Method for operating an automatic laundry washing machine and automatic laundry washing machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating an automatic laundry washing machine having a soapy water container (1) for containing water, a ribless drum (2) rotatably mounted in the soapy water container (1) for containing laundry (8), a motor (3) for driving the drum (2), and an open- or closed-loop control device (4), wherein the method has a pre-ironing phase (Vb) for pre-ironing the laundry (8) located in the drum (2), during which phase steam is directed into the drum (2) and the drum (2) is moved by the motor (3) into a left-right pendulum motion, the pendulum rhythm of which is controlled using open- or closed-loop control by the open- or closed-loop control device (4) such that the drum (2) is at least intermittently not contacted by the laundry (8). The invention also relates to a corresponding automatic laundry washing machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for operating a washing machine and to a washing machine itself. Specifically, the invention relates to a method for operating a washing machine having a soapy water container for holding water, a drum rotatably mounted in the soapy water container for holding laundry, a motor for driving the drum, and an open-loop or closed-loop control device. The method includes a pre-ironing stage for pre-ironing the laundry located in the drum. The invention also relates to a corresponding washing machine. During the pre-ironing stage, as steam is applied to the laundry, the laundry is wrinkled. Background Technology

[0002] The pre-ironing stage ensures that garments are wrinkle-free. After wrinkle removal, compared to garments that have not undergone the pre-ironing stage, users subjectively perceive a significant reduction in wrinkles in the pre-ironed garments. However, this method of wrinkle removal is very energy-intensive, as the desired effect can only be achieved through high temperatures and long exposure times.

[0003] Therefore, the problem addressed by the present invention is to provide a method for operating a washing machine and a washing machine that minimizes or prevents wrinkles in clothing with minimal energy consumption. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to the present invention, this problem is solved by a method having the features described in this application and a washing machine having the features described in this application. Advantageous embodiments and developments of the present invention derive from the subsequent claims of this application.

[0005] In addition to preventing or minimizing the formation of wrinkles in fabrics during washing, the present invention offers the advantage of significantly simplifying and minimizing ironing work. The process is optimized when garments are refreshed, allowing them to be worn again after a relatively short processing time. The garments are one or more fabrics, such as shirts or blouses.

[0006] The present invention relates to a method for operating a washing machine having a soap water container for holding water, a ribless drum rotatably mounted in the soap water container for holding clothes, a motor for driving the drum, and an open-loop or closed-loop control device, wherein the method has a pre-ironing stage for pre-ironing clothes located in the drum, during which steam is guided into the drum and the drum is moved by the motor to a left-right oscillating motion, the oscillation rhythm of which is controlled by open-loop or closed-loop control via the open-loop or closed-loop control device, such that the drum is at least intermittently not in contact with the clothes.

[0007] By introducing a oscillating cycle, the direction of the drum can be changed rapidly. Therefore, the idle time of clothes in the drum can be minimized, and the clothes are placed in a "floating" state. Clothes can include one or more fabrics. Fabrics (such as one or more shirts) move through the air via an oscillating rhythm. Steam can flow over the clothes, and the clothes can remain suspended. The significantly reduced idle time or pauses prevent or reduce the formation of wrinkles, which are primarily caused by long idle times. A perfect washing trajectory is ensured due to the unobstructed drum (ribless and paddle-free). The use of steam further promotes the reduction of clothes, allowing them to relax on the heated airflow. Because the drum is ribless, it prevents the effects that would otherwise cause more wrinkles, which are typically present in drums. Instead, because the drum is designed without ribs or paddles, it is designed to be unobstructed to allow clothes in the drum to float.

[0008] A ribless roller is a roller that has no ribs or paddles inside. However, it may have other protrusions and / or recesses that do not have the shape of ribs or paddles that are planar. Preferably, the roller, and more preferably the roller housing, includes recesses and / or protrusions with a design different from that of ribs. The roller preferably has a honeycomb structure, each designed as a protrusion or recess.

[0009] For example, a pre-ironing stage can be implemented via an optional "pre-ironing" option, where the garments are post-processed after the washing program to minimize subsequent ironing. The "pre-ironing" option is preferably stored in the washing machine and can be selected by the user along with the washing programs stored in the machine.

[0010] Alternatively or additionally, the pre-ironing stage can be implemented through a washing program stored in the washing machine, in which the clothes are refurbished and wrinkled while dry, so that the clothes can be worn again after the program is executed. For example, such a washing program is stored in the washing machine under the name "Refurbish" and can be selected by the user.

[0011] The statement "the roller is at least intermittently not in contact with the clothing" is preferably understood to mean that the clothing does not contact the roller for a predetermined period of time, but rather floats in the roller in a non-contact manner, like air. This prevents the clothing from remaining on the roller. In particular, this floating state of the clothing is achieved through a combination of a ribless roller, the oscillating motion of the roller, and the introduction of steam.

[0012] Preferably, the open-loop or closed-loop control device uses open-loop or closed-loop control to control the oscillation rhythm according to the type of clothing. The trajectory of the clothing depends on the weight of the clothing, and therefore also on the type of clothing. Relatively heavy clothing types (such as jeans) are preferably handled with a higher oscillation amplitude than relatively light clothing types. This ensures that the items of clothing always remain in a certain floating state. If the user selects and starts a washing program for washing the clothing in the drum, the open-loop or closed-loop control device can determine the type of clothing, for example, based on the selected and started washing program. For example, the type of clothing is assigned to the various washing programs stored in the washing machine. For example, the clothing type cotton is assigned to the washing program "60°C hot wash" or "90°C cotton", while the laundry type shirts and / or blouses are assigned to the washing program "30°C fine wash". Optionally, the open-loop or closed-loop control device can also request the user to input the type of clothing and / or select the type of clothing displayed by the washing machine before starting the washing program via the keypad or touch screen.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the open-loop or closed-loop control device uses open-loop or closed-loop control to control the oscillation rhythm, such that the oscillation rhythm varies according to time period. In this case, the variation of residual moisture in the clothing over time is preferably taken into account. For example, the variation of residual moisture can be determined within a time period based on model experiments, such that a predetermined variation of the oscillation rhythm within that time period is stored in the open-loop or closed-loop control device.

[0014] Preferably, the open-loop or closed-loop control device uses open-loop or closed-loop control to control the oscillation rhythm based on the residual moisture in the garment. The trajectory of the garment depends on the residual moisture, and the oscillation rhythm is adapted to the residual moisture to achieve an optimal trajectory. Steam causes the garment to become heavier during the pre-ironing stage, and the residual moisture in the garment increases. This increase in weight preferably affects the amplitude of the oscillation rhythm.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the open-loop or closed-loop control device uses open-loop or closed-loop control to control the oscillation rhythm, such that the heavier the garment, the greater the amplitude of the oscillation rhythm. Therefore, the trajectory of the garment is further optimized, taking into account the type and weight of the garment (depending on the type).

[0016] Alternatively or additionally, open-loop or closed-loop control devices use open-loop or closed-loop control to control the oscillation rhythm, such that the longer the time period, the larger the amplitude of the oscillation rhythm. Alternatively or additionally, open-loop or closed-loop control devices use open-loop or closed-loop control to control the oscillation rhythm, such that the greater the residual moisture in the garment, the greater the amplitude of the oscillation rhythm. This further ensures that the garment always remains in the predetermined floating state. Due to the vaporization of the garment, the residual moisture rises during the pre-ironing stage and throughout the entire time period, thus making the garment increasingly heavier.

[0017] Open-loop or closed-loop control devices preferably determine residual moisture as a function of time. This increase is typically linear and depends on the type of clothing.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, steam is guided into the drum from below relative to the washing machine's operating position. Therefore, warm air flowing upwards from below passes over the clothes and continues to support their floating state within the drum.

[0019] Preferably, the open-loop or closed-loop control device uses open-loop or closed-loop control to control the maximum amplitude of the oscillation rhythm based on the maximum rotational speed of the roller, with the roller rotating at its maximum speed during the pre-ironing stage. The maximum rotational speed is preferably between 60 and 120 min. -1 Within the range.

[0020] Relatively high steam temperatures are not required, especially for fabrics with a high proportion of synthetic fibers; wrinkles in the garments are already significantly reduced through the oscillation rhythm. During the pre-ironing stage, the disordered fiber state or presence of wrinkles is brought back to an ordered initial state by the air suspension of the garments in the drum. It has been found that steam temperatures below 50°C are sufficient to remove wrinkles from garments. Preferably, the steam temperature is below 50°C during the pre-ironing stage. For front loaders with inspection glass mounted on the door, this relatively low temperature will not cause condensation on the inspection glass mounted on the door of the washing machine. This is particularly advantageous for refurbished dried garments, as water stains will no longer form on them. Furthermore, low-energy steam treatment of the garments is required during the pre-ironing stage.

[0021] To generate steam, a steam module can be used, for example. Alternatively, steam can be generated by a heating element arranged below the roller and designed to generate steam using the principle of an immersion heater during the pre-ironing stage. For example, this is achieved by controlling the water level in the soapy water container accordingly using open-loop or closed-loop control during the pre-ironing stage.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a washing machine having a soap water container for containing water, a ribless drum rotatably mounted in the soap water container for containing clothes, a motor for driving the drum, and an open-loop or closed-loop control device designed and configured to control the method using open-loop or closed-loop control according to one or more of the foregoing embodiments.

[0023] The washing machine can be designed as a washing machine or a combination appliance, such as a washer-dryer. The preferred embodiments and advantages described with respect to the method apply accordingly to the washing machine. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings by a purely schematic manner and will be described in more detail below. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to the present invention is shown; and Figure 2 It shows the storage Figure 1 The diagram shows the time sequence of the washing program in the washing machine. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to the present invention is shown. The washing machine has a soap water container 1 for holding water (not shown), a ribless drum 2 rotatably mounted in the soap water container 1 for holding clothes 8, and a motor 3 for driving the drum 2. The washing machine also includes a dispensing compartment 6, which may optionally hold a treatment agent, such as laundry detergent, and is connected to the soap water container 1 such that water can be introduced into the soap water container 1 and the drum 2 through the soap water container. The drum 2 has a plurality of drum openings (not shown) for magnetomotive force. In addition, the washing machine has a drain device 5 to remove water 7 from the soap water container 1. The drain device 5 has a drain pipe 5a that connects the soap water container 1 to a drain pump 5b, which in turn connects to a drain line 5c, which generally leads to a wastewater channel. The washing machine also includes an open-loop or closed-loop control device 4, which is designed to control the motor 3, the water inlet, the water outlet, and to execute washing programs, etc., using open-loop or closed-loop control.

[0026] During the washing machine's operation, perform the following: Figure 2 The washing program shown is, for example, used to wash and remove wrinkles from clothes 8 located in drum 2. Alternatively, a washing program can be used to treat clothes 8 to be wrinkled, wherein the dry clothes 8 placed in drum 2 by the user are steamed by introducing steam into the drum, and wherein drum 2 is moved by motor 3 to swing left and right, the rhythm of which is controlled by open-loop or closed-loop control device 4 using open-loop or closed-loop control, so that drum 2 is at least intermittently not in contact with clothes 8.

[0027] Figure 2 It shows the storage in Figure 1The diagram shows the time sequence of a washing program in a washing machine. The various stages within the washing program Wp are displayed on the time axis t. The program sequence Wp shown here includes a detection stage Er, a washing stage Wa, a rinsing stage Sp, a spin-drying stage Sc, and a pre-ironing stage Vb. At the start of the washing program Wp, the load of clothes is detected in the detection stage Er, where the amount of clothes loaded in the drum is determined. Water is then allowed to enter through the dispensing compartment, whereby a treatment agent (such as laundry detergent) optionally stored therein is allowed to enter the soap container. In the washing stage Wa, the heating section Hz follows, where the water is heated to a temperature specified by the open-loop or closed-loop control device according to the selected washing program Wp via the washing machine's starting heating element. After reaching the specified temperature, the heating element is turned off, followed by the so-called post-wash section Na. In this post-wash section Na, the clothes are moved by the rotating drum, and the water is cooled.

[0028] The washing stage Wa ends with pumping out, during which the draining system, specifically the drain pump, is activated. During pumping out, a spin cycle may also be performed to remove water mixed with the treatment agent from the clothes. This is followed by the rinsing stage Sp, where water is again allowed into the soapy water container, and the clothes are moved within it to rinse them. At the end of the rinsing stage Sp, the rinse water is pumped out, followed by a final spin-drying stage Sc for draining the clothes. During the final spin-drying stage Sc, the drum rotates at an increased speed compared to the washing process, with the clothes remaining on the drum housing, and water being ejected from the clothes through the drum openings due to centrifugal force. In this case, the draining system is activated, thereby draining water from the soapy water container. In the pre-ironing stage Vb, steam is directed into the drum, and the drum is moved by a motor in a left-right oscillating motion. The rhythm of this oscillation is controlled by an open-loop or closed-loop control device, ensuring that the drum is at least intermittently out of contact with the clothes. This removes wrinkles from the clothes.

[0029] List of reference numerals .

Claims

1. A method for operating a washing machine, the washing machine having a soap water container (1) for holding water, a ribless drum (2) rotatably mounted in the soap water container (1) for holding clothes (8), a motor (3) for driving the drum (2), and an open-loop or closed-loop control device (4), wherein, The method has a pre-ironing stage (Vb) for pre-ironing the garment (8) located in the roller (2), during which steam is guided into the roller (2) and the roller (2) is moved by the motor (3) to swing left and right. The swing rhythm of the roller (2) is controlled by the open-loop or closed-loop control device (4) using open-loop or closed-loop control, so that the garment (8) is suspended in the roller (2) in a non-contact manner to prevent the garment (8) from staying on the surface of the roller (2) for too long and causing wrinkles to form.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The open-loop or closed-loop control device (4) uses open-loop or closed-loop control to control the swing rhythm according to the type of clothing (8).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The open-loop or closed-loop control device (4) uses open-loop or closed-loop control to control the oscillation rhythm, so that the oscillation rhythm varies according to the time period.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The open-loop or closed-loop control device (4) controls the swing rhythm using open-loop or closed-loop control based on the residual moisture in the clothing (8).

5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The open-loop or closed-loop control device (4) uses open-loop or closed-loop control to control the swing rhythm, so that the heavier the type of clothing (8), the greater the amplitude of the swing rhythm.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The open-loop or closed-loop control device (4) determines the residual moisture as a function of time.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Based on the operating installation position of the washing machine, the steam is guided from below into the drum (2).

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The open-loop or closed-loop control device (4) uses open-loop or closed-loop control to control the maximum amplitude of the swing rhythm based on the maximum rotational speed of the roller (2), which rotates at the maximum rotational speed during the pre-ironing stage (Vb).

9. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The temperature of the steam is below 50°C.

10. A washing machine having a soap water container (1) for holding water, a ribless drum (2) rotatably mounted in the soap water container (1) for holding clothes (8), a motor (3) for driving the drum (2), and an open-loop or closed-loop control device (4) designed and configured to control a method using an open-loop or closed-loop control according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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