System comprising a dishwasher, and method for operating a dishwasher
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household dishwasher users lack guidance for optimal loading, leading to sub-optimal cleaning and drying results and increased energy consumption, particularly when washing items like silver, aluminum, copper, tin, or wood items, and yoghurt pots, which are unsuitable for automatic washing.
Innovation Solution
A system with an optical sensor, determining unit, and output unit that assesses items using an optical sensor signal to recommend suitable washing programs and aids, providing visual or aural guidance through a screen or loudspeaker, and optionally augmented or virtual reality, to ensure proper loading and washing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user loads the dishwasher without guidance, then the operation is simple and quick, but the cleaning result and drying result become sub-optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The dishwasher system automatically detects items using optical sensors and determines appropriate washing programs and aids without user intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously analyzing the load composition and generating recommendations, eliminating the need for users to consult manuals or videos while ensuring optimal cleaning results.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses optical sensors to detect items in the dishwasher cavity, processes this information through a determining unit, and provides feedback to the user through the output unit. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt the washing program and aid recommendations based on the actual load, ensuring both ease of operation and optimal cleaning results.
2Ease of operation
If the user loads the dishwasher without guidance, then the operation is simple and quick, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dishwasher system automatically detects items using optical sensors and determines appropriate washing programs and aids without user intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously analyzing the load composition and generating recommendations, eliminating the need for users to consult manuals or videos while ensuring optimal cleaning results.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts washing parameters such as program selection, temperature, and duration based on the detected items and their material properties. By optimizing these parameters for the specific load, the system reduces energy consumption while maintaining effective cleaning, eliminating the need for users to manually optimize settings.
3Ease of operation
If the user places unsuitable items like silver, aluminum, copper, tin or wood in the dishwasher, then the loading process is simple, but the items are damaged due to lack of guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The dishwasher system automatically detects items using optical sensors and determines appropriate washing programs and aids without user intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously analyzing the load composition and generating recommendations, eliminating the need for users to consult manuals or videos while ensuring optimal cleaning results.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and analysis of items before the washing cycle begins. The optical sensors identify materials such as silver, aluminum, copper, tin, or wood, and the determining unit pre-determines appropriate programs and aids to prevent damage. This preliminary action ensures that vulnerable items are protected before the washing process starts.
4Ease of operation
If yoghurt pots are placed without holders in the receptacles, then the loading process is simple, but the pots rotate and fill with washing liquor preventing drying
Solution Approach 1:
The dishwasher system automatically detects items using optical sensors and determines appropriate washing programs and aids without user intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously analyzing the load composition and generating recommendations, eliminating the need for users to consult manuals or videos while ensuring optimal cleaning results.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and analysis of items before the washing cycle begins. The optical sensors identify items like yoghurt pots that require holders, and the determining unit pre-determines appropriate programs and aids to prevent damage. This preliminary action ensures that vulnerable items are protected before the washing process starts.
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 system optimizes dishwasher operation by ensuring correct program selection and aid usage, resulting in improved cleaning, drying, and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor for acquiring an optical sensor signal of a certain item to be washed
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a dishwasher accommodating an item to be washed, a control device carrying out a washing program of a number of washing programs for washing the item, an optical sensor acquiring an optical sensor signal of the item, and a determining unit determining a possibility for washing the item as a function of the acquired sensor signal. The possibility for washing is embodied as a first positive possibility for washing that specifies which one of the washing programs is useable to wash the item, or as a second positive possibility for washing that specifies which one of the washing programs and/or which of a number of aids are useable to wash the item, or as a negative possibility for washing that specifies that the dishwasher is unsuitable for washing the item. An output unit outputs a recommendation to a user based on the possibility being determined for washing.