Method and control unit for detergent activation of a cleaning device with a rotatable, rib-free drum and cleaning device

Abstract

The invention relates to a detergent activation method for a cleaning device (100) having a rotatable rib-less drum (104) for accommodating a textile (101) and comprising the step of providing a feed signal to a feed unit (106) of the cleaning device (100). The feed signal causes a cleaning liquid to be fed into a soapy water container (102) of the cleaning device (100) until a predetermined target fill level in the drum (104) is reached. In this supply step, when the target fill level is reached, a movement signal is provided to a drive (108) of the cleaning device (100), wherein the movement signal causes a rocking rhythm of the drum (104). The rocking rhythm defines a continuous rotational movement of the drum (104) with an increasing rotational speed, but without a full rotation of the drum (104). In the supply step, when the final rotational speed of the rocking rhythm has been reached, a stop signal is also provided to the drive (108). The stop signal stops the rotational movement of the drum (104).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and control unit for detergent activation in a cleaning apparatus having a rotatable ribless drum, and to a cleaning apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] EP2348151B1 relates to a method for operating a washing machine with a circulation device. The purpose of the method provided herein is to create an improved method and control unit for detergent activation, as well as an improved cleaning device, for a cleaning apparatus having a rotatable, ribless drum.

[0003] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method and control unit for activating a detergent in a cleaning device having a rotatable, ribless drum, and a cleaning device having the features of the main claim. Advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention can be found in the appended claims.

[0004] The advantages that this invention can achieve include improved mixing of detergent soap solution (SUDS) and simultaneous wetting of textiles with detergent soap solution. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a detergent activation method for a cleaning apparatus having a rotatable, ribless drum for receiving textiles. The method includes the step of providing a feed signal to an interface of the cleaning apparatus's feeding unit, wherein the feed signal causes cleaning fluid to be fed into a soapy water container of the cleaning apparatus until a predetermined target fill level is reached in the drum. Furthermore, the method includes the step of providing a motion signal to an interface of the cleaning apparatus's actuator when the target fill level is reached. The motion signal causes the drum to have a rocking rhythm, which defines a continuous rotational motion of the drum with an increasing rotational speed, but without complete rotation of the drum. In the step of providing a stop signal, when the final rotational speed of the rocking rhythm is reached, a stop signal is provided to the interface of the actuator, wherein the stop signal stops the rotational motion of the drum.

[0006] This method can be implemented in commercially available washing machines. The drum, also known as a washing drum, is designed to clean textiles within its interior space. For example, the feed unit may have a pump and additional or alternative valves to deliver cleaning fluid such as detergent or soapy water. A soapy water container may, for example, be arranged around the drum. A target fill level may be a predetermined value, to which the cleaning fluid may be filled, for example, at the start of the cleaning program. The drive may be implemented as a motor, which can move the drum. For example, the drum may move clockwise and counterclockwise, thus creating a rocking motion.

[0007] According to one embodiment, in the step of providing a motion signal, the motion signal can cause a shaking rhythm with a frequency between 0.1 Hz and 0.3 Hz. Advantageously, this allows the cleaning liquid to be evenly distributed in the drum.

[0008] According to one embodiment, in the step of providing a motion signal, the motion signal can cause a continuous rotational motion with an increasing rotational speed between 4 rpm and 6 rpm. Advantageously, the textile can be at least almost completely wetted by the increase in speed.

[0009] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, in the step of providing the stop signal, the final rotational speed can be between 50 rpm and 70 rpm. This means that a stop signal is provided when the final rotational speed reaches a value between 50 rpm and 70 rpm.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the method may include the step of reading a quantity signal through an interface of a quantity determination device before the cleaning liquid is introduced, wherein the quantity signal represents the load of the textile. The quantity determination device may be designed as, for example, a sensor. The load may be determined using an inertial method or alternatively by weighing the textile.

[0011] Furthermore, the method may include the step of determining the target fill level using a volume signal. Advantageously, the amount of cleaning fluid can be determined to match the loading volume, thereby saving resources, for example.

[0012] This method may include the step of using the quantity signal to adjust the frequency of the rocking rhythm. Advantageously, if the load is, for example, small, the roller can perform the rocking rhythm more slowly.

[0013] According to one embodiment, if the quantity signal represents a first load of textile, a first frequency of the swaying rhythm can be adjusted in the adjustment step, and if the quantity signal represents a second load of textile, a second frequency of the swaying rhythm can be adjusted. In this case, if the second load is less than the first load, the second frequency can be lower than the first frequency. This means, for example, that for a large load, the swaying rhythm slows down, while for a small load, the swaying rhythm accelerates.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the step of providing a feed signal can be performed again after the step of providing a stop signal, until the predetermined target filling level is reached again.

[0015] The method provided herein also creates a control unit designed to perform, control, or implement the steps of variations of the method provided herein in a suitable device. The problem solved by this invention can also be solved quickly and efficiently in the form of an apparatus through this embodiment of the invention.

[0016] The control unit can be designed to read in input signals and use them to determine and provide output signals. Input signals can represent, for example, sensor signals that can be read in via the control unit's input interface. Output signals can represent control signals or data signals provided at the control unit's output interface. The control unit can be designed to determine the output signals using processing specifications implemented in hardware or software. For this purpose, the control unit may include, for example, logic circuits, integrated circuits, or software modules and can be implemented as discrete components or composed of discrete components.

[0017] A computer program product or computer program having program code that can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium (such as semiconductor memory, hard disk memory, or optical memory) is also advantageous. If the program product or program is executed on a computer or control unit, the program product or program can be used to perform, implement, and / or control the steps of the method described in one of the above embodiments.

[0018] In addition, a cleaning apparatus for cleaning textiles is provided, comprising a soap water container, a rotatable, ribless roller arranged in the soap water container for containing the textile, a feeding unit for feeding cleaning liquid into the roller, a drive for setting the roller to rotate, and a control unit as described in the aforementioned variant.

[0019] The cleaning device can be used as a standard household appliance, but it can also be implemented as a commercial or professional appliance. The drum can also be called a washing drum. The feeding unit can be implemented as a pump or a valve. The control unit can be designed to control or perform the methods described in one of the above variations.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the interior of the roller housing can be designed to be smooth, except for the enlarged portion having multiple entraining elements. For example, the interior of the roller housing, and additionally or alternatively, the enlarged portion, can have honeycomb structural elements. The entraining elements can be shaped, for example, into blocks, such that they are arranged approximately perpendicular to the enlarged portion. Ribbed rollers are used, for example, when the roller does not contain any geometry protruding from a surface that is more than 10% smaller than the roller radius. Therefore, the interior of such a ribbed roller may not have ribs extending between the roller base and the roller opening (e.g., parallel to the roller's axis of rotation). An entraining element can be understood as a hump-shaped bulge on the interior of the roller. The entraining element can be pyramidal or conical. The entraining element can be based on a circle or a regular polygon. The entraining element can also be referred to as a structural element or a hump.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the enlarged portion can be guided inward and protrude into the retaining space of the roller. This enlarged portion can advantageously form a cavity on the side opposite to the interior of the roller housing, for example, to achieve a suction effect when the detergent and cleaning liquid are mixed.

[0022] According to one embodiment, at least one suction element may have at least one through-hole disposed on a side wing of the suction element or on the upper edge of the suction element. The through-hole advantageously has a diameter in the range of 1.4 mm to 3.7 mm. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings by way of purely schematic representation and will be described in more detail below.

[0024] In the attached diagram:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a cleaning device according to one embodiment;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a roller according to one embodiment of a cleaning device;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of a control unit according to one embodiment of the cleaning device; and

[0028] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a method for activating detergent for a cleaning device according to one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a cleaning device 100 according to one embodiment. The cleaning device 100 can be implemented as a commercially available washing machine, which can be used for personal or commercial purposes. The cleaning device 100 is designed for cleaning textiles 101. For this purpose, the cleaning device 100 has a soap water container 102, a rotatable, ribless drum 104 arranged in the soap water container 102, a feeding unit 106, a drive 108, and a control unit 110. The soap water container 102 is designed to collect cleaning liquid. The drum 104 is designed to contain textiles 101, for example, for the cleaning process. The feeding unit 106 is designed to feed cleaning liquid into the drum 104. The drive 108 is designed to cause the drum 104 to perform a rotational motion. According to this embodiment, the control unit 110 is designed to actuate the feeding unit 106 and the drive 108 and perform a detergent activation method, as described in more detail in one of the following figures. Apart from the enlarged portion having multiple suction elements, according to this embodiment, the interior of the roller housing of roller 104 is smooth, as described in more detail in one of the following figures. Roller 104 is ribless.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a roller 104 according to one embodiment of a cleaning apparatus. The roller 104 can be arranged in the cleaning apparatus, such as... Figure 1As described above, the roller housing 200 of roller 104 has an enlargement 204 on its interior 202, on which a plurality of suction elements 206 are arranged. According to this embodiment, the enlargement 204 is guided inward so that it protrudes into the holding space 208 of roller 104. This means that the suction elements 206 form cavities on the side of roller housing 200 opposite to the interior 202 of roller housing 200. According to this embodiment, at least one suction element 206 has at least one through-hole, which is arranged on the side flank of the suction element or on the upper edge of the suction element. According to this embodiment, the through-hole has a diameter of, for example, 1.5 mm to 3.6 mm.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of a control unit 110 according to one embodiment of a cleaning device. The control unit 110 can be used as follows: Figure 1 In the cleaning device described herein, a movable... Figure 2 The ribless drum described herein. In this case, the control unit 110 is designed to control the detergent activation method. To this end, according to this embodiment, the control unit 110 has a reading unit 300 and a supply unit 302. In this case, the reading unit 300 is designed to read a quantity signal 304 via an interface of a quantity determination device 306. The quantity signal 304 represents the amount of textile loaded. According to this embodiment, the control unit 110 uses the quantity signal 304 to determine a target fill level 308 and is designed to also use the quantity signal 304 to set the frequency 310 of the drum's oscillation rhythm. For example, when the quantity signal 304 represents a first amount of textile loaded, a first frequency of the oscillation rhythm is adjusted, and for example, when the quantity signal 304 represents a second amount of textile loaded, a second frequency of the oscillation rhythm is adjusted. In this case, if the second amount of textile loaded is less than the first amount of textile loaded, the second frequency is lower than the first frequency.

[0032] Supply unit 302 is designed to provide a feed signal 312 to the interface of the feeding unit 106 of the cleaning device. In this case, feed signal 312 causes cleaning fluid to be fed into the soapy water container of the cleaning device until a predetermined target fill level 308 is reached in the roller. Furthermore, supply unit 302 is designed to provide a motion signal 314 to the interface of the drive 108 of the cleaning device when the target fill level 108 is reached. Motion signal 314 causes the roller to have a rocking rhythm, which defines a continuous rotational motion of the roller with an increasing rotational speed, but without full rotation of the roller. Furthermore, when the final rotational speed of the rocking rhythm is reached, supply unit 302 provides a stop signal 316 to the interface of drive 108. Stop signal 316 stops the rotational motion of the roller. According to this embodiment, motion signal 314 causes a rocking rhythm at a frequency 310 between 0.1 Hz and 0.3 Hz. Furthermore, motion signal 314 causes a continuous rotational motion with an increasing rotational speed between 4 rpm and 6 rpm. According to this embodiment, the final rotational speed is between 50 rpm and 70 rpm.

[0033] According to this embodiment, the swaying rhythm is characterized such that motion signal 314 optionally induces a first rotational movement of the roller in a first direction until the roller has reached a first target rotational speed. A second motion signal 318 induces a second rotational movement of the roller in a second direction, for example, opposite to the first direction, until the roller has reached a second target rotational speed greater than the first target rotational speed. Another first motion signal 320 continues to induce another first rotational movement of the roller in the first direction until the roller has reached another first target rotational speed greater than the second target rotational speed of the previous second rotational movement. Similarly, another second motion signal 322 induces another second rotational movement of the roller in a second direction until the roller has reached another second target rotational speed greater than the other first target rotational speed of the previous other first rotational movement. Therefore, optionally only, the rotational movement, the second rotational movement, the other first rotational movement, and the other second rotational movement induce a swaying rhythm of the roller, which is formed by a predetermined frequency, a final rotational speed, and a predetermined increase in rotational speed. According to this embodiment, the first motion signal may optionally cause a first acceleration of the roller, the second motion signal may cause a second acceleration of the roller greater than the first acceleration, another first motion signal may cause another first acceleration of the roller greater than the second acceleration, and another second motion signal may cause another second acceleration greater than the other first acceleration.

[0034] In other words, the method presented herein provides an opportunity to activate detergent in a ribless drum (also known as a washing drum). Detergent activation requires the good mixing and agitation of liquids, detergents, and textiles, such that the detergent is completely dissolved in the liquid. For this purpose, the target fill level of the cleaning solution is adjusted high, making the not-yet-fully-dissolved and activated soap-water mixture visible in the drum and in contact with the textiles and the outer surface of the drum. According to this embodiment, the drum is set to a sloshing rhythm such that the mixture of water and detergent (referred to as the cleaning solution) is entrained and homogenized on the one hand by friction on the drum base and on the other hand by the movement of the textiles. In the case of a small load, according to this embodiment, the sloshing rhythm is slowed down by the drum housing sliding under the textiles (also known as clothing). Saturated textiles and a precisely adjusted liquid level allow for a “sliding function”, allowing the entrained water to flow over and around the clothing and mix to form a homogeneous soap-water mixture. According to this embodiment, the shaking rhythm is characterized in that the drum does not complete a full rotation, and after reaching the final rotational speed, a pause or drum stop is inserted, so that the water level returns to a level that allows the process to repeat as desired.

[0035] According to this embodiment, small holes (referred to herein as through holes) in the regions with the entrained honeycomb structure support detergent activation. According to this embodiment, the bulge (also referred to as the entrained honeycomb) forms a cavity on the rear side of the drum housing, in which air is trapped when it is immersed in the cleaning liquid. This air escapes through small through holes with a diameter of, for example, 1.5 mm to 3.6 mm in the direction of the textile, and then, due to its suction effect, draws the cleaning liquid into it. It is now forced into the textile like a geyser, thereby supporting the activation process and washing effect. The through holes are preferably attached to the lower and upper wings and / or the upper side of the suction element.

[0036] According to alternative embodiments, existing cycles can be used additionally, which accelerate the activation process by feeding cleaning fluid.

[0037] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a detergent activation method 400 for a cleaning device according to one embodiment. Method 400 can be derived from... Figure 3 The control unit described herein performs the operation. Accordingly, method 400 can be performed in a cleaning device, such as... Figure 1Method 400 includes a step 402 of providing a feed signal to an interface of the feed unit of the cleaning apparatus, wherein the feed signal causes cleaning fluid to be delivered to the soapy water container of the cleaning apparatus until a predetermined target fill level is reached in the drum. In the supply step 404, when the target fill level is reached, a motion signal is supplied to an interface of the drive of the cleaning apparatus, wherein the motion signal causes a swaying rhythm of the drum. The swaying rhythm defines a continuous rotational motion of the drum, the rotational speed of which increases progressively, but without the drum completing a full rotation. Furthermore, method 400 includes a step 406 of providing a stop signal to the interface of the drive when the final rotational speed of the swaying rhythm is reached. The stop signal stops the rotational motion of the drum.

[0038] According to this embodiment, method 400 includes step 408, reading a volume signal via an interface of a volume determination device before feeding the cleaning liquid, wherein the volume signal represents the load of the textile. In the determination step 410 according to this embodiment, a target fill level is determined using the volume signal. Furthermore, method 400 according to this embodiment includes step 412, using the volume signal to adjust the frequency of the agitation rhythm. According to this embodiment, step 402 is executed again after step 406, which provides a stop signal, until the predetermined target fill level is reached again.

Claims

1. A method (400) for detergent activation in a cleaning device (100), the cleaning device (100) having a rotatable, ribless roller (104) for receiving textiles (101), the method (400) comprising the following steps: A feed signal (312) is provided (402) to the interface of the feed unit (106) of the cleaning device (100), wherein the feed signal (312) causes the cleaning liquid to be supplied to the soap water container (102) of the cleaning device (100) until a predetermined target filling water level (308) is reached in the roller (104). When the target filling water level (308) is reached, a motion signal (314) is provided (404) to the interface of the driver (108) of the cleaning device (100), wherein the motion signal (314) causes a rocking rhythm of the roller (104), wherein the rocking rhythm defines a continuous rotational motion of the roller (104) with increasing rotational speed, but the roller (104) does not complete a full rotation, the rocking rhythm being characterized by the motion signal (314) causing the roller (104) to have a first rotational motion in a first direction until the roller (104) has reached a first target rotational speed, and a second motion signal (318) causing the roller (104) to have a second rotational motion in a second direction opposite to the first direction until the roller (104) has reached a speed greater than the first target rotational speed. A second target rotational speed is a target rotational speed, and another first motion signal (320) continues to cause another first rotational motion of the roller (104) in a first direction until the roller (104) has reached another first target rotational speed greater than the second target rotational speed of the previous second rotational motion. Another second motion signal (322) causes another second rotational motion of the roller (104) in a second direction until the roller (104) has reached another second target rotational speed greater than the other first target rotational speed of the previous second rotational motion. Thus, the rotational motion, the second rotational motion, the other first rotational motion, and the other second rotational motion cause a rocking rhythm of the roller (104), which is formed by a predetermined frequency, a final rotational speed, and a predetermined increase in rotational speed. When the final rotational speed of the rocking rhythm is reached, a stop signal (316) is provided (406) to the interface of the driver (108), wherein the stop signal (316) causes the rotational motion of the roller (104) to stop. Step (408) of reading a quantity signal (304) via the interface of a quantity determination device (306) before supplying the cleaning fluid, wherein the quantity signal (304) represents the loading amount of the textile (101); and Step (412) of adjusting the frequency (310) of the shaking rhythm using the quantity signal (304).

2. The method (400) according to claim 1, wherein, In step (404) of providing the motion signal (314), the motion signal (314) causes a swaying rhythm at a frequency (310) between 0.1 Hz and 0.3 Hz.

3. The method (400) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, In step (404) of providing the motion signal (314), the motion signal (314) causes continuous rotational motion with an increased rotational speed between 4 rpm and 6 rpm.

4. The method (400) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, In step (406) of providing the stop signal (316), the final rotational speed is between 50 rpm and 70 rpm.

5. The method (400) according to claim 1, comprising the step (410) of determining the target fill level (308) using the quantity signal (304).

6. The method (400) according to claim 1, wherein, In the adjustment step (412), if the quantity signal (304) represents a first load of the textile (101), the first frequency of the shaking rhythm is adjusted, and if the quantity signal (304) represents a second load of the textile (101), the second frequency of the shaking rhythm is adjusted, wherein if the second load is less than the first load, the second frequency is lower than the first frequency.

7. The method (400) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, After providing the stop signal (316) in step (406), the step of providing the feed signal (312) is performed again in step (402) until the predetermined target fill level (308) is reached again.

8. A control unit (110) configured to perform the steps (402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412) of the method (400) according to any one of the preceding claims in corresponding units (300, 302).

9. A computer program product comprising program code for performing the method (400) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 when the computer program product is executed on a control unit (110) according to claim 8.

10. A cleaning device (100) for cleaning textiles (101), having the following features: Soap water container (102) for collecting cleaning solution; A rotatable, ribless roller (104) is provided in the soap water container (102) for holding textiles (101). A feeding unit (106) is used to supply cleaning fluid into the roller (104); A driver (108) is used to cause the roller (104) to perform a rotational motion; and The control unit (110) according to claim 8.

11. The cleaning apparatus (100) according to claim 10, wherein, The interior (202) of the roller housing (200) of the roller (104) is smooth except for the bulge (204) with multiple suction elements (206).

12. The cleaning apparatus (100) according to claim 11, wherein, The enlarged portion (204) is guided inward and protrudes into the holding space (208) of the roller (104).

13. The cleaning apparatus (100) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, At least one of the suction elements (206) has at least one through hole arranged on the side wing of the suction element (206) or on the upper edge of the suction element (206).

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