Laundry care appliance with a controller

Abstract

This invention relates to a laundry care appliance comprising: an alkali container for receiving laundry detergent; a laundry drum for receiving laundry, disposed within the alkali container; a drum driver for rotating the laundry drum; a level sensor for detecting the level of the laundry detergent in the alkali container; and a controller connected to the drum driver and the level sensor in a control technology manner. The controller activates the drum driver during a discharge time period to rotate the laundry drum at a discharge speed, causing the laundry received in the laundry drum to adhere to the drum and at least partially displacing the laundry detergent bound to it. The level sensor detects the level of the laundry detergent in the alkali container during the discharge time period. The controller activates the drum driver again during a subsequent discharge time period to change the discharge speed of the rotating laundry drum according to the detected level of the laundry detergent in the alkali container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a laundry care appliance with a controller. Background Technology

[0002] In traditional laundry care appliances, different methods are used to care for the laundry received in the laundry drum. In this case, the laundry drum, located within an lye container filled with detergent, rotates at varying speeds to facilitate the movement of both the laundry and the detergent solution within the drum. This provides advantageous contact between the laundry and the detergent solution, ensuring that the laundry care substance (or heat) is effectively transferred from the detergent solution to the laundry.

[0003] Because the movement of laundry within the rotating laundry drum is unpredictable, in traditional laundry care appliances, some items may not come into sufficient contact with the detergent in certain situations, which may impair the quality of laundry care in some cases.

[0004] WO 2009 / 112222 A1 discloses the adaptation / adjustment of the washing drum speed in a front-loading washing machine.

[0005] A laundry care appliance with load recognition function is disclosed in DE 10 2017 219 043 A1. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The objective of this invention is to provide a laundry care appliance that ensures a favorable laundry care process.

[0007] This task is solved by subject matter having the features described in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the specification, and the drawings.

[0008] According to a first aspect, the objective of the invention is solved by a laundry care appliance comprising: an alkaline container for receiving laundry detergent; a laundry drum for receiving laundry, wherein the laundry drum is arranged in the alkaline container; a drum driver for rotating the laundry drum; a level sensor for detecting the level of the laundry detergent in the alkaline container; and a controller connected to the drum driver and the level sensor in a control technique, wherein the controller is configured to: activate the drum driver during a discharge time period to cause the laundry drum to rotate at a discharge speed, thereby causing the laundry to be discharged. The detergent received in the detergent drum adheres to the detergent drum and at least partially expels the detergent that has adhered to the detergent, wherein the level sensor is configured to detect the level of detergent in the lye container during the expulsion time period, and wherein the controller is configured to activate the drum drive during another expulsion time period following the expulsion time period to change the expulsion speed of the rotating detergent drum according to the level of detergent detected in the lye container.

[0009] This method achieves the following technical advantages: by changing the discharge speed of the rotating laundry drum based on the detected liquid level, particularly advantageous laundry care is ensured.

[0010] During the expulsion time period, the laundry drum rotates at a sufficiently high expulsion speed such that the laundry adheres to the laundry drum due to centrifugal force acting on it, causing the detergent bound to the laundry to be expelled from the laundry, particularly along the radial expulsion direction. The detergent expelled from the laundry exits the laundry drum through an opening and collects in the lye container, where it can be detected by the level sensor.

[0011] Therefore, by using the liquid level sensor to detect the liquid level of the washing liquid in the alkali container, a correlation (Korrelation) can be obtained between the effectiveness of the washing liquid being expelled from the laundry and, consequently, the wetting of the laundry.

[0012] Because the movement characteristics of the laundry during the expulsion time period are difficult to predict, clumping of the laundry may occur, thereby hindering the uniform distribution of the laundry in the rotating laundry drum. This may impair the effective expulsion of the detergent from the laundry during the expulsion time period, which in particular leads to a decrease in the detergent level in the lye container after the expulsion time period.

[0013] Additionally, the fabric type of the garment may also affect its ability to absorb (or retain) detergent.

[0014] Therefore, conclusions about the absorption characteristics (or eviction characteristics) of the laundry can be drawn by detecting the liquid level through the controller during the eviction time period.

[0015] In another discharge time segment following the first discharge time segment, the controller manipulates the drum driver to change the rotational speed of the spinning laundry drum based on the detected detergent level. This specifically facilitates increasing the rotational speed of the spinning laundry drum in the subsequent discharge time segment when a decrease in detergent level is detected during the first discharge time segment, ensuring that the laundry is effectively wetted by the detergent.

[0016] The expulsion time segment and / or the other expulsion time segment may be, in particular, part of the wetting, washing, or rinsing steps of a laundry care procedure stored in the controller of the laundry care appliance.

[0017] Laundry care appliances are understood to be appliances used for laundry care, such as washing machines or laundry dryers, especially in the form of washer-dryers. Such laundry care appliances are particularly understood as household laundry care appliances. That is, laundry care appliances used within a domestic framework and for handling the typical amount of laundry in a household.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the controller is configured to: activate the drum drive during another discharge time period when the level of the detergent liquid detected in the alkali container is below a level threshold after the discharge time period, for increasing the rotational speed of the laundry drum rotating at the discharge speed, particularly to an increased discharge speed.

[0019] This approach achieves the following technical advantages: effective wetting of the laundry is achieved during the additional dispersal time interval. Liquid level detection during the preceding first dispersal time interval is used to allow the controller to assess the dispersal characteristics of the detergent liquid already bonded to the laundry.

[0020] Here, the controller specifically compares the detected liquid level with a predetermined liquid level threshold. This liquid level threshold depends particularly on numerous parameters, including the amount of laundry, the type of laundry, the dried weight of the laundry, the total amount of detergent in the lye container, the amount of detergent spun out of the laundry, the rotation speed, the geometry of the laundry drum, and / or the geometry of the lye container. Specifically, the liquid level threshold can be determined specifically according to the laundry care program being implemented.

[0021] If the liquid level threshold is not reached during the first discharge time interval, the rotational speed of the washing drum is increased during the next discharge time interval, particularly to an increased discharge speed, so that the liquid level of the washing liquid detected after the next discharge time interval reaches the liquid level threshold.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the controller is configured to terminate the other effluent time segment when the level of the washing liquid detected in the alkali container reaches the level threshold during the other effluent time segment.

[0023] This approach achieves the following technical advantages: reaching the liquid level threshold is the target point of the other discharge time segment, allowing the controller to terminate (especially immediately) the other discharge time segment. After the other discharge time segment, the controller can, in particular, reduce the rotational speed of the spinning washer drum.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, the controller is configured to terminate the other discharge time segment if the level of the washing liquid detected during the other discharge time segment does not reach the level threshold after a predetermined time interval during the other discharge time segment.

[0025] This approach achieves the following technical advantages: even if the washing liquid is not completely expelled, the other expulsion time segment can be ended after a relatively long time interval, because reaching the liquid level threshold seems unlikely after a predetermined time interval has passed, thus avoiding unnecessarily prolonging the other time segment.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry care appliance has an imbalance sensor for detecting imbalance of the rotating laundry drum, wherein the controller is configured to: when the imbalance sensor does not detect imbalance of the rotating laundry drum, activate only the drum drive during the other discharge time period to increase the discharge speed, particularly to an increased discharge speed.

[0027] This approach achieves the following technical advantages: the increase in drive speed can be carried out reliably without causing damage to the laundry care appliance due to imbalance in the rotating laundry drum.

[0028] The imbalance sensor specifically includes: a power detection element for detecting the electrical power value of the drum drive of the laundry drum; and / or a device for detecting the offset or acceleration of the vibration system of the laundry drum; and / or a 3D sensor for detecting the offset of the laundry drum in all three spatial directions.

[0029] Here, the spatial offset of the vibration system can be mathematically converted into the offset acceleration of the vibration system, in particular, by means of the offset velocity of the vibration system.

[0030] In one advantageous embodiment, the laundry care appliance has an imbalance sensor for detecting imbalance of the rotating laundry drum, wherein the controller is configured to: when the imbalance sensor detects imbalance of the rotating laundry drum, activate the drum drive during the other discharge time period to reduce the rotational speed of the rotating laundry drum, particularly to a reduced discharge speed.

[0031] This approach achieves the following technical advantages: when an imbalance is detected in the rotating laundry drum (e.g., due to clumping of laundry), damage to the laundry care appliance can be advantageously avoided by increasing the exhaust speed.

[0032] In one advantageous embodiment, the controller is configured to: terminate the other discharge time segment when the detected level of the washing liquid reaches a level threshold, or the controller is configured to: terminate the other discharge time segment when the detected level of the washing liquid does not reach the level threshold after another predetermined time interval during the other discharge time segment.

[0033] This approach achieves the following technical advantages: the other discharging time segment can be terminated immediately after the liquid level threshold is reached, or after the other predetermined time interval has elapsed, to prevent the other discharging time segment from continuing indefinitely.

[0034] In one advantageous embodiment, the controller is configured to activate the level sensor to detect the level of the detergent in the lye container during the discharge time period after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the laundry care program of the laundry appliance, or when the rotational speed of the laundry drum reaches the discharge speed.

[0035] This approach achieves the following technical advantages: the start of level measurement can be advantageously correlated in time with the start of the discharge time segment. The controller can identify the start of the discharge time segment, in particular, by the washing drum reaching the discharge speed, or by storing the start of the discharge time segment as a defined time interval after the start of the laundry care program.

[0036] In one advantageous embodiment, the controller is configured to activate the drum drive during at least one contact time period prior to the expulsion time period, causing the laundry drum to rotate at a contact speed, wherein the contact speed includes a rotation speed at which the laundry received in the laundry drum contacts the laundry drum during the rotation of the laundry drum.

[0037] This method achieves the following technical advantages: by changing the rotational speed of the laundry drum, the movement characteristics of the laundry received in the laundry drum can be advantageously influenced. Here, the contact speed is particularly less than the expulsion speed, so that when the laundry drum rotates at the contact speed, although the laundry is pressed against the laundry drum by the centrifugal force, the centrifugal force is not large enough to cause the washing liquid to be expelled from the laundry.

[0038] In an advantageous embodiment, the controller is configured to activate the drum drive during at least one draw time period prior to the discharge time period, causing the laundry drum to rotate at a draw speed, wherein the draw speed includes a rotation speed at which the laundry liquid received in the lye container moves at least partially through the laundry drum and falls onto the laundry received in the laundry drum.

[0039] This method achieves the following technical advantages: by changing the rotational speed of the laundry drum, the movement characteristics of the laundry received in the laundry drum can be advantageously influenced. Here, the suction speed is particularly less than the discharge speed and also less than the contact speed, so that when the laundry drum rotates at the suction speed, the laundry is not guided along with the laundry drum; instead, the washing liquid present in the laundry drum is guided along with the laundry in the frame of the suction process through the rotating laundry drum and falls onto the laundry in the laundry drum, particularly from above, to ensure effective wetting of the laundry.

[0040] To ensure the effective movement of the washing liquid, especially the absorption of the washing liquid. The laundry drum, in particular, has multiple protrusions (especially laundry extractors) that allow the washing liquid to move (or carry) as the laundry drum rotates.

[0041] In one advantageous embodiment, the controller is configured to activate the drum drive during at least one intermediate time interval prior to the discharge time interval, so as to rotate the laundry drum in an intermediate speed range, wherein the intermediate speed range includes a speed range of the laundry drum that extends between the contact speed and the suction speed of the laundry drum.

[0042] This approach achieves the following technical advantages: by changing the rotational speed of the laundry drum from the contact speed through the intermediate speed range to the draw speed (or from the draw speed through the intermediate speed range to the contact speed), the motion characteristics of the laundry received in the laundry drum can be advantageously influenced.

[0043] In one advantageous embodiment, the laundry care appliance has a laundry liquid supply device for supplying laundry liquid to the lye container, wherein the controller is configured to activate the laundry liquid supply device before the expulsion time period, particularly before the aspiration time period and / or before the contact time period and / or before the intermediate time period, to supply laundry liquid to the lye container.

[0044] This approach achieves the following technical advantages: sufficient washing liquid is available for effective wetting of the washed items during the subsequent time interval.

[0045] According to a second aspect, the objective of the invention is solved by a method for caring for laundry in a laundry care appliance, wherein the laundry care appliance comprises: an alkaline container for receiving laundry liquid; a laundry drum for receiving laundry, wherein the laundry drum is arranged in the alkaline container; a drum driver for rotating the laundry drum; a level sensor for detecting the level of the laundry liquid in the alkaline container; and a controller connected to the drum driver and the level sensor in terms of control technology, characterized in that the method comprises the method step of: activating the laundry by the controller during a discharge time period. A drum driver is configured to rotate the laundry drum at a drive speed to cause laundry received in the laundry drum to adhere to the laundry drum and to drive at least partially of the detergent already bonded to the laundry from the laundry; a level sensor is activated by the controller during the drive time period to detect the level of detergent in the lye container during the drive time period; and the drum driver is activated by the controller during another drive time period following the drive time period to change the drive speed of the rotating laundry drum according to the level of detergent detected in the lye container.

[0046] This approach achieves the following technical advantages: it ensures effective adjustment of the wetting properties of the washing solution.

[0047] In an advantageous embodiment, activating the drum drive during the other discharge time period includes: increasing the discharge speed of the rotating laundry drum, particularly to an increased discharge speed, when the level of the detergent solution detected in the alkali container is below a level threshold after the discharge time period.

[0048] This approach achieves the following technical advantages: it ensures effective adjustment of the wetting properties of the washing solution.

[0049] In one advantageous embodiment, the laundry care appliance has an imbalance sensor for detecting imbalance of the rotating laundry drum, and activating the drum drive during the other discharge time period includes: reducing the discharge speed of the rotating laundry drum, particularly to a reduced discharge speed, when the imbalance sensor detects imbalance of the rotating laundry drum.

[0050] This approach achieves the following technical advantages: it avoids damaging the laundry care appliances.

[0051] The embodiment of the laundry care appliance shown as an advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect is also an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the second aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0052] Embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings and are further described below.

[0053] The attached diagram shows:

[0054] Figure 1 Schematic view of laundry care appliances;

[0055] Figure 2 Schematic view of a laundry care appliance with a controller;

[0056] Figure 3A , 3B A schematic view of the rotation process of the laundry drum;

[0057] Figure 4 A schematic view of the laundry care process;

[0058] Figure 5A , 5B : A schematic view of the laundry care process according to the first embodiment;

[0059] Figure 6 : A schematic view of the laundry care process according to the second embodiment; and

[0060] Figure 7 : A schematic diagram of a method for caring for laundry in laundry care appliances. Detailed Implementation

[0061] Figure 1 A schematic view of a common laundry care appliance 100 (such as a washing machine) is shown. The laundry care appliance 100 includes a flushing tray 101 into which laundry care substances (such as detergent or other liquid substances) can be filled. The laundry care appliance 100 has an appliance housing 102. The laundry care appliance 100 includes an appliance door 103 for loading laundry into the appliance 100.

[0062] Figure 2A schematic view of a laundry care appliance with a controller is shown. The laundry care appliance 100 has an alkali container 105 for receiving detergent and a laundry drum 107 for receiving laundry. The laundry drum 107 is arranged in the alkali container 105. The laundry care appliance 100 has a drum driver 109 for rotating the laundry drum 107. The alkali container 105 has a discharge opening 111. The laundry care appliance 100 has a supply element 113. The discharge opening 111 is fluidically connected to the supply element 113 via a liquid conduit 115, in which a pump 117 is arranged for pumping detergent through the liquid conduit 115.

[0063] The pump 117 can be Figure 2 During the circulation pumping process (not shown), the washing liquid is pumped from the lye container 105 through the discharge opening 111 into the liquid line 115, and the washing liquid is then resupplyed to the lye container 105 and the laundry drum 107 via the liquid line 115 and the supply element 113. In this way, the washing liquid can be effectively circulated through the liquid line 115 and resupplyed to the laundry in the laundry drum 107 during the laundry care process.

[0064] The laundry care appliance 100 has a laundry liquid supply device 118-1 for supplying laundry liquid to the alkali container 105, wherein the laundry liquid supply device 118-1 is connected to the alkali container 105 via a supply pipe 118-2.

[0065] The detergent supply device 118-1 particularly includes Figure 2 The flushing tray 101 of the laundry care appliance 100 (not shown) and / or Figure 2 The fresh water inlet of the laundry care appliance 100 (not shown) is provided, wherein the controller 119 is configured to activate the inlet of laundry liquid via the flushing tray 101 and / or the fresh water inlet to supply laundry liquid and / or fresh water as laundry liquid to the laundry drum 107.

[0066] The laundry care appliance 100 also has a level sensor 123 for detecting the level of the detergent in the lye container 105. The level sensor 123 is specifically arranged in the lye container 105.

[0067] Alternatively, the level sensor 123 may be arranged, in particular, outside the alkali container 105 and, in particular, via a connecting tube in another vessel. The liquid level of the washing liquid in the alkali container 105 is detected, wherein the liquid level sensor 123 (in particular a pressure sensor) is connected to (in particular a closed) another vessel, thereby establishing pressure.

[0068] The laundry care appliance 100 also includes a controller 119, which is connected to the pump 117, the drum driver 109, the detergent supply device 118-1, and the liquid level sensor 123 via a control connection 121.

[0069] The laundry care appliance 100 also includes an output line 125, which is fluidically connected to the liquid line 115. The pump 117 is configured to... Figure 2 During the pumping process (not shown), the washing liquid is pumped from the alkali container 105 through the discharge opening 111, through the liquid line 115, and through the output line 125 from the laundry care appliance 100.

[0070] Figure 3A and 3B A schematic view showing the rotation process of the laundry drum is shown.

[0071] Figure 3A The image schematically illustrates a laundry drum 107 arranged in an lye container 105 of a laundry care appliance 100, wherein the laundry drum 107 rotates at a low speed. Laundry 127 received in the laundry drum 107 and free washing liquid 129 received in the lye container 105 are schematically shown. Furthermore, a heating element 131 for heating the washing liquid 129 is arranged in the lye container 105. The laundry drum 107 also has a plurality of protrusions 133 on its inner side, which are configured to cause the laundry 127 and the washing liquid 129 received in the laundry drum 107 to move according to the rotational speed of the laundry drum 107 as the laundry drum 107 rotates. Figure 3A The first rotation direction 135-1 of the laundry drum 107 is shown in the figure.

[0072] Figure 3B The image schematically illustrates a laundry drum 107 arranged in an lye container 105 of a laundry care appliance 100, wherein the laundry drum 107 rotates at a high speed (particularly at a drive speed). The relative rotation of the laundry drum 107 to... Figure 3AThe faster rotation causes the laundry 127 to adhere to the laundry drum 107 due to the centrifugal force acting on it, and causes the washing liquid 129 bound to the laundry 127 to be expelled from the laundry 127 in a radial expulsion direction 137, thereby causing the expelled washing liquid 129 to accumulate in the intermediate space between the laundry drum 107 and the alkali container 105. Figure 3B The image shows a second rotation direction 135-2 of the laundry drum 107, which is opposite to the first rotation direction 135-1.

[0073] Figure 4 A schematic view of the laundry care process is shown.

[0074] Figure 4 The first curve 139 shown in the figure illustrates the rotational speed of the laundry drum 107 driven by the drum driver 109 over time, along the vertical axis 141, with time given along the horizontal axis 143.

[0075] As from Figure 4 As can be seen, the laundry drum 107 rotates at different speed levels, starting from the contact time segment 145, during which the laundry drum 107 rotates at a contact speed 147, wherein the contact speed 147 corresponds to a speed at which the laundry 107 receives the laundry 127 and is pressed against the laundry drum 107 by centrifugal force acting on the laundry 127 during the rotation of the laundry drum 107.

[0076] An intermediate time segment 149 follows the contact time segment 145, during which the laundry drum 107 rotates at an intermediate speed range 151. This intermediate speed range 151 includes a range of speeds for the laundry drum 107 that extends between the contact speed 147 and the suction speed 153 of the laundry drum 107. Here, the suction speed 153 is less than the contact speed 147.

[0077] During the intermediate time interval 149, the laundry 127 is no longer completely pressed against the washing drum 107; rather, the laundry 127 and the detergent 129 are carried within the washing drum 107, particularly through the protrusions 133 of the washing drum 107. During the intermediate time interval 149, the particularly dynamic movement of the laundry 127 and detergent 129 within the washing drum 107 can be achieved through the varying rotational speed of the rotating washing drum 107.

[0078] A draw-in time period 155 follows the intermediate time period 149, during which the laundry drum 107 rotates at the draw-in speed 153. The draw-in speed 153 is less than the contact speed 147 and also less than the intermediate speed range 151. Therefore, during the draw-in time period 155, the laundry 127 is no longer, or only minimally, carried by the protrusions 133 of the laundry drum 107, causing the laundry 127 to remain in the lower region of the laundry drum 107 during its rotation. However, the protrusions 133 of the laundry drum 107 carry a portion of the washing liquid 129 during the draw-in time period 155, allowing the carried washing liquid 129 to drip, in particular, from above, onto the laundry 127 in the laundry drum 107, thereby achieving effective wetting of the laundry 127.

[0079] An intermediate time segment 149 is re-connected after the suction time segment 155. During the intermediate time segment 149, the suction speed 153 increases within the intermediate speed range 151 until the washing drum 107 resumes rotation at the contact speed 147 in the subsequent contact time segment 145. Correspondingly in Figure 4 The time intervals 149, 145, 149, and 155 shown can be repeated or varied arbitrarily.

[0080] As from Figure 4 It can also be seen that a disengagement time segment 157 follows the final contact time segment 145. During the disengagement time segment 157, the washing drum 107 rotates at a disengagement speed 159, which is greater than the contact speed 147. The rotation of the washing drum 107 at the disengagement speed 159 applies such a strong centrifugal force to the washing liquid 129 attached to the washing garment 127 that the washing liquid 129 is disengaged from the washing garment 127 in a radial disengagement direction 137. Figure 3B As shown in the diagram.

[0081] The drive speed 159 is particularly between 100 rpm and 350 rpm, and the duration of the drive time interval 157 is between 10 minutes and 20 minutes, wherein the drive speed 159 and the duration depend on the size of the laundry drum 107, the amount of washing liquid, and the load of the laundry 127.

[0082] By rotating the laundry drum 107 at different speeds, the movement of the laundry 127 and the movement of the washing liquid 129 within the laundry drum 107 can be advantageously affected, thereby ensuring that the laundry 127 is fully wetted by the washing liquid 129 and is also evenly heated during the laundry care process.

[0083] according to Figure 4 The described laundry care process specifically ensures that the laundry 127 remains profitable wet under the most diverse laundry load conditions, particularly under different laundry loads, different sizes of individual laundry items, and different absorbency of individual laundry items.

[0084] However, during the ejection time period 157, the ejection speed 159 may not be reached, for example, due to clumping of the laundry items in the washing drum 107 causing imbalance in the rotating drum. Furthermore, during the ejection time period 157, even if the ejection speed 159 is reached, insufficient detergent 129 may not be ejected from the laundry items 127, thus failing to achieve the desired complete wetting of the laundry items 127 with detergent 129 during the ejection time period 157.

[0085] For this reason, in the following Figure 5A and 5B According to the first embodiment and in Figure 6 The automatic adjustment of the expulsion time segment 157 is described according to the second embodiment to ensure a particularly advantageous laundry care process.

[0086] Figure 5A and 5B A schematic view of a laundry care process according to a first embodiment is shown.

[0087] The present invention is based on the understanding that during the expulsion time period 157, the effectiveness of expelling the detergent 129 bound to the laundry 127 is detected by means of a level sensor 123 configured as a pressure sensor in the alkali container 105. The detergent 129 expelled from the laundry 127 during the expulsion time period 157 is discharged from the laundry drum 107 through an opening in the laundry drum 107 and accumulates on the lower side of the alkali container 105, where the amount of detergent can be detected by the level sensor 123.

[0088] Therefore, a direct conclusion regarding the effectiveness of the washing liquid 129 in removing the laundry 127 can be drawn by means of the liquid level sensor 123 detecting the level of the washing liquid 129 in the alkali container 105 during the removal time period 157.

[0089] Figure 5A The second curve 161 shown in the figure illustrates different speed ranges of the rotating laundry drum 107.

[0090] Figure 5A The third curve 163 shown illustrates different liquid levels of the washing liquid 129 detected by the level sensor 123 in the alkali container 105, which are output as pressure values ​​measured by the pressure sensor under the current conditions. Here, the third curve 163 and the second curve 161 are correlated in time.

[0091] As can be seen from the second curve 161, the drive speed 159 is consistent during the two drive time intervals 157-1 and 157-2.

[0092] Nevertheless, the third curve 163 shows different levels of the washing liquid 129 in the alkali container 105 during the two eviction time periods 157-1 and 157-2. In particular, the level of the washing liquid 129 reaches the level threshold 165 during the first eviction time period 157-1, but unlike the first eviction time period 157-1, the level of the washing liquid 129 does not reach the level threshold 165 during the second eviction time period 157-2, but only reaches a reduced level value 165-1.

[0093] The liquid level threshold 165, defined as the target value, depends on numerous parameters, particularly: the amount of laundry, the type of laundry, the dry weight of the laundry, the total amount of detergent 129 in the lye container 105, the amount of detergent 129 ejected from the laundry 127, the magnitude of the ejection speed 159, the geometry of the laundry drum 107, and the geometry of the lye container 105.

[0094] The reason why the liquid level of washing liquid 129 is different during the first discharge time segment 157-1 and the second discharge time segment 157-2 when the discharge speed 159 is the same is based on the fact that the motion characteristics of the laundry 127 in the rotating laundry drum 107 are unpredictable, which leads to the difference in the amount of washing liquid 129 discharged from the laundry 127 during the first discharge time segment 157-1 and the second discharge time segment 157-2.

[0095] However, in order to ensure that the same amount of detergent 129 is discharged from the laundry 127 during different discharge time periods 157, the controller 119... Figure 5B During the fourth discharge time segment 157-4 shown, the rotational speed of the laundry drum 107 is changed according to the level of the washing liquid 129 detected by the liquid level sensor 123.

[0096] If the level of the washing liquid 129 detected by the liquid level sensor 123 in the alkali container 105 does not reach the liquid level threshold 165, then the controller 119... Figure 5B During the fourth discharge time segment 157-4 shown, the rotational speed of the laundry drum 107 is increased to the increased discharge speed 159-1, thereby causing more detergent 129 to be discharged from the laundry 127, and thereby causing the level of detergent 129 detected by the level sensor 123 in the alkali container 105 to reach the level threshold 165.

[0097] However, it is crucial to note that the difference between the increased drive speed 159-1 and the drive speed 159 should not be too large, as excessively increasing the increased drive speed may cause undesirable resonance in the washing drum 107. For this reason, the difference between the increased drive speed 159-1 and the drive speed 159 is specifically determined to be less than or equal to 50 rpm.

[0098] Here, the level sensor 123 for level measurement is activated specifically when the corresponding discharge time segment 157 begins, i.e., when the rotational speed of the wash drum 107 reaches the discharge speed 159, or when a predetermined duration stored in the laundry care program ends, wherein the duration is associated with the start of the discharge time segment 157. Thus, the monitoring function of the level sensor 123 is associated with the start of the discharge time segment 157 in this case.

[0099] As from Figure 5B As can be seen, when the level of the washing liquid 129 detected within the predetermined time interval reaches the level threshold 165, the fourth discharging time segment 157-4 ends. Figure 5B As shown, the controller 119 immediately terminates the fourth discharge time segment 157-4, particularly when the detected liquid level reaches the liquid level threshold 165.

[0100] If it appears Figure 5BIf, in a situation not shown, the level of the washing liquid 129 is not reached after the predetermined time interval of the fourth discharge time segment 157-4 has elapsed, this means that the level threshold 65 cannot be reached, and thus the controller 119 also ends the fourth discharge time segment 157-4 in this case.

[0101] In order for the controller 119 to increase the drive speed 159 to the increased drive speed 159-1 during the corresponding drive time interval 157, no imbalance is allowed in the rotating laundry drum 107 to avoid damaging the laundry drum 107. Such imbalance may occur, for example, due to the agglomeration of laundry 127 in the rotating laundry drum 107.

[0102] For this reason, the laundry care appliance 100 specifically includes an imbalance sensor configured to detect imbalance of the rotating laundry drum 107. The imbalance sensor specifically includes: a power detection element for detecting the electrical power value of the drum drive 109 of the laundry drum 107; a device for detecting the offset (deflection) or acceleration of the vibration system of the laundry drum 107; and / or a 3D sensor for detecting the offset (deflection) of the laundry drum 107 in all three spatial directions.

[0103] The controller 119 is specifically configured to increase the rotational speed of the washing drum 107 only to an increased discharge speed 159-1 during the discharge time interval 157 when the imbalance sensor does not detect an imbalance in the rotating washing drum 107.

[0104] Figure 6 A schematic view of a laundry care process according to a second embodiment is shown.

[0105] For details regarding these curves, please refer to the relevant references. Figure 5A and Figure 5B The implementation of.

[0106] According to the second embodiment, the imbalance sensor in Figure 6 During the fifth discharge time segment 157-5 shown, an imbalance of the rotating laundry drum 107 is detected, causing the controller 119 to reduce the discharge speed 159 to a reduced discharge speed 159-2 in the subsequent sixth discharge time segment 157-6 to avoid damaging the laundry care appliance 100.

[0107] To ensure that the washing liquid 129 is effectively expelled from the laundry 127 during the sixth expulsion time interval 157-6, despite the reduced expulsion speed 159-2, the duration of the sixth expulsion time interval 157-6 is extended to another time interval. As can be seen from the third curve 163, the level of the expelled washing liquid 129 in the alkali container 105 reaches the level threshold 165 after the sixth expulsion time interval 157-6.

[0108] As from Figure 6 As can be seen, the sixth expulsion time segment 157-6 ends when the other time interval of the sixth expulsion time segment 157-6 has passed or when the level of the washing liquid 129 detected during the sixth expulsion time segment 157-6 reaches the level threshold 165.

[0109] If it appears Figure 6 If, in a situation not shown, the level of the washing liquid 129 detected after the other time interval of the sixth discharge time interval 157-6 has passed does not reach the level threshold 165, then this means that the level threshold 165 cannot be reached, and in this case, the controller 119 also ends the sixth discharge time interval 157-6.

[0110] Figure 7 A schematic diagram is shown of a method for caring for laundry in a laundry care appliance.

[0111] The method 200, as a first method step, includes: activating the drum driver 109 201 by the controller 119 during the expulsion time segment 157 to cause the laundry drum 107 to rotate at an expulsion speed 159, so that the laundry 127 received in the laundry drum 107 abuts against the laundry drum 107 and at least partially expels the detergent 129 bound to the laundry 127 from the laundry 127.

[0112] The method 200, as a second method step, includes: activating the level sensor 123 203 via the controller 119 during the discharge time period 157 to detect the level of the washing liquid 129 in the alkali container 105 during the discharge time period 157.

[0113] The method 200, as a third method step, includes: activating the drum driver 109 205 via the controller 119 during another discharge time segment 157 following the discharge time segment 157, to change the discharge speed 159 of the rotating laundry drum 107 according to the level of the detergent 129 detected in the lye container 105.

[0114] All the features illustrated and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention can be set in different combinations within the subject matter of the invention to achieve their advantageous effects simultaneously.

[0115] The scope of protection of this invention is given by the claims and is not limited to the features set forth in the specification or shown in the drawings.

[0116] List of reference numerals

[0117] 100 laundry care appliances

[0118] 101 rammed into the casing

[0119] 102 Appliance housing

[0120] 103 Equipment Door

[0121] 105 Alkali solution container

[0122] 107 Laundry drum

[0123] 109 Roller Drive

[0124] 111 Discharge opening

[0125] 113 Supply Components

[0126] 115 Liquid Piping

[0127] 117 Pump

[0128] 118-1 Detergent supply device

[0129] 118-2 Supply Piping

[0130] 119 Controller

[0131] 121 Control Connection Part

[0132] 123 Liquid Level Sensor

[0133] 125 Output Piping

[0134] 127 Laundry

[0135] 129 Detergent

[0136] 131 Heating element

[0137] 133 Protrusion

[0138] 135-1 First Rotation Direction

[0139] 135-2 Second Rotation Direction

[0140] 137 Drive direction

[0141] The first curve shows the rotational speed of the 139 laundry drum 107 according to the trend over time.

[0142] 141 Vertical axis

[0143] 143 Horizontal axis

[0144] 145 Attached Time Segment

[0145] 147 contact speed

[0146] 149 Intermediate Time Segment

[0147] 151 Intermediate speed range

[0148] 153 absorption speed

[0149] 155 Time Segment

[0150] 157 Exit Time Segment

[0151] 157-1 First Driveout Time Segment

[0152] 157-2 Second Driveout Time Segment

[0153] 157-3 Third Drive Time Segment

[0154] 157-4 Fourth Drive Time Segment

[0155] 157-5 Fifth Drive Time Segment

[0156] 157-6 Sixth Drive Time Segment

[0157] 159 drive speed

[0158] 159-1 Increased drive speed

[0159] 159-2 Reduced drive speed

[0160] The rotational speed of the laundry drum 107 follows a second curve based on the trend over time.

[0161] The third curve showing the liquid level / pressure value of the washing liquid 129 in the alkali container 105 over time.

[0162] 165 Liquid level threshold

[0163] 165-1 Reduced liquid level threshold

[0164] 200 Methods for Caring for Laundry Products

[0165] 201 First method step: Activate the roller drive during the said drive-out time period

[0166] 203 Second method step: Activate the liquid level sensor during the said expulsion time period.

[0167] 205 Third method step: Activate the roller drive during another drive-out time segment.

Claims

1. A laundry care appliance (100), comprising: - Alkali container (105) for receiving washing liquid (129); - Laundry drum (107) for receiving laundry. in, The laundry drum (107) is arranged in the alkali container (105); - Drum drive (109) for rotating the laundry drum (107); - A level sensor (123) for detecting the level of the washing liquid (129) in the alkali container (105); and - A controller (119) that is connected to the roller drive (109) and the level sensor (123) in terms of control technology. Its features are, The controller (119) is configured to activate the drum driver (109) during the expulsion time period (157) to rotate the laundry drum (107) at an expulsion speed (159) so that the laundry (127) received in the laundry drum (107) comes into contact with the laundry drum (107) and at least partially expels the detergent (129) already bonded to the laundry (127) from the laundry (127). The level sensor (123) is configured to detect the level of the washing liquid (129) in the alkali container (105) during the expulsion time period (157), and The controller (119) is configured to activate the drum drive (109) during another discharge time segment (157) following the discharge time segment (157) to change the discharge speed (159) of the rotating laundry drum (107) according to the level of the detergent (129) detected in the alkali container (105). The controller (119) is configured to activate the drum driver (109) during another discharge time period (157) to increase the rotational speed of the laundry drum (107) rotating at the discharge speed (159) when the level of the detergent (129) detected in the alkali container (105) is lower than the level threshold (165) after the discharge time period (157).

2. The laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 1. Its features are, The controller (119) is configured to terminate the other discharge time period (157) when the level of the washing liquid (129) detected in the alkali container (105) reaches the level threshold (165) during the other discharge time period (157).

3. The laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 1. Its features are, The controller (119) is configured to terminate the other discharge time segment (157) if the level of the washing liquid (129) detected during the other discharge time segment (157) does not reach the level threshold (165) after a predetermined time interval during the other discharge time segment (157).

4. The laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 2 or 3. Its features are, The controller (119) is configured to activate the drum driver (109) during another discharge time period (157) when the level of the detergent (129) detected in the alkali container (105) is lower than the level threshold (165) after the discharge time period (157) to increase the rotational speed of the laundry drum (107) to an increased discharge speed (159-1).

5. The laundry care appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Its features are, The laundry care appliance (100) has an imbalance sensor for detecting imbalance in the rotating laundry drum (107). The controller (119) is configured to activate only the drum drive (109) during the other discharge time period (157) to increase the discharge speed (159) when the imbalance sensor does not detect an imbalance in the rotating laundry drum (107).

6. The laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 5. Its features are, The controller (119) is configured to activate only the drum drive (109) during the other drive time period (157) when the imbalance sensor does not detect an imbalance in the rotating laundry drum (107) to increase the drive speed (159) to an increased drive speed (159-1).

7. The laundry care appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1-3 and 6. Its features are, The laundry care appliance (100) has an imbalance sensor for detecting imbalance in the rotating laundry drum (107). The controller (119) is configured to activate the drum drive (109) during another drive-out time period (157) when the imbalance sensor detects an imbalance in the rotating laundry drum (107) to reduce the rotational speed of the rotating laundry drum (107).

8. The laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 7. Its features are, The controller (119) is configured to activate the drum driver (109) during the other drive-out time period (157) when the imbalance sensor detects an imbalance in the rotating laundry drum (107) to reduce the rotational speed of the rotating laundry drum (107) to a reduced drive-out speed (159-2).

9. The laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 7. Its features are, The controller (119) is configured to: terminate the other discharge time segment (157) when the detected level of the washing liquid (129) reaches the level threshold (165), or The controller (119) is configured to terminate the other discharge time period (157) when the level of the detected washing liquid (129) does not reach the level threshold (165) after another predetermined time interval during the other discharge time period (157).

10. The laundry care appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1-3, 6, 8, and 9. Its features are, The controller (119) is configured to activate the liquid level sensor (123) to detect the liquid level of the detergent (129) in the alkali container (105) during the discharge time period (157) after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the laundry care program of the laundry care appliance (100) or when the rotation speed of the laundry drum (107) has reached the discharge speed (159).

11. The laundry care appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1-3, 6, 8, and 9. Its features are, The controller (119) is configured to activate the drum drive (109) during at least one contact time period (145) prior to the expulsion time period (157) to cause the laundry drum (107) to rotate at a contact speed (147). The contact rotation speed (147) includes the following rotation speed of the laundry drum (107): at this rotation speed, the laundry (127) received in the laundry drum (107) is attached to the laundry drum (107) during the rotation of the laundry drum (107).

12. The laundry care appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1-3, 6, 8, and 9. Its features are, The controller (119) is configured to activate the drum drive (109) during at least one draw time period (155) prior to the discharge time period (157) to cause the laundry drum (107) to rotate at a draw speed (153). The absorption speed (153) includes the following speed of the laundry drum (107): at this speed, the laundry liquid (129) received in the alkali container (105) moves at least partially through the laundry drum (107) and falls onto the laundry (127) received in the laundry drum (107).

13. The laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 12. Its features are, The controller (119) is configured to activate the drum drive (109) during at least one intermediate time interval (149) prior to the expulsion time interval (157) to rotate the laundry drum (107) within an intermediate speed range (151). The intermediate speed range (151) includes the following speed range of the laundry drum (107): the speed range extends between the contact speed (147) and the suction speed (153) of the laundry drum (107).

14. The laundry care appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1-3, 6, 8, 9, and 13. Its features are, The laundry care appliance (100) has a laundry supply device (118-1) for supplying laundry solution (129) to the alkali container (105). The controller (119) is configured to activate the washing liquid supply device (118-1) before the expulsion time period (157) to supply washing liquid (129) to the alkali container (105).

15. A method (200) for caring for laundry (127) in a laundry care appliance (100). in, The laundry care appliance (100) has: - Alkali container (105) for receiving washing liquid (129); - Laundry drum (107) for receiving laundry. The washing drum (107) is arranged in the alkali container (105); - Drum drive (109) for rotating the laundry drum (107); - A level sensor (123) for detecting the level of the washing liquid (129) in the alkali container (105); and - A controller (119) that is connected to the roller drive (109) and the level sensor (123) in terms of control technology. Its features are, The method (200) has the following steps: • The controller (119) activates (201) the drum driver (109) during the expulsion time period (157) to rotate the laundry drum (107) at an expulsion speed (159) so that the laundry (127) received in the laundry drum (107) comes into contact with the laundry drum (107) and at least partially expels the detergent (129) already bonded to the laundry (127) from the laundry (127). • The level sensor (123) is activated (203) by the controller (119) during the discharge time period (157) to detect the level of the washing liquid (129) in the alkali container (105) during the discharge time period (157), and • The controller (119) activates (205) the drum drive (109) during another discharge time segment (157) following the discharge time segment (157) to change the discharge speed (159) of the rotating laundry drum (107) according to the level of the detergent (129) detected in the alkali container (105). Activating (205) the drum drive (109) during the other discharge time period (157) includes increasing the discharge speed (159) of the rotating laundry drum (107) when the level of the detergent (129) detected in the alkali container (105) is lower than the level threshold (165) after the discharge time period (157).

16. The method (200) according to claim 15. Its features are, The laundry care appliance (100) has an imbalance sensor for detecting imbalance in the rotating laundry drum (107), and Activating (205) the drum drive (109) during the other drive time period (157) includes: reducing the drive speed (159) of the rotating laundry drum (107) when the imbalance sensor detects an imbalance in the rotating laundry drum (107).

17. The method (200) according to claim 15 or 16. Its features are, Activating (205) the drum drive (109) during the other discharge time period (157) includes increasing the discharge speed (159) of the rotating laundry drum (107) to an increased discharge speed (159-1) when the level of the detergent (129) detected in the alkali container (105) is below a level threshold (165) after the discharge time period (157).

18. The method (200) according to claim 16. Its features are, Activating (205) the drum drive (109) during the other drive time period (157) includes: reducing the drive speed (159) of the rotating laundry drum (107) to a reduced drive speed (159-2) when the imbalance sensor detects an imbalance in the rotating laundry drum (107).

Images