Dishwasher and method for operating a dishwasher

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of conventional dishwashers face challenges when needing to accelerate a washing program without compromising cleaning results, as they can only wait for the program to finish or cancel it, leading to incomplete cleaning.

Innovation Solution

A dishwasher with a control device that allows users to input commands to shorten the remaining washing time of a selected program, adjusting parameters such as water temperature, pump speed, and rinse duration to maintain a specified cleaning result, ensuring the program completes more quickly without repeating unnecessary steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a user cancels the current wash program to get dishes quickly, then the waiting time is reduced, but the cleaning result becomes incomplete

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaiting timeVSAvoidcleaning result
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the wash program parameters (temperature, water volume, cycle duration) based on user input timing. As the original program progresses, the control device recalculates and modifies remaining steps to achieve acceptable cleaning in shorter time, making the program adaptable rather than static

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control device changes physical parameters of the wash program (increasing temperature, reducing water volume, shortening cycle duration) when shortening is requested. These parameter modifications allow the system to compress the remaining wash steps while maintaining sufficient cleaning effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If a rapid wash program is used to reduce washing time, then the productivity increases, but the energy consumption and water usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing speedVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of running a complete rapid program from scratch, the system applies partial action by shortening only the remaining portion of the current program. This avoids the excessive energy and water consumption of full rapid programs while still achieving time savings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary heating and initial washing steps at normal energy consumption rates, then accelerates only the remaining steps when shortening is requested. This preliminary action at standard rates reduces the need for intensive energy use later

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the user waits for the current wash program to finish, then the cleaning result is complete, but the loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning resultVSAvoidwash cycle duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device continuously monitors program progress and user inputs, providing feedback-based adjustment. When shortening is requested, the system calculates the optimal modified program based on current state, ensuring cleaning results remain acceptable while reducing time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3585237B1Dishwasher and method for operating a dishwasher
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3585237B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3585237B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3585237B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a dishwasher (1), in particular a domestic dishwasher, having a control device (15) for executing a number of washing programs (P1, P2, P3) for washing items to be washed, and an input means (16) for sensing a user input (W) for shortening a running selected washing program (PA), wherein the control device (15) is designed to adapt the running selected washing program (PA) depending on the sensed user input (W) such that a remaining washing duration (RTa) of the adapted selected washing program (PA') is shortened in comparison with a normal remaining washing duration (RTn) of the running selected washing program (PA).