Dishwasher and method for operating such a dishwasher

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercial dishwashers face challenges in achieving reliable cleaning, especially with heavily soiled items, and require user intervention for pre-treatment or soaking, which complicates operation and energy efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A dishwasher with a control system that automatically starts a soaking program if the door is closed for a predetermined time without the user initiating a washing program, using a separate washing system and composition to enhance cleaning, ensuring effective pre-treatment without unnecessary energy use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a soaking program is automatically started when the door is closed for a predetermined time, then washing results are improved for heavily soiled items, but energy is wasted when the wash program is started promptly without needing soaking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing resultsVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control system monitors the time parameter (door closed duration) and changes the washing process parameters accordingly. When the door remains closed beyond a predetermined time threshold, the system automatically transitions to a soaking program with different water circulation and temperature parameters, thereby adapting the washing process to the actual needs based on the time parameter change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If the user must manually select and start a soaking program, then energy is not wasted on unnecessary soaking, but operation becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoiduser operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dishwasher system performs self-service by automatically detecting when a soaking program is needed based on door closed duration, eliminating the need for user intervention. The control system autonomously monitors the door closure time and automatically initiates the soaking program when appropriate, making the system serve itself rather than requiring user management of the soaking process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the door closure time and using this information to automatically determine whether to start a soaking program. The system receives feedback from the door sensor about the elapsed time and adjusts the washing process accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to user behavior patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If the dishwasher waits for user input after door closure, then unnecessary soaking is avoided, but cleaning reliability deteriorates for heavily soiled items that need immediate pre-treatment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcleaning reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the washing process based on the door closure duration. Rather than using a fixed program selection approach, the control system continuously monitors the time parameter and dynamically transitions from a standard wash program to a soaking program when the door remains closed beyond the predetermined time threshold, allowing the system to adapt its behavior to the actual situation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3135178B1Dishwasher and method for operating such a dishwasher
Publication Date: 2017.09.20 WINTERHALTER GASTRONOM
  • EP3135178B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to a dishwasher (10) with a washing compartment (100) for accommodating items to be washed and with a door for opening and closing the washing compartment, the dishwasher (10) having a control unit with a start switch (440) for starting a washing program and a Includes selector switch (450) for selecting a first or a second mode of operation. The dishwasher also includes a sensor (420) that monitors the opening and closing of the door, and a timer (430) that measures the time between opening and closing the door, and a control device (460) that can automatically start a soaking program. The invention also relates to a method for operating such a dishwasher (10).