EP2614181B1 - Method for controlling a household appliance using smart metering and related appliance - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for controlling a domestic appliance, in particular a washing machine or dishwasher for cleaning laundry or crockery parts, at its connection to at least one electrical energy supply network, which is in particular branched off from a public utility network, within a single household, said at least an energy supply network with intelligence, such as intelligent electricity metering, is provided, so that on the one hand measured consumption energy is detected according to different consumption rates and on the other hand the household appliance to be operated information on the existence of a just applicable consumption tariffs or a shutdown condition to avoid peak loads in the supply network is provided.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a domestic appliance, with which the method mentioned above can be carried out.

In the forefront of the invention, it has been recognized that for new energy supply networks, which allow in particular an intelligent electricity meter, the economic operation of a household appliance, such as washing machine or dishwasher, that changes in the operation of this device, such as slowdowns, accelerations and interruptions must be accepted can lead to a greatly altered result of the cleaning process of this device, provided that these influencing factors are not taken into account somehow. In particular, the cleaning effect, which is based on the use of detergents or of their individual components in the cleaning process, should be affected because the detergents or their individual components are only able to unfold their cleaning effect optimally if a vote on certain temperatures and reaction and exposure times is possible. Individual components, such as enzymes in the detergent, for example, have only a very short life and need very specific temperatures in order to have the best effect.

So while in the DE 10 2008 062 349 A1 for domestic appliances such as washing machines, dryers or dishwashers, in private households, which are operated on energy supply networks with intelligent current measurement strategies specified how the home appliances can be operated at optimal prices in times of low electricity procurement costs, but the home appliances according to the disclosure of this document are only in terms of considered by ohmic consumers of high performance. However, the interruptions and readjustments of the operation of the household appliance according to this document, which are required by the orientation to the low consumption rates, are not discussed in relation to the cleaning result.

Smart metering, also referred to as smart metering (digital power metering with extended functionality), takes into account the fact that in the future energy suppliers who feed into the public or their supply network are obliged to charge load variable or time-based tariffs for their energy customers Provide energy grids and disseminate appropriate information in a suitable manner. The previous electricity meters, such as Ferraris counters, are then no longer used. In general, however, it has to be taken into account that power grids that have built-in intelligence are also suitable for more advanced aspects, such as the exchange of data between energy customers and external service providers. Furthermore, it is possible through the evaluation of more available data, in particular the energy customers, to be able to optimize the network management.

The use of these newly designed supply networks, from which branched off networks are located in a household where the generic household appliances are operated, has the consequence that the home appliances can be used optimally in their operation in terms of available electricity tariffs. The washing and rinsing can therefore be done in low tariff periods. However, this must also be based on a sometimes very short-term change from high tariffs to low tariffs. However, the household appliance should be operated mainly in times of low tariffs.

In addition to the new networks of energy suppliers are in a household and home networks to take into account, in addition to the public networks of energy providers, at times the generic household appliances can be switched. Here the question of the consideration of a lower tariff can also play a role.

The prior art also includes home appliances, such as washing machines, in which per cleaning program, at least not exclusively, the dosage of detergent by entering a quantity of detergent by the operator in the notoriously known detergent drawer, but in addition or instead an automatically controlled dosage of the detergent or components of the detergent. In the publication DE 10 2007 028 173 A1 a storage device for liquid or gel detergent components is provided, which is associated with the stored detergent component a controllable metering device. In the publication DE 100 62 111 C1 the suction behavior of the introduced into the washing drum laundry for the automatic post-dosing of a, in relation to the washing machine, located in an external reservoir, liquid detergent is made. In the publication DE 10 2008 042 655 A1 are provided within the actual housing of the household appliance, such as washing machine, reservoir for liquid detergent or detergent components, project into the electrically driven conveyor or submersible pumps. A control unit, which is explained in principle, serves on the basis of information supplied about pollution, load, type of laundry and the like. To control the feed pumps and thus make an optimal dosage of the detergent component.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a method for controlling a domestic appliance, in particular a washing machine or dishwasher, which also leads to an optimal treatment result, even when taking into account low-cost consumption tariffs.

Furthermore, an associated household appliance together with a controller is to be specified, which is suitable for carrying out the method.

1. a) bei Vorliegen eines preisgünstigen Verbrauchstarifes wird der bestimmungsgemäße Betrieb aufgenommen, wobei die Historie des Reinigungsprozesses laufend erfasst wird,
2. b) bei Vorliegen eines nicht preisgünstigen Verbrauchstarifes oder einer Abschaltbedingung zur Vermeidung von Spitzenlasten im Versorgungsnetz wird der bestimmungsgemäße Betrieb nicht aufgenommen, oder ein zuvor aufgenommener Betrieb wird unterbrochen, und
3. c) es wird bei Vorliegen einer Information über einen preisgünstigen Verbrauchstarif die Wiederaufnahme des Betriebs des Hausgerätes ausgelöst, wobei die Zudosierung mindestens einer Komponente eines Waschmittels in Abhängigkeit der erfassten Historie des Reinigungsprozesses des Reinigungsprozesses vorgenommen wird.

This object is achieved in a method specified by the fact that the domestic appliance is operated according to the following process steps:

1. a) in the presence of a low-cost consumption tariff, the intended operation is recorded, whereby the history of the cleaning process is continuously recorded,
2. b) in the absence of a low-cost consumption tariff or a shutdown condition to avoid peak loads in the supply network, the intended operation is not included, or a previously recorded operation is interrupted, and
3. c) it is triggered in the presence of information about a low-cost consumption tariff the resumption of the operation of the domestic appliance, wherein the addition of at least one component of a detergent is made depending on the recorded history of the cleaning process of the cleaning process.

With the method according to the invention, it is possible to operate the household appliance cost-effectively by the tariff or price signals available in the energy supply through the relevant grid with intelligent current measurement or smart metering, without a loss of cleaning power due to insufficient efficiency the supplied detergent or detergent components occurs. By virtue of the fact that the cleaning process is continuously recorded with regard to its essential data, ie its history, and a storage of this data is carried out, as it were in a casualty writer, the addition of the required amount of a detergent or a detergent component can be very accurate if a favorable consumption tariff is again present be made. This is accompanied by the fact that not only in the short term the treatment process, but also a future process is influenced.

Although the invention is essentially aimed at the new grids that energy suppliers have to offer in the near future due to legal requirements with load-variable or time-of-day-based tariffs, their application should also be possible on in-house grids or island grids, especially since these island grids are also taking account of cost considerations or the avoidance of peak loads are operated and thus the home appliance signals relating to the energy costs and the avoidance of overload available. It then makes sense to operate the household appliance no longer on a home network that exists through diversion from the public supply network, but to use a home network, for example, based on photovoltaic or power supply by an electric generator, the drive motor enough waste heat for heating of the dwelling house supplies. In this context, the extraction of To mention electrical energy through wind power, which is possible for several households or a single household. It should be added that island grids can also extend over several households, for example a residential area. It should also be taken into account that decentralized power plants, based on photovoltaics or wind power, can be connected to the public grid, so that one can assume virtual power plants.

In order for the domestic appliance does not immediately resume operation at only a very short time passing through a phase with low-priced consumption tariff, the network is constantly monitored. It can then be predicted with a high degree of probability that the information recorded about a favorable consumption tariff will be available for a longer time, with regard to the process time, of the domestic appliance.

If the electrical power absorbed by the domestic appliance, in particular that which is used for heating the washing or rinsing liquor, continuously measured and registered for the process flow or for the history, so very good information can be obtained to the each completed expiration of To assess the cleaning process. After all, the heat introduced into the wash liquor constitutes an important component which, together with the chemistry of the detergents and / or the movement relatively introduced by the mechanics of the domestic appliance (in the case of washing machines, the laundry items are lifted by the reversing drum and then dropped again; In dishwashers, the flushing arm rotates with the exiting, lye or water jet) triggers the cleaning effect.

With continuous measurement of the temperature of the washing or rinsing eye, meaningful values or data are available with respect to the cleanability of the washing or rinsing agents. Also, a temperature decrease has a high significance with regard to the successful cleaning process and the heating power required when resuming operation.

It is also possible to detect and register foaming. The publication DE 10 2008 028 030 A1 shows how this is possible by means of an electric field. However, other measuring methods are also possible. So can the surface tension be measured by generated bubbles in the wash liquor and thus conclusions about the detergent introduced in the wash liquor are drawn, which is then to register. The detection of the foaming or the detergent can be done in combination with a detection of a change in temperature, so that even more accurate conclusions about the cleaning effect by introduced detergent are possible.

If the domestic appliance is switched on by the user at a time when no low-cost consumption tariff is present, then no normal operation of the domestic appliance is recorded. So that the user is relieved of having to make attempts again, the activation is stored as a snooze state in the household appliance, so that when the expected low consumption tariffs of the intended operation can be immediately recorded.

If, on the basis of a forecast, it can be assumed that a low-cost consumption tariff will not be available for a longer period of time, and if there is a second supply network in the household in question, for example from a solar system, a combined heat and power generator or another decentralized power plant such as Mikrogrid It is also within the scope of this invention that the domestic appliance is then operated on this network and temporarily shutdowns of this network (shutdown conditions for avoiding overload) by applying the method according to the invention also lead to a good cleaning result.

Since it may be economically feasible for the user of the household appliance, not only to take advantage of a low-cost consumption tariff but also several who do not exceed a certain price level, should also be able to reach a plurality of such consumption tariffs. The information about these tariffs can be routed, for example, starting from an interface of the appropriately designed electricity meter (smart meter) wired or wirelessly to the corresponding domestic appliance. Other information-transmitting interfaces, such as Internet routers or other gateways, can also be used. For very simple cases could also be a manual input via a keyboard.

• eine Rechner-basierte Steuerung mit angepassten Eingangssignalen und aufbereiteten Ausgangssignalen für Stellglieder,
• mindestens ein Eingangssignal, das die Information über das Vorliegen eines niederen Verbrauchstarifes beinhaltet,
• mindestens ein Eingangssignal, das für die Bewertung der Historie des Reinigungsprozesses geeignet ist,
• ein Ausgangssignal zur Steuerung mindestens eines Dosier-Stellelementes zugehörig zu mindestens einer Komponente eines Waschmittels, die bevorratet ist,

sowie dass die Steuerung durch Implementierung eines Programms so abläuft, dass bei jeder Wiederaufnahme des Reinigungsprozesses bei Vorliegen eines niederen Verbrauchstarifes die Historie des Reinigungsprozesses geprüft wird und die Dosierung mindestes einer Komponente des betreffenden Waschmittels von Ergebnis der Bewertung der Historie des Reinigungsprozesses abhängig gemacht wird.To solve the object of the invention also includes a domestic appliance with initially corresponding features as in the inventive method, wherein the domestic appliance further comprises:

• a computer-based control with adapted input signals and processed output signals for actuators,
• at least one input signal containing the information on the existence of a lower consumption rate,
• at least one input signal suitable for evaluating the history of the cleaning process,
• an output signal for controlling at least one metering control element associated with at least one component of a detergent which is stored,

and that the control by implementing a program proceeds such that at each resumption of the cleaning process in the presence of a low consumption rate, the history of the cleaning process is checked and the dosage of at least one component of the respective detergent is made dependent on the result of the evaluation of the history of the cleaning process.

The specified domestic appliance is suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention. Thus, the advantages indicated for the method are achieved. Insofar as with respect to the domestic appliance only the features belonging to the invention have been indicated, it should be taken for granted that the other processes also take place programmatically with the concomitant use of the computer of the controller, for example, to the document DE 199 08 363 B4 is referenced.

For further development of the domestic appliance also serve the objects of the independent claim dependent on the domestic appliance claims.

• Fig. 1 zeigt ein schematisches Diagramm eines Arbeitsprozesses bei Betrieb eines Hausgerätes, wie Waschmaschine, an einem herkömmlichen Energieversorgungsnetz,
• Fig. 2 zeigt ein schematisches Diagramm eines Arbeitsprozesses bei Betrieb des Hausgerätes, wie Waschmaschine, bei Betrieb an einem Energieversorgungsnetz mit intelligenter Stromzählung ohne Anpassungsmaßnahmen des Hausgerätes,
• Fig. 3 zeigt ein schematisches Diagramm eines Arbeitsprozesses bei Betrieb des Hausgerätes, wie Waschmaschine, an einem Energieversorgungsnetz mit intelligenter Stromzählung mit Anpassungsmaßnahmen nach der Erfindung,
• Fig. 4 zeigt eine schematische Ansicht des Hausgerätes, wie Waschmaschine, ergänzt mit einer Blockschaltbilddarstellung und mit einem möglichen Energieanschluss,
• Fig. 5 zeigt schematisiert in einer weiteren Blockschaltbilddarstellung die Steuerung des Hausgerätes, wie Waschmaschine.

In the following figures, the invention will be described schematically with reference to exemplary embodiments. Like reference numerals show the same or similar parts. The figures are first briefly explained:

• Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a working process when operating a household appliance, such as washing machine, on a conventional power supply network,
• Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a working process when operating the household appliance, such as washing machine, when operating on a power grid with intelligent power metering without adjustment measures of the domestic appliance,
• Fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a working process in operation of the household appliance, such as washing machine, on a power grid with intelligent power metering with adaptation measures according to the invention,
• Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of the household appliance, such as washing machine, supplemented with a block diagram representation and with a possible power connection,
• Fig. 5 schematically shows in a further block diagram representation of the control of the household appliance, such as washing machine.

In order to better understand the processes provided here in comparison to the conventional processes without the need for repeated operation, the conventional procedure for a domestic appliance, such as a washing machine, will first be briefly explained.

With reference to the illustration in Fig. 1 the conventional washing process is carried out in such a way that initially (see the entire time period I) water is flushed into the treatment space, such as a drum inside a drum housing - cf. the symbolic representation with a broad arrow labeled EinSp1 - becomes. Towards the end of the flushing process, the detergent or detergent components, z. B. by washing out of the detergent drawer of the washing machine already in the drum housing water volume - see. added the symbolic representation with the narrow arrow EinSp2-. It forms the wash liquor, which receives the introduced detergent components in dissolved form. The actual washing process can begin. In addition to the cleaning effect of the detergent components, the movement of the laundry items through the, possibly reversing, rotation of the drum also plays a significant role, since the items of laundry introduced into the drum are continuously raised and then fall back into the wash liquor. However, the cleaning effect by the detergent components is increased by a first and a second heating phase - see. the periods II and III - are provided. There are, however further heating phases possible. In continuous operation of the washing machine, the effect of the detergent components extends into the decaying temperature range of the second heating phase, see. the symbolic representation with the broad line arrow Pfeil effective as an abbreviation for the effect of the detergent or its components. The decaying temperature range of the second heating phase is due on the one hand by switching off the heater (heating rods in the region of the Laugensumpfes) of the washing machine, on the other hand by the already incipient dilution of the liquor by cold supplied fresh water. It may then be the spin process - see. the time period IV - connect. Incidentally, in Fig. 1 along the abscissa the time course t and plotted along the ordinate the temperature profile T of the wash liquor. The course actually shown, namely the temperature of the wash liquor together with the introduced items of laundry is not, however, not to scale but only registered in principle. This should also apply to the following Figures 2 and 3 so apply.

Without the household appliance, such as a washing machine, adapted to the behavior of the new supply network with intelligent current measurement or smart meter, would be in Fig. 2 show dargstelltes behavior. In the first period I, the flushing of water takes place - cf. the broad arrow EinSp1 - and the detergent or the chemicals, cf. the narrow arrow EinSp2. Thereafter, in the second period II initially already a first heating phase H1 begin, since initially a low-cost electricity tariff, see. H1a, is present. In the midst of the period II, however, it is recognized that no more cost-effective electricity tariff exists or another shutdown condition, such as network overload, is detected. The temperature of the wash sinks again, cf. H1b and remains at a low level until in a period III a second heating phase H2 expires. With the decay of the temperature in this second heating phase is also accompanied by a decreasing effect of the detergent or its components in their dissolved form in the wash liquor, since in particular the enzymes no longer work because of their short life. This is illustrated by the wide-line arrow WirkW. A third heating phase H3 controlled by the domestic appliance, such as washing machine, from the point of view of the total energy input associated with the program, upon the reintroduction of a low-priced consumption tariff within a time-lag IV, will lag behind the expectation, as stated, of the enzymes your Have unfolded in period II and III and are no longer effective. Only to understand the relationships, it should be noted that in the period IV two temperature maxima exist, as a shutdown and a reclosure has taken place by short-term change in the higher consumption rate. The arrow U with a short length marks the point at which the temperature drop of the wash liquor has had the most significant effect. The decaying heating phase H3 in the time period IV joins in the period V of the spinning process. Understandably, with respect to the finished washed laundry items a worse washing result as in the previously with reference to the Fig. 1 described conventional washing process, since the introduced detergent could not fully unfold its effect or over all heating phases H1 to H3.

However, if the domestic appliance, such as a washing machine, adapted to the behavior of the new supply network with intelligent current measurement or smart meter, resulting in a Fig. 3 dargstelltes behavior. The change of the tariffs as well as the cleaning program selected on the domestic appliance is the same as during the expiration Fig. 2 , The periods I to V are therefore the same as in Fig. 2 , The decisive difference, however, is that at the end of periods II and III an additional dosing and flushing in of detergents or detergent components is carried out, cf. the symbolic representation with the arrows EinSp3 and EinSp4. It can be assumed that at the first flushing in of detergents towards the end of the period I, a reduced introduction compared to the procedure in the processes according to FIGS Fig. 1 and 2 can take place, so that in relation to the total washing process no increased amount of detergents or detergent components is required. As a result, it can be assumed that the washing agent is in constant action up to the period of time IV at which the heating phase IV subsides and then the spinning process takes place, especially since the very short life of the enzymes in the detergent is taken into account due to the coordinated selective dosage , This result is in the Fig. 3 represented symbolically by the wide-line arrow WirkW,

In Fig. 4 the domestic appliance, such as washing machine 1, is first explained in relation to the energy connection. A public utility grid N1 is intended to supply several households with electrical energy. From this network introduces Branch line L to the power grid N2 of the household in which the household appliance 1 is set up. In the current passage of the branch line L, an intelligent power meter Z is turned on, which counts the energy consumed by the household in question, however, the count is made according to at least two different rates. There is an interface S on this counter Z, the wired or wirelessly passes signals with the information I to the household appliances of this household, after which the respective home appliance receives information about the just applicable tariff or to avoid a peak load in the public network at least the respective household appliance is to be taken out of service. Up to the point of the counter Z, this information in the supply network N1 is usually transmitted in the network itself via telecontrol signals, such as Powerline, Z-Wave or ZigBee, however, can be used in wireless transmission of information I from the output of the counter Z from these systems become. From the network N2 of the household, a line L1 leads to the domestic appliance 1. A device input part 2 serves to distribute the electrical energy within the domestic appliance. It is a power switch marked (without reference numeral), which can turn off all major consumers of home appliance, as far as this - at not low-priced consumption tariff or a shutdown condition - is required. A controller 3 of the domestic appliance is always supplied with a certain level of electrical energy in order to be able to react continuously to the information I present at the input of this controller. It may be provided a battery backup or other buffering, such as supercapacitors. As input signals, the controller 3, which is computer-based, also all signals, possibly also summarized as a bus, from a program part 4 of the household appliance, which is also an operator to set the desired washing program available. The controller 3 also receives a series of sensor inputs 8 to 11, which relate to the washing process and will be explained further below.

The washing machine 1 is also equipped with a construction kit 5 for detergents or components of detergents, which are referred to below as 5a, 5b and 5c. Each of the components can be selectively controlled, added or metered into the wash liquor. For this purpose, the construction kit for each component is followed by an electric motor driven submersible pump or an electrically controlled valve or solenoid valve, which is controlled by a power output of the controller 3 from becomes. The example mentioned elements, such as submersible pump or solenoid valve, are hereinafter referred to as dosing actuator. Belonging to the stored detergent components 5a, 5b and 5c, therefore, metering control elements 6a, 6b and 6c are present. When one of the metering control elements is actuated, the relevant detergent component is released in accordance with the duration of the activation. Eventually, together with a certain amount of fresh water, the relevant amount of a detergent component is then rinsed into the lye housing surrounding the washing drum. This is in Fig. 4 indicated schematically. Since in this case known structures, cf. the DE 10 2008 042 655 A1 , can be used, there is no further description by reference numerals. The same applies to the basic sequence of a cleaning program, such as washing program. For this purpose, for example, on the DE 101 36 518 A1 directed. Furthermore, the description of the drive of the drum of the washing machine and its control, as well as a discharge device for the wash liquor dispensed with rinsing and spin processes, as this is notoriously known.

Related to the Fig. 3 - also in the understanding of Fig. 2 statements made -, is thus according to the present teaching at the end of the period I, designated by the arrow EinSp2, for example, the detergent component 5a determined by the metering control element 6a in volume and released for flushing together with the fresh water. At the end of period II - cf. the identification with arrow EinSp3 - is coincident with the resumption of a low consumption rate, for example, the metering control element 6b driven and released a second detergent component 5b for flushing into the tub volume.

As explained above, the duration of action of the detergent can thus be extended despite a previous shutdown of the domestic appliance. It also contributes to the fact that between the heating phase H2 and H3, ie during the transition from the time period III to the time period IV - see. the identification by arrow EinSp4 - a further metered addition of a detergent component, as 5c by means of control via the metering actuator 6c takes place.

However, the order of activation of the dosing control elements need not always be the same. It may also be a different order of control of the metering actuators carried out or it can be done a combination of controls of dosing actuators. Furthermore, more or less than three detergent components and associated metering control elements can be used. At the beginning of a washing program - cf. the period I - can be assumed in the rule that at the point of the arrow EinSp2 a predetermined by the selected washing program usually in coordination with the load and the type of laundry - certain detergent component or combination of detergent components 5a to 5c is predetermined. However, at the location of the arrows EinSp3 and Einsp4, the cleaning or washing process has progressed, so that this circumstance has to be taken into account. For this purpose, the invention provides for the history of the cleaning process to be taken into account for the metered addition of at least one component of the detergent, such as the detergent components 5a to 5c.

In Fig. 5 the computer-based controller 3 with its computer 3a is shown in more detail in some details, as far as present of interest. Thus, a memory area is specified within the controller 3, which should essentially serve for the embodiment of the history of the cleaning process. Therefore, this memory area is referred to as history memory 7. The controller with its computer 3a also has a common memory area, such as RAM and ROM, the latter being used to store the - implemented - program. The central processing unit is shown with CPU. In the present case, however, it is asserted that preferably a microcomputer is used as computer 3a, so that these components are then combined in one component. To the output of the controller 3, indirectly of the computer 3a, are connected, for example, a use of power amplifiers, in particular the metering control elements 6a to 6c. On the input side of the controller 3, at least one signal including the information on the presence of a low consumption rate is supplied. Furthermore, sensors or measuring devices are connected, which contribute to the mapping of the progressive cleaning process and lead to a storage in the history memory 7 while executing the implemented program. As such input signals, in particular those are considered, the information about the recorded electric power P, see. Signal 8, for example for the alkali heating, the elapsed cleaning time t, cf. the signal 9, the temperature T of the wash liquor WL, cf. the signal 10, as well as the current cleaning effect R of the wash liquor WL included. These However, enumeration is not to be regarded as conclusive. Other signals can also be added or already named signals can be omitted. It is also possible to replace certain signals that are difficult to measure with easily measurable substitute signals and to use a mathematical model to determine the actually required signal. However, it is essential that the implemented program serves to check the history of the cleaning process at each resumption of the cleaning process in the presence of a low consumption tariff, reading out the history memory 7 and the dosage of at least one component of the respective detergent from the result of the evaluation of the history the cleaning process is made dependent. Incidentally, an output signal 12 is used to control the metering control element 6a, an output signal 13 for controlling the metering control element 6b and an output signal 14 for controlling the metering control element 6c.

Furthermore, it is conducive to the present desired success that the actually available network is observed. For this purpose, an observer 15 - communicating with their computer 3a - can be implemented in the controller 3 in their computer 3a, so that a statement about the behavior of the available network, such as the public supply network, is obtained. It can be deduced from this observation whether any information obtained on the existence of a lower consumption tariff may be assessed in such a way that it may be assumed that the indicated favorable consumption tariff is present for a longer time. Thus, too short-term tariff changes in the control of the household appliance can be eliminated. However, there are also other strategies to avoid that the home appliance may react to too short tariff change possibly wrong. For example, a metered addition of detergent can be delayed when changing to the lower tariff or distributed to several doses, which then only take place when the lower tariff is still pending. Thus, by reading out the data stored in the history memory 7, a future process flow can be determined by means of the program implemented in the ROM.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

EinSp1

wide arrow for flushing water

EinSp2

narrow arrow for flushing detergent

EinSp3

further metering in detergent or component thereof

Einsp4

further metering in detergent or component thereof

I

period

II

period

III

period

IV

period

V

period

H1

first heating phase, divided H 1 a and H1b

H2

second heating phase

H3

third heating phase

WirkW

broad arrow for effect of the detergent or its components

U

short arrow for interruption of heating phase

N1

public supply network

N2

Supply network of the household

L

Branch line from N1 to N2

L1

Branch line to household appliance

Z

Energy meter, at least two tariffs

S

Interface to Z

I

tariff information

WL

suds

T

Temperature of WL

P

introduced power (heating of WL)

t

Expired cleaning process time

R

Measured variable present cleaning effect of WL

1

household appliance

2

Device input part with energy switch

3

control

3a

Calculator of the controller 3

4

Program part of the household appliance (accessible to the operator)

5

Construction kit for detergents

5a, b, c

Components of detergent

6a, b, c

Dosing Control

7

history memory

8th

Input signal electrical power

9

Input signal elapsed cleaning process time

10

Input signal temperature of the wash liquor

11

Input signal Cleaning effect of the wash liquor

12

Output signal control dosing actuator 6a

13

Output signal control dosing actuator 6b

14

Output signal control dosing actuator 6c

15

Observer, implemented in 3a

Claims (15)

1. Method for controlling a domestic appliance (1), in particular a washing machine or dishwasher for cleaning items of clothing and crockery respectively, when it is connected to at least one electric mains grid (N2), which is especially branched off a public mains grid (N1), within an individual household, the at least one electric mains grid (N2) being an intelligent system, such as a system allowing smart metering, so that measured power consumption is detected according to different consumption tariffs and information (I) on the availability of a currently applicable consumption tariff or a switch-off condition for preventing peak loads in the mains grid is made available to the domestic appliance to be operated, the domestic appliance being operated according to the following method steps:

   a) when an inexpensive consumption tariff is available, the appliance is put into operation as intended, the history of the cleaning process being continuously recorded,

   b) when no inexpensive consumption tariff is available or a switch-off condition for preventing peak loads in the mains grid is met, the appliance is not put into operation as intended or a previously started operation is interrupted, and

   c) when information (I) about an inexpensive consumption tariff is available, operation of the domestic appliance is resumed, the dosing of at least one component (5a, 5b, 5c) of a detergent being carried out as a function of the recorded history of the cleaning process.
2. Method for controlling a domestic appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein in step c) a foreseeably longer new availability is used as the basis for information about a favourable consumption tariff and/or a future process sequence, for example the dosing of at least one component (5a, 5b, 5c) of a detergent, is predetermined.
3. Method for controlling a domestic appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein the detection of the electric power (P) consumed by the domestic appliance over the respectively elapsed time (t), as required in particular to heat the wash liquor, is part of the history of the cleaning process.
4. Method for controlling a domestic appliance (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the detection of the temperature (T) of wash liquor (WL) or rinse water and any change thereto is part of the history of the cleaning process.
5. Method for controlling a domestic appliance (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, wherein the detection of the degree of foaming in relation to the change in temperature, for example the drop in temperature, of wash liquor or rinse water is part of the history of the cleaning process.
6. Method for controlling a domestic appliance (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein, when the domestic appliance is first switched on, for example for a wash or rinse cycle, the domestic appliance (1) is only brought into operation when an inexpensive consumption tariff is identified.
7. Method for controlling a domestic appliance (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, wherein a number of inexpensive consumption tariffs can be taken into account, with information about said tariffs being supplied to the domestic appliance (1) by way of wired or wireless signals.
8. Domestic appliance (1), in particular a washing machine or dishwasher for cleaning items of clothing and crockery respectively, when it is connected to at least one electric mains grid (N2), which is especially branched off a public mains grid (N1), within an individual household, the at least one electric mains grid being provided with smart metering, so that measured power consumption is detected according to different consumption tariffs by means of a meter (Z) and information (I) on the availability of a currently applicable consumption tariff or a switch-off condition for preventing peak loads in the mains grid is made available to the domestic appliance (1) to be operated by way in particular of a communication interface (S), the domestic appliance (1) also having:

   - a computer-based controller (3) with appropriate input signals (I, 8 to 11) and processed output signals (12, 13, 14) for actuators (6a - 6c),

   - at least one input signal (I), which contains information about the availability of a low consumption tariff,

   - at least one input signal (8 to 11), which is suitable for evaluating the history of the cleaning process,

   - an output signal (12, 13, 14) for controlling at least one dosing control element (6a, 6b, 6c) associated with at least one component of a detergent (5a, 5b, 5c), wherein the controller (3, 3a) operates by implementing a program, so that every time the cleaning process is resumed when a low consumption tariff is available, the history (7) of the cleaning process is checked and the dosing of at least one component (5a, 5b, 5c) of the relevant detergent is made a function of the result of the evaluation of the history (7) of the cleaning process.
9. Domestic appliance (1) according to claim 8, wherein the signal used for evaluating the cleaning process is an input signal (8), which contains information about the consumed electric power (P), in particular for heating the liquor.
10. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of claims 8 and 9, wherein the signal used for evaluating the cleaning process is an input signal (9), which takes into account the elapsed cleaning process time (t).
11. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the signal used for evaluating the cleaning process is an input signal (10), which takes into account the temperature (T) of the wash liquor (WL).
12. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the signal used for evaluating the cleaning process is an input signal (11), which takes into account the cleaning action (R) of the wash liquor (WL).
13. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of claims 8 to 12, wherein a history store (7) serves to store the history of the cleaning process.
14. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of claims 8 to 13, wherein a monitor (15) is implemented in the controller (3, 3a), which can forecast from past information (I) whether new information (I) about an inexpensive consumption tariff can be evaluated as sustainable in the longer term.
15. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of claims 13 and 14, wherein a future process sequence, for example the dosing of at least one component (5a, 5b, 5c) of a detergent, can be predetermined in the controller (3, 3a) by the implemented program using data from the recorded history in the history store (7).

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