EP1852658B1 - Method for carrying out a cleaning process in an electric domestic appliance and an electric domestic appliance - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for carrying out an at least partially automated cleaning process in a household electrical appliance according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to an electrical household appliance.

The cooking, roasting or baking in a household oven has the consequence that this process gradually secrete particles inside the cooking chamber. This is done by depositing liquids, grease etc. on the walls of the cooking chamber over time through the material in the cooking chamber. The contamination of the oven has the consequence that the cooking, baking or roasting operation is difficult. If the degree of contamination of the cooking chamber is large, it is necessary to clean the cooking chamber.

Household ovens are therefore often equipped with automatic cleaning devices to clean the oven when needed in a simple and efficient way. In the case of high-quality furnaces, an automatic self-pyrolysis is often used. In this case, the walls of the cooking chamber are heated to temperatures of about 500 ° C and more during the cleaning process, so that are deposited on the wall adhering deposits.

From the DE 299 13 049 U1 the problem is known that sometimes not heat-stable accessories in the cooking chamber is accidentally forgotten, so this during the pyrolysis process can be damaged. Therefore, it is envisaged that at the start of the cleaning program by means of pyrolysis, a signal generator is activated which, after each selection of the pyrolysis cleaning function via the input device of the device and before the start of the pyrolytic cleaning generates visual or acoustic signals to alert the operator, that all non-heat-stable parts must be removed from the oven. In order to carry out the cleaning process in the correct manner, the operator is optionally indicated by a display on a display to a specific point in the instructions for use.

From the EP 1 146 290 A2 it is known, during the cleaning of the cooking chamber to heat it using a chemical detergent to be introduced programmatically to a desired temperature, after which an acoustic or optical signal is output when the target temperature is reached, indicating the possibility of introducing the detergent. The start of the cleaning process can be triggered by pressing a selector switch.

From the DE 100 15 760 A1 For example, a method of operating a household oven is known, wherein the operating time of the heater and the temperature are detected as operating parameters each time the oven is operated. The parameters are assigned a specific characteristic value, whereby the characteristic values for determining a total value are mathematically linked to one another. Then, when the total value exceeds a predetermined threshold, an optical or audible signal is output indicating the time of oven cleaning to be performed.

In the DE 198 32 757 A1 a method for controlling a household electrical appliance is described. When selecting a cleaning function, the function "CLEANING" and the corresponding cleaning temperature are displayed on a display. The cleaning temperature can not be changed.

From the DE 199 54 470 A1 For example, an apparatus and a method for operating a cooking oven with pyrolysis cleaning function are known. The pyrolysis cleaning function is activated only if the presence of at least one extension device is not detected by a detection device. As a result, the destruction of the extension device is prevented.

In the DE 26 40 684 A1 is a cooking and frying device with cleaning device described. The cleaning device is provided for cleaning the exhaust gases from the frying chamber, wherein the cleaning device comprises a catalyst.

From the DE 100 15 760 A1 For example, a method of operating a cooking oven is known. During each operation, the operating time and the heating temperature are recorded and mathematically linked to a total value. The total value is assigned to different limit values, each of which corresponds to a certain degree of contamination. The degree of contamination is displayed.

In the DE 100 21 235 A1 is described a household oven with smoker function, in which a Dampfgarprozess and a steam cleaning process are provided as an additional function.

From the DE 101 51 924 A1 an input and display unit for an oven control is known. Each permissible operating mode is assigned a combination of several pictograms displayed at the same time but separately. The selection of the operating mode is made by a push button. The selection is supported by displaying the operating mode in a dot matrix line as standing text or continuous text.

The disadvantage is that in known solutions, although an efficient cleaning of the cooking chamber by the means available can be done, but that - since this is relatively rare - the manual is an essential means for the operator to perform the cleaning process professional.

In this case, for example, the following information can be seen from the operating instructions, which are important in order to be able to carry out a professional cleaning: The removal of coarse dirt from the cooking chamber; the removal of non-heat-stable accessories, such as grids, sheets and pull-out systems, from the cooking chamber before starting, in particular pyrolysis; for steam cooking appliances, use vinegar water for cleaning.

The invention is therefore based on the object to propose a method for performing an at least partially automated cleaning process in a household electrical appliance, especially in a Haushaltsgarofen, in which the use of a manual is unnecessary, while still giving the operator sufficient information to the cleaning process to carry out professionally. Furthermore, a corresponding household electrical appliance should be provided.

According to the invention, the display of all information required for the execution of the cleaning process includes the presentation and explanation of the measures to be performed by the operator as continuous text, wherein the operator is informed if necessary to remove coarse dirt residues from the interior and that insertion parts from the interior can be seen.

With this procedure, the inclusion of the operating instructions of the household appliance is absolutely unnecessary, since all the information required can be included in the assistance function.

A further development of the method provides that the display of all information required for carrying out the cleaning process comprises the representation and explanation of the measures to be carried out by the operator as continuous text or plain text.

The cleaning process may be pyrolysis, catalysis or steam cleaning in a household oven. Likewise, for example, the method is used when the cleaning process is a steam cleaning in a steamer.

The proposed household electric appliance, in particular the domestic oven, in which an at least partially automated cleaning process can be carried out, with a machine controller connected to an input device and a display device, According to the invention, it is characterized in that means are implemented in the machine control with which the operator of the domestic appliance can select and activate an assistance function for performing the cleaning operation via the input device or means are implemented which, at the start of the at least partially automated cleaning operation, have the assistance function for Start the execution of the cleaning process, wherein the means are designed to be able to start interactive mode with activated assistance function, in which all information required for the execution of the cleaning process on the display device and requested by the operator information and / or at least one confirmation is requested wherein the display is adapted to output continuous text.

With the proposed approach and the associated household appliance, it is possible, without consulting the manual, which is already sometimes difficult to perform the cleaning process in the home appliance properly and professionally, the operator by the invention provided by providing all information required for cleaning also has sufficient security to perform the cleaning process properly. This removes any existing barriers to carrying out the cleaning that may exist in uncertainty. Thus, the existing cleaning option can be used better and more often, resulting in better cooking results as a result.

The ignorance of the operator about the exact procedure and the necessary measures before and during the cleaning of the Device is thus prevented according to the invention, so that better and certainly in a simple way good cleaning results can be achieved.

This is especially true for the pyrolytic cleaning of a household oven, but also for any other household electrical appliances that are equipped with other cleaning options. By way of example, a cleaning by means of catalysis, a steam cleaning or a cleaning which utilizes a cleaning action on the enamel layer, for example a cleaning method known by the name "CleanEmail", or a cleaning by means of chemical cleaning agents or by means of cleaning spray ("backspray") when only warm-acting cleaning sprays the oven is to heat up in advance and is then sprayed with the cleaning spray and spraying cold to be applied sprays without preheating, or any combination of two or more of these cleaning methods.

Fig. 1

schematisch einen Haushaltsgarofen in der Vorderansicht,

Fig. 2a

die Eingabe- und Anzeigevorrichtung des Haushaltsgeräts während eines ersten Schritts des Reinigungsverfahrens,

Fig. 2b

die Eingabe- und Anzeigevorrichtung des Haushaltsgeräts während eines zweiten Schritts des Reinigungsverfahrens,

Fig. 2c

die Eingabe- und Anzeigevorrichtung des Haushaltsgeräts während eines dritten Schritts des Reinigungsverfahrens und

Fig. 2d

die Eingabe- und Anzeigevorrichtung des Haushaltsgeräts während eines vierten Schritts des Reinigungsverfahrens.

In the drawing, an embodiment of the invention is shown. Show it:

Fig. 1

schematically a household oven in front view,

Fig. 2a

the input and display device of the household appliance during a first step of the cleaning process,

Fig. 2b

the input and display device of the household appliance during a second step of the cleaning process,

Fig. 2c

the input and display device of the household appliance during a third step of the cleaning process and

Fig. 2d

the input and display device of the household appliance during a fourth step of the cleaning process.

Fig. 1 shows a Haushaltsgarofen 1 in a known embodiment. In the upper area, an input device 3 and a display device 5 (display) are present. Both are associated with a machine control 2 shown only very schematically with dashed lines (usually input device 3, display device 5 and machine control 2 are designed as a module).

The cooking chamber 6 of the household oven 1 is closed in a known manner with a door 7. In the interior of the cooking chamber 6 can - for the purpose of performing a pyrolytic cleaning - a temperature of about 500 ° C are generated.

In the FIGS. 2a to 2d the input and display device 3, 5 of the household oven 1 is shown during successive process steps. The input and display device 3, 5 is configured in a conventional manner.

If the cleaning program is selected in a known manner menu-guided, the in Fig. 2a displayed image on the display device 5. In this case, the information 4 is displayed visually highlighted, which indicates the "cleaning assistant". The symbol 8 indicates that the Device is in cleaning mode. All data required for the corresponding display on the display device 5 are stored in the machine control 2.

By pressing the OK button 9, the "Cleaning Assistant" can be activated in the dialog by the operator. It will then display as it looks like Fig. 2b evident. It is essential that - without that an instruction manual would be required - the user gets notified in plain text via the display device, which step he must concretely now perform in order to make a proper cleaning. In the embodiment, the operator receives the message:
"Please remove coarse dirt residues from the oven interior Continue with OK"

If this has been done and the user has pressed the OK button, the in Fig. 2c displayed display. Afterwards the user is informed:
"Please remove all insert parts from the oven interior Continue with OK"

If the user has done so and pressed the OK button appears in the embodiment according to Fig. 2d the information:
"Now start the cleaning process with → OK"

After confirming with the OK button, cleaning starts.

The exemplary embodiment provides a very simple example of the procedure according to the invention. Decisive is that any amount of information about the display device 5 can be transmitted to the operator, so that a read in the manual is absolutely unnecessary. Depending on the type of cleaning, the content and the number of information windows provided are different.

It is possible that the "cleaning assistant" is started optionally only when prompted by the operator, while it remains with a reference to the assistant. However, it can also be provided that the "cleaning assistant" starts automatically when the cleaning mode of the device is selected.

If several different cleaning modes are implemented in the household appliance, a separate "cleaning assistant" can be provided for each.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

electric household appliance (household oven)

2

machine control

3

input device

4

information

5

display device

6

oven

7

door

8th

symbol

9

OK button

Claims (7)

1. Method for carrying out an at least partially automated cleaning process in an electric domestic appliance (1), in particular in a domestic oven, in which the operator of the electric domestic appliance (1) starts the at least partially automated cleaning process by way of an input device (3) in connection with a machine controller (2), at least one item of information (4) being output by way of the machine controller (2) and displayed on a display device (5), the item of information (4) comprising the operating instructions,
   and the method comprising the steps of:

   a) starting, performed by the operator by means of the input device (3) or automatically, an assistance function for carrying out the cleaning process as soon as the operator starts the at least partially automated cleaning process by means of the input device (3);

   b) starting a dialogue mode by the machine controller, in which all of the items of information required for carrying out the cleaning process are displayed on the display device and in which the operator is requested to input items of information and/or to confirm proposed measures by way of the input device;

   c) starting the cleaning process in the electric domestic appliance (1) after input of all the required items of information by the operator,

   characterized
   in that the display of all of the items of information (4) required for carrying out the cleaning process comprises the presentation and explanation of the measures to be carried out by the operator as running text, the operator being informed as and when required that remains of heavy soiling are to be removed from the interior space (6) and that slide-in parts are to be removed from the interior space (6) .
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning process is a pyrolysis or pyrolytic cleaning in a domestic oven.
3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning process comprises or is a catalysis or catalytic cleaning in a domestic oven.
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the cleaning process comprises or is a chemical cleaning or cleaning by means of a chemical cleaning agent or a cleaning spray in a domestic oven.
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the cleaning process comprises or is a steam cleaning in a domestic oven.
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the cleaning process comprises or is a steam cleaning in a steam cooker.
7. Electric domestic appliance (1), in particular domestic oven, in which an at least partially automated cleaning process can be carried out, comprising a machine controller (2) in connection with an input device (3) and comprising a display device (5), for carrying out the method according to one of Claims 1 to 6,
   there being implemented in the machine controller (2) means by which the operator of the domestic appliance can select and activate an assistance function for carrying out the cleaning process by way of the input device (3) or means which start the assistance function for carrying out the cleaning process when the at least partially automated cleaning process is started, the means being designed to be able when there is an activated assistance function to start a dialogue mode in which all of the items of information (4) required for carrying out the cleaning process are displayed on the display device (5) and items of information and/or at least one confirmation to be input by the operator are requested,
   characterized
   in that the display is designed for outputting running text.

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