Device and method for determining the dirt load in a rinsing or detergent solution

• US 10,488,332 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2016
• Issued: 11/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Kessler, Arnd, Lambert, Edith, Mussmann, Nina, Stamminger, Rainer, Weber, Thomas, Gerstenlauer, Michaela, Heissler, Heinz, Stickel, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Barr, Michael E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ayalew, Tinsae B
• Application Number:
  US15/577,359
• Publication Number:
  US 20180156725A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,306 Days
• Field of Search: 134 56 D
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4297 Arrangements for detecting or measuring the condition of the washing water, e.g. turbidity
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/10 Water cloudiness or dirtiness, e.g. turbidity, foaming or level of bacteria
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/041 Compositions releasably affixed on a substrate or incorporated into a dispensing means
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 2111/12 Soft surfaces, e.g. textile
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 2111/14 Hard surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/386 Preparations containing enzymes , e.g. protease or amylase
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/38627 containing lipase
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/20 Washing liquid condition, e.g. turbidity
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/42 Detergent or additive supply
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/36 of washing
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/37 of metering of detergents or additives
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/05 for wireless communication between components, e.g. for remote monitoring or control
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/22 Condition of the washing liquid, e.g. turbidity
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/3577 for analysing liquids, e.g. polluted water
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/359 using near infrared light

Abstract

A device for determining a dirt load in a rinsing or detergent solution in a water-conducting household appliance includes a sensor configured to execute a near-infrared spectroscopy for acquiring a spectral measured value of a dirt component in the rinsing or detergent solution in the water-conducting household appliance. A determination unit determines the dirt load of the rinsing or detergent solution on the basis of the acquired spectral measured value of the dirt component in the rinsing or detergent solution, and an adjustment unit adjusts a wash parameter of a current wash program in response to the determined dirt load.

Claims

1. A device for determining a dirt load in a rinsing or detergent solution in a water-conducting household appliance, said device comprising:

a sensor configured to execute a near-infrared spectroscopy for acquiring spectral measured values of dirt components in the rinsing or detergent solution in the water-conducting household appliance,

a determination unit configured to determine the dirt load of the rinsing or detergent solution on the basis of the acquired spectral measured values of the dirt components in the rinsing or detergent solution, and

an adjustment unit configured to adjust a wash parameter of a current wash program in response to the dirt load determined,

wherein the determination unit is configured to compare output data of the sensor with a predefined calibration model, and the calibration model containing a plurality of different items of spectral information with associated organic compounds, and

wherein the determination unit provides at least one among a qualitative and a quantitative determination of individual organic compounds identified in the dirt components in the rinsing or detergent solution in the water-conducting household appliance.

2. The device of claim 1 for determining the dirt load in a dishwasher or in a washing machine.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to carry out a transmission measurement and/or a reflection measurement.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit is configured to adjust the current wash program in response to a user input.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to measure the organic compounds at a defined temperature.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to measure the organic compounds using a correction factor.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is disposed in a pump sump of the water-conducting household appliance or in a bypass arrangement inside and/or outside a wash tub of the water-conducting household appliance.

8. A water-conducting household appliance, comprising a device for determining a dirt load in a rinsing or detergent solution in a water-conducting household appliance, said device comprising a sensor configured to execute a near-infrared spectroscopy for acquiring spectral measured values of dirt components in the rinsing or detergent solution in the water-conducting household appliance, a determination unit configured to determine the dirt load of the rinsing or detergent solution in response to the acquired spectral measured values of the dirt components in the rinsing or detergent solution, and an adjustment unit configured to adjust a wash parameter of a current wash program in response to the determined dirt load,

wherein the determination unit is configured to compare output data of the sensor with a predefined calibration model, and the calibration model containing a plurality of different items of spectral information with associated organic compounds, and

wherein the determination unit provides at least one among a qualitative and a quantitative determination of individual organic compounds identified in the dirt components in the rinsing or detergent solution in the water-conducting household appliance.

9. The water-conducting household appliance of claim 8, constructed in the form of a dishwasher or a washing machine.

10. The water-conducting household appliance of claim 8, wherein the device is configured to determine a soiling of a wash item, and further comprising an external server, said device configured to communicate with the external server.

11. The water-conducting household appliance of claim 10, wherein the device is configured to communicate the individual organic compounds of the dirt components and/or soiling of the wash item to the external server.

12. The water-conducting household appliance of claim 10 configured to receive a program update from the external server.

13. The water-conducting household appliance of claim 8, further comprising a wash tub and a pump sump, said sensor being disposed in the pump sump or in a bypass arrangement inside and/or outside the wash tub.

14. A method for determining a dirt load in a rinsing or detergent solution in a water-conducting household appliance, said method comprising:

acquiring spectral measured values of dirt components in the rinsing or detergent solution using near-infrared spectroscopy, and

comparing the spectral measured values with a predefined calibration model, wherein the calibration model contains a plurality of different items of spectral information with associated organic compounds,

determining the dirt load of the rinsing or detergent solution on the basis of the acquired spectral measured values of the dirt components, wherein near-infrared spectroscopy provides at least one among a qualitative and a quantitative determination of individual organic compounds identified in the dirt components in the rinsing or detergent solution in the water-conducting household appliance.

15. A method for washing dishes or fabrics in a water-conducting household appliance, said method comprising:

acquiring spectral measured values of dirt components in a rinsing or detergent solution in the water-conducting household appliance using near-infrared spectroscopy,

comparing the spectral measured values with a predefined calibration model, wherein the calibration model contains a plurality of different items of spectral information with associated organic compounds,

determining a dirt load of the rinsing or detergent solution on the basis of the acquired spectral measured values of the dirt components, wherein near-infrared spectroscopy provides a qualitative and quantitative determination of organic compounds identified in the dirt components in the rinsing or detergent solution in the water-conducting household appliance, and

adjusting a wash parameter of a current wash program in response to the dirt load determined.

16. A method for washing dishes or fabrics in a water-conducting household appliance, said method comprising:

acquiring spectral measured values of dirt components in a rinsing or detergent solution in the water-conducting household appliance using near-infrared spectroscopy,

determining the dirt load of the rinsing or detergent solution on the basis of the acquired spectral measured values of the dirt components, wherein near-infrared spectroscopy provides a qualitative and quantitative determination of organic compounds identified in the dirt components in the rinsing or detergent solution in the water-conducting household appliance, and

dosing a detergent in response to the dirt load determined.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the detergent comprises a multicomponent detergent product format comprising at least two detergent formulations selected from the group consisting of a first detergent formulation containing at least one constituent having a detergent action on starchy soilings, a second detergent formulation containing at least one constituent having a detergent action on protein soilings, and a third detergent formulation containing at least one constituent having a detergent action on fatty soilings,

wherein the detergent is dosed such that each of the detergent formulations is dispensed on the basis of a type and amount of the dirt components determined.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the detergent formulations are liquid.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one constituent of the first detergent formulation is amylase.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the least one constituent of the second detergent formulation is protease.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the least one constituent of the third detergent formulation is a lipase or at least one nonionic surfactant.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the multicomponent detergent product format comprises the first, second and third detergent formulations.

23. The method of claim 17, further comprising packaging the multicomponent detergent product format in the form of separate accommodation compartments, with each of the compartments containing one of the detergent formulations.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the accommodation compartments are formed in a cartridge having at least two of said accommodation compartments.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising dispensing the detergent via a dosing system for multiple dosing of detergents, with the dosing system comprising the first, second and third detergent formulations, the cartridge having the separate accommodation compartments for containing the detergent formulations, and a dosing device connectable to the cartridge.

26. A device for determining a dirt load in a rinsing or detergent solution in a water-conducting household appliance, said device comprising:

a sensor configured to execute a near-infrared spectroscopy for acquiring spectral measured values of a plurality of different dirt components in the rinsing or detergent solution in the water-conducting household appliance,

a determination unit configured to determine the dirt load of the rinsing or detergent solution on the basis of the acquired spectral measured values of the plurality of different dirt components in the rinsing or detergent solution, the plurality of different dirt components within the dirt load being organic compounds including fat, protein, and starch, and

an adjustment unit configured to adjust a wash parameter of a current wash program in response to the dirt load determined.