WO2024074192A1

WO2024074192A1 - Dishwasher with cleaning device for camera window

Info

Publication number: WO2024074192A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/077518
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian Roth; Clemens Herlitzius
Original assignee: V-Zug AG
Current assignee: V-Zug AG
Priority date: 2022-10-04
Filing date: 2022-10-04
Publication date: 2024-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 2025-04-04
Also published as: JP2025532753A; EP4568555A1

Abstract

The invention relates to dishwasher for washing dishes, comprising a housing (1), a door (2) arranged 5 for closing the housing (1), and a camera (3), which comprises a camera window (4) that is fixed to an interior side of the housing (1) or of the door (2). The camera (3) is configured to monitor a loading of the dishwasher with dishes. Further, the dishwasher comprises a cleaning device (11, 13, 18, 19) that is configured to clean the camera window (4).

Description

Dishwasher with cleaning device for camera window

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a dishwasher for washing dishes comprising a cleaning device for a camera window and to a computer-implemented method of cleaning the camera window of a dishwasher .

Background Art

Nowadays , dishwashers may comprise a camera for determining a loading of one or more baskets of the dishwasher with dishes . Depending on the loading, the dishwasher may perform various actions automatically, i . e . without manual interaction on the part of the user . For instance , the dishwasher may automatically start a washing process in case the loading exceeds a certain threshold, or the amount and/or type and/or component of detergent used in the washing process may be adapted to the loading .

A camera arranged on the inside of a dishwasher, however, almost inevitably suf fers from contamination on the camera window, e . g . resulting from food particles and liquid falling and dripping from the dishes that are put in the one or more baskets . Such contamination is undesirable since it hinders the determination of the loading with dishes such that the above-mentioned functions , relying on the determination of the loading, cannot be performed . Disclosure of the Invention

The problem to be solved by the present invention is therefore to provide a dishwasher that enables a reliable determination of a loading with dishes , ideally at any time and in particular also at times outside a dishwashing process .

Throughout this document , the term "dishes" shall in particular include any obj ect that is washed, or in other words cleaned, in the dishwasher, e . g . plates , bowls , glasses , cups and cutlery . Typically, the dishes are put into one or more baskets comprised in the dishwasher by a user .

Further, the term " loading" shall in particular refer to a measure indicative of one or more of the following parameters : a degree of loading of the dishwasher with dishes , in particular an area or volume in the one or more baskets that is covered with dishes ; a material of the dishes ; a type of or a degree of contamination of the dishes .

According to a first aspect of the invention, the above problem is solved by a dishwasher for washing dishes according to claim 1 . The dishwasher comprises

- a housing : Typically, the housing encloses an interior space , in particular of cuboid shape , in which the one or more baskets are placeable . Advantageously, the baskets may be arranged in the housing by means of a pull-out or swing-out mechanism .

- a door arranged for closing the housing : Advantageously, the door is mounted to the housing in a pivotal manner, e . g . via a hinge . In an embodiment , the door is configured to close an, otherwise open, front side of the housing .

- a camera comprising a camera window fixed to an interior side of the housing or of the door : The camera is configured to monitor a loading of the dishwasher, in particular of the one or more baskets , with dishes . Advantageously, the camera is configured to monitor the loading continuously or at least repeatedly, e . g . in regular intervals , also at times outside of a dishwashing process . In di f ferent embodiments , the camera may be arranged on any interior side of the housing or of the door . Advantageously, the camera is arranged such that its view angle covers a large fraction of the one or more baskets , in particular at least 50 % or at least 75 % of an area of the one or more baskets in a dishwashing position and/or in a loading/unloading position, e . g . swung- out or pulled-out of the housing . Advantageously, the camera window forms a liquid-tight surface with the interior side of the housing or of the door, respectively . In other words , the camera window may be defined as a transparent cover covering the camera against an interior of the dishwasher and in particular allowing the camera to take pictures of the interior of the dishwasher or of one or more baskets that are swung-out or pulled-out of the dishwasher . The camera window may include or represent a lens of the camera .

- a cleaning device configured to clean the camera window : Advantageously, the cleaning device is configured to remove a contamination on the camera window resulting from food particles and liquid falling or dripping from the dishes that are loaded into the dishwasher and in particular put in the one or more baskets . In particular, the cleaning device is configured to ensure a suf ficient camera view on the dishes , in particular in order to facilitate determining the loading of the dishwasher from one or more pictures taken by the camera . In embodiments , the cleaning device may be configured to apply mechanical and/or chemical cleaning to the camera window . Such dishwasher with cleaning device for the camera window enables a reliable monitoring of the interior space of the dishwasher, in particular by ensuring a clear camera view on the dishes . This , in turn, enables a reliable and accurate determination of the loading of the dishwasher . Determining the loading facilitates further advantageous functions such as an automatic start of the dishwashing process dependent on the loading, or adapting a dishwashing program or an amount of cleaning liquid dependent on the loading .

In an embodiment , the cleaning device comprises a wiper configured to wipe the camera window . Advantageously, the wiper comprises a rubber blade configured to wipe over the camera window . In particular, the wiper is drivable by a motor or by an actuator, e . g . in a pivoting manner . In particular, the wiper is configured to mechanically wipe of f particles and/or liquids from the camera window . Such wiper is able to clean even persistent contamination, e . g . dried food residues , in particular when combined with applying a cleaning liquid as explained in the following .

In an embodiment , the cleaning device comprises a washer noz zle configured to ej ect a cleaning liquid onto the camera window . "Ej ecting" the cleaning liquid onto the camera window may in particular include flooding the camera window with the cleaning liquid or spraying the cleaning liquid on to the camera window, as detailed in speci fic embodiments below .

The cleaning liquid may e . g . be water with or without a detergent . In general , the washer noz zle may be an outlet for the cleaning liquid . Spraying a cleaning liquid may combine mechanical and chemical cleaning of the camera window . In particular, the washer noz zle may be connected to a supply of cleaning liquid, e . g . to a reservoir . Advantageously, the supply of cleaning liquid may be configured to supply cleaning liquid that was retained from a previous dishwashing or rinsing process. This saves cleaning liquid and, thereby, also the environment. Further, cleaning liquid retained from a previous dishwashing or rinsing process typically contains rinsing aid or surfactants. Using such cleaning liquid is, in general, beneficial since it supports the drainage of the cleaning liquid form the camera window without any remaining deposits.

In particular, the washer nozzle may be arranged on an interior side of the housing or of the door. Advantageously, the washer nozzle points to the camera window such that a jet of cleaning liquid ejected from the washer nozzle hits the camera window. Further, the washer nozzle may be controllable to selectably point towards the camera window and in at least one other direction. In this way, the washer nozzle may serve several purposes, e.g. also in cleaning the dishes.

In a specific embodiment, the washer nozzle is arranged above the camera window in an operating position of the dishwasher. In case the camera window is located in a recess in the door, the washer nozzle may be arranged above the camera windows in a loading position, i.e. with the door being in an open state. In these ways, cleaning liquid ejected from the washer liquid may run over the camera window driven only by gravity. Such arrangement of the washer nozzle relative to the camera window may be realized in a simple, compact and energysaving manner.

In a further embodiment, the dishwasher additionally comprises a spray arm on which the washer nozzle is arranged. In particular, the washer nozzle may be arranged on a distal end of the spray arm. In such configuration, the spray arm is advantageously configured to be orientable such that the washer nozzle points towards the camera window. For controlling the orientation of the spray arm, the dishwasher may comprise an angle sensor for the spray arm in communication with a respective drive of the spray arm or a mechanical limit stop in an orientation in which the washer noz zle points towards the camera window . Arranging the washer noz zle on the spray arm allows for a simple implementation of the cleaning device without the need of further noz zles or openings on the interior side of the housing or of the door .

In an embodiment , the dishwasher further comprises a protrusion on the housing or on the door around the camera window, forming a basin for cleaning liquid on the camera window . In case the camera window is arranged on a movable part of the dishwasher, such as the door, the basin may only be fillable with cleaning liquid in a certain state of the movable part , e . g . in a closed state or an open state of the door .

Alternatively or additionally, the camera window may be arranged in a recess in the interior side of the housing or of the door . Analogous to the protrusion described above , the recess is configured to form a basin for cleaning liquid on the camera window . Again, the recess may be configured to form the basin in one or more states of the dishwater or of the door, e . g . in a closed state or an open state of the door . Such basin may facilitate cleaning the camera window from persistent contamination, in particular in an energy- and resourceef ficient manner .

In an embodiment , the camera window is arranged on the interior side of the door . Such arrangement of the camera window facilitates that the camera view angle covers a large part of the baskets , in particular in case of a li fting basket which, in an open state of the door, is located above the camera window . Advantageously, in a closed state of the door, the camera window may be located at a similar height , e . g . +/- 10 cm, as the spray arm . In this way, the camera view angle , in the closed state of the door, covers both, an upper and a lower basket . Furthermore , the spray arm with a washer noz zle as described above may be used to clean such camera window .

In an embodiment , the washer noz zle is arranged on the interior side of the door . In this case , the dishwasher further comprises a supply of cleaning liquid arranged in or at the door or housing . Such washer noz zle may be configured to clean a camera window arranged on the interior side of the door and/or of the housing .

In general , the supply of cleaning liquid may e . g . comprise one of the following : a pipe connecting the washer noz zle with a main supply of cleaning liquid arranged in the housing, or a reservoir for cleaning liquid arranged in or at the door or housing . Advantageously, the reservoir may be configured to retain cleaning liquid from a previous rinsing process . Such cleaning liquid contains surfactants that reduce a surface tension of the liquid and therefore helps draining the camera window without residuals . Additionally, surfactants bind contaminations and prevent their re-depositioning on the camera window . This , again, saves cleaning liquid and spares the environment by minimi zing the release of detergents .

In an embodiment , the dishwasher further comprises a lighting assembly that is arranged at the interior side of the housing or of the door . The lighting assembly may comprise an LED and is configured to light an interior of the dishwasher . The lighting assembly may in particular light the interior of the dishwasher through the camera window . Alternatively or additionally, the dishwasher may comprise a second windows arranged at the interior side of the housing or of the door . The lighting assembly may then be configured to light the interior of the dishwasher through the second window . In such case , the dishwasher advantageously comprises a second cleaning device that is configured to clean the second window, in particular dependent on a contamination state, e.g. of the camera windows or of the second window. The above features facilitate a sufficient lighting of the interior of the dishwasher, e.g. in order to determine a loading with dishes, even in case of contamination.

A second aspect of the invention relates to (e.g. computer-implemented) methods of cleaning a camera window of a camera of a dishwasher. In particular, the dishwasher may be as described above. For the execution of such method, the dishwasher advantageously comprises a control unit configured to execute the steps of the method. It is noted that features disclosed with respect to the dishwasher are also applicable to the methods, where feasible, and vice versa.

The computer-implemented method comprises the following steps: a: Receiving one or more pictures taken by the camera: In particular, the camera may be configured to take pictures continuously, e.g. in the form of a video, or at certain instants of time, e.g. regularly. b: Deriving a contamination state of the camera window: Of particular interest is the contamination state resulting from a contamination of the camera window facing an interior of the dishwasher. The contamination state may e.g. be indicative of a ratio of the number of camera pixels that are blurred due to the contamination to the total number of camera pixels. c: Depending on the contamination state, operating a cleaning device to clean the camera window. As described above, such cleaning device may include one or more of a wiper, a washer nozzle, or any form of opening for ejecting cleaning liquid onto the camera window. Additionally, the second cleaning device may be operated to clean the second window, if any, for the lighting, depending on the contamination state. An advantage of such method is that, by removing contamination from the camera window and from the second window, if any, a continuous monitoring of the loading of the dishwasher is enabled. Dependent on the loading, a dishwasher control unit may initiate further actions automatically, such as starting a dishwashing process or adapting parameters, e.g. temperature or amount of cleaning liquid, for a dishwashing process.

Advantageously, step c: of operating the cleaning device comprises one or more of the following: driving a wiper to wipe off the camera window; spraying a cleaning liquid onto the camera window, in particular by means of a washer nozzle; flooding the camera window with a cleaning liquid. The same methods may be applied to the second window, if present.

Alternatively, the cleaning of the camera window and of the second window, if any, may be performed dependent on an orientation or state of the door relative to the housing, e.g. with every closing of the door and in particular without any detection of the contamination on the window. Such method comprises the following step: Depending on an orientation or state, e.g. in a closed state, of the door arranged for closing the housing of the dishwasher, cleaning the camera window and in particular the second window, if any, by means of a cleaning device .

In an embodiment, such method may be implemented by measuring the orientation or state of the door by a sensor, e.g. an angle sensor or a closure sensor of the door. The camera window is then cleaned dependent on a signal from the sensor, e.g. when the signal indicates a closing of the door.

In other embodiments, the method may be implemented completely mechanically. In one embodiment, this may be achieved by mechanically controlling the cleaning device according to an opening angle of the door . For instance , the supply of cleaning liquid may comprise a dosing unit configured to supply a dose of the cleaning liquid with every closing of the door . Such dosing unit may e . g . comprise a mechanically controlled valve that is opened mechanically, e . g . upon a closing of the door . In another embodiment , the dosing unit may comprise a meander-shaped duct that may be arranged in or at the door . Such meander-shaped duct is advantageously oriented such that with every opening and closing of the door, the cleaning liquid advances one bend towards the cleaning device , in particular towards the washer noz zle . In this way, the meander-shaped duct may be configured to supply a defined dose of the cleaning liquid with every closing of the door .

Implementing a mechanically controlled cleaning of the camera window and of the second window, i f any, e . g . with every closing of the door, is particularly advantageous in connection with retaining cleaning liquid from a previous dishwashing or rinsing process , e . g . in a dedicated reservoir, as described above .

Other advantageous embodiments are listed in the dependent claims as well as in the description below .

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be better understood and obj ects other than those set forth above will become apparent from the following detailed description thereof . Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings , wherein :

Fig . 1 schematically shows a dishwasher with a wiper for cleaning the camera window according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 schematically shows a dishwasher with a washer nozzle and a basin for cleaning the camera window according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 schematically shows a dishwasher with a washer nozzle arranged on a spray arm according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 schematically shows a section of a dishwasher detail with a recess for flooding the camera window according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 schematically shows a section through a dosing unit comprising a meander-shaped duct of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

Fig. 1 illustrates a dishwasher with a wiper 11 configured to clean the window 4 of the camera 3 according to an embodiment of the invention. The dishwasher comprises a housing 1 that can be closed with a door 2. In general, the housing 1 and the door 2 form a liquid- tight container for executing a dishwashing process. The dishes to-be-cleaned are put inside the dishwasher, typically in baskets, e.g. upper basket 5 and lower basket 6, mounted on the interior side of the housing 1, in particular by means of a pull-out or swing-out mechanism. Often, the dishwasher further comprises a spray arm 7, e.g. rotatably mounted between upper basket 5 and lower basket 6 as shown in Fig. 1.

In general, the camera 3 is configured to take pictures, e.g. continuously or in regular time intervals, of the baskets 5 and 6. For this purpose, the camera 3 including the camera window 4 may be arranged on the door 2 (as depicted in Figs. 1 to 3) , or on the interior side of the housing 1 (schematically depicted as alternative camera 3a and window 4a in Fig. 3) . Advantageously, the view angle of the camera 3 through the window 4 covers a large part of the dishes, in other words of the baskets 5 and 6, in particular even if the baskets 5 and 6 are in different states, e.g. inside the housing 1 or pulled-out / swung-out.

The dishwasher of Fig. 1 further comprises the wiper 11 that is drivable by a motor 12 or actuator. The motor 12 is advantageously controlled via a control unit of the dishwasher, dependent on the contamination of the window 4 as determined e.g. from pictures taken by the camera 3. Alternatively, the wiper 11 and motor 12 may be configured to clean the window 4 in regular time intervals or as triggered by an event, e.g. a closing of the door 2, as described above. The wiper 11 may include a rubber membrane, e.g. similar to a miniature windscreen wiper of a car.

Fig. 2 shows a similar dishwasher as Fig. 1, but with a washer nozzle 13 as cleaning device for the window 4 instead of the wiper 11 of Fig. 1. The washer nozzle 13 is configured to spray a cleaning liquid onto the window 4, thereby removing a contamination of the window. The washer nozzle 13 is connected to a supply of cleaning liquid, in this case comprising a reservoir 14 for cleaning liquid located in the door 2. The supply of cleaning liquid may, alternatively, be located in the housing 1 and connected to the washer nozzle 13 via pipes .

Advantageously, the washer nozzle 13 is located above the window 4, e.g. in the closed state of the door 2, such that the action of gravity on the sprayed cleaning liquid supports the cleaning. As an alternative to the arrangement of Fig. 2, the washer nozzle may be arranged on the housing 1 while the camera 3 with window 4 remains mounted to the door 2, or vice versa.

Fig. 2 further shows an advantageous recess 15 in the door 2 around the camera window 4. Such recess 15 is adapted to form a basin for cleaning liquid, in particular if the door is in the fully open state, i.e. oriented in the horizontal. The basin may then be filled with cleaning liquid by means of the washer nozzle 13. By letting the cleaning liquid act on the contamination of the window 4 for a certain time, e.g. one minute, the contamination may be removed better. Such embodiment is particularly advantageous in combination with a wiper 11 as shown in Fig. 1. As an alternative to the recess 15, the basin for cleaning liquid may be formed by a protrusion of the surface of the door 2 (or housing 1, respectively) around the window 4.

The dishwasher of Fig. 3, again, comprises similar features as the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2. In particular, the features of the different embodiments may be combined or arranged differently. This applies in particular to the alternative mounting of the camera 3a and window 4a on the interior side of the housing 1 in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 3, the washer nozzle 18 for cleaning the window 4 of camera 3 is mounted on the spray arm 7, in particular on its distal end(s) . Since the window 4 is arranged on the door 2, taken in closed state, at a similar height as the spray arm 7, the spray arm 7 may thus be controlled to clean the window 4. For this purpose, the dishwasher advantageously comprises a control unit, e.g. a water pressure controlled bearing lock, configured to control the orientation of the spray arm 7 and washer nozzle 18 to point to the window 4 and in particular to operate the washer nozzle 18 to spray cleaning liquid supplied from a reservoir 16 via supply 17 onto the window 4. Alternatively, the spray arm 7 may be configured to rotate while the washer nozzle 18 is open such that cleaning liquid is sprayed onto the window 4 through the action of the centrifugal force.

Fig. 4 shows a details of a dishwasher in which the camera window 4 of the camera 3 is arranged in a recess 15 of the interior of the dishwasher. The detail of Fig. 4 may in particular be arranged in the interior wall of the housing 1, e.g. as camera 3a and window 4a in Fig. 3, or in the interior wall of the door 2, e.g. as camera 3 and window 4 in Fig. 2.

In such embodiment, the dishwasher comprises a washer nozzle 19, or any other means of ejecting cleaning liquid, for flooding the window 4 with cleaning liquid. The cleaning liquid is advantageously drawn from a supply of cleaning liquid in the form of a reservoir 20. Such reservoir 20 may be configured to retain an amount of cleaning liquid for the previous dishwashing or rinsing process. The supply of cleaning liquid onto the window 4 may be controlled either electronically, e.g. dependent on a contamination state of the window, or mechanically, e.g. dependent on an opening state of the door 2. An advantageous embodiment of a mechanical dosing unit in the supply for cleaning liquid is shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 shows a section through a meandershaped duct 30 that is configured to serve as a dosing unit for supplying cleaning liquid onto the camera window 4, e.g. in the dishwashers of the previous figures. Such dosing unit, due to its working principle, is useful in case the camera window 4 as well as the cleaning device, e.g. the washer nozzle 19 of Fig. 4, are arranged at the door 2 that is pivotal between a vertical and a horizontal orientation.

The meander-shaped duct 30, in general, comprises at least two bends 31, 32. In the embodiment of Fig. 5, the duct 30 comprises six bends 31-36. In the vertical orientation of the door, i.e. its closed state, and of the duct 30 (indicated as solid lines in Fig. 5) , cleaning liquid is supplied from above, i.e. along the "In" arrow in Fig. 5. A first portion of liquid then accumulates in the first bend 31. By opening the door, i.e. orienting it hori zontally together with the duct 30 ( indicated as dashed lines ) , the first portion of liquid flows to the second bend 32 . This process is repeated with every closing and opening of the door . Evidently, this leads to a supply of a portion or dose of cleaning liquid through along the "Out" arrow, which is advantageously directed to the camera window 4 .

In this way, the meander-shaped duct 30 forms a mechanical dosage unit that facilitates cleaning of the window 4 with every closing of the door 2 , even without the need for an electronical control . In a particularly advantageous embodiment , such mechanical dosage unit is combined with a reservoir configured to retain cleaning liquid from a previous dishwashing or rinsing process such that cleaning liquid as well as energy is saved while providing a clean camera view through the window .

Claims

1. A dishwasher for washing dishes, comprising

- a housing ( 1 ) ,

- a door (2) arranged for closing the housing (1) ,

- a camera (3) comprising a camera window (4) fixed to an interior side of the housing (1) or of the door (2) and configured to monitor a loading of the dishwasher with dishes, and

- a cleaning device (11, 13, 18, 19) configured to clean the camera window (4) .

2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning device comprises a wiper (11) configured to wipe the camera window (4) , in particular wherein the wiper (11) is drivable by a motor (12) or by an actuator, in particular wherein the wiper (11) is configured to mechanically wipe off particles and/or liquids from the camera window (4) .

3. The dishwasher according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning device comprises a washer nozzle (13, 18, 19) configured to eject a cleaning liquid onto the camera window (4) , in particular wherein the washer nozzle (13, 18, 19) is arranged on an interior side of the housing (1) •

4. The dishwasher according to claim 3, further comprising

- a spray arm ( 7 ) , wherein the washer nozzle (18) is arranged on the spray arm (7) , in particular on a distal end of the spray arm ( 7 ) .

5. The dishwasher according to claim 4, wherein the spray arm (7) is configured to be orientable such that the washer nozzle (18) points towards the camera window (4) .

6. The dishwasher according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the washer nozzle (13, 18, 19) is controllable to selectably point towards the camera window (4) and in at least one other direction.

7. The dishwasher according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising

- a protrusion on the housing (1) or on the door (2) around the camera window (4) , forming a basin for cleaning liquid on the camera window (4) .

8. The dishwasher according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the camera window (4) is arranged in a recess (15) in the interior side of the housing (1) or of the door ( 2 ) , wherein the recess (15) forms a basin for cleaning liquid on the camera window (4) .

9. The dishwasher according to any of claims 4 to 8 , wherein, in a closed state of the door (2) , the camera window (4) is located at a similar height as the spray arm (7) .

10. The dishwasher according to any of claims

3 to 9, wherein the washer nozzle (13) is arranged on the interior side of the door (2) , further comprising

- a supply of cleaning liquid arranged in or at the door ( 2 ) .

11. The dishwasher according to claim 10, wherein the supply of cleaning liquid comprises a dosing unit configured to supply a dose of the cleaning liquid with every closing of the door (2) , in particular wherein the dosing unit comprises a meander-shaped duct (30) .

12. The dishwasher according to any of claims 10 or 11, wherein the supply of cleaning liquid comprises one of the following:

- a pipe connecting the washer nozzle (13) with a main supply of cleaning liquid arranged in the housing ( 1 ) , or

- a reservoir (14, 20) for cleaning liquid arranged in or at the door (2) or the housing (1) , in particular wherein the reservoir (14, 20) is configured to retain cleaning liquid from a previous rinsing process.

13. The dishwasher according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising

- a lighting assembly arranged at the interior side of the housing (1) or of the door (2) and configured to light an interior of the dishwasher, in particular through the camera window (4) .

14. The dishwasher according to claim 13, further comprising

- a second window arranged at the interior side of the housing (1) or of the door (2) , - a second cleaning device configured to clean the second window, wherein the lighting assembly is configured to light the interior of the dishwasher through the second window.

15. A computer-implemented method of cleaning a camera window (4) of a camera (3) of a dishwasher, in particular of the dishwasher according to any of the preceding claims, the method comprising the following steps: a: receiving one or more pictures taken by the camera ( 3 ) , b: deriving a contamination state of the camera window (4) , in particular resulting from a contamination of the camera window (4) facing an interior of the dishwasher, c: depending on the contamination state, operating a cleaning device (11, 13, 18, 19) to clean the camera window (4) .

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the step c: of operating the cleaning device (11, 13, 18) comprises one or more of the following :

- driving a wiper (11) to wipe off the camera window ( 4 ) ,

- spraying a cleaning liquid onto the camera window (4) , in particular by means of a washer nozzle (13, 18, 19) ,

- flooding the camera window (4) with a cleaning liquid.

17. A method of cleaning a camera window (4) of a camera (3) of a dishwasher, in particular of the dishwasher according to any of claims 1 to 14, the method comprising the following step: - depending on an orientation or state of a door (2) arranged for closing a housing (1) of the dishwasher, in particular with every closing of the door (2) , cleaning the camera window (4) by means of a cleaning device (11, 13, 18, 19) .

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the camera window (4) is cleaned dependent on a signal from an angle sensor or a closure sensor of the door (2) .