BE1030327B1 - Method for operating a dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a dishwasher (1), which has a washing container (2) in which one or more washware carriers (3) are arranged for receiving items (4) to be washed, with the steps: - placing an item to be washed (4) into or into one of the washware carriers (3); - Detecting the item to be washed (4) during or after placement in or in one of the items to be washed (3) with a load detection device (10, 12) and sending a detection signal to a control device (13); - Evaluating the detection signal by the control device (13), the evaluation including determining and storing the time at which the item (4) is placed; - Determining the residence time of the item (4) in the dishwasher (1) and evaluating the residence time; - Carrying out a rinsing process, whereby, depending on the evaluation of the dwell time: o when starting the rinsing process, a rinsing program or one or more rinsing program parameters of the rinsing program are suggested, automatically set or modified, and/or o a rinsing process is started automatically or a start recommendation is made via an operating device Dishwasher (1) or via a mobile device.

Description

Description

Method for operating a dishwasher

The invention relates to a method for operating a dishwasher, which has a

Has a washing container in which one or more washware carriers are arranged to hold items to be washed.

Dishwashers typically provide several different washing programs, so that the user can, for example, depending on the load quantity, load type and

If the load is dirty, you can select a suitable washing program. There are also

Automatic programs are known that adjust the washing program parameters based on sensor data determined during the 11th washing program, such as the turbidity of the washing liquor.

This is intended to ensure a certain cleaning success and efficient operation. However, there are situations in which parts of the items to be washed are not completely cleaned in the dishwasher despite such sensors. This is, for example, through the

The persistence of certain types of soiling is justified, such as: E.g. sauce residues or residues from briefly fried meat at high preparation temperatures. On the other hand, there is also

Situations in which, despite the above-mentioned sensors, the efficiency of the washing program is not optimal and even a more economical process in terms of water, energy and/or cleaning agent consumption would have achieved sufficient cleaning success. This can be done, for example

This may be the case if the washing program starts shortly after loading and the dirt is removed

The items to be washed are therefore not dried out and are therefore rinsed comparatively easily.

The invention therefore faces the problem of providing an improved method for operating one

To provide a dishwasher with which a better cleaning result can be achieved or with which the risk of an inadequate cleaning result can be minimized and / or with which a good cleaning result can be achieved more efficiently, in particular more energy-efficiently, as well as one suitable for carrying out such a method

Dishwasher.

According to the invention, this problem is solved by a method with the features of

Claim 1 solved. Advantageous refinements and further developments of the invention result from the following dependent claims. 3o A method for operating a dishwasher is proposed, which has a

Has a washing container in which one or more washware carriers for holding items to be washed

Items to be washed are arranged, the method having the following steps:

- Placing an item to be washed into or into one of the wash item carriers; - Detecting the item to be washed during or after storage, in particular immediately after storage, in or into one of the washware carriers with a load detection device and

Sending a detection signal to a control device; - Evaluating the detection signal by the control device, the evaluation including determining and storing the storage time of the item to be washed; - Determining the length of time the item to be washed remains in the dishwasher; - Carrying out a rinsing program, depending on the length of stay

Items to be washed o when starting a washing program one or more washing program parameters of the washing program are suggested, automatically set or modified, and / or o a washing program is started automatically or a start recommendation via a

Control device of the dishwasher or a mobile device is output.

The dishwasher has a washing container in which at least one washware carrier, such as a washing basket, is arranged to hold items to be washed.

Typically, the washware carrier can be arranged in the washing container so that it can be moved in and out. As a rule, there are several, e.g. 2 or 3, washware carriers, such as a lower basket

Upper basket, a cutlery drawer and/or a cutlery basket.

After carrying out a washing program, the clean items to be washed are typically removed from the

The washing containers are cleared out and then, as a rule, gradually contaminated

Items to be washed are placed in the washing container. This is where the method according to the invention comes into play.

The user first places an item to be washed, such as a piece of crockery or

Piece of cutlery, placed in the washware carrier or - in the case that there are several washware carriers - in one of the washware carriers. The item to be washed is placed during or after, in particular immediately after, placement in or in one of the items to be washed with a

Load detection device detected. A detection signal is generated and sent to a

Control device, in particular that provided by the dishwasher

Control device, handed over. A detection signal can, for example, be generated regularly, i.e. in particular at regular intervals, or can be triggered by detecting an action that has taken place, such as placing the item to be washed or closing the item

Washroom door.

The load detection device can have one or more sensors for detecting the item to be washed. In particular, it can have at least one optical sensor, preferably a camera. Additionally or alternatively, the

Load detection device but also other sensors, such as one or more weight detection means. A weight detection means is assigned to a washware carrier. This changes the weight of the load on the washware carrier

The placement of the item to be washed in the item carrier is determined and the weight of the item is thereby determined

Items to be washed are recorded.

The detection signal can be or comprise, for example, an optical signal, in particular an image. In any case, the detection signal is sent to the control device and evaluated by it. This step of evaluating includes determining and

Saving the storage time of the item to be washed. The storage time should be understood to be approximately the ı5 time at which the detection signal is generated from which the

When evaluating, the control device removes the placement of the item to be washed into the item to be washed for the first time.

In a further step, the length of time the item remains in the dishwasher is determined. In this determination step, it is calculated how much time has passed since

The filing time has expired, i.e. between the filing time and the current one

The time of the investigation step has passed. Such an investigation step is carried out in particular continuously or is repeated regularly, i.e. at regular intervals. Alternatively or additionally, an investigation step is triggered by a user action, such as closing the washing compartment door or retracting one

Carrier of items to be washed or actuation of the operating device.

The step of carrying out a rinsing process then takes place. According to the invention, the rinsing process is carried out depending on the determined dwell time of the item to be washed. When a rinsing process is started, a rinsing program or one or more rinsing program parameters of the rinsing program are activated depending on the dwell time of the rinsing program

Items to be washed are suggested or automatically adjusted or modified. Alternatively, a

The rinsing process is started automatically depending on the length of time the item is washed

Start recommendation via the dishwasher's operating device or a mobile device

terminal device output.

For example, the control device can provide the user with one if the user intends to do so

To start the rinsing process, suggest a rinsing program from a list of several predetermined rinsing programs, depending on the length of the determined dwell time. If the dwell time is comparatively short, a specific washing program, e.g. “Short” or “Light”, can be suggested, i.e. a washing program in which the temperature used is comparatively low and/or the amount of water, amount of cleaning agent and/or

The length of time is comparatively short. On the other hand, if a comparatively long dwell time is determined, an “intensive” washing program can be suggested, i.e. a washing program in which the temperature used is comparatively high and/or the amount of water, amount of cleaning agent and/or duration is comparatively long.

Alternatively, it is also possible for one or more washing program parameters, for example one or more of the temperature parameters, to which the cleaning section is heated,

Amount of water, number of rinse cycles, amount of cleaning agent, length of time for each one

Washing program sections, and/or duration of exposure to the various

Alternating rinsing alternately supplied rinsing levels (e.g. lower spray arm, middle

Spray arm, upper spray arm) when starting the rinsing process depending on the determined

Dwell time can be set automatically or one or more of these parameters can be modified in a washing program selected by the user.

This means that the rinsing process can automatically take into account whether and to what extent the

Soiling on the items to be washed or items to be washed has already dried. In this way, soiling that adheres particularly stubbornly to the items to be washed due to the long residence time in the washing container can still be removed from the items to be washed with increased probability due to appropriately adapted washing parameters. With a very short one

The rinsing process with the method according to the invention can, however, have no dwell time

To significantly worsen the cleaning result, it can be carried out particularly efficiently, for example the consumption of energy, water and / or cleaning agents compared to that

State of the art can be reduced.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, not only the dwell time of a first item to be washed, but also the dwell time of a second item to be washed is determined. In this case, the first item to be washed is detected during or after its placement in or in one of the wash item carriers with a load detection device at a first placement time and a first detection signal is sent to a control device. There will also be a second one

Item to be washed during or after being placed in or in one of the items to be washed with a

Load detection device detected at a later, second storage time and a second detection signal sent to the control device. The first and second detection signals are evaluated by the control device. This includes

Evaluating in particular determining and storing the respective storage time of the first and second items to be washed and also assigning the respective ones

storage time for the respective item to be washed. In order to be able to determine the respective storage time of the first and second items to be washed, it can in particular be provided that a comparison of the first and second detection signals is carried out by the control device. The second item to be washed, which is not yet recognized in the first detection signal, but only in the second detection signal, is assigned the second storage time as the storage time or the time at which the second detection signal is generated.

In a further step, the residence time of both the first item to be washed and the second item to be washed in the dishwasher is determined. In this case,

The determination step calculates how much time has elapsed since the first storage time, i.e. between the first storage time and the current time of the determination step, and how much time has elapsed since the second storage time, i.e. between the second ı5 storage time and the current time of the determination step. The subsequent step of carrying out a rinsing process takes place as already described above, but both the determined dwell time of the first and the second part of the items to be washed are taken into account. This means that when a rinsing process is started, a rinsing program or one or more rinsing program parameters of the rinsing program are activated

Depending on the respective dwell time of the first and second items to be washed, it is proposed or automatically set or modified, with the washing program parameter being, for example, the temperature up to which the cleaning section is heated

Amount of water, the number of rinse cycles, the amount of cleaning agent and/or the duration of individual rinse program sections or the duration of exposure to the different rinse levels that are supplied alternately during alternating rinses (e.g. lower spray arm, middle

Spray arm, upper spray arm) comes into question. Alternatively, a washing process is started automatically depending on the respective dwell time of the first and second items to be washed, or a start recommendation is made via the operating device of the dishwasher or a mobile device

terminal device output. In this way, an even better adaptation of the rinsing process to the existing loading and drying situation is possible, so that the process achieves an even better rinsing result and/or an even more efficient operation of the

Dishwasher possible. The procedure takes into account that a

The dishwasher is often not loaded with dirty dishes at a single point in time, but typically over a longer period of time, gradually, until the next one

Rinsing process is started. As a result, the dishes or the respective soiling is on different items to be washed, which come into the dish at different times

The items that have been placed in the dishwasher are also dried to varying degrees.

In a corresponding manner, the method can also be used after detecting the first and second

Items to be washed include detecting the placement of other items to be washed during or after placement in or in one of the items to be washed with the load detection device. Analogously, each recorded item of washware is assigned the respective specific storage time, the respective

Dwell time is determined and in the subsequent step of carrying out a rinsing process, the dwell time determined for each of the detected items to be washed is taken into account. In particular, it can also be provided that all deposited items to be washed are recorded in this way and their

Dwell time can be taken into account, or alternatively at least all items to be washed of a specific type of items to be washed or just all items to be washed that have been placed and recorded in a specific one of several existing items to be washed, for example in the lower basket. This allows the rinsing process to be further optimized and adapted to the existing load and

Drying situation can be adjusted. In other words, the total is:

Loading progress for each item to be washed and soiling recorded over time and a

Loading history shown.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the step of evaluating includes

Detection signals by the control device also calculate one of the detected

Items to be washed or, if applicable, the items to be washed are dependent

Total load drying index. This key figure is intended to be the current one

A value can be assigned to the loading and drying situation. This value calculated in this step is, on the one hand, dependent on the part or items recorded

Parts of the items to be washed, especially their number, and on the other hand the length of time the items stay

Items to be washed, in particular the respective dwell time of the items to be washed. Depending on the calculated value of the total load drying index, the rinsing process can then be carried out. When starting a rinsing process, a specific rinsing program or one or more rinsing program parameters of the rinsing program can be selected depending on the

Total load drying index can be set or modified, whereby as

Washing program parameters, for example, the temperature up to which the cleaning section is heated, the amount of water, the number of wash cycles, the amount of cleaning agent and / or the duration of individual wash program sections or the duration of the

Actuation of the different rinsing levels that are supplied alternately during alternating rinsing (e.g. lower spray arm, middle spray arm, upper spray arm) is possible. Alternatively or additionally, a rinsing process can be started automatically or a start recommendation can be made via the

Operating device of the dishwasher or a mobile terminal are output if or as soon as the total load drying index exceeds a predetermined or predeterminable comparison value. As long as the value of the

However, if the total load drying index has not yet exceeded the specified or predeterminable comparison value, there is no automatic start or a

Issue a starting recommendation.

The following describes various options for defining or calculating the

Total load drying index suggested. So you can calculate the

Total load drying index for the items to be washed, for example, each with a (first) weighting factor that depends on their respective residence time, which is also known as

Drying factor can be weighted. In other words, it can

Control device, for example, be set up to determine the (first) weighting factors

Add up items to be washed to calculate the overall load drying index. The

Weighting factors for the respective items to be washed depend on their respective determined values

Duration in the washing container depends. In the simplest case, the weighting factors can, for example, be equated with the respective length of stay. In this case, for example, the respective dwell times of the items to be washed can be added up to get the

Calculate the total load drying index. It has surprisingly been shown that even with this simple algorithm, which in reality is not linear

Relationships between residence time and drying or influence on the rinsing process are not very accurate but at least roughly approximate, a significantly improved process is possible. An improved method alternative provides that a function is stored in the control device with which the weighting factor of each

Part of the items to be washed can be calculated depending on the determined dwell time, or that the value of the respective weighting factor for a variety of different

Residence times have been filed. This function or the values can be used for this

Dishwasher model must have already been determined and tested in the laboratory and be firmly in place

Control device of the dishwasher can be or will be stored. In any case, the respective dwell time can be determined for the respective item to be washed

Control device the resulting weighting factor or drying factor can be specified or calculated. The total load drying index can then

With a specified calculation method from the weighting factors of the respective

Items to be washed are calculated, in the simplest case, for example, by adding up the individual weighting factors of the respective items to be washed.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the proposed method, it can be provided that the step of evaluating the detection signals is carried out by the

Control device also includes determining the type of washware of the detected item or items to be washed. In particular, it can also be provided that a

Assigning an item to be washed or the items to be washed to one of several items

Categories of washware are carried out, such as cups, plates, cutlery or cookware. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the evaluation step involves determining the

Material type of the detected item or items to be washed includes, as well as in particular the assignment of a item to be washed or the items to be washed to one of several

Material categories such as ceramic, glass, plastic or stainless steel. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the evaluation step involves determining the

Type of soiling of the item or items to be washed includes, and in particular that

Assigning an item to be washed to one of several soiling categories, such as 11 coffee deposits, sauce residue, burnt items. The assignment to the

Types of items to be washed and/or material categories and/or soiling categories are carried out by the control device, for example using classical image processing and/or a trained artificial neural network.

According to a further feature, the type of washware and/or type of material and/or type of soiling determined for an item to be washed or determined for the items to be washed ı5 can be incorporated into the overall load drying index to be determined as an alternative or in addition to the residence time. For example, when calculating the total load drying index, the

Items to be washed are each weighted with a, in particular second, weighting factor that depends on their respective category of items to be washed. Alternatively or additionally, when calculating the total load drying index, the items to be washed can each be weighted with a, in particular third, weighting factor that depends on their respective material category. In addition, the items to be washed can alternatively or additionally

Calculate the total load drying index with one of their respective

Soiling category-dependent, in particular fourth, weighting factor can be weighted.

It can therefore be taken into account that the drying process does not depend solely on the

The length of time for drying or the length of time the item to be washed depends, but is also influenced, among other things, by the type of item to be washed, the type of material and/or the type of soiling. This means that the existing loading and drying situation can be improved even better

Total load drying index can be characterized and the process can be further improved.

What is also proposed is a dishwasher for washing items to be washed, comprising a washing container in which at least one item carrier is arranged for receiving items to be washed, a load detection device for detecting the items to be washed and a control device which is used to carry out the method according to the invention or the method according to one of those described previously

Embodiments are designed and set up.

The load detection device preferably comprises at least one optical one

Detection means, in particular at least one camera. A camera can be arranged, for example, in the door and/or on a side, rear or top wall of the washing container.

There can also be several cameras, in particular several

Washing item carriers may be present, with at least one camera each being assigned to the plurality of wash item carriers, for example. The load detection device can alternatively or additionally also comprise at least one weight detection means. With combined

By using an optical detection means and a weight detection means, errors in determining the type of items to be washed and/or the type of material can be reduced or avoided. Several

Carriers for items to be washed can each be assigned to one of several weight detection means. A number of weight detection means can also be assigned to a washware carrier, with individual areas of the washware carrier each having a weight detection means

Assigned.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows

Figure 1 shows a dishwasher according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a flow chart of a method according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a rough schematic drawing of a dishwasher 1 in which the method according to the invention can run. This has a washing container 2, at least one washware carrier 3 or several, for example three shown here, washware carriers 3, in which washware parts 4 to be cleaned can be arranged, as well as one not shown in detail

circulation circuit. During the rinsing process, the rinsing liquor is mixed with a

Collection pot 5 is collected and conveyed by means of a circulation pump 6, possibly via a water diverter 7, to one or, as shown here, several spray devices 8, such as spray arms. The

Spray devices 8 release the washing liquor in spray jets 9 onto the items 4 to be washed.

The dishwasher 1 also has a load detection device.

This includes at least one or more, for example two cameras 10 as shown here. A lighting device 11 can also be present. The

Alternatively or additionally, the load detection device can also have one or more

Have weight detection means 12, which are assigned to the respective washing baskets 3. The

Dishwasher 1 also has a control device 13. The placing of a washware item 4 on a washware carrier 3 or a dishwashing item placed on a washware carrier 3

Item 4 can be detected with the load detection device. The one or more

Cameras 10 and/or weight detection means 12 are connected to the control system

Control device 13 connected and enter after detecting a item to be washed

Detection signal to the control device.

Figure 2 shows a rough flow diagram of the method according to the invention according to one

Example embodiment. It begins - after completion of a previously running washing program, which is referred to here as step 20 - with step 21 of delivering a

Detection signal from the load detection device to the control device 13. A first such detection signal is emitted after the depositing of a first item 4 placed in a (previously empty) washware carrier has been detected. This is followed by a step 22 of evaluating the detection signal by the control device, the evaluation including determining and storing the time at which the item 4 to be washed is placed. In step 23, the dwell time of the item 4 to be washed is determined, continuously updated and evaluated. This is followed by a test step 24, in which the existence of a specific condition is checked, in particular depending on the length of time the item 4 has been washed.

A rinsing process is then carried out in step 25. When the user starts the rinsing process, he is given a rinsing program or one or more rinsing program parameters depending on the dwell time or if the specific condition is met

Washing program suggested, automatically set or modified. Alternatively, at

If the specific condition is met, a rinsing process starts automatically without the

User is involved in some way, or a starting recommendation via one

Operating device of the dishwasher or issued via a mobile device; in the latter case, the user only has to confirm the start.

As long as test step 24 shows that the specific condition is not met, and the

If the user does not start a rinsing process on their own, another one follows via loop 26

Step 21 of emitting a (further) detection signal from the

Load detection device to the control device 13, after possibly another

Item 4 has been placed on a item carrier 3. This is followed by another

Step 22 of evaluating the detection signal by the control device, whereby the

Evaluating, determining and storing the storage time of the further item 4 to be washed includes, etc. In this way, steps 21 to 24 are typically repeated cyclically many times. In step 23, the dwell time of each item 4 to be washed is determined individually, continuously updated and evaluated.

The evaluation of the dwell times in step 23 can be implemented in various ways.

According to one exemplary embodiment, this step 23 includes calculating a dependent on the detected item or items to be washed

Total load drying index. Each item to be washed can be assigned a first weighting factor that depends on its respective dwell time, which is also known as

The drying factor can be weighted, i.e. to calculate the total load number, the items to be washed are added up, but each item to be washed is weighted with an individual first weighting factor, which depends on its respective

Length of stay depends.

Optionally, when calculating the total load number, the individual parts of the items to be washed can also be given a second value that depends on their respective category of items to be washed

Weighting factor and/or each with a third weighting factor depending on their respective material category and/or each with one of their respective

Soiling category-dependent, in particular fourth, weighting factor can be weighted. For this purpose, the step of evaluating the detection signals includes determining the type of items to be washed, and in particular assigning an item to be washed to one of several categories of items to be washed, and/or determining the type of material of the items to be washed, and in particular assigning an item to be washed to one of several material categories, and/or determining the type of soiling of the items to be washed, and in particular that

Assigning an item to be washed to one of several soiling categories.

Different categories of items to be washed, e.g. cups, plates, cutlery, glasses, cookware, can each be assigned different second weighting factors. Likewise, different material categories, e.g. ceramic, glass, plastic,

Stainless steel, each assigned to different third weighting factors.

Accordingly, different categories of soiling, e.g. sauce residues,

Coffee toppings, burnt food, leftover desserts, etc., each with a different fourth

Weighting factors must be assigned. It can therefore be taken into account that the strength of the

Drying of an item to be washed and the cleaning effort for the item to be washed not only depend on the drying time, but also on the type of item to be washed, type of material and

Type of soiling

In test step 24, according to one exemplary embodiment, the determined

Total load drying index with a predetermined or predeterminable one

comparative value compared. If the total load drying index is the

If the comparison value is not exceeded, the specific condition is therefore not fulfilled

Loop 26 another cycle of steps 21 -24. If the comparison value is exceeded, according to one exemplary embodiment it is provided that a washing process is started automatically or a start recommendation is issued via the operating device of the dishwasher or a mobile terminal. In addition, it can additionally or alternatively be provided that when a rinsing process is started, a rinsing program or one or more

Washing program parameters of the washing program depending on the

Total load drying index can be set or modified.

List of reference symbols 1 Dishwasher 2 Washing container 3 Washware carrier 4 Washware item 5 Collection pot 6 Circulation pump 7 Water diverter 8 Spray device 9 Spray jet 10 Camera 11 Lighting device 12 Weight detection means 13 Control device

Step 21 Step 22 Step 23 Step 24 Step 20 25 Step 26 Loop

Claims (16)

Patent claims 1. A method for operating a dishwasher (1), which has a washing container (2), in which one or more items to be washed (3) are arranged for receiving items to be washed (4), with the steps: - placing an item to be washed (4 ) into or into one of the washware carriers (3); - Detecting the item to be washed (4) during or after placement in or in one of the items to be washed (3) with a load detection device (10, 12) and sending a detection signal to a control device (13); - Evaluating the detection signal by the control device (13), the evaluation including determining and storing the time at which the item (4) is placed; - Determining the residence time of the item (4) in the dishwasher (1) and evaluating the residence time; - Carrying out a rinsing process, whereby, depending on the evaluation of the dwell time: o when starting the rinsing process, a rinsing program or one or more rinsing program parameters of the rinsing program are suggested, automatically set or modified, and/or o a rinsing process is started automatically or a start recommendation is made via an operating device Dishwasher (1) or via a mobile device. 2. The method according to claim 1, with the steps: - placing a first part of the washware in or into one of the washware carriers (3) at a first storage time and depositing a second part of the washware into or into one of the washware carriers (3) at a later second storage time ; - Detecting the first item to be washed during or after placement in or in one of the wash item carriers (3) with a load detection device and sending a first detection signal to a control device (13); - Detecting the second item to be washed during or after placement in or in one of the wash item carriers (3) with a load detection device and sending a second detection signal to a control device (13); - Evaluating the detection signals by the control device (13), the evaluation including determining and storing the respective storage time of the first and second items to be washed and assigning the respective storage time to the respective item (4); - Determining the respective residence times of the two items (4) in the dishwasher (1) and evaluating the residence times; - Carrying out a rinsing process, wherein depending on the respective dwell time of the two items to be washed (4) o when a rinsing process is started, a rinsing program or one or more rinsing program parameters of the rinsing program are suggested, automatically set or modified, and/or o a rinsing process is automatically started or a start recommendation is output via the operating device of the dishwasher (1) or a mobile device. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of evaluating the dwell times includes calculating an overall load drying index that is dependent on the detected item or items (4). 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein - when starting a washing process, a washing program or one or more washing program parameters of the washing program are set or modified depending on the total load drying index, and / or - a washing process is started automatically or a start recommendation via the operating device of the dishwasher or a mobile Terminal is output when the total load drying index exceeds a predetermined or predeterminable comparison value. 5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein when calculating the total load drying index, the items to be washed are each weighted with a weighting factor that depends on their respective residence time 6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step of evaluating the detection signals includes determining the type of washware of the item or items to be washed, and in particular assigning an item to be washed to one of several categories of items to be washed, such as cups, plates, cutlery or Cookware. 7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step of evaluating the detection signals includes determining the material type of the item or items to be washed, and in particular assigning a item to be washed to one of several material categories, such as ceramic, glass, plastic or Stainless steel. 8. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step of evaluating the detection signals includes determining the type of soiling of the item or items to be washed and in particular assigning a item to be washed to one of several soiling categories, such as coffee deposits, sauce residues, burnt items. 9. Method according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the assignment to the washware categories and/or material categories and/or soiling categories is carried out using classical image processing and/or a trained artificial neural network. 10. The method according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that when calculating the total load drying index, the items to be washed are each weighted with a weighting factor that depends on their respective category of items to be washed, in particular a second weighting factor. 11. The method according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that when determining the overall load drying index, the items to be washed are each weighted with a weighting factor that depends on their respective material category, in particular a third weighting factor. 12. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that when determining the overall load drying index, the items to be washed are each weighted with a weighting factor, in particular a fourth, that depends on their respective soiling category. 13. Dishwasher (1) for washing items to be washed, comprising a washing container (2) in which at least one item carrier (3) is arranged for receiving items (4) to be washed, a load detection device (10, 12) for detecting the items to be washed ( 4) and a control device (13), which is designed and set up to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims. 14. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the load detection device comprises at least one optical detection means, in particular at least one camera (10). 15. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the load detection device comprises at least one weight detection means (11). 16. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that weighting factors for different dwell times, in particular for different dwell times as well as additionally different washware categories and/or material categories and/or soiling categories, are stored in the control device (13) or can be calculated using a mathematical function stored there are.