Dishwasher and corresponding method for operating it

Abstract

The invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a washing chamber, a water collection sump, a circulation pump, a circulation filter system with a flat filter arranged between the washing chamber and the water collection sump and a discharge section arranged between a discharge pump and the washing chamber. In accordance with the present invention, the dishwasher is provided with a filter cleaning mode and the filter cleaning mode comprises the steps of: decreasing the power of the circulation pump ( 4 ) in such a way that the water level in the water collection sump ( 2 ) increases and at least some of the deposits of the flat filter ( 7 ) are floated increasing the power of the circulation pump ( 4 ) in order to draw the floating deposits into the discharge section ( 10 );

1 . A dishwasher comprising a washing chamber, a water collection sump, a circulation pump, a circulation filter system with a flat filter arranged between the washing chamber and the water collection sump and a discharge section attached between a discharge pump and the washing chamber, characterized in that the dishwasher is provided with a filter cleaning mode comprising the steps of:
 decreasing the power of the circulation pump ( 4 ) in such a way that the water level in the water collection sump ( 2 ) increases and at least some of the deposits of the flat filter ( 7 ) are floated   increasing the power of the circulation pump ( 4 ) in order to draw the floating deposits into the discharge section ( 10 ).   
     
     
         2 . The dishwasher as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the filter cleaning mode comprises the steps of:
 switching off the circulation pump ( 4 ) in such a way that the water level in the water collection sump ( 2 ) increases and at least some of the deposits of the flat filter ( 7 ) are floated   switching on the circulation pump ( 4 ) in order to draw the floating deposits into the discharge section ( 10 ).   
     
     
         3 . The dishwasher as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 characterised in that in the filter cleaning mode the steps decreasing the power of the circulation pump ( 4 ) and increasing the power of the circulation pump ( 4 ) are performed at least twice.   
     
     
         4 . The dishwasher as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the dishwasher comprises several cleaning phases and that at least one of the cleaning phases comprises at least one break for performing the filter cleaning mode. 
     
     
         5 . The dishwasher as claimed in  claim 4 , characterised in that the power of the circulation pump ( 4 ) is controlled in such a way that the water level in the water collection sump ( 2 ) is below the flat filter ( 7 ) with the exception of the break for performing the filter cleaning mode. 
     
     
         6 . The dishwasher as claimed in  claim 4 , characterised in that at least one of the cleaning phases comprises periodical breaks for performing the filter cleaning mode. 
     
     
         7 . The dishwasher as claimed in  claim 4 , characterised in that the duration of the respective breaks in which the filter cleaning mode is performed is substantially shorter than the duration of the respective cleaning phases. 
     
     
         8 . The dishwasher as claimed in  claim 4 , characterised in that the main wash phase comprises at least one break for performing the filter cleaning mode. 
     
     
         9 . The dishwasher as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the dishwasher comprises a turbidity sensor ( 13 ) for measuring the turbidity of the circulating water and that the filter cleaning mode is activated as a function of the measurements of the turbidity sensor ( 13 ). 
     
     
         10 . The dishwasher as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the filter cleaning mode is performed between the cleaning phases, in particular between the main wash phase and the rinsing phase. 
     
     
         11 . A method for operating a dishwasher comprising a washing chamber, a water collection sump, a circulation pump, a circulation filter system with a flat filter arranged between the washing chamber and the water collection sump, and a discharge section arranged between a discharge pump and the washing chamber, characterised in that a filter cleaning mode is performed for cleaning the circulation filter system and that the filter cleaning mode comprises the steps of:
 decreasing the power of the circulation pump ( 4 ) in such a way that the water level in the water collection sump ( 2 ) increases and at least some of the deposits of the flat filter ( 7 ) are floated   increasing the power of the circulation pump ( 4 ) in order to draw the floating deposits into the discharge section ( 10 ).   
     
     
         12 . The dishwasher as claimed in  claim 5 , characterised in that the duration of the respective breaks in which the filter cleaning mode is performed is substantially shorter than the duration of the respective cleaning phases. 
     
     
         13 . The dishwasher as claimed in  claim 6 , characterised in that the duration of the respective breaks in which the filter cleaning mode is performed is substantially shorter than the duration of the respective cleaning phases.