Dishwasher Washware Detection for Adaptive Programme Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial dishwashers inefficiently use resources such as fresh water, chemicals, and energy due to one-size-fits-all programming that fails to differentiate between types of washware, leading to inadequate cleaning and unnecessary resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
A programmable automatic dishwasher equipped with a wash-ware detector and programme control device that automatically selects and sets process parameters based on the detected type of washware, optimizing water, chemical, and energy usage for each treatment phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a constant washing programme is used for all types of washware, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but resource consumption (water, energy, chemicals) increases and cleaning effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The detector device automatically identifies the washware type and the control device automatically selects the appropriate programme, enabling the dishwasher to serve itself without user intervention. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation (no manual input needed) while optimizing resource consumption through automated programme selection matched to the detected washware type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (water temperature, spray pressure, cycle duration, chemical dosage) based on the detected washware type. Different parameters are applied for different washware categories (e.g., delicate glassware vs. heavy cookware), thereby reducing overall resource consumption while maintaining cleaning effectiveness for each specific type.
2Ease of operation
If a constant washing programme is used for all types of washware, then ease of operation is improved, but cleaning effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The detector device automatically identifies the washware type and the control device automatically selects the appropriate programme, enabling the dishwasher to serve itself without user intervention. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation (no manual input needed) while optimizing resource consumption through automated programme selection matched to the detected washware type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (water temperature, spray pressure, cycle duration, chemical dosage) based on the detected washware type. Different parameters are applied for different washware categories (e.g., delicate glassware vs. heavy cookware), thereby reducing overall resource consumption while maintaining cleaning effectiveness for each specific type.
3Loss of substance
If washware types are differentiated and specific programmes are selected, then resource consumption is reduced and cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent sensors (optical, capacitive, weight sensors) that detect different characteristics of washware. The control system is segmented into predefined programme modules, each optimized for specific washware types. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity by using simple, modular components rather than a single complex detection and control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector device automatically identifies the washware type and the control device automatically selects the appropriate programme, enabling the dishwasher to serve itself without user intervention. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation (no manual input needed) while optimizing resource consumption through automated programme selection matched to the detected washware type.
4Reliability
If washware types are differentiated and specific programmes are selected, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent sensors (optical, capacitive, weight sensors) that detect different characteristics of washware. The control system is segmented into predefined programme modules, each optimized for specific washware types. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity by using simple, modular components rather than a single complex detection and control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector device automatically identifies the washware type and the control device automatically selects the appropriate programme, enabling the dishwasher to serve itself without user intervention. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation (no manual input needed) while optimizing resource consumption through automated programme selection matched to the detected washware type.
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 ensures optimal resource utilization and effective cleaning by adapting process parameters to the specific type of washware, reducing unnecessary energy and water consumption and improving cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The detector device (51) is designed for detecting the type of washware received by the dishwasher (1) in the treatment chamber (2). Preferably, the detector device (51) has a detector assembly (52), by means of which the size, shape and/or material of the washware to be treated in the dishwasher (1) is detected
Implementation Method 2
The detector device (51) is designed for detecting the type of washware received by the dishwasher (1) in the treatment chamber (2). Preferably, the detector device (51) has a detector assembly (52), by means of which the size, shape and/or material of the washware to be treated in the dishwasher (1) is detected
Implementation Method 3
The detector device (51) is designed for detecting the type of washware received by the dishwasher (1) in the treatment chamber (2). Preferably, the detector device (51) has a detector assembly (52), by means of which the size, shape and/or material of the washware to be treated in the dishwasher (1) is detected
Implementation Method 4
At the transition from the sump to the pump, there is a heater for heating the washing fluid
Implementation Method 5
At the transition from the sump to the pump, there is a heater for heating the washing fluid
Implementation Method 6
a washing phase, during which washing fluid is sprayed by means of a pump out of a sump via spray nozzles into a washing chamber
Implementation Method 7
during which washing fluid is sprayed by means of a pump out of a sump via spray nozzles into a washing chamber which is designed for receiving wash ware
Implementation Method 8
a steam phase follows, in which fresh water is evaporated out of the sump by means of the heating and is conducted via the said spray nozzles into the treatment chamber
Implementation Method 9
a steam phase follows, in which fresh water is evaporated out of the sump by means of the heating
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a dishwasher (1) in the form of a programmable automatic machine, which has a programme control device (50) for carrying out at least one treatment programme, a treatment chamber (2) into which and from which wash ware can be manually inserted and removed, a tank (4) into which fluid from the treatment chamber (2) can flow off by gravity, and a washing system (33, 8, 34, 10) with a washing pump (8) and with a washing line system (10) for conveying washing fluid (6) during a washing phase out of the tank (4) through washing nozzles (33, 34) into the treatment chamber (2). In order to achieve an efficient treatment (cleaning and drying) of the wash ware, along with as low a consumption as possible of resources in terms of water, chemicals and, in particular, energy, there is provision, according to the invention, for the dishwasher (1) to have, furthermore, a wash-ware detector device (51) which is designed for detecting the type of wash ware to be treated, furthermore the programme control device (50) being designed to select a predetermined or determinable treatment programme for at least the washing phase automatically as a function of the detected type of wash ware to be treated and to set the process parameters associated with the selected treatment programme.