System with a dishwasher and method for operating a dishwasher

Abstract

A system includes a dishwasher including a dishwasher cavity, a spray facility for applying washing liquor and/or fresh water to dishes accommodated in the dishwasher cavity, a drive facility for actively driving the spray facility, and a control apparatus for activating the drive facility depending on a control signal. An input unit detects a user input for moving the spray facility, and a generation unit generates the control signal depending on the user input detected.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system with a dishwasher, such as a household dishwasher for example, and also to a method for operating a dishwasher.

A household dishwasher sometimes comprises a dishwasher cavity able to be closed off by a door with a number of receptacles for dishes to accommodate dishes to be washed and a control apparatus for carrying out a washing program from a plurality of washing programs for washing dishes.

To apply washing liquor and/or fresh water to the dishes a rotating spray arm can be provided within the dishwasher cavity. This spray arm can be driven either with the aid of pressure from washing liquor and/or fresh water emerging from the spray nozzles of the spray arm or with the aid of an active drive, in particular with the aid of an electric motor. A driven spray arm of a dishwasher is known for example from document DE 10 2010 000 351 A1.

To this end the applicant's not yet published patent application 102019211410.5 discloses a household dishwasher with a dishwasher cavity, a spray arm for applying washing liquor and/or fresh water to dishes accommodated in the dishwasher cavity and a drive facility for active driving of the spray arm. In this patent application an axis of rotation of a drive shaft of the drive facility and an axis of rotation of the spray arm are arranged in parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another.

Further household dishwashers with actively driven spray arm are described in the applicant's unpublished patent applications with the file references 102019211403.2, 102019211400.8, 102019211412.1, 102019211429.6 and 102019211433.4.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, an object of the present invention lies in further improving the operation of a dishwasher.

In accordance with a first aspect a system is proposed with a dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, having a dishwasher cavity, a spray facility for applying washing liquor and/or fresh water to dishes accommodated in the dishwasher cavity, a drive facility for actively driving the spray facility and a control apparatus for activating the drive facility depending on a control signal, with an input unit for detecting an input of a user for moving the spray facility and with a generation unit for generating the control signal depending on the user input detected.

In the system described here the user, via their user input, can control the actively driven spray facility. Through use of the input unit and the generation unit the user can accordingly in particular remotely control the spray facility in respect of its movement.

Since no water is necessary for driving the present spray facility, the opportunity exists for the user, for example a customer in a shop or at a trade fair, to test the function of the spray facility because of its ability to be remotely controlled and in particular to understand it better. Through this the user-friendliness of the dishwasher is enhanced.

For such a drive without water or washing liquor the dishwasher is in particular put into a demo mode. If for example the input unit and the generation unit are integrated on a mobile device, for example a smartphone or a tablet, the user can control the actively driven spray facility in this way via their mobile device. It is also possible here for the user to be shown an image of the interior of the dishwasher on their mobile device. This image can be a real time image or an animation for example. The real time image can be recorded by the camera of the mobile device or by a camera mounted in or on the dishwasher.

As stated above, the user is given the option of controlling the movement of the actively driven spray facility via their mobile device. The user can for example move the spray facility into a specific position and either let it remain there or move in a defined zone, in order for example to form an intensive cleaning zone (intensive washing zone). In this case the spray facility preferably follows the user's inputs, which are transferred via the mobile device to the dishwasher for example. In this case the movement of the spray facility can occur in real time or after a confirmation, for example by a further user input, or at the end of a programming. The user can also program a number of points via their user inputs, which can be moved to in turn by the spray facility after a confirmation. Moreover the user can program via their user inputs a period for which the spray facility remains at a specific point and/or a number of repetitions, for example rotational or pendulum movements.

The input unit in particular comprises a haptic input and/or an auditive input (voice input). Furthermore the input unit can also comprise a visual and/or auditive output for the user or customer. For example the output unit comprises a touchscreen, a microphone and/or a loudspeaker.

The control apparatus can be implemented as hardware and/or also as software. The control apparatus is in particular integrated into the dishwasher. As an alternative the control apparatus can also be arranged outside the dishwasher. For a hardware implementation the control apparatus can be embodied as a computer or as a microprocessor. For a software implementation the control apparatus can be embodied as a computer program product, as a function, as a routine, as part of a program code or as an executable object.

The control apparatus is configured to carry out a washing program from a plurality of washing programs for washing of the dishes. A washing program for example comprises various subprogram steps, such as for example prewashing, cleaning, rinsing and/or drying. Different washing programs differ from each other for example in a sequence and/or type of the subprogram steps, and also in various operating parameters, such as for example a duration and/or washing liquor temperature of one or more subprogram steps.

Dishes are arranged for washing with the household dishwasher in the washing compartment, in particular on one or more receptacles for dishes. The dishes in particular comprise various items of dishware, cutlery and/or tools, which are used for preparation, storage and/or the consumption of food. These are for example, plates, pans, cups, knives, glasses and more besides.

The dishwasher cavity is preferably cuboid in shape. In particular the dishwasher cavity comprises a bottom, a ceiling arranged opposite the bottom, a door, a rear wall arranged opposite the closed door and also two side walls. Receptacles for dishes for accommodating the dishes can be provided in the dishwasher cavity. For example an upper basket, a lower basket and a cutlery drawer are provided. The spray arm can be arranged below the lower basket. The spray arm can in particular be supported rotatably on the bottom.

“Applying” washing liquor and/or fresh water to the dishes is to be understood in the present context as the dishes being wetted with the aid of the spray arm with washing liquor and/or fresh water. “Washing liquor” can be understood in the present context as water mixed with a cleaning medium. The washing liquor can include contamination released from the dishes. The fact that the spray arm is “actively” driven, is to be understood in the present context as the drive facility exerting a torque on the spray arm. “Active” driving is therefore not to be understood in particular as the spray arm being set into rotation with the aid of spray nozzles. For active driving of the spray arm the drive facility comprises a drive element, in particular an electric motor.

In accordance with one form of embodiment the spray facility is embodied as a spray arm. As an alternative or in addition the spray facility comprises a spray ball.

In accordance with a further form of embodiment the spray facility comprises a plurality of actively driven spray arms. For example the dishwasher can comprise an upper basket and also a lower basket, wherein a first spray arm is arranged below the lower basket and a second spray arm is arranged below the upper basket. In addition, a third spray arm can be arranged above the upper basket as well.

In particular all spray arms of the dishwasher are directly controlled or regulated by means of a direct drive.

In accordance with a further form of embodiment the spray arm comprises an outrigger supported on a sump of a pump of the household dishwasher, which is actively driven by the drive facility, and a spray arm satellite supported rotatably on the outrigger.

The pump sump in particular has a tubular sump dome, on which the outrigger is rotatably supported about its axis of rotation. The drive facility in particular comprises a drive element with a drive shaft, which is able to be rotated about an axis of rotation. The drive element further in particular comprises a sensor facility for detecting an angular position of the drive shaft.

The spray arm is in particular rotatably supported on the sump about an axis of rotation, wherein the axis of rotation of the spray arm and the axis of rotation of the drive shaft are arranged in parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another.

Furthermore, a transmission is preferably provided, which bridges a gap between the axis of rotation of the spray arm and the axis of rotation of the drive shaft.

In accordance with a further form of embodiment the input unit is configured to detect a user input, from which a control signal for the drive facility is able to be generated, by means of which the spray facility is moved to a specific position or into a specific zone, in particular an intensive washing zone.

Thus the user can directly control, in particular remotely control, the movement of the spray facility to the specific position or into the specific zone.

Via the input unit, embodied as an app of a mobile device for example, the user has the opportunity to define a specific area in the dishwasher cavity as an intensive washing zone, which can be used by them as a preferred location for heavily soiled dishes, e.g. pans.

This setting can be stored in the input unit, in particular until a time at which the customer changes such a setting again. As an alternative such a setting can be requested again via the app each time that the program execution sequence is started.

An intensive washing zone is characterized in particular by either the washing pressure at the washing nozzles being increased for this area and/or by the spray facility remaining for a longer time in one position, in order to charge the dishes in the area of the intensive washing zone with washing liquor. Moreover the spray facility can also swing back and forth above a specific area of the intensive washing zone.

In accordance with a further form of embodiment the input unit is configured to detect a user input, from which a control signal for the drive facility is able to be generated, by means of which a specific pattern of movements for the spray facility is able to be programmed or at least one intensive washing zone is able to be programmed.

In accordance with a further form of embodiment the control apparatus is configured for carrying out a washing program from a plurality of washing programs for washing the dishes in the dishwasher cavity, wherein the control apparatus is further configured to adapt at least one of the washing programs depending on the user input detected.

A spray program comprises for example various subprogram steps, such as pre-spraying, cleaning, rinsing and/or drying. Each one of the subprogram steps can be determined by specific program parameters, for example comprising a cleaning intensity, a drying intensity and a duration. In the present case the control apparatus can in particular adapt one of the subprogram steps and/or one of the program parameters depending on the detected input of the user.

In accordance with a further form of embodiment the system comprises a visualization unit, which is configured to visualize for the user a washing compartment arranged within the dishwasher cavity.

If the visualization unit is installed on the user's mobile device, for example, an animation of the interior of the dishwasher can be displayed to the user by means of the visualization unit, and the user can enter their inputs for controlling the actively driven spray facility while looking at the animation.

In accordance with a further form of embodiment the system comprises an optical sensor for detecting an optical sensor signal of the washing compartment.

In accordance with one form of embodiment a camera is used as the optical sensor, wherein the optical sensor signal comprises an image of the washing compartment.

The image of the washing compartment then forms the basis for the customer for controlling the directly driven spray facility.

In accordance with a further form of embodiment the optical sensor comprises a camera, wherein the optical sensor signal comprises an image and/or a video of the dishwasher cavity.

In accordance with a further form of embodiment the visualization unit is configured to visualize the washing compartment for the user by means of the detected optical control signal.

In accordance with a further form of embodiment the visualization unit is configured, for visualizing the washing compartment for the user, to use an augmented reality display or a virtual reality display.

If for example the visualization unit is embodied on a user's smartphone or a user's tablet, then a virtual reality display is especially suited to providing optimal support for the user. If for example the visualization unit is integrated on an AR headset, then the augmented reality display is especially advantageous for supporting the user in controlling the dishwasher.

In accordance with a further form of embodiment the system has a facility external to the dishwasher, which at least integrates the input unit.

The external facility is in particular a mobile device. The mobile device is for example a smartphone, a tablet or a tablet computer. The app can also be referred to as an application, application software or an application program. The app can in particular be embodied as a program, as a computer program, as software, as a computer program product, as a function, as a routine, as part of a program code or as an executable object.

In particular the dishwasher comprises a communications unit, which for example is able to be coupled by means of a network to the external facility and thus to the app installed on the external facility. The network in this case in particular comprises a mobile radio network, a WLAN and/or a further wireless or wired data network.

In accordance with a further form of embodiment the external facility integrates the input unit and the generation unit.

In accordance with a further form of embodiment the external facility integrates the input unit, the generation unit and the visualization unit.

In accordance with a further form of embodiment the external facility integrates the input unit, the generation unit, the optical sensor and the visualization unit.

In accordance with a further form of embodiment the input unit and the visualization unit are embodied as part of an app able to be installed on the external facility.

In accordance with a further form of embodiment the dishwasher integrates the input unit and the generation unit.

In accordance with a second aspect a method for operating a dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, is proposed, having a dishwasher cavity, a spray facility for applying washing liquor and/or fresh water to dishes accommodated in the dishwasher cavity, a drive facility for actively driving the spray facility and a control apparatus for activating the drive facility depending on a control signal. The method comprises the following steps:

Detecting a user input of a user for activating the spray facility by means of an input unit, and

Generating the control signal as a function of the detected user input.

The forms of embodiment and features described for the proposed system apply correspondingly for the proposed method.

In accordance with a third aspect a computer program product is proposed, which causes the method explained above to be carried out on a program-controlled facility.

A computer program product, such as e.g. a computer program means, can be provided or delivered for example as a storage medium, such as e.g. a memory card, USB stick, CD-ROM, DVD, or also in the form of a downloadable file from a server in a network. This can take place in a wireless communication network for example by the transmission of the corresponding file with the computer program product or the computer program means.

Further possible implementations of the invention also comprise combinations of features or forms of embodiment not explicitly mentioned above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments. In such cases the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims as well as of the exemplary embodiments of the invention described below. The invention will be explained in greater detail below with the aid of preferred forms of embodiment, which refer to the enclosed figures.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system with a household dishwasher;

FIG. 2 shows a schematized side view of the exemplary embodiment of the household dishwasher according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic overhead view of the receptacle for dishes of the household dishwasher according to FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a further exemplary embodiment of a system with a household dishwasher and an external facility; and

FIG. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a dishwasher.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Elements that are the same or have the same functions are provided with the same reference characters in the figures, unless stated otherwise.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system with a household dishwasher 1. Further, in FIG. 2, a schematized side view of the exemplary embodiment of the household dishwasher 1 according to FIG. 1 is shown.

As shown in FIG. 1, the household dishwasher 1 comprises a dishwasher cavity 2, which is able to be closed off by a door 3, in particular in a water-tight manner. For this purpose a sealing facility (not shown) can be provided between the door 3 and the dishwasher cavity 2. The dishwasher cavity 2 is preferably cuboid in shape. The dishwasher cavity 2 can be arranged in a housing of the household dishwasher 1. The dishwasher cavity 2 and the door 3 can form a washing compartment 4 for washing dishes.

The door 3 is shown in an open position in FIG. 1. The door 3 can be closed or opened by pivoting it about a pivot axis 5 provided at a lower end of the door 3. With the aid of the door 3 a loading opening 6 of the dishwasher cavity 2 can be closed or opened. The dishwasher cavity 2 has a bottom 7, a ceiling 8 arranged opposite the bottom 7, a rear wall 9 arranged opposite the closed door 3 and two side walls 10, 11 arranged opposite one another. The bottom 7, the ceiling 8, the rear wall 9 and the side walls 10, 11 can for example be made from a sheet of stainless steel. As an alternative for example the bottom 7 can be made of a plastic material.

The household dishwasher 1 further has at least one receptacle for dishes 12, 13, 14. Preferably a number of, for example three, receptacles for dishes 12, 13, 14 are provided, wherein the receptacle for dishes 12 can be a lower receptacle for dishes or a lower basket, the receptacle for dishes 13 can be an upper receptacle for dishes or an upper basket and the receptacle for dishes 14 can be a cutlery drawer. As FIG. 1 furthermore shows, the receptacles for dishes 12, 13, 14 are arranged above one another in the dishwasher cavity 2. Each receptacle for dishes 12, 13,14 is optionally able to be moved inwards or outwards in the dishwasher cavity 2. In particular each receptacle for dishes 12, 13, 14 is able to be pushed into the dishwasher cavity 2 in an insertion direction E and pulled out of the dishwasher cavity 2 against the direction of insertion E in a withdrawal direction A.

An optical sensor 110 embodied as a camera is arranged on the ceiling 8 in such a way that said sensor is configured to detect an optical sensor signal of the dishwasher cavity 2 and in particular of the washing compartment 4. The dashed lines below the camera 110 indicate a detection area of the camera 110.

The household dishwasher 1 also has a control apparatus 100, which is arranged on the door 3. The control apparatus 100 is configured to carry out a washing program from the number of washing programs for washing dishes 16 arranged in the washing compartment 4 (see FIG. 2).

To this end FIG. 2, for reasons of clarity, only shows one receptacle for dishes 12 in the washing compartment 4, on which dishes 16, for example plates, are arranged. At this point it should be stressed that the washing compartment 4 can for example have one receptacle for dishes, two receptacles for dishes or also three receptacles for dishes.

With regard to FIGS. 1 and 2 the household dishwasher 1 has at least one controlled spray arm or spray facility 15, in the example of FIG. 2 a spray arm, for spraying the dishes 16 with washing liquor, and a drive facility 17 for driving the at least one controlled spray arm 15. The drive facility 17 can for example comprise an electric motor with a position detector.

The household dishwasher 1 of FIG. 1 further comprises an input unit 120 and also a generation unit 130, which are arranged on the door 3 for example.

The input unit 120 is configured to detect a user input of a user, such as a customer, for moving the controlled spray arm 15. In other words control information for controlling the movement of the controlled spray arm 15 is able to be derived directly or indirectly from the user input of the user. With the user input or a sequence of user inputs, the user can control the movement of the driven controlled spray arm 15 by means of the input unit. In this case the generation unit 130 is configured, depending on the user input detected, to generate the control signal, by means of which the control apparatus 100 activates the drive facility 17 for the controlled spray arm 15.

In the example of FIG. 2 the controlled spray arm 15 is embodied as a spray arm arranged below the receptacle for dishes 12. For example the spray arm 15 has an outrigger supported rotatably on a sump (not shown) of a pump of the household dishwasher 1, which is actively driven by the drive facility 17, and a spray arm satellite supported rotatably on the outrigger (not shown).

For example the input unit 120 is also configured to detect a user input of the user, from which a control signal for the drive facility 17 is able to be generated, by means of which the controlled spray arm 15 is moved to a specific position or to a specific zone, in particular an intensive washing zone II. To this end FIG. 3 shows in a schematic diagram an overhead view of the receptacle for dishes 12 of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 illustrates in this case that the receptacle for dishes 12 is for example divided into four quadrants I, II, III and IV. For example the user can determine, via the input unit 120 and their user input, that the quadrant II is to form an intensive washing zone. Depending on such a user input, the control signal is then generated by the generation unit 130 in such a way that the drive facility 17 activates the spray arm 15 in such a way that the intensive washing zone determined, in the present example the quadrant II in the receptacle for dishes 12 of FIG. 3, is embodied by means of the activated spray arm 15.

As an alternative or in addition the input unit 120 can be configured to detect a user input, from which a control signal for the drive facility 17 is able to be generated, by means of which a specific pattern of movements is able to be programmed for the spray arm 15 or at least one intensive washing zone, such as quadrant II in FIG. 3, is able to be programmed.

Furthermore the control apparatus 100 can be configured, depending on the user input detected by the input unit 120, to adapt at least one of the washing programs.

Furthermore a visualization unit 140 is preferably provided. The visualization unit 140 is configured to visualize the washing compartment 4 for the user. For this visualization the visualization unit 140 can use the optical sensor signal detected by the optical sensor 110. As an alternative or in addition the visualization unit 140 can employ an augmented reality display and/or a virtual reality display. The sensor signal provided by the optical sensor 110 in particular comprises a real time image of inside the washing compartment 4.

Shown in FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a further exemplary embodiment of a system with a dishwasher 1 and an external facility 200. The dishwasher 1 and the external facility 200 are able to be coupled via at least one network 300, for example the Internet. The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 differs from the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 to the extent that the optical sensor 110, the input unit 120, the generation unit 130 and the visualization unit 140 are integrated in the external facility 200.

The external facility 200 is a mobile device for example, such as a smartphone or a tablet. The optical sensor 110 is the camera of the smartphone or tablet for example.

The input unit 120, the generation unit 130 and the visualization unit 140 are integrated at least partly into an app for example, which is installed on the external facility 200 and is operated on said facility.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of a method for operating a dishwasher 1, having a dishwasher cavity 2, a controlled spray arm 15 for applying washing liquor and/or fresh water to dishes 16 accommodated in the dishwasher cavity 2, a drive facility 17 for actively driving the controlled spray arm 15 and a control apparatus 100 for activating the drive facility 17 depending on a control signal. Examples of such a dishwasher 1 are shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. The method of FIG. 3 comprises the steps S1 and S2:

In step S1 a user's input for movement of controlled spray arm 15 is detected by means of an input unit 120.

In step S2 a control signal is generated depending on the user input detected, by means of which the drive facility 17 is able to be activated by the control apparatus 100 in such a way that the controlled spray arm 15 is moved according to the user input.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is able to be modified in a wide variety of ways.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A system, comprising: a dishwasher including a dishwasher cavity, a spray facility for applying washing liquor and/or fresh water to dishes accommodated in the dishwasher cavity, a drive facility for actively driving the spray facility, and a control apparatus for activating the drive facility depending on a control signal;an input unit configured to detect a user input for moving the spray facility; anda generation unit configured to generate the control signal depending on the user input detected.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the dishwasher is a household dishwasher.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the spray facility is embodied as a spray arm.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the dishwasher includes a pump having a sump, said spray arm including an outrigger supported rotatably on the sump of the pump and actively driven by the drive facility, said spray facility including a spray arm satellite supported rotatably on the outrigger.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the input unit is configured to detect the user input, from which the control signal for the drive facility is generated to move the spray facility to a specific position or into a specific zone.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the specific zone is an intensive washing zone.

22. The system of claim 16, wherein the input unit is configured to detect the user input, from which the control signal for the drive facility is generated to program a specific pattern of movement for the spray facility or to program an intensive washing zone.

23. The system of claim 16, wherein the control apparatus is configured to carry out a washing program from a plurality of washing programs for washing the dishes in the dishwasher cavity, and to adapt at least one of the washing programs depending on the user input detected.

24. The system of claim 16, further comprising a visualization unit configured to visualize for the user a washing compartment arranged within the dishwasher cavity.

25. The system of claim 16, further comprising an optical sensor for detecting an optical sensor signal of the washing compartment.

26. The system of claim 25, further comprising a visualization unit configured to visualize for the user a washing compartment arranged within the dishwasher cavity in response to the detected optical sensor signal.

27. The system of claim 16, further comprising a facility external to the dishwasher, said input unit being integrated the facility.

28. The system of claim 16, further comprising a facility external to the dishwasher, said input unit and said generation unit being integrated the facility.

29. The system of claim 26, further comprising a facility external to the dishwasher, said facility having integrated therein the input unit, the generation unit, the optical sensor and the visualization unit.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the input unit and the visualization unit are embodied as part of an app installed on the external facility.

31. The system of claim 16, wherein the dishwasher integrates the input unit and the generation unit.

32. A method for operating a dishwasher having a dishwasher cavity, said method comprising: detecting via an input unit a user input for movement of a spray facility for applying washing liquor and/or fresh water to dishes accommodated in the dishwasher cavity; andgenerating a control signal depending on the user input detected for activating a drive facility to actively drive the spray facility.

33. A controlled spray arm for a dishwasher including a dishwasher cavity, comprising: a spray arm for applying washing liquor and/or fresh water to dishes accommodated in the dishwasher cavity;a drive facility for actively driving the spray arm;a control apparatus for activating the drive facility depending on a control signal;an input unit configured to detect a user input for moving the spray arm; anda generation unit configured to generate the control signal depending on the user input detected.

34. The controlled spray arm of claim 33, wherein the dishwasher includes a pump having a sump, said spray arm including an outrigger supported rotatably on the sump of the pump and actively driven by the drive facility, said spray arm including a spray arm satellite supported rotatably on the outrigger.

35. The controlled spray arm of claim 33, wherein the input unit is configured to detect the user input, from which the control signal for the drive facility is generated to move the spray arm to a specific position or into a specific zone.

36. The controlled spray arm of claim 35, wherein the specific zone is an intensive washing zone.

37. The controlled spray arm of claim 33, wherein the input unit is configured to detect the user input, from which the control signal for the drive facility is generated to program a specific pattern of movement for the spray arm or to program an intensive washing zone.

38. The controlled spray arm of claim 33, wherein the control apparatus is configured to carry out a washing program from a plurality of washing programs for washing the dishes in the dishwasher cavity, and to adapt at least one of the washing programs depending on the user input detected.

39. The controlled spray arm of claim 33, further comprising a visualization unit configured to visualize for the user a washing compartment arranged within the dishwasher cavity.

40. The controlled spray arm of claim 33, further comprising an optical sensor for detecting an optical sensor signal of the washing compartment.

41. The controlled spray arm of claim 40, further comprising a visualization unit configured to visualize for the user a washing compartment arranged within the dishwasher cavity in response to the detected optical sensor signal.

42. The controlled spray arm of claim 33, further comprising a facility external to the dishwasher, said input unit being integrated the facility.

43. The controlled spray arm of claim 33, further comprising a facility external to the dishwasher, said input unit and said generation unit being integrated the facility.

44. The controlled spray arm of claim 41, further comprising a facility external to the dishwasher, said facility having integrated therein the input unit, the generation unit, the optical sensor and the visualization unit.

45. The controlled spray arm of claim 44, wherein the input unit and the visualization unit are embodied as part of an app installed on the external facility.

46. The controlled spray arm of claim 33, wherein the dishwasher integrates the input unit and the generation unit.