Laundry treatment appliance and method for steam treatment of laundry

Abstract

This invention relates to a laundry detergent appliance with a steam treatment function. The laundry detergent appliance includes: an alkali container including a heating element recess having a heating element housed therein; a drum rotatably arranged in the alkali container; a door for closing the opening of the alkali container, through which the drum can be accessed, the door having an observation glass protruding towards the drum, the heating element recess being arranged lower than the door in the operating position of the laundry detergent appliance; a water supply line configured to supply water to the heating element recess, the water supply line being positioned in the alkali container such that the water to be supplied to the heating element recess can flow through the protruding observation glass; and a control unit configured to control the volumetric flow rate of the water to be supplied to the heating element recess through the water supply line, such that the water can be guided along the observation glass around the drum and into the heating element recess.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a laundry detergent appliance with a steam treatment (Bedampfung) function and a method for steam treating laundry in the laundry detergent appliance. Background Technology

[0002] Several laundry appliances, particularly washing machines, already exist in the prior art with steam treatment functions. Here, water in an lye container is typically converted into hot steam by a heating element and guided into the washing drum, where the laundry is placed. The steam treatment function can be used in conjunction with a washing program or alone. The steam treatment function can minimize wrinkles in laundry, remove odors and / or allergens, and / or replace additional treatment agents, such as fabric softeners or other chemical cleaners. Furthermore, the steam treatment function can be used alone to rejuvenate laundry, such as removing wrinkles and odors from clothes that have been worn once.

[0003] In existing technology, steam treatment functions are primarily used in conjunction with conventional washing programs. Therefore, it is less important for the laundry to become wet when water enters for the steam treatment function, as the laundry is always meant to be thoroughly wetted within the washing program. Alternatively, an existing water inlet can be used, designed to wet the laundry in the drum as quickly and completely as possible. However, existing water supply systems for laundry appliances are unsuitable if steam treatment is desired without thoroughly wetting the laundry or leaving it without water stains.

[0004] Furthermore, it is desirable to achieve steam treatment without soaking laundry by making as few modifications as possible to existing laundry appliances.

[0005] EP 2 733 250A1 proposes a getaktet control for a valve used to control the water supply. Here, the valve has an opening interval of less than 0.5 seconds. This restricts water inflow, preventing the laundry from being wetted by the incoming water, while still supplying sufficient water to the steam treatment system. However, in practice, such a getaktet valve is difficult to use with the electronics present in laundry appliances and therefore cannot be applied without significant modifications to the appliance. If the valve's getaktet interval is too large, the water inflow may be less precisely controlled, leading to undesirable wetting of the laundry (e.g., water stains on the laundry). Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to provide a laundry detergent appliance with a steam treatment function and a method for steam treatment, wherein the laundry is effectively prevented from getting wet when water is supplied for the steam treatment function. At the same time, the cost of retrofitting the existing laundry detergent appliance to implement the steam treatment function is kept as low as possible.

[0007] This task is accomplished by the laundry detergent appliance according to the invention and the method according to the invention. Other advantages and features will become apparent from the following description and drawings.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, a laundry detergent appliance with a steam treatment function is provided, the laundry detergent appliance comprising: an alkali container including a heating element recess having a heating element therein; a drum rotatably arranged in the alkali container; a door for closing the opening of the alkali container, through which the drum can be accessed, wherein the door has an observation glass protruding toward the drum, wherein the heating element recess is arranged lower than the door in an operating position of the laundry detergent appliance; a water supply line configured to supply water to the heating element recess, wherein the water supply line is positioned in the alkali container such that the water to be supplied to the heating element recess can flow through the protruding observation glass; and a control unit configured to control the volumetric flow rate of the water to be supplied to the heating element recess through the water supply line, such that the water flows along the observation glass around the drum and can be guided into the heating element recess.

[0009] The laundry appliance can be, for example, a washing machine or a washer-dryer. In this configuration, the laundry appliance has a steam treatment function. During the steam treatment function, water in and / or near the heating element recess can be heated by the heating element and subsequently evaporated. The resulting steam can be supplied to the drum and come into contact with the laundry contained within it. The steam treatment function can be part of the laundry treatment process or can be implemented separately.

[0010] The lye container can be suspended vibration-dampingly within the housing of the laundry appliance. Furthermore, the lye container can be watertight, except for at least one water supply section (e.g., an inlet) and a drain section. Specifically, the lye container can have an inlet located in an open area, and a main inlet arranged to direct water directly onto the drum. The lye container can have a cylindrical shape and an opening at its axial end, which can be closed by a door. The drum can be housed within the lye container. An intermediate space can be formed between the lye container and the drum, the dimensions of which can be determined such that any imbalance in the drum will not cause contact between the drum and the lye container during operation of the laundry appliance. In other words, when water is present in the lye container, the drum can be positioned above the water level, thus preventing water from entering the drum.

[0011] The heating element recess can be a component suitable for containing and collecting water. The heating element recess can be a recessed or outward-facing portion of the lye container. The heating element recess can be positioned at the lowest point of the lye container relative to the direction of gravity during the operation of the laundry appliance. This ensures that once water is supplied to the lye container, it reaches the heating element recess. Advantageously, the heating element recess can have one or more openings that allow for the exchange of water and / or water vapor between the heating element recess and the lye container. Furthermore, the heating element recess can be positioned lower than the drum, ensuring that the steam generated by the heating element recess can easily reach and enter the drum. Additionally, the heating element recess can be arranged in the lye container such that water can directly reach the heating element recess from the viewing glass. Alternatively, the heating element recess can be arranged such that water first reaches the inner surface of the lye container from the viewing glass and from there reaches the heating element recess (i.e., is indirectly supplied to the heating element recess). Preferably, the heating element can be arranged in the heating element recess such that the heating element has good thermal contact with the water located in the heating element recess. For this purpose, the heating element can be, for example, a spiral within a heating element recess. Advantageously, the heating element can be arranged in the heating element recess such that it is completely covered by water when the recess is filled with water. The heating element can be, for example, a heating rod, a tubular heating element, and / or a heating spiral. Furthermore, the heating element recess can have a sensor that can determine whether the recess is filled with enough water to cover the heating element. Therefore, overheating of the heating element can be prevented when there is too little water in the recess.

[0012] Regarding the heating element recess, its lower position in the operating state means that it is positioned at a lower height than the door when the laundry appliance is in the spatial arrangement and orientation set for operation. In other words, the water supply line, viewing glass, and heating element recess can be arranged such that water, driven by gravity, flows from the water supply line to the viewing glass and down over it in the operating state, subsequently reaching the heating element recess directly or indirectly. Therefore, water can be supplied to the heating element recess without reaching or passing through the drum. Furthermore, water can be supplied to the heating element recess solely by gravity, without the need for pumping or similar methods.

[0013] The drum is preferably configured to hold laundry therein. Furthermore, the drum may have a cylindrical shape, open at its axial end. To facilitate the introduction of steam into the drum, it may have multiple through-holes on its circumferential or outer circumferential surface. The drum is rotatably held within an alkali container. Advantageously, the drum is configured such that laundry can be placed into the drum through the opening of the alkali container when the door is open. In particular, the opening of the drum may substantially correspond to and face the opening of the alkali container. Water can be supplied to the drum by directing water directly through the main water inlet to the periphery of the drum and by allowing water to enter the drum through the through-holes. Alternatively, water can be supplied to the drum by allowing water to enter the alkali container until the drum is submerged in water to a predetermined proportion. Different water supply methods may also be combined depending on the washing process being performed.

[0014] The door can be switched from a first closed position to a second open position, allowing the drum to be accessed from the outside. Specifically, the door can be configured to achieve a fluid-tight and / or watertight seal of the lye container relative to the surrounding environment (i.e., when the door is in the first position). For this purpose, the laundry appliance can, for example, have a sealing collar with which the door works (details below). The door has a viewing glass protruding into the drum. Furthermore, the viewing glass can extend at least partially into the drum. When the door is in the first position, the viewing glass can protrude into the drum. The viewing glass can be transparent, allowing the user to see the interior of the drum when the door is closed. The viewing glass can extend into the drum. The viewing glass can extend over at least 60% of the door surface, preferably at least 80% of the door surface. This ensures a good view of the inside of the drum for the user. The door can have a frame surrounding the viewing glass. Preferably, when the door is in the first position, the central viewing glass area of ​​the door can extend further into the interior of the lye container than the outer areas of the door, especially the outer areas of the door without the viewing glass. In other words, the observation glass can also have a tapered shape. This ensures that water supplied to the protruding observation glass can be reliably guided away along the glass. In particular, it ensures that the adhesion holding the water on the observation glass is greater than the water's kinetic energy. Therefore, the laundry in the drum is prevented from being wetted by the water supplied to the heating element recesses.

[0015] A water impact point can be formed on the observation glass, where water flowing from the supply pipe impacts the observation glass. The water impact point can be formed next to the apex of the protruding observation glass. This ensures that water does not splash from the water impact point but flows along the observation glass. The protruding observation glass can have a sloping observation glass geometry. This sloping geometry can be a region of the observation glass that is flat and inclined relative to the horizontal direction. The water impact point can be located within this sloping geometry. Therefore, water splashing from the sloping geometry can be prevented more reliably. Then, because the water adheres to the observation glass, it can be guided away from the water impact point along the observation glass. In other words, water can be guided from the water impact point along the observation glass to the lowest point of the observation glass (e.g., the part opposite the apex of the observation glass) and drip or flow away from there. During the flow of water along the observation glass, the water is able to remain in contact with the observation glass. Therefore, it can be reliably ensured that no water reaches the roller. In other words, water can be guided away along the observation glass while bypassing the roller.

[0016] The control unit can be a computer-like circuit capable of receiving, processing, and outputting signals. For this purpose, the control unit can have a CPU and memory. The control unit can control, and in particular limit, the volumetric flow rate of water supplied to the water delivery line using a regulating mechanism (e.g., a valve). In particular, the control unit can be configured to keep the volumetric flow rate small enough that water reliably flows along the viewing glass and does not reach the drum. Therefore, in addition to the configuration of the viewing glass and the arrangement of the water delivery line, the control unit is also responsible for ensuring that water to be supplied to the heating element recess bypasses the drum and does not wet the laundry located in the drum. By controlling the volumetric flow rate, it can be ensured that water guided from the water delivery line to the viewing glass does not splash towards the drum. Such splashing may occur when the volumetric flow rate of water flowing out of the water delivery line is too large. Advantageously, the control unit can be configured such that it can control the volumetric flow rate through the water delivery line by closing and opening the water delivery line. For example, the control unit can be configured to adjust the flow cross-section of the water delivery line at a control point. In particular, the control unit can be configured to control the volumetric flow rate through the water delivery line using a closing mechanism. The shut-off mechanism may be, for example, a valve, a butterfly valve, a gate valve, or a ball valve.

[0017] A water inlet is known in the prior art, which directs water onto a viewing glass. In many cases, a portion of the water supplied to the lye container during the washing process is directed onto the viewing glass, allowing that portion of the water to flow directly into the drum, ensuring that the laundry in the drum is quickly and thoroughly wetted. This arrangement has the advantage that the user can immediately see how water is being supplied to the drum after starting the washing program. This serves as feedback to the user: the laundry appliance has started operating. Furthermore, wetting the viewing glass has the advantage of reducing friction between the viewing glass and the laundry in the drum during operation of the laundry appliance.

[0018] According to the present invention, the existing water inlet is used as a water supply line to supply water to the heating element recess while bypassing the roller. However, this requires adjusting the volumetric flow rate of the water to be guided onto the observation glass so that the water does not reach the roller but is instead guided away on the observation glass. Furthermore, the water supply line can be arranged to ensure that water is reliably guided away along the observation glass. Additionally, the observation glass can be configured such that water can be guided away along the observation glass without reaching the roller. The water guided away along the observation glass can then be supplied directly or indirectly to the heating element recess.

[0019] Here, the water supply line can be a pipe connected to a regular water supply line leading to the laundry detergent appliance. Furthermore, the water supply line can be connected to the drain outlet of the pre-detergent chamber. Additionally, the water supply line can have an opening (in the operating position of the laundry detergent appliance, with respect to the direction of gravity) located above the door, from which water can drain. Furthermore, the opening of the water supply line can have a nozzle configured to specifically guide the water to be supplied to the heating element recess onto a protrusion of the viewing glass. Here, "specifically" can mean that the nozzle can discharge the outflowing water in a defined direction and / or at a defined flow rate. Therefore, water can be reliably prevented from entering the drum from the viewing glass. In particular, the nozzle can be configured to reduce the flow rate of the water flowing from the water supply line. This reliably prevents water from splashing into the drum.

[0020] According to the present invention, steam treatment function can therefore be achieved using existing components in laundry detergent appliances. Thus, existing water piping can be utilized to deliver water in a controlled manner to the viewing glass. From there, water can be supplied to the heating element recess while bypassing the drum, thereby reliably preventing the laundry in the drum from becoming wet. Furthermore, a control unit is provided that can control the volumetric flow rate of water to be supplied to the heating element recess.

[0021] In contrast, existing laundry detergents are not configured to adjust the volumetric flow rate in a way that reliably prevents the laundry from getting wet in the drum. More specifically, existing laundry detergents are configured to supply a limited amount of water to the lye container, a limited amount that is necessary, for example, during the main wash and / or pre-wash processes. Here, the volumetric flow rate of the water is not important; only the total amount of water supplied to the lye container matters. Furthermore, the control tolerance is relatively large, so the volumetric flow rate of the supplied water fluctuates significantly during different wash cycles.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment, the protruding observation glass of the door can be constructed as a tapered protrusion in the direction toward the roller, wherein the water supply line can be arranged such that water can be guided to the outer peripheral area of ​​the protrusion, especially to the area closer to the root of the protrusion than the end of the protrusion that extends into the roller.

[0023] In particular, the position and angle of the water supply pipe opening can be configured such that water can be guided to the outer peripheral area of ​​the protrusion. The conical protrusion can extend partially into the drum. However, the protrusion can also be arranged entirely outside the drum (i.e., only in the area of ​​the door and the lye container). Advantageously, the water supply pipe can be arranged such that it guides water to the upper part of the outer peripheral area in the operating position of the laundry detergent, especially to the area closest to the water supply pipe on the outer periphery. Preferably, the viewing glass can be constructed in a truncated cone shape. The conical shape of the viewing glass has proven to be very suitable for controlled downward flow of water. In particular, water can flow downward on the outer peripheral surface by properly arranging the water supply pipe. Advantageously, the viewing glass can be configured such that when water is guided from the water supply pipe to the outer peripheral area, a thin stream is formed on the conical outer peripheral area. In other words, water can be guided away along the circumferential direction of the conical protrusion on the viewing glass. In particular, the conical protrusion can be configured to allow water to drain downwards from the lowest point of the conical protrusion.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the protrusion may have a profile configured to guide water to be supplied to the heating element groove through the protrusion while bypassing the roller.

[0025] In this context, "determined guidance" can mean targeted guidance of water. In other words, water can be guided along the protrusion via a pre-defined path without reaching the drum. The profile can be formed, for example, in the form of a groove or recess. Preferably, the profile can extend circumferentially or partially circumferentially over the outer peripheral region of the conical protrusion. The profile extends from the point of water impact to the lower region of the protruding observation glass. The circumferential profile can include surfaces substantially parallel to the cross-section of the opening. It is also conceivable that the profile defines a surface region on the protrusion with surface characteristics different from the rest of the protrusion, such as different roughness and / or different adhesion to water. Therefore, the surface friction in the region of the profile can be less than the surface friction on the rest of the protrusion. Therefore, water is more likely to travel along the profile. Thus, water can be reliably prevented from reaching the drum from the protrusion.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the control unit can be configured to control the volumetric flow rate to a value in the range of 0.1 liters / minute to 2.0 liters / minute, preferably 0.2 liters / minute to 1.0 liters / minute, and particularly preferably 0.3 liters / minute to 0.7 liters / minute.

[0027] As described above, the control unit can manipulate the control elements to set a defined volumetric flow rate. For example, the control unit can control a valve to achieve a defined volumetric flow rate. Here, the valve can be configured to have a maximum volumetric flow rate, which is located at the upper limit of the aforementioned defined range. Alternatively, the control unit can be configured to operate the valve with a larger maximum volumetric flow rate in a cycle manner, thereby achieving a volumetric flow rate within the aforementioned defined range. A volumetric flow rate within the aforementioned defined range ensures that water is reliably guided away from the protrusion without reaching the drum. Furthermore, the water required for the steam treatment function can be quickly supplied to the heating element recess to ensure a time-saving steam treatment function.

[0028] Preferably, the alkali container may have a sealing collar that, when the door is closed, seals the opening of the alkali container together with the door, wherein openings are arranged at or within the sealing collar, through which water diverted on the protrusion can be directly supplied to the heating element recess.

[0029] In this embodiment, the water supply line can be a ring flushing device. In particular, these openings are preferably arranged below the protruding viewing glass, so that water diverted from the viewing glass can be directly guided to the area of ​​the sealing sleeve with openings. Water can then reach the lye container below the drum through these openings and flow from there into the heating element recess. Alternatively, the heating element recess can also be located directly below these openings, allowing water to be supplied directly to the heating element recess from these openings. For example, these openings can be holes, especially circular, oval, or polygonal holes. The presence of multiple openings ensures uniform delivery of the diverted water. Preferably, the sealing ring is arranged concentrically with the viewing glass, wherein the sealing ring can sink downwards in the lye container's filled state, especially in the water-filled state, without adversely affecting the sealing effect. For example, the sealing ring can be a bellows, especially a rubber bellows. The sealing ring can serve as a sealing connection between the vibrating area (lye container and drum) of the laundry detergent appliance and the housing and door, which are stationary relative to the vibrating area. In particular, the sealing collar can serve as a sealing lip to seal openings together with doors and / or observation glass. Preferably, the sealing collar can have pleats. Openings or at least one gap can be provided between the pleats to allow water to drain away.

[0030] Preferably, the control unit can be configured to open and close a first valve arranged upstream of the water supply line, thereby controlling the volumetric flow rate of water to be supplied to the heating element recess for steam treatment function.

[0031] Volumetric flow rate can also be referred to as flow rate or flow. The valve can be, for example, a solenoid valve and / or a diaphragm valve. The valve can be tactile, particularly configured to open and close at a predetermined frequency under control by a control unit. Tactile flow reduces the amount of water passing through the valve per unit time (i.e., volumetric flow rate). In particular, the valve can be configured to reduce its maximum volumetric flow rate at defined tactile intervals, which is determined, in particular, by the flow cross-section of the valve. The valve can be a pre-wash valve, through which water for the pre-wash process is also directed and controlled. This is particularly achievable when the volumetric flow rate can be sufficiently adjusted by the pre-wash valve. Preferably, the water directed through the pre-wash valve bypasses the main water supply section, which directs water directly onto the drum. This results in the laundry being wetted. In contrast, the water supply controlled by the pre-wash valve can be provided via a water supply line, supplying water from the pre-wash valve to the viewing glass. However, it is also conceivable that the valve is an auxiliary valve used solely for steam treatment functions. Here, the valve can be specifically designed for small volumetric flow rates. In other words, the valve can have a small flow cross-section, thereby allowing the volumetric flow rate to be adjusted according to the above-described limitations. This is particularly necessary or meaningful when, for example, the pre-wash valve cannot provide a sufficiently small volumetric flow rate. In known laundry appliances, the pre-wash valve is configured to achieve a volumetric flow rate in the range of 2 liters / minute to 10 liters / minute. This may be disadvantageous for the steam treatment function according to the invention, as it cannot be guaranteed that water can be supplied directly to the heating element recess while bypassing the drum.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the laundry appliance may further include a second valve and a third valve, wherein the second valve is configured to supply water to the lye container for the main washing process, and wherein the third valve is configured to supply water to the lye container via a water supply line for the pre-washing process.

[0033] In particular, the first valve can be configured to achieve a smaller volumetric flow rate than the second and / or third valves. Preferably, the three valves can be arranged in parallel. "Parallel arrangement" can specifically mean that the valves are not arranged sequentially. In other words, "parallel arrangement" can mean that a water flow passes through only one of the first, second, or third valves, but does not exclude different water flows passing through two or three valves simultaneously. Preferably, the first valve can be configured to supply water to the same water path (i.e., water supply line) as the third valve. In particular, a water manifold, such as a Y-shaped member, can be arranged downstream of the first and third valves, configured to allow water from the first and third valves to merge into a common line. The second valve can be configured to supply water to the main inlet. These three valves can be part of a valve assembly that can be controlled by a control unit. The valve assembly can include a Y-shaped member, which can be located downstream of the first and third valves and can be configured to allow water from the first and third valves to merge into a common line. Here, the Y-shaped element can be an integrated component of the valve assembly, or the Y-shaped element can be mounted onto the valve assembly. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to connect a hose to the valve assembly, the hose including a Y-shaped element with three ends, wherein the first and second ends connect to the outlets of the first and third valves, and wherein the third end can guide water in the direction of the water supply line.

[0034] Preferably, the control unit can be configured to supply 0.5 to 5 liters, more preferably 1 to 2 liters, and particularly preferably 1.3 to 1.7 liters of water to the heating element recess for steam treatment. A suitable total water supply ensures, on the one hand, that the water level in the lye container will not be too high, i.e., the water will not reach the drum and the laundry within it, and on the other hand, that the heating element is immersed in water to ensure evaporation without overheating the heating element.

[0035] Advantageously, the laundry detergent appliance may include a treatment agent container disposed upstream of the water supply line. This treatment agent container may have a main detergent chamber for the treatment agent used during the main wash cycle and a pre-detergent chamber for the treatment agent used during the pre-wash cycle. The treatment agent container is configured such that water to be directly supplied to the heating element recess for the steam treatment function can be directed through the pre-detergent chamber. In other words, the water supply line for the steam treatment function can pass through the pre-detergent chamber of the treatment agent container. Therefore, it is advantageous to use water supply lines already existing in the prior art for the steam treatment process of the laundry detergent appliance according to the invention.

[0036] For example, the treatment container may have a first drain outlet and a second drain outlet, wherein the first drain outlet may be configured to supply water to the roller, and the second drain outlet may be configured to supply water to the water supply line.

[0037] In particular, the control unit can be configured to supply water only to the second drain for the steam treatment process. Preferably, during the steam treatment process, water reaches the alkali container only via the second drain and the water supply line. The first drain can be connected to the main water inlet. Accordingly, water can be supplied to the main water inlet from the second valve via the main detergent chamber. Furthermore, water can be supplied from the first valve and / or the second valve to the water supply line, and then to the observation glass.

[0038] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for steam-treating laundry in a laundry detergent appliance, the method comprising:

[0039] - Provide a laundry detergent appliance according to one of the above embodiments;

[0040] - Controlling the volumetric flow rate of water supplied by the water supply line, such that water is supplied to the heating element recess while bypassing the drum, wherein the water is guided through the water supply line and via the observation glass; and - heating the water in the alkali container by the heating element housed in the heating element recess, such that the generated steam flows into the drum.

[0041] The generated steam can be guided into the drum, for example, through through-holes constructed on the drum. During the steam treatment process, the drum can rotate to ensure that the laundry inside the drum is in uniform contact with the steam. All the aforementioned advantages and features of laundry detergent appliances can be similarly applied to the method and vice versa.

[0042] According to another aspect of the invention, one application of the laundry detergent appliance is advantageous, wherein the water supply line for ring rinsing is supplied with a small volumetric flow rate so as to supply water to the heating element recess while bypassing the drum. Preferably, the value of this small volumetric flow rate is in the range of 0.1 liters / minute to 2.0 liters / minute, more preferably 0.2 liters / minute to 1.0 liters / minute, and particularly preferably 0.3 liters / minute to 0.7 liters / minute. All the aforementioned advantages and features of the laundry detergent appliance can be similarly transferred to the application and vice versa. Attached Figure Description

[0043] Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is obvious that the various embodiments shown in the corresponding drawings may have features that are also applicable to other embodiments, even if not explicitly mentioned, and provided that such features are not excluded or explicitly excluded by given technical conditions.

[0044] The attached diagram shows:

[0045] Figure 1: A schematic cross-section of a laundry detergent appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front;

[0046] Figure 2 : Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the cross-section AA;

[0047] Figure 3 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of an observation glass according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 4-6 A schematic diagram of a valve assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 7 A perspective view of a water supply pipeline according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0050] Figure 8 : A flowchart of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] The accompanying drawings described below are not to scale and are primarily intended to illustrate the solutions according to the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0052] Figure 1 A schematic cross-section of a laundry processor 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front, is shown. The laundry processor 1 shown includes an lye container 2 and a drum 5 rotatably arranged in the lye container 2. Laundry can be supplied to and removed from the drum 5 through openings in the lye container 2 and the drum 5, which can be closed by means of a door 6. Furthermore, the laundry processor 1 has a treatment agent container 15 having a main detergent chamber 16 and a pre-detergent chamber 17. In this embodiment, the laundry processor 1 is configured such that water is directed to the drum 5 via a main water inlet 30 through a first drain outlet 18 connected to the main detergent chamber 16. Water can be supplied to a water supply line 8 through a second drain outlet 19 connected to the pre-detergent chamber 17 of the treatment agent container 15. The water supply line 8 is configured to direct water to an observation glass 7 of the door 6. The observation glass 7 is configured such that water can be directed to a heating element recess 3, in which a heating element 4 is arranged, while bypassing the drum 5. There, water can be heated by heating element 4, thereby generating water vapor. Heating element recess 3 is in fluid communication with alkali container 2, through which water vapor can reach drum 5. The flow rate, or volumetric flow rate, of the water guided through water supply line 8 is controlled by control unit 9 (not shown). By setting a sufficiently low volumetric flow rate, water guided through viewing glass 7 can be prevented from reaching drum 5 and from undesirably wetting the laundry there.

[0053] Figure 2schematically shown Figure 1 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view along section line AA. In this embodiment, the laundry treatment appliance 1 includes a control unit 9, which controls the volumetric flow rate of water directed to the water supply line 8 via the treatment agent container 15 through a first valve 12. The laundry treatment appliance 1 also includes a second valve 13 and a third valve 14, both of which are also controlled by the control unit 9. These valves are connected in parallel, i.e., not sequentially. Here, water is directed through one or more of these three valves via the water supply section 20 whenever the corresponding valve is open. The second valve 13 is used to supply water to the main detergent chamber 16. Both the first valve 12 and the third valve 14 direct water to the pre-wash chamber 17 of the treatment agent container 15, for which the outlets of the two valves 12, 14 converge via a Y-shaped member 25. Thus, the volumetric flow rate and / or water volume can be advantageously matched to the selected program. In particular, these valves can be configured such that the first valve 12 can be used only for the steam treatment program with a low water flow rate, while the third valve 14 can be used for the pre-wash program with a higher water flow rate. In both cases, water is guided through the pre-detergent chamber 17 via the existing path. The treatment agent container 15 can preferably be configured such that it guides water from the pre-detergent chamber 17 only to the water supply line 8 leading to the viewing glass 7, especially when the volumetric flow rate supplied to the pre-detergent chamber 17 is small enough that water does not reach the main water inlet 30 leading to the drum 5 in the main washing cycle.

[0054] Figure 3 A perspective view of the observation glass 7 of door 6 is shown, wherein the observation glass 7 is tapered in this embodiment. Here, the tapering is oriented toward the roller 5. Water is supplied through a water pipe 8 located above the observation glass 7 (in... Figure 3(Not shown in the image), within the scope of the steam treatment function, water is guided onto the outer peripheral surface 21 of the conical viewing glass 7. Through the viewing glass 7, the water is then further guided to the sealing collar 10, as indicated by the arrow (e.g., in the form of a thin stream along the outer peripheral surface 21). It can be considered that this outer peripheral surface has a profile configured such that it can selectively guide water downwards toward the sealing collar 10. Therefore, the water flows along the viewing glass 7 without reaching the drum 5. An opening 11 is arranged in the sealing collar 10 or in the lower region of the sealing collar. Here, the sealing collar 10 and the opening 11 are configured and / or arranged such that water is guided into the collar gap 31 between the folds of the sealing collar 10 and from there through the opening 11. From there, the water reaches the heating element recess 3. Furthermore, water vapor generated from the water by means of the heating element 4 can be guided upwards through the opening 11 and directed into the drum 5. In other words, the volumetric flow rate is adjusted by the control unit 9 so that water is guided only through the viewing glass 7 to the heating element recess 3. Therefore, when using the ring flushing device, water can be supplied to the heating element recess 3 without reaching the drum 5. Thus, within the steam treatment process, the laundry in the drum 5 is not directly wetted, and no water stains are formed on the laundry.

[0055] Figures 4 to 6 Different embodiments of the valve assembly 23 according to an embodiment of the invention are shown. The valve assembly 23 can be controlled by the control unit 9 via the control interface 24. In principle, it is conceivable, for example, to also use the valve 14, which is set for the pre-wash program, for the steam treatment function, if the valve 14 can be controlled by the control unit 9 according to the invention to achieve a sufficiently small volumetric flow rate. However, if this prerequisite is not met, it is conceivable to provide an additional valve 12 in the valve assembly 23. According to one embodiment, water guided through two valves, namely the first valve 12 and the third valve 14, is guided to the pre-wash chamber 17 of the treatment agent container 15, from which water can reach the water supply line 8. For this purpose, it is meaningful to install a Y-shaped member 25 configured to guide the water from both valves into the pre-wash chamber 17 along the same path. Here, as Figure 4 As shown, the Y-shaped member 25 may be part of the connecting hose 22, which may be configured to connect the valve assembly 23 to the pre-wash chamber 17 of the treatment agent container. Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the Y-shaped element is an integrated component of the valve assembly 23, while Figure 6 In one embodiment, the Y-shaped element is mounted on the valve assembly 23.

[0056] Figure 7The diagram shows the terminal section 26 of a water supply line 8 according to an embodiment of the invention. This terminal section 26 is configured such that water arriving at the terminal section 26 via the inlet 27 is guided through the outlet 28 to the observation glass 7 of the door 6. When the volumetric flow rate is sufficiently small, the water is dripped onto the observation glass 7, particularly onto the outer peripheral region 21 of the observation glass 7, via a lip member 29. The lip member 29 is responsible for ensuring that the water flowing from the water supply line 8 impacts the outer peripheral region 21 of the observation glass 7 in a targeted (i.e., targeted) manner. Here, the lip member 29 particularly reduces the flow velocity of the outflowing water. This prevents water from reaching the roller 5.

[0057] Figure 8 A method 100 according to the invention for steam treatment of laundry in a laundry detergent appliance 1 is shown in flowchart form. In a first method step 101, a laundry detergent appliance 1 according to one of the aforementioned embodiments is provided. The next step 102 includes controlling the volumetric flow rate of water supplied to a water supply line 8. Here, water is supplied to a heating element recess 3, bypassing a drum 5, in such a way that the water is guided through the water supply line 8 to and along the viewing glass 7 of the door. In particular, the water may preferably be guided via the outer peripheral region 21 of the conical viewing glass 7. Finally, in step 102, the water is heated by a heating element 4 placed in the heating element recess, such that the generated steam flows into the drum 5.

[0058] List of reference numerals

[0059] 1. Laundry detergent

[0060] 2. Alkali solution container

[0061] 3. Heating element groove

[0062] 4. Heating element

[0063] 5 rollers

[0064] 6 doors

[0065] 7. Observe the glass

[0066] 8. Water supply pipeline

[0067] 9 Control Unit

[0068] 10 Sealing ring

[0069] 11 Opening

[0070] 12 First Valve

[0071] 13 Second Valve

[0072] 14 Third Valve

[0073] 15. Treatment agent container

[0074] 16 Main Detergent Chamber

[0075] 17 Pre-detergent compartment

[0076] 18 First Drainage Outlet

[0077] 19 Second Drainage Outlet

[0078] 20 Water Supply Department

[0079] 21 Peripheral area

[0080] 22 Hose

[0081] 23 Valve Assembly

[0082] 24 Control Interface

[0083] 25 Y-shaped parts

[0084] 26. Terminal section of the water supply pipeline

[0085] 27 water inlet

[0086] 28. Water outlet

[0087] 29. Lip-shaped parts

[0088] 30 Main Inlet Section

[0089] 100 methods

[0090] Methods and steps (101-103)

Claims

1. A laundry detergent appliance with steam treatment function (1), wherein, The laundry detergent appliance (1) comprises: an alkali container (2) including a heating element recess (3) having a heating element (4) therein; a drum (5) rotatably arranged in the alkali container (2); a door (6) for closing the opening of the alkali container (2) through which the drum (5) can be accessed, wherein the door (6) has an observation glass (7) protruding toward the drum (5), wherein the heating element recess (3) is arranged lower than the door (6) in the operating position of the laundry detergent appliance (1); and a water supply pipe (8) configured as follows: For supplying water to the heating element recess (3), wherein the water supply line (8) is positioned in the alkali container (2) such that the water to be supplied to the heating element recess (3) can flow through the protruding observation glass (7); and a control unit (9) configured to control the volumetric flow rate of the water to be supplied to the heating element recess (3) through the water supply line (8), such that the water flows along the protruding observation glass (7) around the roller (5) and can be guided into the heating element recess (3), and the volumetric flow rate is controlled to a value in the range of 0.1 liters / minute to 2.0 liters / minute.

2. The laundry detergent appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The protruding observation glass (7) of the door (6) is constructed as a conical protrusion toward the roller (5), wherein the water supply pipe (8) is arranged such that the water can be guided to the outer peripheral area (21) of the protrusion.

3. The laundry detergent appliance (1) according to claim 2, wherein, The water supply line (8) is arranged such that the water is directed to a region closer to the root of the protrusion than the end of the protrusion that extends into the roller (5).

4. The laundry detergent appliance (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The protrusion has a profile configured to guide water to be supplied to the heating element groove (3) in a limited manner via the protrusion while bypassing the roller (5).

5. The laundry detergent appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The control unit (9) is configured to control the volumetric flow rate to a value in the range of 0.2 liters / minute to 1.0 liters / minute.

6. The laundry detergent appliance (1) according to claim 5, wherein, The control unit (9) is configured to control the volumetric flow rate to a value in the range of 0.3 liters / minute to 0.7 liters / minute.

7. The laundry detergent appliance (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The alkali container (2) has a sealing ring (10) that, when the door (6) is closed, seals the opening of the alkali container (2) together with the door (6), and wherein an opening (11) is arranged at or in the sealing ring (10) through which water that is guided away on the protrusion can be directly supplied to the heating element groove (3).

8. The laundry detergent appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1-3 and 6, wherein, The control unit (9) is configured to open and close a first valve (12) arranged upstream of the water supply line (8) so as to control the volumetric flow rate of water to be supplied to the heating element recess for the steam treatment function.

9. The laundry detergent appliance (1) according to claim 8, wherein, The laundry appliance (1) further includes a second valve (13) and a third valve (14), wherein the second valve is configured to supply water to the alkali container (2) for the main washing process, and the third valve is configured to supply water to the alkali container (2) via the water supply line (8) for the pre-washing process.

10. The laundry detergent appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, 6, and 9, wherein, The laundry processing appliance (1) includes a treatment agent container (15) disposed upstream of the water supply line (8), wherein the treatment agent container (15) has a main detergent chamber (16) for the treatment agent used during the main washing process and a pre-detergent chamber (17) for the treatment agent used during the pre-washing process, wherein the treatment agent container (15) is configured such that water to be directly supplied to the heating element recess (3) for the steam treatment function can be guided through the pre-detergent chamber (17).

11. The laundry detergent appliance (1) according to claim 10, wherein, The treatment agent container (15) has a first drain (18) and a second drain (19), wherein the first drain (18) is configured to supply water to the roller (5), and the second drain (19) is configured to supply water to the water supply line (8).

12. A method (100) for steam treatment of laundry in a laundry detergent appliance (1), the method comprising: A laundry appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1-11 is provided; the volumetric flow rate of water delivered by a water supply line (8) is controlled such that the water is supplied to a heating element recess (3) while bypassing a drum (5), wherein the water is guided via the water supply line (8) through an observation glass (7); and the water in an alkali container (2) is heated by a heating element (4) housed in the heating element recess (3), such that the generated steam flows into the drum (5).

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