Laundry drying machine comprising a weighing device, method for operating a laundry drying machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a laundry drying machine comprising a drum, a control device for controlling the operation of the laundry drying machine comprising a weighing device, a display device and a setting device, the control device being configured for weighing the laundry by the weighing device and determining a load of the laundry when the laundry is received into the drum and an input is received by the setting device to start the processing of the laundry by washing and drying, comparing the load with a second load, controlling the display device to display a first indication that the washing and drying processing of the laundry in the drum can be performed in a continuous process if the load does not exceed the second load, and controlling the display device to display a second indication that the washing and drying processing of the laundry will be interrupted after washing if the load exceeds the second load, and the user is prompted to remove the excess laundry exceeding the second load from the drum before starting the drying of the laundry. The invention also relates to a method of operating such a laundry drying machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a washer-dryer, comprising: a drum for receiving laundry to be processed, the drum being arranged in a tub and rotatable about an axis and having a load not exceeding a first load to be washed and a load less than a second load to be dried, wherein the second load is less than the first load; a control device for controlling the operation of the washer-dryer, the control device comprising a weighing device for determining the load of laundry present in the drum; a display device for displaying information to a user; and a setting device for receiving input settings from the user.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method for operating a washer-dryer, the washer-dryer comprising: a drum for receiving laundry to be processed, the drum being arranged in a tub and rotatable about an axis and having a load not exceeding a first load to be washed and a load less than a second load to be dried, wherein the second load is less than the first load; a control device for controlling the operation of the washer-dryer, the control device comprising a weighing device for determining the load of laundry present in the drum; a display device for displaying information to a user; and a setting device for receiving input settings from a user. Background Art

[0003] Document WO 2010 / 018201 A1 discloses a washer-dryer and method as described above.

[0004] Note that conventional washer-dryers are typically unable to dry all the laundry they are capable of washing. For these reasons, the washer-dryer is typically stopped after the washing process is complete, allowing the user to remove a portion of the wet laundry, then restart the washer-dryer to dry the remaining laundry, remove the dried remaining laundry from the washer-dryer, and then re-introduce the previously removed, still wet laundry for subsequent drying. This process is time-consuming and cumbersome for the user, requiring attention to the washer-dryer twice after starting the laundry drying process.

[0005] In recent developments, devices suitable for weighing laundry have been incorporated into washer-dryers, in particular for controlling the balance during the spin-drying operation of the washer-dryer, in order to dehydrate the laundry after washing and to avoid excessive imbalances. Methods have also been developed for determining the amount of laundry present in a washing machine or washer-dryer, by evaluating the soaking properties of liquid when it is added to the laundry.

[0006] WO 2010 / 018201 A1 relates in particular to a drum-type washing machine that can be implemented as a washer-dryer, and to a method for controlling water inflow therein. The washing machine includes: a control device for controlling operation; a detection unit for detecting a load of laundry; a timing unit for recording the operating time of the washing machine; a comparison unit for comparing operating parameters; and a water supply unit for adding a washing solution of water and an additive such as detergent to the washing machine.

[0007] EP 3 109 356 A1 relates to a drying method for implementation in a washer-dryer. The washer-dryer comprises a tub having a drum disposed therein and adapted to receive laundry for processing within the drum; a washing device adapted to wash the laundry received in the drum; a drying device comprising a drying air heater and a drying air fan for drying the laundry; and a load detector for detecting a load signal indicative of the load received in the drum. The washer-dryer is adapted to dry the laundry received in the drum, and the drying method comprises evaluating the moment of inertia of the laundry being dried and spun in the drum, and performing a spin-drying cycle if the moment of inertia is found to exceed a predetermined threshold.

[0008] Therefore, there exists the problem of improving the operation of a washer-dryer by providing guidance to the user regarding processing a load of laundry for washing and drying by the washer-dryer and minimizing the necessary interaction between the user and the washer-dryer when processing the laundry. Summary of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, a solution to these problems is achieved by providing a washer-dryer and a method for operating a washer-dryer as defined in the present invention. Preferred embodiments of the washer-dryer and the method are defined in the technical solution of the present invention, and the preferred embodiments of the washer-dryer correspond to the preferred embodiments of the method, and vice versa, even if not explicitly stated elsewhere in this document.

[0010] According to the present invention, a washing and drying machine is provided, comprising: a drum for receiving laundry to be processed, the drum being arranged in a tub and being rotatable about an axis and having a load not exceeding a first load to be washed and a load less than a second load to be dried, wherein the second load is less than the first load; a control device for controlling the operation of the washing and drying machine, the control device comprising a weighing device for determining the load of laundry present in the drum, a display device for displaying information to a user, and a setting device for receiving input settings from the user, wherein the control device is configured to, when laundry is received into the drum and input is received through the setting device to start processing the laundry by washing and drying, weigh the laundry by the weighing device and determine the load of the laundry, compare the load with the second load, if the load does not exceed the second load, control the display device to display a first indication that the washing and drying processing of the laundry in the drum can be performed in a continuous process, and if the load exceeds the second load, control the display device to display a second indication that the washing and drying processing of the laundry will be interrupted after washing, and the user is prompted to remove excess laundry exceeding the second load from the drum before starting to dry the laundry.

[0011] According to the present invention, there is also provided a method for operating a washer-dryer, the washer-dryer comprising: a drum for receiving laundry to be processed, the drum being arranged in a tub and being rotatable about an axis and having a load not exceeding a first load to be washed and a load less than a second load to be dried, wherein the second load is less than the first load; and a control device for controlling the operation of the washer-dryer, the control device comprising a weighing device for determining the load of laundry present in the drum, a display device for displaying information to a user, and a setting device for receiving input settings from the user. The method comprises the following steps:

[0012] a) upon receiving the laundry into the drum and receiving an input through the setting device to start processing the laundry by washing and drying, weighing the laundry by the weighing device and determining the load of the laundry,

[0013] b) comparing the load with a second load, and if the load does not exceed the second load, displaying a first indication through the display device that the washing and drying processes of the clothes in the drum can be performed in a continuous process, and if the load exceeds the second load, displaying a second indication through the display device that the washing and drying processes of the clothes will be interrupted after washing; and prompting the user to remove excess clothes exceeding the second load from the drum before starting to dry the clothes.

[0014] The invention makes the use of a washer-dryer easier by enabling the user to avoid paying attention to the washer-dryer until the washing and drying of the laundry load has been fully completed, provided that the load does not exceed the maximum load acceptable for drying in the washer-dryer. The invention is advantageously combined with automatic control and autonomous processing of the washer-dryer, such as automatic addition of detergent, softener and other additives normally added to the wash soap, adapting the process to the actual laundry load and predicting the duration of the process based on the actual laundry load.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control device is further configured to prompt the user to determine whether to continue the washing and drying process if the load does not exceed the second load. This allows the user to allow the complete washing and drying process to proceed autonomously until its completion, or alternatively, to maintain the possibility of accessing the laundry after washing but before drying, in order to remove part of the laundry or add additional laundry before drying.

[0016] In an additional preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control device is configured to interrupt the process if the load exceeds the second load and control the display device to display a third indication prompting the user to remove the excess laundry exceeding the second load from the drum and restart the process by providing an input to the setting device. This allows the user to remove the laundry exceeding the second load before the washing step and to perform a continuous washing and drying process, wherein the excess laundry remains dry and untreated for later processing. Obviously, as in some embodiments described later, this option is only feasible if the weighing procedure is performed without adding any liquid to the laundry for weighing.

[0017] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control device is configured to, upon receiving laundry into the drum and receiving an input via the setting device to begin drying-only laundry processing, weigh the laundry using a weighing device and determine the laundry load, compare the load to a second load, and, if the load does not exceed the second load, control the display device to display a fourth indication that the laundry processing by drying the laundry in the drum can be performed; and, if the load exceeds the second load, control the display device to display a fourth indication prompting the user to remove excess laundry exceeding the second load from the drum before drying the laundry. This advantageously utilizes the availability of a weighing device for evaluating the laundry before the drying process is performed, using it to assess whether a given laundry load falls below the maximum capacity of the washer-dryer for drying laundry. It should be noted that the operation of the weighing device must take into account that laundry 6 placed in the drum 3 solely for drying is typically wet to the extent of approximately 50% of the dry laundry mass, thereby significantly increasing the total mass compared to the case where dry laundry is placed in the drum for washing.

[0018] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control device is configured to interrupt the operation after washing the laundry in the drum and resume the operation after receiving an input from the user via the setting device, and the control device is further configured to display an indication on the display device that the laundry does not need to be removed from the drum before providing an input to the setting device to resume the operation if the load does not exceed the second load. Thus, even if the washer-dryer interrupts operation after washing and drying in the related art, the user is informed whether the given laundry load is suitable for drying, which clearly indicates that the operation can be continued by giving a corresponding input to the setting device without previously removing the laundry from the drum.

[0019] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the washer-dryer includes a suspension device for suspending the drum within the washer-dryer, wherein the weighing device is attached to the suspension device for measuring the extension of the suspension device caused by the laundry placed in the drum. A suspension device is generally required for drums with a rotatable drum to accommodate and dissipate dynamic forces generated by imbalances caused by uneven distribution of laundry within the drum when the drum is spun at relatively high speeds (particularly for dehydrating laundry after a washing process). By attaching the weighing device to the suspension device, the present invention advantageously utilizes existing components of the washer-dryer.

[0020] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the weighing device includes an elongation sensor device comprising at least one elongation sensor. No particular considerations apply when selecting the elongation sensor. In particular, any elongation sensor present in the washer-dryer for any other purpose can be used in the implementation of the present invention. Such an elongation sensor can be a 3D sensor that assesses the deformation of a shaft attached to the drum and used to support the drum in the tub and to drive the drum in rotation via a motor located outside the tub. This 3D sensor can be located in a bearing in the tub through which the shaft passes, and can even include components such as magnets incorporated into the shaft. The deformation detected by the 3D sensor is caused by the laundry placed in the drum and results in elastic strain on the shaft. Alternatives to the 3D sensor could be an extension gauge attached to a spring as part of the suspension system, or a displacement sensor connected to a shock absorber also part of the suspension system. Similarly, a sensor that determines the position of the drum within the washer-dryer using non-contact means, such as a laser distance sensor, can be used. Of course, measurements from multiple sensors can be combined to assess the actual load of laundry in the drum. This relates to the sensor devices mentioned in this section and to such devices mentioned below.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the measuring device is configured to determine the load of laundry from data related to the movement of laundry by the rotating drum. Further preferably, such data may include at least one selected from the following: the torque of the drum rotating with the laundry; the amount of liquid required to completely soak the laundry in the drum; the level of liquid in the drum after a predetermined amount of liquid has been introduced into the drum and the drum has been rotated to soak the laundry with the liquid. These are indirect measurements that apply the increase in the drum's moment of inertia, which increases with the loading of laundry, resulting in an increased torque required to rotate the drum at a specified speed, which can be measured by evaluating the associated electrical load applied to the motor driving the drum in rotation. Other data related to the ability of the laundry to absorb water can be used to determine the load of laundry in the drum. Such data can be evaluated shortly after the start of the laundry washing program. It can be seen that in such an embodiment, the present invention is carried out shortly after the start of the washing process, while the measurement method described in the previous section can be performed before the start of the washing process.

[0022] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control device is configured to use the determined laundry load to adjust the laundry treatment process. Further preferably, the adjustment to the laundry treatment process includes at least one selected from the group consisting of: duration of the process; addition of detergent to the process; addition of water to the process; and addition of heat to the process. Thus, data obtained through application of the present invention can be used to adjust the laundry treatment process, further enhancing the benefits accrued to the user.

[0023] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control device is configured to use the determined laundry load to predict the duration of the laundry treatment process that the user has actually selected. This further enhances the user's benefit by providing information about when the laundry treatment process can reasonably be expected to terminate, thereby freeing the user from having to consider these aspects.

[0024] In yet another additional preferred embodiment of the present invention, the display device and the setting device are included in a communication unit that is spatially separable from the washer-dryer and communicates wirelessly with the washer-dryer. Thus, a user can utilize a smartphone or other communication unit that includes the ability to receive user input and function as a setting device, as well as the ability to provide a display to the user and function as a display device, and connect to the washer-dryer via a wireless communication interface such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to control the operation of the washer-dryer. In this case, the definition of the control device as including the display device and the setting device does not require a certain spatial unification of the control device, but rather allows the control device's display device and setting device components to be spatially separate from the washer-dryer, which includes a drum and other hardware for performing the washing and drying processes, and to communicate with the washer-dryer via a wireless channel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Further details, benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a washing and drying machine according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 shows a flow chart for a washing and drying method performed in a washer-dryer according to the present invention; and

[0028] Figure 3 A communication unit is shown which is suitable for providing display means and setting means remote from the dryer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, a washer-dryer 1 includes a drum 3 for receiving laundry 6 to be treated. The drum 3 is arranged in a tub 2 and is rotatable about an axis 4. The drum 3 carries a load not exceeding a first load to be washed and a load less than a second load to be dried, wherein the second load is less than the first load. A suspension device 5 is provided for suspending the tub 2 in the washer-dryer. The suspension device 5 comprises springs and shock absorbers according to conventional practice. Currently, only two springs 5 ​​are shown by dashed lines as a representation of the suspension device 5. The laundry 6 to be treated according to the present invention is shown in the drum 3.

[0030] Figure 1 Means for supporting the drum 3 in the tub 2 and for driving the drum 3 in rotation, such as an electric motor and a transmission, are not shown. Figure 1 Likewise not shown are the means for feeding water or washing suds into tub 2, adding detergent, softener and other conventional adjuvants to the water or washing suds, heating such suds and removing such suds from tub 2 after the washing process is complete. Figure 1 Not shown are the means for drying, such as a process air channel for circulating drying air through the tub 2 and a heat exchanger for heating or cooling this drying air, as eventually comprised in a heat pump.

[0031] A control device 7 is provided for controlling the operation of the washer-dryer 1. The control device 7 includes a weighing device 8 for determining the load of laundry 6 present in the drum 3; a display device 9 for displaying information to a user; and a setting device 10 for receiving input settings from the user. The display device 9 and the setting device 10 constitute a user interface of the washer-dryer, allowing relevant information to be displayed by the display device 6 and relevant user input to be provided to the control device 7 by the setting device 10.

[0032] According to the present invention, the control device 7 is configured to weigh the clothes 6 by the weighing device 8 and determine the load of the clothes 6 when the clothes 6 are received into the drum 3 and the input is received through the setting device 10 to start processing the clothes 6 by washing and drying, compare the load with the second load, and if the load does not exceed the second load, control the display device 9 to display a first indication that the washing and drying processing of the clothes 6 in the drum 3 can be performed in a continuous process, and if the load exceeds the second load, control the display device 9 to display a second indication that the washing and drying processing of the clothes 6 will be interrupted after washing, and the user is prompted to remove the clothes exceeding the second load from the drum 3 before starting to dry the clothes 6.

[0033] As a preferred option, the control device 4 is configured to interrupt the process if the load exceeds the second load and control the display device 6 to display a third indication prompting the user to remove excess laundry 6 exceeding the second load from the drum 3 and restart the process by providing an input to the setting device 10. This allows the user to remove excess laundry 6 exceeding the second load before the washing step and enables a continuous washing and drying process to be performed, in which the excess laundry remains dry and untreated for later processing.

[0034] Figure 2 The method according to the invention is presented in a substantially self-explanatory manner. At the start of the washing and drying process of a load l of laundry 6 placed in the drum 3 of the washer-dryer 1, a step of detecting the load l by means of a weighing device 8 is performed. As described above, the weight can be measured directly via an extension sensor attached to the suspension device 5 in the washer-dryer, or indirectly by determining the water absorption of the laundry 6.

[0035] In particular, the measuring device 7 may be configured to determine the load l of the laundry 6 from data related to the movement of the laundry 6 by the rotating drum 3. In particular, such data may include at least one of a torque or a moment of inertia of the drum 3 rotating together with the laundry 6, an amount of liquid required to completely soak the laundry 6 in the drum 3, and a liquid level in the drum 3 after introducing a predetermined amount of liquid into the drum 3 and rotating the drum 3 to soak the laundry 6 with the liquid.

[0036] The measured load 1 is then compared with a predetermined second load 12, which is the maximum load that the washer-dryer can handle for drying.

[0037] If l exceeds l2, the method continues washing the laundry 6 and suspends further processing by displaying a message on the display device 9 prompting the user to remove the excess laundry 6 from the drum 3 and then confirm the process by inputting into the setting device 10. The laundry remaining in the drum 3 is then dried, and the process is completed. Alternatively, the user can be prompted to remove the excess immediately before washing, allowing the laundry 6 remaining in the drum 3 to be washed and dried in a continuous process, leaving the excess laundry dry and unprocessed for later processing. Obviously, this option is only feasible if the weighing process is performed without adding any liquid to the laundry 6 for weighing.

[0038] If l does not exceed l2, thus qualifying the entire load of laundry 6 in drum 3 for drying, another message is displayed on display device 6, prompting the user to indicate whether the program should be paused before drying. If so, the program continues as described in the previous chapter, pausing after washing and before drying, continuing only after receiving a user input via setting device 10. If not, the program continues from washing to drying until completion without any further pauses.

[0039] If a process only requires drying a load of laundry 6 in drum 3, the process can also benefit from weighing the laundry 6 before the drying step is performed and informing the user that the load l exceeds a maximum value l2, thereby avoiding the need to start the drying process with an excessive load of laundry 6 in drum 3. This information can include a prompt to remove excess laundry from drum 3 before starting the drying process. Of course, the weighing procedure must take into account that laundry 6 placed in drum 3 solely for drying will be wet to the extent of approximately 50% of the dry laundry mass, thus significantly increasing the total mass compared to the case where dry laundry is placed in the drum for washing.

[0040] The present invention may further provide that the control device 7 is configured to use the determined load of the laundry 6 to adjust the process of treating the laundry 6. The adjustment of the process of treating the laundry 6 may include one of the following: the duration of the process; adding detergent to the process; adding water to the process; adding heat to the process.

[0041] The invention may also provide that the control device 7 is configured for applying the determined load of the laundry 6 to predict the duration of a process for treating the laundry 6 .

[0042] The invention makes the use of a washer-dryer easier by enabling the user to avoid paying attention to the washer-dryer until the washing and drying of the laundry load has been fully completed, provided that the load does not exceed the maximum load acceptable for drying in the washer-dryer. The invention is advantageously combined with automatic control and autonomous processing of the washer-dryer, such as automatic addition of detergent, softener and other additives normally added to the wash soap, adapting the process to the actual laundry load and predicting the duration of the process based on the actual laundry load.

[0043] Figure 3 The display device 9 and setting device 10 are shown as being included in a communication unit 11, which is spatially separable from the washer-dryer 1 and communicates wirelessly with the washer-dryer 1. The communication unit 11 can be a smartphone or tablet computer appropriately programmed by a hosted application, including the ability to receive input from the user and function as the setting device 10, as well as the ability to provide a display to the user and function as the display device 6. A link is established to the washer-dryer 1 via a wireless communication interface such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to control the operation of the washer-dryer 1. Note that the inclusion of the display device 9 and setting device 10 in the control device 7 does not necessarily require some spatial integration of the control device 4 within or at the washer-dryer 1. Rather, it allows the various components of the control device 4, such as the display device 9 and setting device 10, to be spatially separate from the washer-dryer 1, which has the drum 3 and other hardware for performing the washing and drying processes, and to communicate with the washer-dryer 1 via a wireless channel.

[0044] Reference Signs List

[0045] 1 Washer and Dryer

[0046] 2 barrels

[0047] 3 rollers

[0048] 4 axis

[0049] 5 Suspension device

[0050] 6 Clothing

[0051] 7 Control device

[0052] 8 Weighing device

[0053] 9 Display device

[0054] 10 Setting device

[0055] 11 Communication Unit

Claims

1. A washing and drying machine (1), comprising: A drum (3) for receiving laundry (6) to be processed, the drum (3) being arranged in a tub (2) and being rotatable about an axis (4) and having a load not exceeding a first load to be washed and a load less than a second load to be dried, wherein the second load is less than the first load; a control device (7) for controlling the operation of the washing and drying machine (1), the control device (7) comprising a weighing device (8) for determining the load of the laundry (6) present in the drum (3), a display device (9) for displaying information to a user, and a setting device (10) for receiving an input setting from a user, characterized in that the control device (7) is configured to weigh the laundry (6) by the weighing device (8) and determine the load of the laundry (6) when the laundry (6) is received in the drum (3) and an input is received through the setting device (10) to start processing the laundry (6) by washing and drying, compare the load with the second load, and if the load is less than the first load, the laundry (6) is weighed by the weighing device (8). If the load does not exceed a second load, the display device (9) is controlled to display a first indication that the washing and drying process of the clothes (6) in the drum (3) can be performed in a continuous process, and if the load exceeds the second load, the display device (9) is controlled to display a second indication that the washing and drying process of the clothes (6) will be interrupted after washing, and the user is prompted to remove excess clothes exceeding the second load from the drum (3) before starting to dry the clothes (6), the measuring device is configured to determine the load of the clothes (6) from data related to moving the clothes (6) by rotating the drum (3), and the data includes at least one selected from the following: the torque of the drum (3) rotating together with the clothes (6); the amount of liquid required to completely soak the clothes (6) in the drum (3); the liquid level of the liquid in the drum (3) after introducing a predetermined amount of liquid into the drum (3) and rotating the drum (3) to soak the clothes (6) with the liquid.

2. The washing and drying machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The control device (7) is further configured to prompt a user to determine whether to continuously perform washing and drying processes if the load does not exceed a second load.

3. The washing and drying machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The control device (7) is configured to interrupt the process if the load exceeds the second load and control the display device (9) to display a third indication, prompting the user to remove excess laundry exceeding the second load from the drum (3) and restart the process by providing input to the setting device (10).

4. A washer-dryer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The control device (7) is configured to, when the laundry (6) is received into the drum (3) and an input is received through the setting device (10) to start processing the laundry (6) only by drying, weigh the laundry (6) by the weighing device (8) and determine the load of the laundry (6), compare the load with a second load, if the load does not exceed the second load, control the display device (9) to display a fourth indication that processing by drying the laundry (6) in the drum (3) can be performed, and if the load exceeds the second load, control the display device (9) to display a fourth indication prompting the user to remove excess laundry exceeding the second load from the drum (3) before starting to dry the laundry (6).

5. The washing and drying machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The control device (7) is configured to interrupt the operation after washing the clothes (6) in the drum (3) and resume the operation after receiving an input from the user via the setting device (10), and wherein the control device (7) is configured to display an indication on the display device (9) that the clothes (6) do not need to be removed from the drum (3) before providing an input to the setting device (10) to resume the operation if the load does not exceed a second load.

6. The washing and drying machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The washer-dryer (1) comprises a suspension device (5) for suspending a tub (2) in the washer-dryer, wherein a weighing device (8) is attached to the suspension device (5) for measuring the extension value of the suspension device (5) caused by laundry (6) placed in the drum (3).

7. The washing and drying machine (1) according to claim 6, wherein: The weighing device (8) comprises an elongation sensor device comprising at least one elongation sensor (8).

8. The washing and drying machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The control device (7) is configured to use the determined load of the laundry (6) to adjust a process for treating the laundry (6).

9. The washing and drying machine (1) according to claim 8, wherein: Adjustments to the process for treating laundry (6) include at least one selected from: duration of the process; adding detergent to the process; adding water to the process; adding heat to the process.

10. The washing and drying machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The control device (7) is configured to use the determined load of the laundry (6) to predict the duration of a process for treating the laundry (6).

11. The washing and drying machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The display device (9) and the setting device (10) are included in a communication unit (11) which is spatially separable from the washer-dryer (1) and communicates with the washer-dryer (1) wirelessly.

12. A method of operating a washing and drying machine (1), the washing and drying machine (1) comprising: A drum (3) for receiving laundry (6) to be processed, the drum (3) being arranged in a tub (2) and being rotatable about an axis (4) and having a load not exceeding a first load to be washed and a load less than a second load to be dried, wherein the second load is less than the first load; a control device (7) for controlling the operation of the washing and drying machine (1), the control device (7) comprising a weighing device (8) for determining the load of laundry (6) present in the drum (3), a display device (9) for displaying information to a user, and a setting device (10) for receiving input settings from a user, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: a) upon receiving the laundry (6) into the drum (3) and receiving an input via the setting device (10) to start processing the laundry (6) by washing and drying, weighing the laundry (6) via the weighing device (8) and determining the load of the laundry (6), b) comparing the load with a second load, and if the load does not exceed the second load, displaying a first indication through the display device (9) that the washing and drying process of the laundry (6) in the drum (3) can be performed in a continuous process, and if the load exceeds the second load, displaying a second indication through the display device (9) that the washing and drying process of the laundry (6) will be interrupted after washing; and prompting the user to remove excess laundry exceeding the second load from the drum (3) before starting to dry the laundry (6), The measuring device is configured to determine the load of the laundry (6) from data related to the movement of the laundry (6) by rotating the drum (3), and the data includes at least one selected from the following: the torque of the drum (3) rotating together with the laundry (6); the amount of liquid required to completely soak the laundry (6) in the drum (3); the liquid level of the liquid in the drum (3) after introducing a predetermined amount of liquid into the drum (3) and rotating the drum (3) to soak the laundry (6) with the liquid.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: In step b, if the load exceeds the second load, the control device (7) interrupts the process and controls the display device (9) to display a third indication prompting the user to remove excess laundry exceeding the second load from the drum (3) and restart the process by providing input to the setting device (10).

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