EP1518489B1 - Method of operating a dishwasher when a multi-phase detergent with several active agents is used - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a dishwasher.

There are now for some time so-called. 3in1-Kombinationspräpa = rate for use in dishwashers available, which together contain a cleaning substance, a softening substance and a rinse aid and the washing compartment of the dishwasher are supplied at the same time at the same time. These 3in1 combination preparations are available in compressed tablet form so-called 3in1 tabs as well as 3in1 powder. The 3-in-one combination preparations can be placed in intended metering devices of the dishwasher, in which case they are added to the washing container at a specific point in time, which is determined by the washing program sequence of the dishwasher. On the other hand, they can also by the user of the dishwasher in the dishwasher, z. B. in the cutlery basket, be placed before switching on the wash program. The user of a dishwasher today generally has more than one selectable wash program for cleaning the set in the dishwasher soiled items are available. Programs which can be selected as wash programs are well-known under the name short program, normal program, intensive program, eco program, for which also very different synonymous conceptual formations exist. Since the use of 3-in-1 combination preparations by the user of the dishwasher, customer complaints have accumulated among manufacturers of dishwashers. For the cleaning and / or drying results of the items to be cleaned in the dishwasher worsened, in some cases dramatically, when using 3-in-1 preparations in comparison with conventional individual metered addition of the corresponding substances. It has proven to be particularly problematic that, on the one hand, the users do not pay attention to the prescribed localization of the 3-in-one combination preparation in the dishwasher, so that some place the 3-in-1 tabs in the dishwasher, whereas the manufacturer requires use exclusively by means of a dosing device. Furthermore, the information provided by the manufacturers of the 3-in-1 combination preparations with regard to the selection of a suitable washing program is not appropriate, since the user of the dishwasher knows in general, which washing program he must select depending on the degree of contamination and drying of the dirt particles, but no more intimate knowledge of the course of the washing program has. This knowledge implies the manufacturer of the 3in1 combination preparation at the user and also completely disregards the fact that various 3in1 combination preparations are available on the market, which dissolve differently depending on various parameters and accordingly achieve their highest effectiveness at different times. Thus, some 3in1 combination preparations available on the market work according to a so-called "dilution principle" (also known as the carry-over principle), ie at the beginning of the cleaning, the 3-in-1 combination preparation is added and begins to dissolve. It is mainly the rinse aid initially in a high concentration, that is added overdosed and it is assumed that due to carryover in Spülwasserresten and adhesions of the rinse aid washed dishes, Spülbehälterwänden and the ceiling of the washing and in the supply lines, the concentration in the rinse cycle still sufficient to achieve a particularly good drying result. Another embodiment of the 3-in-one combination preparation provides that initially only the detergent and the softener dissolve and the rinse aid, which is encapsulated in the 3-in-1 combination preparation, z. B. present in the form of a wax-coated bead, dissolves only temperature and / or pH-dependent during rinsing. When using a wash program, which already works in the program section cleaning at high temperatures and / or where the duration of the cleaning process is chosen very long, which is common in an intensive program, the rinse aid of the second type is already dissolved. The rinse aid of the former type has the particular disadvantage that in the execution of several rinse program sections before rinsing, such. As cleaning, intermediate rinsing, the latter is known to be connected between the program sections cleaning and rinsing, dissolves too fast and is no longer present in sufficient concentration by multiple rinsing liquid change in the program section rinse. Another deficiency in the use of 3-in-1 combination preparations may occur when the user of the dishwasher is dispensing by inserting e.g. B. a 3in1 tab, before starting the wash program at any point of the dishwasher, but not in the Dosierkombination performs. This begins z. As in the program section pre-rinsing at least the cleaner and softener to solve, which was generally found in laboratory experiments that the dissolution behavior of the 3-in-1 combination preparations is also very good for water, which has substantially supply temperature. By pumping the following program sections cleaning, possibly provided program sections intermediate rinsing, rinsing, the substances of the 3in1 combination preparation in a lower concentration available, which has a direct effect on both the cleaning and the drying result of the items and this generally worsened ,

Out DE 199 57 243 A1 is a dishwasher with several different rinsing programs, which are designed in part for operation with multiphase cleaning, known, wherein the rinsing liquid is mixed with a multiphase cleaning tablet, which is rotationally symmetrical formed of four concentrically arranged, each comprising an active part volumes, and the first active ingredient in contact with water is immediately soluble, the second active ingredient with enzymatic ingredients with a particularly high cleaning action against fatty food residues at about 40 ° C, a poorly soluble property so that it must be exposed to the rinse liquid only about 12 min has , the third very fast-dissolving active substance, which contains surface-active ingredients with a highest efficacy at over 55 ° C, coated with a melting at 55 ° C, thin wax layer and the fourth active ingredient through a thin layer of wax, only at 65 ° C. you contents, encapsulated rinse aid is, and the rinse program a pre-rinse, circulated at about 15 ° C cold fresh water and the first active ingredient begins to dissolve, a subsequent cleaning cycle with replacement of the rinsing liquid about 10 min after program start, at The liquid is heated up to about 40 ° C and the second active ingredient is dissolved, a renewed switching on the heating element about 35 min after the program has started, the third active ingredient at about 55 ° C, to go into the rinsing liquid with a intermediate rinse with Water change and a subsequent rinse, in which the rinsing liquid heated to approximately 70 ° C and the rinse aid is released includes.

EP-A-1195 128 discloses a method for dishwashing, in which due to the use of a combination preparates a metering opening of the reservoir for receiving the rinse aid remains closed during the entire rinsing process.

It is an object of the invention to simplify the operation of dishwashers with regard to the use of combination preparations.

The above object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1.

According to the invention, at least one washing program, such. As intensive program, normal program, short program, eco program, selectable by the user of the dishwasher. The selection means are usually in a control panel of the dishwasher and are well known as such.

A means for switching on an additional function is provided by which, when this function is activated, at least one parameter of the selected washing program can be changed with regard to the use of a combination preparation with a plurality of active substances. As a result, the user-selected washing program, such as intensive program, normal program, short program, eco program, is adapted to the use of a combination preparation, which in particular comprises cleaning substance, softening substance and final rinse substance. That is, when the additional function is switched on, a corresponding signal is sent to the control unit, which automatically carries out the adaptation of the respective user-specific selected washing program to the use of combination preparations. For this purpose, for example, various control routine routines are stored in the microcontroller of the control unit, which is used, and / or on various parameters of the wash programs, such as temperature, duration of a certain Spülprogrammabschnittes, Spülflüssigkeitsfüllvolumen, pH u. a. is added or intervened in a defined manner and thereby changed. An alternative embodiment represents an additional function in which switching off a switching means acts according to the invention. In a further embodiment, a specially designed washing program for specific use with a combination preparation among other washing programs as such is self-selectable.

Preferably, the additional function is designed for the use of a 3-in-one combination preparation, wherein this combination preparation as effective substances for cleaning the ware substantially only cleaner substance, softening substance and rinse aid substance. Regardless of these components, the 3-in-1 combination preparation may also contain other substances whose direct or indirect influence on the cleaning and drying results of individual rinse program sections or the overall cleaning result of the rinse program are of secondary importance. If further active substances of the combination preparation are not expressly mentioned, however, these are, if known and influenceable, included in the subject matter of the invention.

It is further comprises a switching means for switching on the additional function, which is preferably located in the screen carrier of the dishwasher next to other selection means and / or display means. Another possibility to arrange the switching means, the metering device of the combination preparation, in which the combination preparation is preferably filled. In the embodiment of the switching means diverse known designs, such as rotary selector switch, button or the like are conceivable. Furthermore, an actuation of a switching means by a user-dependent selection is possible, which can be switched by selecting in a menu-driven selection device, for example in a display display or networked home appliances via a graphical interface or possibly a voice recognition system.

In the dishwasher, the use of a combination preparation, in particular a 3-in-1 combination preparation can be detected by at least one provided sensor, so that it is distinguishable for the program sequence design, whether a combination preparation works on the dilution principle, or a combination preparation, which rinse the rinse aid in the final rinse pH Value- and / or temperature-dependent dissolves, is used. On the other hand, with repeated sensor measurement during the entire Spülprogrammablaufes z. B. concentration and / or pH change and / or changes in the degree of hardness of the rinsing liquid are determined, the conclusions on the concentration of the individual active substances of the 3in1 combination preparation allow, with the result that the program flow can be modified at any appropriate time ,

As sensors at least one of the sensors is designed as a chemical and / or acoustic and / or thermal and / or optical and / or pneumatic sensor type. These can be designed differently in number and their specific detection property. Furthermore, an evaluation of the sensor signals can be utilized both with regard to the adaptation of the rinsing program sequence with respect to the use of the 3-in-one combination preparation and with the design of the other parameters of the entire rinsing program sequence. Furthermore, alternatively, at least one provided chemical sensor with appropriately selected receptors, the detection of z. B. several simultaneously occurring agents, such as cleaners and softeners and / or rinse aid, recognize the use of a combination preparation and signal without the addition of the additional function to the program flow control, the use of a combination preparation. By repeated control measurements and / or in comparison with other sensor measurements during the program sequence, the use of a combination preparation is concluded and the program sequence is changed accordingly. At present, the use of a sensor which recognizes at least the pH value and / or the temperature and / or the degree of hardness of the rinsing liquid is particularly preferred.

The intended sensors determine continuously or discontinuously during the program sequence or individual wash program sections whose time courses or times can be predetermined by the program control, of individual program parameters, eg. B. based on an actual target value comparison and / or a difference value and / or the change history of a parameter such as pH, temperature, turbidity, foaming, concentration, water hardness, whether a particular active substance of the combination preparation z. B. exceeds a predetermined minimum or maximum value. Further z. B. as a function of a difference value, the z. B. may arise depending on the manufacturer of the 3in1 combination preparation itself, as well as with regard to other typical parameters such as concentration jumps, dissolution temperatures or parameter combinations such as pH and concentration or concentration and temperature of Spülprogrammäblaufes result. For a determinable period of a wash program sequence or over the entire duration of the wash program, the change of at least one parameter of the wash program is also detected and evaluated. So z. B. in terms of the course of the pH of the rinsing liquid conclusions on the concentration of the individual active substances of the 3in1 combination preparation possible. Thus, the evaluation of the pH value is currently feasible in such a way that the program section cleaning represents a maximum basic ph value, either in the program section rinsing by a predetermined value must be fallen below, or its change history, eg. B. in a predetermined characteristic field, predefined within predeterminable tolerances or pH jumps (erratic change in pH) can be determined within predefined periods of time or other time constants are determined for their occurrence, eg after reaching the dissolution temperature of an encapsulated rinse aid. Such sensor measurement are used when the additional function for adapting a Spülprogrammablaufes to the use of a combination preparation for the active intervention in the program flow itself, with selection of a special designed Spülprogrammablaufes these have a kind of control function to determine whether a combination preparation use during the program actually finds or at least an effective substance is present in sufficient concentration at the given time, adjustments to the Spülprogrammablaufes can be optional.

A suitable method of evaluation of the sensor measurement signals is z. B. the value or the change of certain parameters of the wash program such as turbidity, pH, foaming, concentration, water hardness, etc. individually and in appropriate combinations at characteristic times of Spülprogrammablaufes, to determine their qualitative and quantitative occurrence as well as their delay times with each other , For this purpose, at least individual parameter values can be determined within determinable time intervals or time intervals and subjected to an actual nominal value comparison, a difference value formation or a threshold value query or the changes can be made compared to preset values or values determined in the program sequence, all comparison values being shown in tables or as default values in at least one memory unit of the program control are stored. In networked household appliances, this storage unit can also be located outside the dishwasher. Furthermore, certain program states can also be stored in the memory unit whose combination pairings, for example, are not desired to be stored and these can prompt the user to perform certain actions. Such unwanted constellations arise, for example, in the program section prewash when increased foaming and / or significant pH fluctuations occur, or a predetermined rinse aid concentration is exceeded during all program sections or rinse agent concentration jumps occur regardless of a particular temperature or temperature profile. The user can, for example, according to the occurred error situation. B. the loading of a combination preparation in the Dosierkombination make or the program flow is aborted until user-dependent re-commissioning of the dishwasher takes place or the detected as erroneous measurement result is at least indicating.

In the program section Pre-rinsing or cleaning can be provided that the time of actual addition of the 3in1 combination preparation is additionally monitored, for. B. is detected by an acute sensor, the case of a tablet from the dosing into the washing. Other detection options provide optical sensors, the z. B. register increased foaming or chemical sensors that evaluate the change in the pH of the rinsing fluid.

With further advantage is in an optionally modified combination preparation in which z. B. an enzymatic cleaner substance having an efficacy temperature limit of about 30 ° C and a rinse aid substance with a dissolution temperature at about 58 ° C is included, with shortened scheduled program sections, and thus shortened solution duration, by short-term, possibly repeated and / or or controlled or regulated power output of the heating means in the process sections Pre-rinsing and / or intermediate rinsing the rinsing liquid preferably heated at the end of each process section, so that for the following process sections cleaning or rinsing, which are operated with hot rinsing liquid, the respective chemical substance can develop their full effectiveness better and longer. By preheating or intensified heating of the rinsing liquid at the end of the preceding rinsing program section, the dissolution and thus the effectiveness of the cleaner or rinse aid for the duration of each program section is improved. The energy supplied is comparable to that of an activation energy. In the case of an intended temperature control or temperature control, the dissolution time, concentration, exposure time, time of release of a chemical substance of the 3-in-one combination preparation can be optimized.

Of particular advantage is, if user-dependent, the actually used 3in1 combination preparation of the program control is specified as a parameter, eg. B. by input via an image capture, the z. B. recognizes the barcode of a 3in1 combination preparation or stored in the program store commercially available 3in1 combination preparations can be selected or the use of a specific combination preparation can be entered by the user in any other way, the user-dependent predetermined information on the use of a specific 3-in-1 combination preparation either to be saved to a changing input information or retrieved at the beginning of each or defined predetermined time.

With further advantage, in the case of querying or evaluating information about the type and dosage form of the supplied cleaning, rinsing and optionally softening substances, a product which is uniquely identified as a 3-in-one combination preparation can deactivate a 3-in-1 function incorrectly selected by the user or, if selected of a 3inl program an error message is issued.

It is also advantageous that when switched 3in1-function or when selecting a 3in1-Spülprogrammes the display for states of the wash program, which are turned on in conventional washing programs with single dosage of the substances are switched off or hidden, such. As the shutdown of a display LED at the time of recovery or a display LED, which asks for replenishment of rinse aid.

If a washing program is selected by the user of the dishwasher after setting soiled items in the dishwasher, adding a combination preparation to the dishwasher and the use of a combination preparation indicated by an optionally switched selection means, the program sequence control, taking into account the additional function, provides that the program sequence of selected rinse program changes and is adapted in its entire design to the use of a combination preparation. Depending on the selected wash program, individual or several parameters of the various wash program sections pre-wash, clean, intermediate wash, rinse, are automatically adjusted in the manner described below, depending on the evaluation of predetermined sensor measurements, or changed in a predefined manner.

The steps indicated in the method claims in this case do not necessarily represent a requirement for the washing program sequence with regard to their sequence, but can specifically be determined, e.g. be selected depending on the use of a particular combination preparation or type of combination preparation, repeated and / or sequentially switched or followed by other program steps known per se.

When using a dosing combination with usually separate storage chambers for the detergent and rinse aid substance, the function of the rinse aid and possibly the detergent dosing in the selected rinse program is hidden when using a 3-in-one combination preparation. In an alternative embodiment, it is possible for the z. B. sensor-dependent determination of the concentration of the rinse aid to meter it in the required amounts, this compensates if necessary dilution losses of the previous rinse program sections. If, during the selected wash program, further opening times for the metering device are provided for releasing a wide variety of substances, these too are blocked or the time of metering in a particular substance is shifted and / or changed in the metering dosage.

If, in addition to the cleaning substance and the final rinse aid, a softening substance is added to the combination preparation which is intended to make softening unnecessary in the dishwasher by a designated softening device, the regeneration of the softener with saturated salt solutions (brine), which is known to be carried out in a dishwasher, is not necessary, therefore, in the program flow the regeneration function, ie the addition of a defined brine volume to the softening device, the otherwise is provided at a defined time of the program flow, hidden. Alternatively, in the case of an intended hardness sensor which can determine the water hardness of the rinsing liquid, the water hardness actually present in the dishwasher can be monitored, if necessary, as a result of softening with the softening substance of the combination preparation and, if necessary, the regeneration function of the softener can be switched on, so that partial softening of the water is possible the softener device is made. Experience has shown that in hard water areas the softening capacity of the softening substances of a 3-in-1 combination preparation is insufficient. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous if the information about the degree of hardness of the actually used water of the supply line flows into the design of the program sequence. The degree of hardness of the water, for example, by the user via a specially provided input function, eg. B. in the control panel, are entered and stored or also be set to a blending device, with appropriate means forward the value of the water hardness setting to the program flow control and switched on 3in1 function or selection of a 3in1-Spülprogrammes the connection of the Regenerierfunktion and / or at least allow the intermingling of hard and soft water at least at a given time.

It is envisaged to continue the previous water supply through the softening device regardless of their softening capacity, which is depleted with increasing number of rinsing fluid change depending on the degree of hardness of the water supplied. All other alternatives of water supply are theoretically possible, but only appropriate if, by default, only combination preparations with a softening substance are available. The water volume for the regeneration function, optionally defined in the storage container of the dishwasher, can be used, in particular in soft water areas, alternatively as a defined volume wholly or partly in the liquid-carrying program sections for dimensioning a predetermined liquid volume.

If the use of a combination preparation is detected by a sensor during an initial pre-rinsing or the use thereof is indicated by the auxiliary function switched on, the duration of the initially provided program section pre-rinsing is shortened in order to prevent the encompassed rinsing agent and rinse aid from dissolving too early and in the sections cleaning or rinsing in too low a concentration. If, on the other hand, a rinsing program is selected which provides for two or more pre-rinsing sections, each with complete water change, then by omitting at least one pre-rinsing or reducing to a program section pre-rinsing, this will already prevent prophylactically even without the detection of a combination preparation that one is mistakenly introduced into the dishwasher instead of dissolved in the dosing combination combined preparations dissolves too early.

If, as described above, the pre-rinsing process section is shortened or completely omitted, this reduces the time of loading the ware with water, the process of dissolving heavy soiling, which may have long adhered to the ware, is thereby shortened or completely eliminated. This is not conducive to good cleaning results in some cases of contamination. Therefore, in such cases, the cleaning operation preferably is about Extended duration of the process section by which the pre-rinsing process section has been shortened. Thus, the dissolution of the dirt particles is at least partially moved into the cleaning procedure.

According to the invention, the number of intermediate rinsing sections between the cleaning and rinsing program sections is reduced to an intermediate rinsing section, which essentially has the task of eliminating occasionally trapped dirt particles and chemical residues of the cleaning. With further advantage, the intermediate rinsing can be operated with a reduced maximum rinsing liquid volume compared to the maximum intended rinsing liquid volume of the program section cleaning, so that the concentration of the dissolved rinse aid is higher than with the same size rinsing liquid volume as in cleaning. If during the program section cleaning the rinsing liquid is diluted several times and / or a low degree of contamination of the rinsing liquid has been detected by a corresponding turbidity measurement, the intermediate rinsing section may possibly be completely dispensed with.

In the intermediate flushing process section, which is operated with lukewarm rinsing liquid and therefore does not provide active heating by switching on provided heating elements, the energy fed in during the process sections which are operated with hot rinsing liquid is removed. In order to make the procedure energetically favorable and as described above also water-saving and thus increasing the concentration of the rinse aid in the process section intermediate rinsing, can be provided by repeated switching on and off the circulation pump with different determinable and / or predefinable duration of the on and off state the circulation pump to introduce the rinsing liquid onto the items to be washed in the manner of a pulse rinse. When switching off the circulation pump, the circulation of the rinsing liquid and thus the loading of the items to be washed is interrupted with rinsing liquid. This type of pulse purging is briefly described with a sequence of spraying, pausing, splattering, pausing, splashing, pausing, etc.

At the end of at least one procedure section such. B. the intermediate rinse may be provided in dependence of the measurement of turbidity and / or the content of rinse aid in the rinsing liquid, a dilution step. The dilution step causes a partial volume of the rinsing liquid, which was used during the intermediate rinsing, to continue to be used in the subsequent rinsing process section and to be mixed with fresh rinsing liquid to be supplied. As a result of the dilution step, the loss in particular of rinse aid against a complete pumping and filling of rinsing liquid is reduced. Precisely for this reason, irrespective of the measurement of the turbidity of the rinsing liquid inevitably a dilution step instead of a complete pumping out of the rinsing liquid z. B. be provided at the end of a rinse program section.

As a further or alternative step, the temperature in the process sections preceding the program section rinsing, preferably in the process section cleaning, is preferably reduced to a temperature below the dissolution temperature of the rinse aid, preferably below 58 ° C. This is at z. B. a selected intensive program, which usually operates the cleaning section with temperatures between 58 and 70 ° C, prevents when using a combination preparation with temperature-dependent release the rinse aid substance this possibly already dissolves here and therefore present in the program section rinsing in too low a concentration.

In the program section rinsing the items to be washed is heated to a temperature of at least 58 ° C for the subsequent program section drying, thereby also the temperature-dependent and possibly pH-dependent dissolution of the rinse aid is possible.

Advantageously, the temperature control of the rinsing liquid during a selected rinsing process, which has been adapted to the use of combination preparations automatically, as mentioned above, determined on the one hand by the dissolution temperatures of the individual chemical substances. On the other hand, from an energetic point of view, during the pre-rinsing, if it is carried out, the rinsing liquid is not heated by switching on intended heating means, so that the rinsing liquid essentially depends on the water inlet temperature. During rinsing and rinsing, the rinsing liquid is actively heated as a result of switching on the heating means provided and passive in the intermediate rinsing program section without connecting these heating means, ie. H. by removing energy from the heat capacity of the dishwasher, heated significantly to a temperature below the dissolution temperature of a temperature-dependent rinse aid.

Without limiting the invention, it is possible to run parts of the wash program with selected 3in1 function completely or partially according to a defined predetermined program or detection and evaluation of certain parameters, eg. B. by sensors in a suitable manner to the actual situation to adapt in whole or in part in relation to a given target situation.

The connection of the 3in1 function or the selection of a 3in1 wash program can also be switched on, if necessary, even in networked household appliances, which are operated independently of location by a central computer not located in the dishwasher.

In addition to the already known selectable wash programs normal program, intensive program, eco program, short program, a special 3in1 wash program can be provided, which is adapted to the use of combination preparations, especially those containing cleaners, softeners and rinse aid at the same time from the outset. This 3-in-1 wash program is selected directly by the user of the dishwasher and is characterized by the following essential process steps. The sequence of process steps mentioned but not necessarily represents a possible wash cycle without the final program section drying.

Changing or switching off the softening function of the regenerating device and / or changing or switching off the opening of special storage chambers of the metering device for in addition to the combined preparation still individually stored chemical substances (detergent, rinse aid) and / or changing the Zudosierungsmenge the stored chemical substances.

Turn off corresponding display elements to functions that during the program flow, at least by the program control from the outset, that is to say switched off by default, preferably switching off the display regeneration with the regeneration function switched off by the regenerating device and / or switching off the display refill rinse aid with at least switched off automatic addition of the rinse aid.

The pre-rinse is done with cold water, which is thus essentially dependent on the water supply temperature, for an extremely short period of 2 to 5 min., Preferably 2 to 3 min. During this time, mainly fresh soiling can be detached and softened dirt can be softened. Depending on an optional turbidity measurement of the liquid, one or more dilution steps of the rinsing liquid can be provided in the case of heavy soiling, a dilution step being provided due to the shortness of the pre-rinsing, preferably at the end of the pre-rinsing. If no dilution step takes place at the end of the pre-rinse, the rinse liquid is completely changed before the next program section.

The freshly supplied rinsing liquid, which may also be diluted and thus contaminated to a certain extent, is now heated in the cleaning process section to a temperature which is below the dissolution temperature of the rinse aid, preferably between 40 and 57 ° C.

The combination preparation is preferably supplied to the rinsing container by the dosing device within the first third of the program section, provided that the combination preparation is not supplied by the user before starting the rinsing rinse program in the washing, z. B. in the cutlery basket was inserted.

In the o. G. Temperature, the rinsing liquid is circulated in the washing during cleaning about 10 to 30 minutes and completely pumped or diluted at the end of the cleaning process section. This decision can be made dependent on an optional turbidity measurement of the rinsing liquid.

If at least one turbidity measurement of the rinsing liquid is carried out, it is optionally possible to carry out a plurality of dilution steps as a function of the degree of soiling and / or the concentration of individual constituents of the combined preparation. Following the process step cleaning is a process section intermediate rinse, in which the now present fresh or diluted rinsing liquid passively, d. H. is heated exclusively by energy removal of the heat capacity of the dishwasher, so that it removes during their circulation still existing residual debris and chemical residues of the process section cleaning. The circulation of the rinsing liquid takes place in the intermediate rinsing section for a period of about 2 to 10 minutes. Alternatively, the intermediate rinsing can also be operated as pulse rinsing with a reduced maximum rinsing liquid volume with respect to the maximum rinsing liquid volume of the cleaning.

The intermediate flushing procedure is terminated with complete or partial drainage.

In the rinsing process section, a defined rinsing liquid volume is supplied to the rinsing container. This can of be set firmly in front and / or variably adjusted depending on various parameters. A dependent variable is the concentration of the rinse aid actually present in the rinse liquid, since this has an immediate effect on the rinse aid result and thus on the subsequently achievable drying result of the ware. Thus, in the case of a low concentration of the rinse aid at the beginning of the program section rinsing the rinsing liquid as low as possible, but possibly depending on the degree of turbidity of the rinsing liquid, are supplied. If, otherwise, the concentration of the rinse aid at the beginning of the program section rinsing is above average or sufficiently high, the concentration of the rinse aid can be adjusted to a predetermined concentration by supplying a defined rinse liquid volume. The rinsing liquid with rinse aid already dissolved, as well as the rinse aid still to be dissolved, is now preferably heated to a dissolution temperature above the dissolution temperature of a rinse aid dissolving in pH and / or temperature. This dissolution temperature is currently above 58 ° C (for the 3in1 combination Calgonit Powerballs®). For a period of 2 to 15 minutes, but also at least until reaching a predetermined temperature of currently preferably 65 to 70 ° C, the rinsing liquid is heated and circulated. At the end of the rinsing program section, the rinsing liquid is removed as far as possible by pumping out of the rinsing container.

On the items to be washed, the Spülbehälterdecke, the Spülbehälterwänden remaining residual liquid and water vapor is removed in, following the program section rinse, program section drying. The drying is preferably as Condensation drying performed. During the condensation drying, if present, preferably at least one circulating air blower is switched on in the first third of this program section.

The intermediate rinsing during the liquid-carrying process sections can preferably be designed as pulse rinses, ie, during the process section intermediate rinsing, the circulation pump is repeatedly switched on and off for a predefinable or determinable duration. The duration of switching on the circulation pump and the switching off of the circulation pump is dependent on a level of Spülflüssigkeitsniveau in the washing, which corresponds to a lower level, at which the circulating pump sucks no air. Due to the above-mentioned limited factor, there are further dependencies on the rotational speed of the circulation pump, which withdraws more rinsing liquid from the sump as the rotational speed increases. The design of the pulses of switching on and off the circulation pump is adjustable depending on a turbidity measurement of the rinsing liquid, so the duration of turning on the circulation pump against the duration of turning off the circulation pump can be shortened and increased with increased degree of contamination with low degree of contamination. Depending on a pH value measurement and / or the temperature of the liquid and / or a determined rinse aid concentration, the maximum rinsing liquid volume present can be set in a defined manner during a liquid-carrying process section, preferably in the intermediate rinse process section. Thus, the dissolution behavior and / or the concentration of the rinse aid and / or one of the other substances of the combination preparation can be influenced. If a combination preparation containing a rinse aid is used Temperature and / or pH-dependent dissolution behavior, is a certain pH, preferably in the neutral pH range to achieve during the intermediate rinsing. This presupposes, if necessary, both an increased volume of rinsing liquid during the intermediate rinsing, as well as that this pH value can be achieved by one or more intended dilution steps during the intermediate rinsing.

In one embodiment, the invention with reference to a method for operating a domestic dishwasher, which is suitable for the use of 3in1 combination preparations, ie of those with the active ingredients cleaner, rinse aid and softener, explained in more detail.

The single figure shows a schematic of the individual process sections of a washing program sequence. It is assumed that the water of the supply is substantially soft and thus has a low degree of hardness.

On the ordinate of the curve A is not the scale to the time and on the abscissa is not to scale the Spülflüssigkeitsvolumen present in the washing container applied. Individual important parameters for the procedure, which are indispensable for a particularly good cleaning result of the items to be washed, are indicated by corresponding arrows. Preferably, at the beginning of the rinse program, automatic dosing functions that do not include a 3in1 combination preparation supplement are masked out, in each case involving the automatic dosing of the rinse aid, and the automatic regeneration function is also hidden. From the figure it can be seen that the wash program is performed with a pre-wash of very short duration of 2 to 5 minutes at supply temperature of the water.

In this section of the program, preferably no chemical substances are added to the dishwasher to improve the prewetting result. However, it can not be prevented that the user mistakenly supplied the 3-in-one combination preparation even before the start of the dishwasher. After complete pumping out of the rinsing liquid at the end of the program section pre-rinsing, characterized by arrow VV, fresh rinsing liquid is supplied to the rinsing container. This is limited to a maximum volume of rinsing liquid of about 4 liters, measured on a dishwashing machine intended to hold 12 standard dishes. At the beginning of the program section cleaning, the rinsing liquid is heated by connecting provided heating means. In this case, the rinsing liquid should reach a temperature of about 55 ° C, which at the time der'Erfindung a temperature below the dissolution temperature of the rinse aid of pHund temperature-dependent dissolvable 3in1 combination preparation, such as Calgonit Powerballs® corresponds. In the first third of the program section cleaning the 3in1 combination preparation is added, preferably during the supply of rinsing liquid (marked with arrow 3inl).

The rinsing liquid is circulated at the maximum predetermined temperature for about 10 to 30 minutes in the washing and thereby applied to the dishes to be cleaned. At the end of the program section cleaning, the rinsing liquid is almost completely removed from the rinsing container (indicated by arrow VR). The rinsing liquid volume is refilled for a subsequent program section intermediate rinsing and heated and circulated exclusively by removing energy stored in the heat capacity of the dishwasher. The maximum amount of rinsing fluid supplied can be in Depending on a turbidity measurement and / or a concentration measurement of existing rinse aid, which operates on the principle of dilution, be varied. Thus, as shown in dotted lines, the rinsing liquid volume is preferably increased in the case of a high degree of contamination and / or a high degree of concentration of the rinse aid and / or strongly basic medium of the rinsing liquid. At a low degree of contamination, already quite low concentration of the rinse aid with respect to the concentration, which is necessary in the rinse, and / or already neutral rinsing liquid, the rinsing liquid volume, as shown in phantom, lowered.

The process section intermediate rinsing passes into the program section rinsing after a dilution step or after a complete pumping, which is not shown, for example depending on the degree of turbidity. For this purpose, the rinsing liquid volume is at least partially increased and preferably reaches the maximum rinsing liquid volume of the program section cleaning. On the other hand, alternatively, the rinsing liquid volume can also be adjusted precisely to a predeterminable concentration range of the rinse aid by appropriately evaluated measurement results of provided sensors. The value of the rinsing fluid volume to be supplied then has to be calculated by the arithmetic unit of the program sequence control. Thus, the duration of the intermediate rinsing varies between 2 to 10 minutes and the duration of rinsing approximately between 2 to 15 minutes. The rinsing liquid volume is now increased in the further program flow to a temperature above a pH or temperature-dependent dissolution temperature of the rinse aid, the dissolution temperature of the rinse aid is currently about 58 ° C, so that heated to a minimum temperature in the rinse of 60 to 70 ° C. becomes. At the end of the program section rinse the rinsing liquid is almost completely removed from the washing container (marked by arrow VK). The program section rinsing is followed by a program section drying, which, however, is not shown here.

Without limiting the invention, all figures which include numerical values are adapted to the 3inl combination preparations currently available on the market (Calgonit Powerball®, Somat 3in1®, Sun 3in1 Optimal @). If there are changes in the composition of these 3-in-1 combination preparations, the parameters mentioned must be adjusted accordingly with numerical values. To further modify the proposed program flows is on EP-A-1362 547 and EP-A-1516 576 referred to the applicant.

Without limiting the invention, a program sequence design or a method is conceivable in which the invention described above is reversed, d. H. all preset programs are designed for the use of (3in1) combination preparations and an operable switching means allows adaptation to the use of individually stored or dosed cleansing, rinsing and softening agents of the selected washing program.

Claims (7)

1. Process for operating a dishwasher having at least one washing program known per se and designed for washing machine operation without combination preparations having several active ingredients, such as for example intensive program, normal program, short program, eco-program, wherein the washing program has washing program sections pre-washing, cleaning, intermediate rinsing and clear rinsing, in which the washing program is adapted in its form and its sequence to the use of a combination preparation having several active ingredients when using a combination preparation having several active ingredients, wherein adaptation of the washing program to the use of a combination preparation comprises at least one of the following measures:

   the duration at least of the program section pre-washing is shortened or reduced to zero;

   the number of intended intermediate rinsing sections between the program sections cleaning and clear rinsing is reduced to one or no intermediate rinsing section.
2. Process for operating a dishwasher according to claim 1, characterised in that adaptation of the washing program to the use of a combination preparation is effected with optional switching on or switching off of an additional function for the use of a combination preparation and/or with automatic, essentially sensory recognition of the use of a combination preparation.
3. Process for operating a dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that adaptation of the washing program to the use of a combination preparation comprises at least one of the following measures:

   a) The metering of certain substances, which are stocked in the metering device, is displaced in point in time and/or altered in quantity of metering or completely cut out.

   b) The automatic regenerating function of the regenerating device is switched off unless the exceeding or shortfall of a defined degree of hardness is detected by a hardness sensor provided and/or a defined degree of hardness of the washing liquid is established by user-dependent adjustment of regenerating metering and/or via a program-controlled input device the inclusion of the regenerating function is effected when the additional function is switched on, wherein on exceeding a defined degree of hardness of the washing liquid by at least at times re-switching on of the regenerating function and/or dilution of the washing liquid with soft water, the degree of hardness of the washing liquid is reduced overall.

   c) At the start of the washing program, metering of the rinse aid substance from the metering combination is blocked; hence a corresponding default value is placed and stored in a memory unit of the program control, wherein in the case of recognition of shortfall of the rinse aid concentration below a definable concentration value, this default value can be reset and/or at a definable point in time of the program sequence, rinse aid substance in definable volume is added to the washing liquid and/or until reaching a definable minimum concentration value, wherein such an addition is preferably effected only in program section clear rinsing.

   d) During the program sequence, addition of a defined volume of salt water into a softening device is cut out or included depending on the process management of program section b) actually executed with regard to the regenerating function.

   e) Information about the actual state and/or theoretical state of at least one parameter of the washing program or an instruction and/or request derived therefrom are displayed to the user by appropriate display elements.

   f) The duration of two process sections, preferably of program sections pre-washing and cleaning and/or cleaning and intermediate rinsing, is lengthened and/or shortened, wherein the period of time of lengthening and shortening are in a definable ratio.

   g) At least in one program section, the washing liquid is applied to the goods to be washed like a type of pulsed washing by single or repeated switching on and switching off of the circulating pump with duration of the switching on and switching off state of the circulating pump which can be determined or preset to be different or by regulated or controlled speed change of the circulating pump.

   h) During at least one program section, preferably at the end of process sections pre-washing, cleaning and/or intermediate rinsing, at least one dilution step with reduction of the dirt concentration of the washing liquid is executed depending on at least one measurement of clouding and/or concentration of at least one active substance in the washing liquid or independently thereof.

   i) The maximum temperature is reduced in the program sections preceding clear rinsing, in particular in process section cleaning, to a temperature below the dissolution temperature of the rinse aid substance.

   j) In program section clear rinsing, heating is effected to a temperature which lies above the temperature of dissolution of the rinse aid substance.
4. Process for operating a dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that at least in process sections cleaning and clear rinsing, the washing liquid is actively heated due to switching on heating means provided and optionally in program section intermediate rinsing, the washing liquid is heated preferably passively without switching on these heating means and/or during pre-washing, the washing liquid is heated essentially non-actively.
5. Process for operating a dishwasher according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that during intermediate rinsing and/or pre-washing, the heating means provided are switched on and switched off briefly, wherein this is effected repeatedly at different or similar length intervals below or near the solubility temperature of the cleaning substance and/or the softening substance and/or the rinse aid substance.
6. Process according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that at least one of the following process steps is provided in the sequence of the washing program adapted to the use of a combination preparation:

   a) Changing or switching off the softening function of the regenerating device and/or changing or switching off the opening of special stock chambers of the metering device.

   b) Switching off of corresponding display elements regarding functions which are switched off during the program sequence at least by the program sequence control from the start, that is preset.

   c) Pre-washing with cold washing liquid dependent on the water-supply temperature with a pre-washing period of preferably 2 to 5 minutes; complete washing liquid change at the end of the process section pre-washing, wherein one or more dilution steps may be executed with a liquid change during pre-washing.

   d) Heating of the washing liquid in process section cleaning to a temperature which lies below the dissolution temperature of the rinse aid, preferably between 45 and 57°C.

   e) Metering of the combination preparation during the heating phase of the washing liquid in program section cleaning, preferably at the start or in the first third of program section cleaning.

   f) Circulation of the washing liquid in the washing container in program section cleaning at a cleaning temperature (40 to 57°C) for a period of 10 to 30 minutes, wherein at the end of process section cleaning, the washing liquid, optionally depending on the result of a clouding measurement of the washing liquid, is pumped off completely or process section cleaning is concluded by a dilution step, wherein several dilution steps may be executed optionally during cleaning.

   g) Passive heating of the washing liquid in a process section intermediate rinsing, which is freshly supplied or diluted with washing liquid of program section cleaning and circulation of the washing liquid in the washing container for a period of 2 to 10 minutes.

   h) Ending process section intermediate rinsing with complete or partial emptying, wherein the latter introduces a dilution step to the following process section.

   i) Replenishing the washing liquid to a defined and/or variably adjustable filling level of the washing liquid in program section clear rinsing, heating the washing liquid by switching on heating means provided above the dissolution temperature of the rinse aid substance of the combination preparation, preferably at 58 to 70°C, and circulating the washing liquid with the dissolved or diluted and entrained rinse aid.

   j) Complete emptying of the washing liquid from the washing container at the end of process section clear rinsing, only when a defined concentration of the rinse aid substance has not fallen short for a defined time section at least in program section clear rinsing.
7. Process for operating a dishwasher according to claim 6, characterised in that the circulating pump is switched on and switched off repeatedly for a presettable or determinable period preferably in process section intermediate rinsing, wherein the period of switching on of the circulating pump and of switching off of the circulating pump is dependent on a washing liquid level in the washing container and/or the speed of the circulating pump and/or a clouding measurement of the washing liquid, wherein the maximum washing liquid volume present is adjusted depending on the temperature of the washing liquid and/or the rinse aid concentration determined and/or the pH value and/or the filter soiling.

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