Laundry care appliance with control device

Abstract

The invention relates to a laundry care device (100) having a flexible and hermetically closable laundry chamber (101) for receiving laundry, a pump (111) fluidically connected to the laundry chamber (101), a pressure sensor (101-1) for detecting the air pressure in the laundry chamber (101), and a control device (123) for controlling the pump (111). The control device (123) is configured to activate the pump (111) in a volume detection step to pump air out of the laundry chamber (101) filled with laundry, the control device (123) is configured to detect a time in which the air pressure inside the laundry chamber (101) detected by the pressure sensor (101-1) drops from a first air pressure value to a second air pressure value, and the control device (123) is configured to determine a volume of the laundry received in the laundry chamber (101) depending on the detected time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a garment care device with a control mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] In traditional drum-type garment care equipment, a rotating garment drum is typically used to receive the clothes. By rotating the garment drum, the clothes received in the drum can be advantageously moistened with detergent during the washing phase. If the garment drum rotates at high speed during the final spin-drying phase, the centrifugal force acting on the clothes causes the detergent bound to the clothes to be expelled from the clothes, thus advantageously reducing residual moisture in the clothes.

[0003] However, traditional drum-type garment care devices are relatively large, requiring significant installation space. Furthermore, their use is often associated with high detergent and energy consumption due to the large dead volume. Additionally, the garment care process in traditional drum-type devices typically lasts a very long time.

[0004] A vacuum washing machine is disclosed in DE 26 50 509. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The objective of this invention is to provide a garment care device in which a particularly resource-saving garment care process can be achieved.

[0006] 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.

[0007] According to a first aspect, the object of the present invention is achieved by a garment care device having a flexible and fluid-tightly sealed garment chamber for receiving garments, a pump fluidly connected to the garment chamber, a pressure sensor for detecting air pressure in the garment chamber, and a control device for controlling the pump, wherein the control device is configured to activate the pump in a volume detection step to pump air out of the garment chamber filled with garments, wherein the control is configured to detect the time until the air pressure in the garment chamber, detected by the pressure sensor, decreases from a first air pressure value to a second air pressure value, and wherein the control device is configured to determine the volume of garments received in the garment chamber based on the detected time.

[0008] Hereinafter, the garment care device disclosed herein is particularly a rollerless garment care device, that is, a garment care device that does not have a rotatable garment roller.

[0009] Therefore, by detecting the time required for the air pressure in the garment compartment to drop from a first air pressure value to a second air pressure value, the technical advantage achieved is that the volume of garments received in the garment compartment can be effectively determined.

[0010] Here, the pump (which includes, in particular, a liquid ring pump) can deliver a mixture of washing liquid and air, or just air, in addition to the washing liquid, thereby creating a partial vacuum in the fluidly sealable garment compartment, which causes the flexible garment compartment to be compressed and pressed against the garments received in the garment compartment, especially when a first air pressure value is reached.

[0011] During the period when the air pressure decreases from a first air pressure value to a second air pressure value, there is a proportional relationship between the volume of clothing received in the garment compartment and the time elapsed for the air pressure to decrease from the first air pressure value to the second air pressure value. For example, in a garment compartment filled with a large number of garments, the time until the air pressure decreases from the first air pressure value to the second air pressure value is longer than the corresponding time when the garment compartment is filled with only a small number of garments. Here, the first air pressure value specifically corresponds to the air pressure value when the flexible garment compartment is against the garments received in the garment compartment. With a constant output volume of the garment compartment, the large volume of garments in the garment compartment reaches the first air pressure value faster than the small volume of garments in the garment compartment. The assessment of time occurs between the first and second air pressure values ​​because a particularly favorable relationship can be detected within this pressure range, regardless of the type of garment used. The direct proportionality between the elapsed time between the first and second air pressure values ​​and the corresponding volume of the garments is based on the fact that at the first air pressure value, the small volume of garments also corresponds to a correspondingly smaller volume of the garment compartment against the garments.

[0012] Therefore, in the garment care apparatus according to this disclosure, the volume of the garments can be advantageously determined without requiring the garment care apparatus to have a rotatable garment roller for this purpose. The control device can then use the determined volume of the garments received in the garment compartment to control various parameters of the garment care apparatus or the garment care process.

[0013] Specifically, the pump includes a liquid ring pump, which is configured to deliver washing liquid, washing liquid-air mixture, and air.

[0014] The garment care device according to this application is understood as a device for garment care, that is, a device for washing and / or drying clothes. In particular, this garment care device is understood as a household garment care device, that is, a garment care device used in a home-managed environment and for handling a household's amount of clothing.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment of the garment care device, the control device is configured to perform a volume detection step before the washing liquid is supplied to the garment compartment by a pump.

[0016] The volume compression of dry clothes is significantly different from that of wet clothes because the cavities already present in the fabric will be filled with the detergent, and they can no longer be compressed simply and quickly because the detergent must be removed first.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the garment care device, a first air pressure value is lower than atmospheric pressure, particularly at least 1 mbar lower, and / or a second air pressure value is lower than the first air pressure, particularly at least 500 mbar lower than the first air pressure.

[0018] This achieves a technical advantage where the volume measurement step only begins when the atmospheric pressure present in the garment compartment (i.e., 1000 mbar under normal conditions) is reduced to a first air pressure value by pumping out air, wherein the first air pressure value is at least 1 mbar lower than the atmospheric pressure, i.e., particularly 999 mbar or lower. Therefore, the flexible garment compartment is compressed and adheres to the garments received within it, allowing effective volume measurement to be performed from the moment the first air pressure value is reached.

[0019] During the process of pumping air out, the air pressure decreases from a first air pressure value to a second air pressure value, and a favorable ratio between the time until the second air pressure value is reached and the volume of clothing received in the garment compartment can be determined by a control device. The second air pressure value is particularly between 100 and 200 millibars.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment of the garment care device, a flexible and airtight garment chamber is compressed upon reaching a first air pressure value and abuts against the garment received in the garment chamber.

[0021] Therefore, the technical advantage is achieved, namely, by attaching a flexible and airtight garment chamber to the garment, a favorable volume determination of the garment received in the garment chamber can be achieved when a first air pressure value is reached.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of the garment care device, the garment care device includes a detergent tank for receiving detergent, wherein a pump is fluidly connected to the detergent tank, a control device is configured to activate the pump during a first step of the liquid detection step to supply a first amount of detergent from the detergent tank to the garments received in the garment compartment and to wet the garments, the control device is configured to activate the pump during a second step of the liquid detection step connected to the first step of the liquid detection step to pump a second amount of detergent from the garment compartment to the detergent tank, and the control device is configured to determine the detergent receiving capacity of the garments in the garment compartment based on the difference between the first amount and the second amount of detergent during a third step of the liquid detection step connected to the second step.

[0023] Therefore, a technical advantage is achieved, namely, the washing liquid receiving capacity detected during the liquid detection step provides beneficial information to the control device, based on which the control device can optimize other parameters of the garment care equipment or garment care process.

[0024] In particular, the liquid detection step is connected to the volume detection step, so in addition to the volume of the clothes received in the clothing compartment detected during the volume detection step, the control device also has the ability to receive the washing liquid of the clothes.

[0025] However, alternatively, the liquid detection step can also be performed independently of the volume detection step.

[0026] The liquid detection step is based on the effect that, during the first step of the liquid detection step, the first amount of washing liquid pumped from the washing liquid tank into the garment compartment is at least partially bound by the garments received in the garment compartment and thus blocked, so that during the second step of the liquid detection step, a smaller second amount of washing liquid is pumped back from the garment compartment into the washing liquid tank.

[0027] Therefore, the second washing liquid volume is less than the first washing liquid volume, and the control device can determine the difference between the first and second washing liquid volumes. Because there is a proportional relationship between the determined difference and the washing liquid receiving capacity of the clothes, the control device can advantageously determine the washing liquid receiving capacity of the clothes in the garment compartment based on this difference.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment of the garment care device, the detergent tank has at least one detergent sensor for detecting the detergent level in the detergent tank, and the control device is configured to determine, based on the change in the detergent level in the detergent tank detected by the detergent sensor, a first amount of detergent supplied to the garment compartment during a first liquid detection step and / or a second amount of detergent supplied to the detergent tank during a second liquid detection step.

[0029] Therefore, the technical advantage is achieved, namely, the amount of washing liquid can be advantageously detected by at least one washing liquid sensor, which is supplied to the washing liquid tank during the first step of the liquid detection step or discharged from the washing liquid tank during the second step of the liquid detection step.

[0030] Specifically, the detergent tank has multiple detergent sensors arranged at different heights to detect different detergent levels in the tank.

[0031] Alternatively or additionally, the first and / or second washing liquid volumes can also be determined by the control device based on the pump activation time during the corresponding pumping process.

[0032] In an advantageous embodiment of the garment care device, the control device is configured to activate the pump during the first step of the liquid detection step to completely empty the detergent tank, wherein the first detergent volume corresponds to all detergent received in the detergent tank.

[0033] Therefore, a technical advantage is achieved, namely, the amount of washing liquid pumped from the washing liquid tank can be easily determined in the first step of the liquid detection step. Alternatively, during the first step of the liquid detection step, the pump can also be controlled by a control device to pump only a portion of the washing liquid received in the washing liquid tank into the garment compartment as the first amount.

[0034] In an advantageous embodiment of the garment care device, the control device is configured to activate the pump during the second step of the liquid detection step until the air pressure in the garment compartment, detected by a pressure sensor, is below an air pressure threshold.

[0035] This achieves a technical advantage where the pressure sensor ensures that the second step of the liquid detection process ends when the detergent has been completely pumped back from the garment compartment to the detergent tank. If the air pressure detected by the pressure sensor in the garment compartment is below the air pressure threshold, it can be assumed that the second amount of free detergent not bound by the garment has been completely pumped out of the garment compartment.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, the control device may determine the amount of second washing liquid pumped out during the second step of the liquid detection step based on the time required until the air pressure in the garment compartment, detected by the pressure sensor, falls below the air pressure threshold.

[0037] In an advantageous embodiment of the garment care device, the control device is configured to repeat the liquid detection step, particularly multiple times, to determine the capacity of the garment compartment to receive fresh washing liquid.

[0038] Therefore, a technical advantage is achieved: by repeating, particularly multiple times, the liquid detection steps can improve the accuracy of determining the detergent-receiving capacity of clothes in the garment compartment. Specifically, the updated detergent-receiving capacity of the clothes can be determined within the framework of an iterative process.

[0039] In an advantageous embodiment of the garment care device, the garment care device includes a detergent supply device for supplying a third amount of detergent to the garment care device, particularly to the detergent tank and / or garment compartment, a control device configured to determine the supplied third amount of detergent based on a determined volume of garments received in the garment compartment and / or a determined detergent receiving capacity of the garments in the garment compartment, and the control device configured to activate the detergent supply device to supply the determined third amount of detergent to the garment care device, particularly to the detergent tank and / or garment compartment.

[0040] This achieves a technical advantage by ensuring that the quantity and type of laundry wetted by the washing liquid are advantageously accommodated. Decisive parameters are provided to the control device by the volume of the laundry received in the laundry chamber detected during the volume detection step and / or the washing liquid receiving capacity of the laundry received in the laundry chamber detected during the liquid detection step, in order to advantageously determine the third amount of washing liquid supplied to the laundry by the washing liquid supply device.

[0041] Here, the detergent supply device is fluidly connected to the detergent tank via a supply line to supply a third amount of detergent to the detergent tank, wherein the pump supplies detergent from the detergent tank to the clothes in the garment compartment.

[0042] Here, the detergent supply device may, in particular, be fluidly or additionally connected directly to the garment compartment via another supply line to directly supply a third volume of detergent to the garments in the garment compartment. Specifically, this other supply line is connected to a garment care substance supply device for supplying garment care substances, to supply detergent, particularly fresh water, together with garment care substances, particularly detergent, to the garments in the garment compartment.

[0043] In one advantageous embodiment of the garment care device, the garment care device is a rollerless garment care device.

[0044] This achieves technological advantages by ensuring a particularly resource-efficient garment care process. In particular, rollerless garment care equipment includes garment care equipment that does not have a rotating garment roller for receiving garments.

[0045] According to a second aspect, the objective of the invention is achieved by a garment care device having a flexible and airtightly sealable garment chamber for receiving garments, a detergent tank for receiving detergent, a pump fluidly connected to the garment chamber and the detergent tank, and a control device for controlling the pump, wherein the control device is configured to activate the pump during a first step of the liquid detection step to supply a first amount of detergent from the detergent tank to the garments received in the garment chamber and wet the garments, the control device is configured to activate the pump during a second step of the liquid detection step connected to the first step to pump a second amount of detergent from the garment chamber to the detergent tank, and the control device is configured to determine the detergent receiving capacity of the garments in the garment chamber based on the difference between the first and second amounts of detergent during a third step of the liquid detection step connected to the second step.

[0046] This achieves the technical advantage of ensuring favorable testing of the detergent receptivity of clothing.

[0047] The embodiment of the garment care device according to the first aspect is also an implementation scheme of the garment care device according to the second aspect.

[0048] According to a third aspect, the object of the present invention is achieved by a method for detecting the volume of clothing in a garment care device, wherein the garment care device includes a flexible and airtightly sealable garment chamber for receiving clothing, a pump fluidly connected to the garment chamber, a pressure sensor for detecting air pressure in the garment chamber, and a control device for controlling the pump, wherein the method comprises the following steps: in a volume detection step, activating the pump by the control device to pump air out of the garment chamber filled with clothing; detecting by the control device the time until the air pressure in the garment chamber detected by the pressure sensor drops from a first air pressure value to a second air pressure value; and determining the volume of clothing received in the garment chamber by the control device based on the detected time.

[0049] This achieves the technical advantage of ensuring favorable detection of the volume of clothing received in the garment room.

[0050] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the garment care device includes a detergent tank for receiving detergent, wherein the pump is fluidically connected to the detergent tank, and the method includes the following steps: in a first step of the liquid detection step, the pump is activated by a control device to supply a first amount of detergent from the detergent tank to the garments received in the garment compartment and to wet the garments; in a second step of the liquid detection step connected to the first step, the pump is activated by a control device to pump a second amount of detergent from the garment compartment to the detergent tank; and in a third step of the liquid detection step connected to the second step, the control device determines the detergent receiving capacity of the garments received in the garment compartment based on the difference between the first and second amounts of detergent.

[0051] This achieves the technical advantage of ensuring favorable detection of the detergent receiving capacity of clothes received in the garment compartment.

[0052] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the laundry care apparatus includes a detergent supply device for supplying a third amount of detergent to the garment care apparatus, particularly to a detergent tank and / or garment compartment, and the method includes the following process steps: determining a third amount of detergent by means of a control device based on a determined volume of garments received in the garment compartment and / or based on a determined detergent receiving capacity of the garments in the garment compartment; and activating the detergent supply device by means of a control device to supply the determined third amount of detergent to the garment care apparatus, particularly the detergent tank and / or garment compartment.

[0053] This achieves a technical advantage, namely, ensuring that the clothes received in the dressing room are properly moistened.

[0054] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the control device is configured to repeat the liquid detection step, particularly multiple times, to determine the capacity of the laundry compartment to receive fresh washing liquid.

[0055] This achieves the technical advantage of determining the accuracy of optimized detergent receiving capacity.

[0056] The embodiments of the garment care device according to the first and second aspects are also embodiments of the method according to the third aspect.

[0057] According to a fourth aspect, the object of the present invention is achieved by a method for determining the detergent receiving capacity in a garment care device, wherein the garment care device includes a flexible and airtightly sealable garment chamber for receiving garments, a detergent tank for receiving detergent, a pump fluidly connected to the garment chamber and the detergent tank, and a control device for controlling the pump, wherein the method comprises the following steps: in a first step of a liquid detection step, the pump is activated by the control device to supply a first amount of detergent from the detergent tank to the garments received in the garment chamber and wet the garments; in a second step of the liquid detection step connected to the first step, the pump is activated by the control device to pump a second amount of detergent from the garment chamber to the detergent tank; and in a third step of the liquid detection step connected to the second step, the detergent receiving capacity of the garments received in the garment chamber is determined by the control device based on the difference between the first amount of detergent and the second amount of detergent.

[0058] This achieves the technical advantage of ensuring favorable detection of the detergent receiving capacity of clothes received in the garment compartment.

[0059] The embodiments of the garment care device according to the first and second aspects, as well as the embodiments of the method according to the third aspect, are also embodiments of the method according to the fourth aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0060] Other embodiments are explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0061] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a garment care device according to an embodiment of this application is shown;

[0062] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the garment care equipment during the volume detection step;

[0063] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 The diagram shown illustrates the liquid detection step of the garment care equipment.

[0064] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating a method for detecting the volume of clothing in a garment care device. Detailed Implementation

[0065] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a garment care device according to an embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 1The garment care device 100 shown is configured as a drumless garment care device 100, and therefore, compared with a conventional washing machine, it does not have a rotating garment drum for receiving clothes. In a conventional washing machine, the rotation of the rotating garment drum ensures that the clothes are effectively wetted with detergent during the washing process and effectively dehumidified during the subsequent spin-drying process.

[0066] According to this application, Figure 1 The rollerless garment care device 100 shown here does not have a rotatable garment roller for receiving garments, but instead has a flexible and airtightly sealable garment chamber 101 for receiving garments. Here, the garment chamber 101 is formed, in particular, of a reversibly deformable material (e.g., an elastomer) to ensure the flexibility of the flexible garment chamber 101.

[0067] The garment compartment 101 has an opening 103 that is fluidly connected to a first pump line 105, which in turn is fluidly connected to a pump 111 of the garment care device 100. Pump 111 is connected to the detergent tank 113 of the garment care device 100 via a second pump line 109. A drain line 115 branches from the detergent tank 113 to a drain section 117.

[0068] The first pump line 105 has a first valve 107-1 that can fluid-tightly close the first opening 103. In the open position, the first valve 107-1 fluidly releases the first opening 103, and in the closed position, the first valve 107-1 closes the first opening 103, wherein the first opening 103 is particularly arranged on the underside of the garment compartment 101 facing the mounting space of the garment care device 100.

[0069] The second pump line 109 has a second valve 107-2, which can fluid-technically block fluid in the second pump line 109. In the open position, the second valve 107-2 fluid-technically releases fluid from the second pump line 109, and in the closed position, the second valve 107-2 closes the second pump line 109.

[0070] Even in Figure 1 As not shown, the garment compartment 101 may in particular have a second opening, which is specifically arranged on the upper side of the garment compartment 101 facing the mounting space of the garment care device 100. This second opening is particularly present through... Figure 1 The third pump line, not shown, is fluidically connected to pump 111, wherein Figure 1 The third valve, not shown, can be fluidically released or fluidically closed the second opening.

[0071] Therefore, the clothing room 101 is configured to be fluid-tightly sealed.

[0072] Pump 111 is configured to supply washing liquid to the garment compartment 101 from the washing liquid tank 113 during the supply process via first and second pump lines 105, 109 and a first opening 103 or, in particular, a second opening. Furthermore, pump 111 is also configured to pump washing liquid from the garment compartment 101 into the washing liquid tank 113 via the first opening 103 and, in particular, the second opening and via the first and second pump lines 105, 109 during pumping, or to pump the pumped fluid from the washing liquid tank 113 into the discharge section 117 via the discharge line 115.

[0073] like Figure 1 As shown, the detergent tank 113 has at least one detergent sensor 113-1 for detecting the detergent level in the detergent tank 113. In particular, the detergent tank 113 has multiple detergent sensors 113-1 arranged at different heights in the detergent tank 113 to detect different detergent levels in the detergent tank 113.

[0074] The pump 111 according to this application is configured to transport a fluid, which may include air or a detergent-air mixture in addition to washing liquid. Therefore, during pumping, the pump 111 can not only pump out the washing liquid received in the garment compartment 101 after the washing process, but also, unlike the lye pump used in conventional washing machines, pump out air or a detergent-air mixture from the garment compartment 101, thereby creating a partial vacuum in the garment compartment 101. To effectively ensure this capability, the pump 111 is particularly configured as a liquid ring pump 111.

[0075] like Figure 1 As shown, the clothing compartment 101 here has a pressure sensor 101-1, which is configured to detect the air pressure value inside the clothing compartment 101.

[0076] like Figure 1 As shown, the garment care device 100 also includes a detergent supply device 119 for supplying detergent, particularly fresh water, to the detergent tank 113, wherein the detergent supply device 119 is fluidly connected to the detergent tank 113 via a supply line 121.

[0077] Even in Figure 1 As not shown, the detergent supply device 119 can also be fluidically connected to the garment compartment 101 via another supply line to supply detergent, in particular fresh water or fresh water together with garment care substances, directly to the garment compartment 101.

[0078] from Figure 1As can be further seen, the garment care device 100 has a control device 123, which is connected to pump 111, valves 107-1 and 107-2 via control connection 125, and the control device is configured to control pump 111 and valves 107-1 and 107-2. Furthermore, the control device 123 is connected via control connection 125 to a pressure sensor 101-1 for detecting air pressure in the garment compartment 101 and a detergent sensor 113-1 for detecting detergent level in the detergent tank 113.

[0079] For further details regarding the garment care device 100 according to this disclosure, please refer to the following... Figure 2 and 3 Explanation.

[0080] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 The diagram shows the garment care device 100 during the volume detection step.

[0081] Figure 2 The schematic structure of the garment care device 100 shown is similar to Figure 1 The schematic structure of the garment care device 100 shown corresponds to that of the garment care device 100, except that the direction 127 of the fluid pumped from the garment chamber 101 by the pump 111 is indicated by an arrow.

[0082] Here, Figure 2 The volume detection step shown for detecting the volume of clothes received in the clothes chamber 101 is performed when the clothes are dry, that is, especially before the pump 111 supplies washing liquid to the clothes chamber 101.

[0083] like Figure 2 As shown, during the volume detection step, the control device 123 activates the pump 111 and pumps air from the garment compartment 101 through the first and second pump lines 105 and 109 to the washing liquid tank 113 and from there through the discharge line 115 to the discharge section 117, in the case of the first opening 103 and the first pump line 105 released by the first valve 107-1 and the second pump line 109 released by the second valve 107-2.

[0084] During the process of pumping air out of the clothing compartment 101, the control device 123 monitors the air pressure in the clothing compartment 101 via the pressure sensor 101-1. The control device 123 detects the time before the air pressure detected by the pressure sensor 101-1 drops from a first air pressure value to a second air pressure value, and determines the volume of clothing received in the clothing compartment 101 based on the detected time. Reference values ​​with different volumes associated with different detection time intervals can be stored in the control device 123.

[0085] Because the amount of air in a clothing room 101 filled with clothes is lower than the amount of air in a clothing room 101 filled with only a small amount of clothes, for example, in a clothing room filled with clothes, the air pressure drops from the first air pressure value to the second air pressure value more quickly compared to a clothing room 101 filled with only a small amount of clothes.

[0086] Therefore, there is a proportional relationship between the volume of clothing present in the clothing room 101 and the time before the air pressure drops from the first air pressure value to the second air pressure value.

[0087] In particular, the first air pressure value is lower than atmospheric pressure, i.e., 1000 mbar, and especially lower than atmospheric pressure by at least 1 mbar, i.e., 999 mbar or lower. This achieves the following technical advantage: the volume detection step does not begin immediately with the activation of pump 111, but waits until the compression of the flexible garment chamber 101 caused by the small pressure drop from atmospheric pressure to the first air pressure value is complete, to obtain the particularly advantageous related behavior of the reduction in garment volume and air pressure in garment chamber 101. When the first air pressure value is reached, garment chamber 101 is compressed, and garment chamber 101 comes into contact with the garment received in garment chamber 101.

[0088] Specifically, the second air pressure value is lower than the first air pressure value, wherein the second air pressure value is specifically between 100 mbar and 200 mbar.

[0089] Therefore, within the scope of the volume detection step, the volume of the clothing received in the clothing chamber 101 can be advantageously determined by the control device 123.

[0090] The control device 123 can control a number of other parameters of the garment care equipment 100 based on the volume of the garments received in the garment compartment 101.

[0091] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 The diagram shows a garment care device during the liquid detection step.

[0092] Figure 3 The schematic structure of the garment care device 100 shown is similar to Figure 1 The schematic structure of the garment care device shown corresponds to that of the garment care device shown, except that the fluid guiding direction 127 of the fluid pumped from the garment chamber 101 by the pump 111 or the fluid supplied to the garment chamber 101 from the detergent tank 113 by the pump 111 is indicated by a double arrow.

[0093] Figure 3 The liquid detection step shown is used to detect the washing liquid receiving capacity of the clothes received in the clothing compartment 101.

[0094] in particular, Figure 3 The liquid detection steps shown can be performed in time. Figure 2 The volume detection step shown is performed afterward. Alternatively, Figure 3 The liquid detection steps shown can be independent of Figure 2 The volume detection steps shown are performed.

[0095] The control device 123 is configured to activate the pump 111 during the first step of the liquid detection step to supply a first amount of washing liquid from the washing liquid tank 113 to the clothes received in the clothing compartment 101 and wet the clothes.

[0096] The control device 123 is configured to activate the pump 111 during the second step of the liquid detection step, which is connected to the first step of the liquid detection step, so as to pump a second amount of washing liquid from the laundry compartment 101 into the washing liquid tank 113.

[0097] The control device 123 is configured to determine the washing liquid receiving capacity of the clothes in the clothes compartment 101 based on the difference between the first and second amounts of washing liquid during the third step, which is connected to the second step of the liquid detection step.

[0098] The basis for the difference between the first amount of washing liquid supplied to the garment compartment 101 and the second amount of washing liquid pumped out of the garment compartment 101 is that the garments received in the garment compartment 101 have the ability to receive washing liquid, such that at least a small amount of washing liquid supplied during the first step is bound by the garments and thus blocked in the garment compartment 101 during the second step of the liquid detection step.

[0099] Therefore, the second amount of washing liquid pumped out of the garment compartment 101 by pump 111 during the second step of the liquid detection step is necessarily less than the first amount of washing liquid supplied to the garment compartment 101 by pump 111 from the washing liquid tank 113 during the first step of the liquid detection step.

[0100] Here, there is a proportional relationship between the difference between the first and second washing liquid volumes and the washing liquid receiving capacity of the clothes received in the clothing compartment 101, so the control device 123 can determine the washing liquid receiving capacity of the clothes based on this difference.

[0101] In order to determine the first amount of detergent supplied to the garment compartment 101, the detergent tank 113 has at least one detergent sensor 113-1 for detecting the detergent level in the detergent tank 112.

[0102] Here, the control device 123 is specifically configured to determine, based on the change in the washing liquid level in the washing liquid tank 113 detected by the washing liquid sensor 113-1, the first amount of washing liquid supplied to the garment compartment 101 during the first step of the liquid detection step and / or the second amount of washing liquid supplied to the washing liquid tank 113 during the second step of the liquid detection step.

[0103] Specifically, the detergent tank 113 includes multiple detergent sensors 113-1 that detect different levels of detergent in the tank.

[0104] Specifically, the first and second washing liquid volumes can be detected by at least one washing liquid sensor 113-1. Specifically, the at least one washing liquid sensor 113-1 can also detect only the first or second washing liquid volume.

[0105] Specifically, the control device 123 is configured to activate the pump 111 during the first step of the liquid detection step to completely empty the washing liquid tank 113, wherein the first washing liquid volume corresponds to the total amount of washing liquid received in the washing liquid tank.

[0106] Specifically, the control device 123 is configured to activate the pump 111 during the second step of the liquid detection step until the air pressure detected by the pressure sensor 101-1 in the clothing compartment 101 is below a pressure threshold.

[0107] Specifically, the control device 123 is configured to repeat the first, second, and third steps of the liquid detection process, particularly multiple times, to determine the capacity of the garments in the garment compartment 101 to receive fresh washing liquid. This is particularly due to the fact that, in some cases, complete wetting of all garments received in the garment compartment 101 cannot be achieved during the initial filling of the garment compartment 101 with an initial first amount of washing liquid.

[0108] Therefore, the detergent-receiving capacity of the garment, determined based on the initial difference between the first and second detergent volumes, can be updated by repeated differences between the first and second detergent volumes.

[0109] The washing liquid receiving capacity of the clothes in the garment compartment 101, as determined by the control device 123, can be used, for example, in a subsequent step to optimize the amount of washing liquid required to fully wet the clothes and supply it to the garment compartment 101 via the pump 111.

[0110] Here, the detergent supply device 119 is configured to supply a third amount of detergent to the garment care device 100, particularly via the supply line 121 to the detergent tank 113 and / or via... Figure 3 Other supply lines, not shown, supply to the clothing room 101.

[0111] Control device 123 is configured according to Figure 2 The volume of clothing received in the clothing room 101 as determined in the illustrated embodiment and / or according to Figure 3 The amount of third detergent solution supplied is determined by the detergent receiving capacity of the indoor clothing as shown in the embodiment.

[0112] Here, the control device 123 is configured to activate the detergent supply device 119 in order to supply a determined third amount of detergent to the garment care equipment 100, particularly to the detergent tank 113 and / or the garment compartment 101.

[0113] Therefore, it can be ensured that the laundry is moistened in a particularly beneficial way with the detergent.

[0114] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a method for detecting the volume of clothing in a clothing care device 100 is shown.

[0115] The method 200 includes, as a first method step, activating pump 111 201 by control device 123 in a volume detection step to pump air out of clothing chamber 101 filled with clothing.

[0116] The method 200 further includes, as a second method step, the control device 123 detecting the time it takes for the air pressure detected by the pressure sensor 101-1 in the clothing room 101 to drop from a first air pressure value to a second air pressure value.

[0117] The method 200 further includes, as a third method step, determining the volume of clothing received in the clothing room 101 by the control device 123 based on the time detected by the control device 123.

[0118] All the features explained and shown in connection with the various embodiments of the present invention may be provided in different combinations within the subject matter of the present invention to achieve their advantageous effects simultaneously.

[0119] The scope of protection of this invention is given by the claims and is not limited to the features explained in the specification or shown in the figures.

[0120] List of reference numerals

[0121] 100 Garment Care Equipment

[0122] 101 Clothing Room

[0123] 101-1 Pressure Sensor

[0124] 103 First Opening

[0125] 105 First Pump Pipeline

[0126] 107-1 First Valve

[0127] 107-2 Second Valve

[0128] 109 Second Pump Pipeline

[0129] 111 Pump

[0130] 113 Washing liquid tank

[0131] 113-1 Washing liquid sensor

[0132] 115 Discharge Pipeline

[0133] 117 Emissions Department

[0134] 119 Detergent supply device

[0135] 121 Supply Line

[0136] 123 Control device

[0137] 125 Control Connection

[0138] 127 Fluid Guiding Direction

[0139] 200 Methods for Detecting Clothing Volume

[0140] 201 First Method Step: Activate the Pump

[0141] 203 Second method step: Detection time

[0142] 205 Third method step: Determine the volume of the clothing.

Claims

1. A garment care device (100) comprising a flexible and fluid-tightly sealed garment chamber (101) for receiving garments, a pump (111) fluidly connected to the garment chamber (101), a pressure sensor (101-1) for detecting air pressure in the garment chamber (101), and a control device (123) for controlling said pump (111), wherein, The clothing compartment (101) is compressible, characterized in that, The control device (123) is configured to activate the pump (111) in the volume detection step to pump air out of the clothing chamber (101) filled with clothing, wherein the control device (123) is configured to detect the time until the air pressure in the clothing chamber (101) detected by the pressure sensor (101-1) drops from a first air pressure value to a second air pressure value, and the control device (123) is configured to determine the volume of clothing received in the clothing chamber (101) based on the detected time.

2. The garment care device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control device (123) is configured to perform the volume detection step in time before the washing liquid is supplied to the garment compartment (101) by the pump (111).

3. The garment care device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first air pressure value is lower than atmospheric pressure, and / or the second air pressure value is lower than the first air pressure value.

4. The garment care device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The flexible and fluid-tightly sealed garment compartment (101) is compressed and abuts against the garments received in the garment compartment (101) when the first air pressure value is reached.

5. The garment care device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The garment care device (100) has a detergent tank (113) for receiving detergent, wherein the pump (111) is fluid-technically connected to the detergent tank (113); The control device (123) is configured to activate the pump (111) during the first step of the liquid detection step to supply a first amount of washing liquid from the washing liquid tank (113) to the garments received in the garment compartment (101) and wet the garments; The control device (123) is configured to activate the pump (111) during a second step following the first step of the liquid detection step, to pump a second volume of washing liquid from the garment compartment (101) into the washing liquid tank (113); and The control device (123) is configured to determine the washing liquid receiving capacity of the clothes in the clothing compartment (101) based on the difference between the first washing liquid volume and the second washing liquid volume during the third step connected to the second step of the liquid detection step.

6. The garment care device (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The detergent tank (113) has at least one detergent sensor (113-1) for detecting the level of detergent in the detergent tank (113); and the control device (123) is configured to determine, based on the change in the level of detergent in the detergent tank (113) detected by the detergent sensor (113-1), a first amount of detergent supplied to the garment compartment (101) during a first liquid detection step and / or a second amount of detergent supplied to the detergent tank (113) during a second liquid detection step.

7. The garment care device (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The control device (123) is configured to activate the pump (111) during the first step of the liquid detection step to completely empty the washing liquid tank (113), wherein the first washing liquid volume corresponds to all the washing liquid received in the washing liquid tank (113).

8. The garment care device (100) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The control device (123) is configured to activate the pump (111) for such a long period of time during the second step of the liquid detection step that the air pressure detected by the pressure sensor (101-1) in the clothing compartment (101) is below the pressure threshold.

9. The garment care device (100) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The control device (123) is configured to repeat the liquid detection step to determine the capacity of the garments in the garment compartment (101) to receive fresh washing liquid.

10. The garment care device (100) according to any one of claims 1-2 and 6-7, characterized in that, The garment care device (100) includes a detergent supply device (119) for supplying a third amount of detergent to the garment care device (100); The control device (123) is configured to determine the amount of third washing liquid supplied based on the determined volume of the clothes received in the clothes compartment (101) and / or based on the determined washing liquid receiving capacity of the clothes in the clothes compartment (101). The control device (123) is configured to activate the detergent supply device (119) to supply the determined third amount of detergent to the garment care device (100).

11. The garment care device (100) according to any one of claims 1-2 and 6-7, characterized in that, The garment care device (100) is a rollerless garment care device (100).

12. The garment care device (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first air pressure value is at least 1 millibar lower than atmospheric pressure, and / or the second air pressure value is at least 500 millibar lower than the first air pressure value.

13. The garment care device (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The control device (123) is configured to repeat the liquid detection step multiple times to determine the washing liquid receiving capacity of the clothes in the clothing compartment (101).

14. The garment care device (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The garment care device (100) includes a detergent supply device (119) for supplying a third amount of detergent to the detergent tank (113) and / or the garment compartment (101); The control device (123) is configured to determine the amount of third washing liquid supplied based on the determined volume of the clothes received in the clothes compartment (101) and / or based on the determined washing liquid receiving capacity of the clothes in the clothes compartment (101). The control device (123) is configured to activate the detergent supply device (119) to supply the determined third amount of detergent to the detergent tank (113) and / or the garment compartment (101).

15. A method (200) for detecting the volume of clothing in a garment care device (100), wherein the garment care device (100) has a flexible and fluid-tightly sealed garment chamber (101) for receiving clothing, a pump (111) fluidly connected to the garment chamber (101), a pressure sensor (101-1) for detecting air pressure in the garment chamber (101), and a control device (123) for controlling said pump (111), wherein, The clothing compartment (101) is compressible, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: In the volume detection step, the pump (111) is activated by the control device (123) to pump air out of the clothing compartment (101) filled with clothing; The control device (123) detects (203) the time it takes for the air pressure detected by the pressure sensor (101-1) in the clothing compartment (101) to drop from a first air pressure value to a second air pressure value; and The volume of clothing received in the clothing room (101) is determined by the control device (123) based on the detected time.

16. The method (200) according to claim 15, characterized in that, The garment care device (100) has a detergent tank (113) for receiving detergent, wherein the pump (111) is fluidically connected to the detergent tank (113), and the method includes additional method steps: In the first step of the liquid detection step, the pump (111) is activated by the control device (123) to supply a first amount of washing liquid from the washing liquid tank (113) to the clothes received in the clothing compartment (101) and wet the clothes; In the second step following the first step of the liquid detection step, the pump (111) is activated by the control device (123) to pump a second amount of washing liquid from the garment compartment (101) into the washing liquid tank (113); and In the third step following the second step, the control device (123) determines the washing liquid receiving capacity of the clothes received in the clothes compartment (101) based on the difference between the first washing liquid volume and the second washing liquid volume.

17. The method (200) according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, The garment care device (100) has a detergent supply device (119) for supplying a third amount of detergent to the garment care device (100), and the method (200) includes the following method steps: The third washing liquid amount is determined by the control device (123) based on the determined volume of the clothes received in the clothes room (101) and / or based on the determined washing liquid receiving capacity of the clothes in the clothes room (101). and The detergent supply device (119) is activated by the control device (123) to supply the determined third amount of detergent to the garment care device (100).

18. The method (200) according to claim 16, characterized in that, The control device (123) is configured to repeat the liquid detection step to determine the refillable washing liquid receiving capacity of the clothes in the clothing compartment (101).

19. The method (200) according to claim 17, characterized in that, The garment care device (100) has a detergent supply device (119) for supplying a third amount of detergent to the detergent tank (113) and / or the garment compartment (101), and the method (200) includes the following method steps: The third washing liquid amount is determined by the control device (123) based on the determined volume of the clothes received in the clothes room (101) and / or based on the determined washing liquid receiving capacity of the clothes in the clothes room (101). and The detergent supply device (119) is activated by the control device (123) to supply the determined third amount of detergent to the detergent tank (113) and / or the garment compartment (101).

20. The method (200) according to claim 18, characterized in that, The control device (123) is configured to repeat the liquid detection step multiple times to determine the washing liquid receiving capacity of the clothes in the clothing compartment (101).

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