Dish Detection Modules for Adaptive Dishwasher Wash Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers have fixed wash programs that do not adapt to varying loads, leading to inefficient energy, water, and detergent usage, as well as inadequate cleaning and drying performance due to lack of material-specific adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher equipped with a dish detection device featuring multiple evaluation modules that analyze sensor signals and control parameters to accurately identify and quantify different types of dishes, allowing for adaptive wash program adjustments based on material properties, such as soiling persistence and drying behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If a fixed wash program is used, then the control device is simple, but energy and water consumption are high
Solution Approach 1:
The dish detection device performs preliminary detection of dishes before the wash program starts, identifying material types and quantities in advance. This allows the control device to pre-select optimal wash parameters (temperature, duration, detergent dosage) tailored to the detected load, avoiding energy and resource waste while maintaining simple fixed program structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts wash program parameters based on real-time detection results. The control device receives input from the dish detection device and automatically modifies temperature, wash duration, spray intensity, and detergent dosage to match the actual dish load characteristics, optimizing energy consumption without requiring complex manual programming.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pre-defined wash programs are provided, then adaptability improves, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dish detection device enables the system to automatically determine the appropriate wash program by detecting dish material types and quantities. Users simply load dishes without needing to select specific programs or understand wash parameters - the system self-adjusts based on detection results, combining high adaptability with operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring users to select from multiple fixed programs, the system automatically changes wash parameters (temperature, duration, spray pressure, detergent dosage) based on detection data. This transforms the operation from manual program selection to automatic parameter optimization, improving both adaptability and ease of use.
3Measurement precision
If dish detection device with single evaluation is used, then device complexity is low, but measurement precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation function is segmented into multiple independent evaluation modules, each specialized for detecting specific dish material types (glass, ceramic, plastic, metal). Each module processes detection signals independently and provides specialized assessment, improving overall detection precision while maintaining modular architecture that limits individual module complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dish detection device incorporates multiple evaluation modules that can each handle different detection tasks (material identification, quantity estimation, soiling level assessment). This multi-functional approach allows a single detection device to accurately identify various dish types and conditions without requiring separate devices for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, having a wash tub for receiving dishes during a wash cycle, having a dish reception device for receiving the dishes put into the wash tub, and a control device for controlling the course of the wash cycle depending on the received dishes. Thereby, it is provided that the dish reception device has a plurality of evaluation modules, which are designed each for receiving a dish type consisting of a similar material by means of the signals of at least one sensor and/or by means of at least one control parameter of the control device.