Method for operating a dishwasher

Abstract

A method for operating a dishwasher comprising a washing tub for accommodating articles to be cleaned and a circulation pump for circulating a cleaning liquid within the washing tub, and wherein there is provided for a plurality of washing programs selectable by the user, said washing programs comprising a series of consecutive steps selected from filling, pre-washing, washing, rinsing, soaking, draining and drying steps. In the method suggested herein, the washing programs comprise: (a) a first washing program in which the circulation pump is operated at a nominal speed, and (b) a second washing program in which, for at least part of the program, the circulation pump is operated at a speed which is reduced with respect to the nominal speed, and in which there is provided at least one soaking step during which the circulation pump is inactive.

1 . A method for operating a dishwasher comprising a washing tub for accommodating articles to be cleaned and a circulation pump for circulating a cleaning liquid within the washing tub, and wherein there is provided for a plurality of washing programs selectable by the user, said washing programs comprising a series of consecutive steps selected from filling, pre-washing, washing, rinsing, soaking, draining and drying steps, wherein said washing programs comprise:
 (a) a first washing program in which the circulation pump is operated at a nominal speed, and   (b) a second washing program in which, for at least part of the program, the circulation pump is operated at a speed which is reduced with respect to the nominal speed, and in which there is provided at least one soaking step during which the circulation pump is inactive.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in said second program the circulation pump is operated at a speed which is in the range of from 85 to 95 percent of the nominal speed. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in said second program the circulation pump is operated at a speed which is less than 90 percent of the nominal speed. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , characterized in that wherein in said second program there is provided a pre-washing step in which non-heated water is circulated within the washing tub, and wherein there is provided a soaking step following the pre-washing step during which the circulation pump is inactive. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said soaking step following the pre-washing step has a duration of at least 15 min. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the pre-washing step has a duration of at least 10 min. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein during the pre-washing step a detergent is dissolved in the water circulated within the washing tub. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in said second program there is provided at least one washing step in which cleaning liquid is circulated within the washing tub, wherein during at least a first part of the washing step heat is provided to the cleaning liquid and wherein during at least a second part of the washing step the heated cleaning liquid is circulated within the washing tub without providing additional heat to the cleaning liquid, wherein the washing step comprises at least one soaking pause during which the circulation pump is inactive. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said soaking pause has a duration of at least 15 min. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said soaking pause is provided at the conclusion of the washing step. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a first soaking pause is provided during said first part of the washing step and a second soaking pause is provided during said second part of the washing step. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said first and/or second soaking pause has a duration of 5 to 15 minutes. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said soaking pause(s) is (are) conducted at a temperature of 40 to 45° C. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in said second program there is provided at least one washing step in which cleaning liquid is circulated within the washing tub, wherein during at least a first part of the washing step heat is provided to the cleaning liquid and wherein during at least a second part of the washing step the heated cleaning liquid is circulated within the washing tub without providing additional heat to the cleaning liquid, wherein during a third part of the washing step the temperature of the cleaning liquid is kept constant. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein during said third part of the washing step the temperature of the cleaning liquid is kept at a temperature of between 40 to 45° C. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in said second program there is provided at least one rinsing step in which fresh water is fed into and circulated within the washing tub, and wherein there is provided a soaking step which precedes the rinsing step and during which the circulation pump is inactive. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said soaking step preceding the rinsing step has a duration of at least 20 min. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the circulation pump, when active, is operated in a pulsed mode. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in said second washing program the circulation pump, if and when active, is operated at a speed which is reduced with respect to the nominal speed. 
     
     
         20 . A dishwasher adapted for carrying out the method of  claim 1 .