence comprises in particular that one, several or all operating settings of the household appliance are disabled before the start-up operating sequence is carried out or that one, several or all operating settings of the household appliance are not enabled for a user until the start-up operating sequence has been carried out.

[0013] In one development, operation of the household appliance is disabled before the start-up operating sequence in at least one predetermined operating setting in which a heating element is activated, in particular in all operating settings in which a heating element is activated.

[0014] In one development, operation of the household appliance is disabled before the start-up operating sequence in at least one predetermined operating setting in which a pump is activated, in particular in all operating settings in which a pump is activated.

[0015] Exceptions to said disabling can be for example

[0016] demonstration operating settings which are used by a distributor to demonstrate an appliance (also known as “demo” mode) and / or

[0017] operating settings which have no influence on the manufacturing residues, for example switching on an interior lighting of a cooking compartment and / or air circulation mode only without heating.

[0018] In one embodiment, the at least one predetermined operating setting comprises a setting of at least one operating mode (for example “hot air”, “top heating”, “bottom heating” and so on, microwave operation for a microwave appliance, coffee preparation for a coffee machine, and so on), at least one operating parameter (for example a cooking compartment temperature in a baking oven), and / or a setting of an operating program (for example “bread baking” with several different baking phases).

[0019] In one development, if no start-up operating sequence has yet been carried out, the household appliance queries whether a start-up operating sequence is to be carried out and, if the response is positive, the household appliance carries out the start-up operating sequence autonomously. This can be implemented in a particularly simple manner. In particular, this sequence is particularly simple and user-friendly on account of the fact that the operating settings for the start-up operating sequence, such as for example temperature and time duration to be set, are stored correctly in a type-specific manner in the household appliance and are set autonomously by the household appliance. The user needs only to decide whether the timing of the start-up operating sequence is currently convenient for them or whether they would like to carry it out at a later time.

[0020] In one embodiment, if no start-up operating sequence has yet been carried out, the household appliance queries whether a start-up operating sequence is to be carried out and, if the response from the user is positive, the household appliance first outputs advice to the user regarding the preparation and / or execution of the start-up operating sequence, and subsequently—in particular after positive feedback to a query of the household appliance as to whether the advice has been read / followed—carries out the start-up operating sequence autonomously. In this way, it is achieved in a particularly reliable manner that the start-up operating sequence runs correctly.

[0021] Possible advice can be for example information, queries and / or instructions indicating for example that

[0022] odors may arise;

[0023] windows should be opened;

[0024] transport attachments, including adhesive strips, stickers, protective films and plastic covers, should be removed;

[0025] polystyrene or other plastic residues should be removed, for example by wiping with a damp cloth;

[0026] accessories, for example in the case of baking ovens, such as pull-out elements, baking sheets, oven shelves and so on should be placed into the cooking compartment or removed in whole or in part therefrom;

[0027] the kitchen or similar space should be vacated during the start-up operating sequence;

[0028] the household appliance should be re-cleaned after the start-up operating sequence;

[0029] and so on. The advice can be displayed for example on a display of the household appliance, in an app (for example “Home Connect”) of a mobile user terminal device, and so on.

[0030] In one embodiment, if no basic settings have yet been made on the household appliance and the start-up operating sequence has not yet been carried out, the user is first offered the option to make the basic settings and is then offered the option to carry out the start-up operating sequence. This produces the advantage that the basic settings which do not relate to the removal of residues, such as a clock setting and / or other user-specific presettings can be carried out first, which is intuitive for the user and improves the user experience.

[0031] First being offered the option of making the basic settings and then being offered the option of carrying out the start-up operating sequence can comprise that the basic settings must be set before the start-up operating sequence or alternatively that they can but do not need to be set before the start-up operating sequence. Offering the option to carry out the start-up operating sequence can comprise running through a basic settings menu on a user interface.

[0032] In one embodiment, during execution of the start-up operating sequence, the duration elapsed so far and / or the remaining duration of the start-up operating sequence is displayed, for example on a display of the household appliance, in an app (for example “Home Connect”) of a mobile user terminal device, and so on. This produces the advantage that the user is informed about the time frame of the start-up operating sequence, which increases user satisfaction.

[0033] In one embodiment, operation of the household appliance in the at least one predetermined operating setting remains disabled until such time as the household appliance identifies that the start-up operating sequence has been run through once in its entirety. In this way, the advantage is achieved of preventing a start-up operating sequence which has been aborted prematurely (for example as a result of a power failure, heating element defect or the like) and therefore may not yet have resulted in the removal of all manufacturing residues from being followed by a “normal” operating sequence which can be set by the user, during which the remaining manufacturing residues have a negative impact on the result of the operating sequence.

[0034] The object is also achieved by an electrically operated household appliance, having a control facility, wherein the household appliance, in particular the control facility, is configured to check whether a start-up operating sequence predetermined for the start-up of the household appliance has been carried out and, if this is not the case, keeps operation of the household appliance in at least one predetermined operating setting disabled, otherwise enables operation in this at least one operating setting.

[0035] The household appliance can be embodied in an analogous manner to the method and vice versa, and has the same advantages.

[0036] In one embodiment, the household appliance has a non-volatile data memory and the household appliance, in particular the control facility thereof, is configured to write corresponding information into the non-volatile data memory when the start-up operating sequence has been carried out. As a result, it is then advantageously possible, even after the household appliance has been switched off and disconnected from the power supply, to track whether a start-up operating sequence has already been carried out once for the household appliance. The non-volatile data memory can be for example an EEPROM. The writing of the information into the non-volatile data memory can comprise a setting of a flag. In one development, the information can be or is written into the non-volatile data memory only when the start-up operating sequence has been carried out in its entirety.

[0037] In one development, the electrically operated household appliance has at least one electrically operated heating element, for example an electrical resistance heating element. In one development, the at least one operating setting disabled before the start-up operating sequence is carried out comprises an activation of the at least one electrically operated heating element.

[0038] In one development, the electrically operated household appliance has at least one conveying facility, for example a water pump. In one development, the at least one operating setting disabled before the start-up operating sequence is carried out comprises an activation of the at least one conveying facility.

[0039] In one embodiment, the household appliance is a household cooking appliance. The invention is particularly advantageously applicable thereto, as the effects of a presence of manufacturing residues are particularly noticeable for a user, in particular also as a result of odor emission.

[0040] In one embodiment, the household appliance is a baking oven and the at least one predetermined operating setting is a setting of at least one heating operating mode (for example setting a top heating, bottom heating, grill, hot air operating mode, and so on).

[0041] However, the electrically operated household appliance is not restricted thereto, but instead can also comprise for example a cooktop, a microwave appliance, a steam treatment appliance (for example a steam treatment drawer) or any combination thereof, for example a baking oven or a cooker with microwave and / or steam treatment functionality.

[0042] Furthermore, the electrically operated household appliance is not restricted to household cooking appliances, but instead can generally comprise large household appliances (for example also dishwashers, laundry care appliances such as washing machines and / or tumble dryers, refrigeration appliances such as fridges and / or freezers, and so on) and / or small household appliances (for example fully automatic coffee machines, espresso machines, milk frothers, juicers, toasters, and so on).

[0043] For a baking oven, carrying out the start-up operating sequence can comprise for example burning in the cooking compartment at a specific cooking compartment temperature (for example between 160° C. and 240° C.) with a specific heating element operating mode (for example combined top / bottom heating; grill; hot air, and so on). For a dishwasher and a washing machine, carrying out the start-up operating sequence can comprise allowing a dishwashing program (for example for pots) or a laundry washing program (for example boil washing at 90° C.) to run with or without the addition of cleaning agent. For a fully automatic coffee machine or an espresso machine, carrying out the start-up operating sequence can comprise for example rinsing the fluid lines once or several times with or without the addition of cleaning agent.

[0044] The above-described properties, features and advantages of this invention and the manner in which these are achieved will become clearer and more readily understandable in connection with the following schematic description of an exemplary embodiment, which will be described in further detail making reference to the drawing.

[0045] FIG. 1 shows method steps of a possible method for starting up a household appliance in the form of a baking oven 1 with a control facility 2, which has a non-volatile data memory 3, and with a user interface 4, which comprises a display 5, for example a touch-sensitive screen (“touchscreen”).

[0046] In a first step S1, the baking oven 1 is switched on for the first time. Operation of the baking oven 1, which comprises an activation of any heating element of the baking oven 1 such as a top heating, bottom heating, grill and / or hot air (ring) heating element, is disabled. A demo mode for demonstrating the appliance and / or operation of the baking oven 1 which does not comprise activating any heating element, for example, may be permitted.

[0047] In a second step S2, a user runs through a basic settings menu, for example for setting the clock and other user-specific presettings, via the user interface 4 and / or remotely via a mobile user terminal device configured by means of an app.

[0048] Subsequently, in a third step S3, the baking oven 1, in particular the control facility 2, checks whether a predetermined start-up operating sequence for starting up the baking oven in the form of a first burning-in process, has been carried out or not. This can be implemented for example by checking whether a specific flag has been set in the non-volatile data memory 3, which flag is not set in the factory and thus typically is also not set the first time the baking oven is switched on. If the flag is not set, this is interpreted as meaning that no burning-in process has yet been carried out.

[0049] If the flag is not set (“N”), in a step S4, the baking oven 1 proposes via its user interface 4 that the first burning-in process be carried out. If the user confirms this (“Y”), for example by pressing a corresponding operating button, the method proceeds to step S5.

[0050] In step S5, the baking oven 1 outputs advice regarding the preparation and / or execution of the first burning-in process to the user via the user interface 4, in particular until such time as the user confirms that the advice has been actively read.

[0051] Subsequently, in a step S6, the baking oven 1 carries out the first burning-in process by means of the control facility 2. For this purpose, the operating settings for the first burning-in process are stored in the baking oven, in particular in the non-volatile data memory 3, so that the user has no need to make any settings themself. Optionally, the duration of this burning-in process and / or the residual duration thereof can be displayed to the user on the display 5 and / or the mobile user terminal device. The burning-in process can comprise for example operation of the baking oven in the grill operating mode at a cooking compartment temperature of 220° C., operation with combined bottom / top heat at 240° C. for one hour, and so on.

[0052] In step S7, a check is carried out to determine whether the first burning-in process has been run through in its entirety. If this is the case (“Y”), in step S8 the flag is set and the method proceeds to step S9; otherwise (“N”), without the flag being set, the method proceeds to step S9. The setting of the flag in step S8 corresponds to all operating settings being enabled for use by a user.

[0053] In step S9, the control facility 2 checks whether the flag is set. If this is the case (“Y”), in step S10 the method proceeds to the normal operation of the baking oven 1, in which the baking oven 1 can be operated with all operating settings.

[0054] If this is not the case (“N”), however, the method proceeds in step S11 to operation of the baking oven 1 in which the previously disabled operating settings remain disabled for use by a user. If the user would now like to carry out the first burning in after all while the baking oven 1 is still switched on, they can go to the corresponding menu item for example via the user interface so that step S4 is then carried out again, as indicated by the dashed arrow.

[0055] If the baking oven 1 is switched off and switched on again, the above method steps are run through again at least from step S3 onward (optionally also from step S2 onward, if not all basic settings have yet been made). If the flag is set (“Y”), the method branches directly to step S10. If the flag is not set (“N”), the method branches to step S4 as before.

[0056] The present invention is naturally not restricted to the exemplary embodiment shown.

[0057] In general, “a”, “an”, etc. can be understood as singular or plural, in particular in the sense of “at least one” or “one or several”, etc., provided this is not explicitly excluded, for example by the expression “exactly one”, etc.

[0058] A numerical value can also include the given value as well as a typical tolerance range, provided this is not explicitly excluded.List of Reference Characters1 Baking oven

[0060] 2 Control facility

[0061] 3 Non-volatile data memory

[0062] 4 User interface

[0063] 5 Display

[0064] S1-S11 Method steps

Claims

1-11. (canceled)12. A method for starting up a household appliance, the method comprising:checking by the household appliance whether a start-up operating sequence predetermined for a start-up of the household appliance has been carried out;keeping operation of the household appliance disabled in a predetermined operating setting, when the start-up operating sequence predetermined for a start-up of the household appliance has not been carried out; andenabling operation of the household appliance in the predetermined operating setting, when the start-up operating sequence predetermined for a start-up of the household appliance has been carried out.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the predetermined operating setting comprises a setting of an operating mode, a setting of an operating parameter, and / or a setting of an operating program.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:when no start-up operating sequence has yet been carried out, querying by the household appliance whether the start-up operating sequence is to be carried out; andif affirmative, outputting by the household appliance an advice to a user regarding preparation and / or execution of the start-up operating sequence; and subsequently carrying out the start-up operating sequence.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, when no basic settings have yet been made on the household appliance and the start-up operating sequence has not yet been carried out, offering to the user an option to make the basic settings and then offering an option to carry out the start-up operating sequence.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising displaying, during execution of the start-up operating sequence, a duration elapsed so far and / or a remaining duration of the start-up operating sequence17. The method of claim 12, wherein the operation of the household appliance in the predetermined operating setting remains disabled until such time as the start-up operating sequence has been run through once in its entirety.

18. An electrically operated household appliance, comprising a control facility designedto check whether a start-up operating sequence predetermined for a start-up of the household appliance has been carried out,to keep operation of the household appliance disabled in a predetermined operating setting, when the start-up operating sequence predetermined for the start-up of the household appliance has not been carried out, andto enable operation of the household appliance in the predetermined operating setting, when the start-up operating sequence predetermined for the start-up of the household appliance has been carried out.

19. The electrically operated household appliance of claim 18, further comprising a non-volatile data memory, said control facility designed to write a corresponding information into the non-volatile data memory when the start-up operating sequence has been carried out.

20. The electrically operated household appliance of claim 18, wherein the household appliance is a household cooking appliance.

21. The electrically operated household appliance of claim 18, wherein the household appliance is a baking oven and the predetermined operating setting is a setting of a heating operating mode.

22. The electrically operated household appliance of claim 18, wherein the household appliance is a small household appliance.

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