Dishwasher Manual Program Adjustment for Stain Prevention and Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dishwashers often fail to meet user requirements for high cleaning performance, efficient drying, low water and energy consumption, and prevention of stains on cleaned items, with factory-set measures limiting user flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A dishwasher with a control device allowing manual adjustment of washing programs, including additional partial cycles and adaptation measures such as increased rinsing liquid, rinse aid addition, extended heating phases, and modified pumping sequences to enhance shine and drying effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If factory-set measures are implemented to prevent stains and improve drying, then cleaning performance and drying efficiency are improved, but user flexibility and adaptability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of stains and drying efficiencyVSAvoiduser flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The dishwasher allows dynamic adjustment of washing parameters through a control unit that enables users to manually modify rinsing program parameters. The system transitions from fixed factory-set measures to dynamically adjustable settings, allowing users to adapt the rinsing program to their specific needs while maintaining the ability to prevent stains and improve drying when desired.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention enables parameter changes in the rinsing program by allowing users to manually adjust various parameters such as rinsing liquid volume, temperature, and timing. This gives users control over the washing process parameters to optimize for different scenarios, resolving the contradiction between having fixed effective measures and user adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If additional rinsing cycles and extended heating phases are implemented, then shine and drying results are improved, but energy consumption and cycle time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshine and drying resultsVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows users to dynamically adjust the intensity and duration of heating phases and rinsing cycles. Users can select from different program variations that offer different levels of shine and drying performance at different energy costs, enabling them to balance energy consumption against desired outcomes based on their specific needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention provides options for partial implementation of intensive rinsing and heating measures. Users can choose to apply enhanced measures only when needed rather than always using maximum intensity, allowing them to achieve adequate results with moderate energy consumption or opt for excessive action when superior shine and drying are required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If intensive rinsing programs are used to prevent stains, then cleaning performance is improved, but water consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of stainsVSAvoidwater consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Users can manually adjust parameters related to water volume and rinsing intensity. The system provides different program variations that use different amounts of water, allowing users to select the appropriate water consumption level based on their needs while maintaining effective stain prevention when higher water usage is chosen.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention enables users to apply intensive rinsing measures partially or excessively based on their requirements. Users can choose to use more water for intensive rinsing when stain prevention is the priority, or opt for reduced water consumption when adequate cleaning is sufficient, providing flexibility in balancing water usage against stain prevention effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides improved shine and drying results on dishes by allowing users to customize wash cycles based on their needs, reducing stains and energy consumption while maintaining effective cleaning.

Implementation Method 1

a circulation pump for circulating wash liquid can be assigned to the wash chamber, which pump allows the wash liquid poured into the wash chamber to be taken

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCirculation: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the rinsing liquid can also be used to heat the dishes, which is possible, for example, during a final rinse step to prepare for a subsequent drying cycle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

an air flow that is as warm and dry as possible, generated, for example, with a sorption drying device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSorption: Sorption

Implementation Method 4

one of the adaptation measures results in the addition of rinse aid to the rinsing liquid used in at least one partial rinse cycle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentEP2420175B2Dishwasher with a manually adjustable rinsing programme
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2420175B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2420175B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2420175B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The dishwasher has a control device for storing a rinsing program for executing rinsing cycles (SG, SG') to clean and/or dry goods to be washed, and an operating device for inputting operating commands for the control device. One of the commands is inputted at the operating device for executing measures for adapting the rinsing program to the goods. The measures control prevention of stains in the goods and/or drying results of the goods based on the adapted rinsing program during execution of the rinsing cycles. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a dishwasher.