Clothing care device with control device
By introducing ventilation components and control devices into clothing care equipment, using air flow to destroy foam, the problem of excessive foam in traditional equipment is solved, and effective clothing care effects and resource conservation are achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411825847.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-12-12
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-12
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-13
AI Technical Summary
When traditional clothing care equipment rotates in the clothes bucket and/or uses too much washing liquid, a large amount of foam is easily generated in the alkali container, causing the washing liquid to overflow and affect the clothing care effect. The prior art reduces foam by diluting the washing liquid, but this can affect the care effect and increase water consumption.
Design a clothing care device with a control device, including an alkali container, a clothing bucket, a ventilation element, a state detection element and a control device. When a condition of foam formation is detected, the control device activates the ventilation element to supply air flow to the alkali container and/or clothing barrel to reduce or avoid foam formation.
Through the supply of air flow, foam is effectively destroyed and reduced, avoiding foam spills and affecting the clothing care effect, while avoiding unnecessary dilution of washing liquid and increasing water consumption.
Smart Images
Figure CN120138935A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a laundry care device with a control device. Background Art
[0002] In traditional laundry care devices, when the laundry tub rotates and / or the amount of laundry care substance used is excessive, if the liquid level of the washing liquid in the lye container is too high such that the rotating laundry tub is immersed in the washing liquid, then in some cases, strong foam will be generated in the lye container of the laundry care device. In some cases, the large amount of foam formed will cause the foam to penetrate from the lye container into the flushing housing of the laundry care device and cause the washing liquid to overflow from the flushing housing of the laundry care device, thus soiling the installation area of the laundry care device. In some cases, the correspondingly formed strong foam will also have a negative impact on the laundry care effect of the laundry care process of the laundry care device.
[0003] The strategy for eliminating foam known in the prior art is to alternately pump out the washing liquid and refill fresh water to reduce the amount of foam in the lye container. However, the disadvantage of doing so is that the laundry care substance in the washing liquid is diluted, which often has an adverse effect on the laundry care effect, and the water consumption also increases.
[0004] EP2158350B1 discloses a method for treating laundry.
[0005] DE102017222088A1 discloses a method for adjusting the dosage of the laundry care substance supplied to a laundry care device according to foam. Summary of the Invention
[0006] The basic task of the present invention is to provide a laundry care device in which the amount of foam generated during the laundry care process can be effectively reduced or the generation of foam can be effectively avoided.
[0007] The above task is solved by the subject matter having the preferred technical solution features. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the alternative technical solutions, the description and the drawings.
[0008] According to a first aspect, the object of the present invention is solved by a laundry care device, which comprises: an alkaline solution container for receiving a washing liquid; a laundry tub for receiving laundry, wherein the laundry tub is arranged in the alkaline solution container and can be rotated by a tub drive device of the laundry care device; a fresh water supply device, which is fluid-technically connected to the alkaline solution container via a fresh water pipeline, wherein the alkaline solution container has a discharge port; a ventilation element configured to supply an air stream to the alkaline solution container; a state detection element for detecting the state of the laundry care device; and a control device, which is control-technically connected to the ventilation element, the tub drive device and the state detection element and is arranged to initiate method steps when the state detected by the state detection element indicates that foaming is favored or has occurred in the alkaline solution container and / or the laundry tub, wherein the control device is configured to activate the ventilation element in the method steps when the state detected by the state detection element is above a liquid level threshold, above a predetermined minimum rotational speed and / or foam is recognized, in particular when the laundry has absorbed a predetermined amount of the washing liquid, in order to supply an air stream to the alkaline solution container and / or the laundry tub in order to reduce the foam present in the alkaline solution container and / or the laundry tub and / or to avoid foaming in the alkaline solution container and / or the laundry tub.
[0009] In particular, the predetermined amount of the washing liquid is the amount of the washing liquid required to process the laundry placed in the laundry tub. The predetermined amount of the washing liquid may depend on the quantity and / or type of the laundry and / or the selected laundry care process. Preferably, the predetermined amount of the washing liquid is reached when the laundry is completely saturated with the washing liquid, i.e., when the laundry has absorbed the maximum possible amount of the washing liquid.
[0010] The technical advantage achieved thereby is that, by supplying the air stream generated by the ventilation element to the alkaline solution container and / or the laundry tub of the laundry care device, the foam present in the alkaline solution container can be effectively counteracted or the generation of foam can be avoided, since the generated air stream can immediately destroy the already generated foam bubbles and the foam bubbles that may form.
[0011] If the laundry tub comes into contact with the washing liquid containing the laundry care substance and the washing liquid is moved by the rotation of the laundry tub, or if the proportion of the laundry care substance contained in the washing liquid is too high, i.e., in excess, a state conducive to foam formation will occur. These states may also exist simultaneously and are particularly conducive to foam generation according to their respective state characteristics. To detect these states, there are particularly provided a liquid level detection element for detecting the liquid level of the washing liquid in the lye container, a flow element for detecting the supply amount of the washing liquid, a rotational speed detection element for detecting the rotational speed of the laundry tub or the tub drive device, or a sensor (such as a surfactant sensor) for detecting the supply amount of the laundry care substance and / or the concentration of the laundry care substance in the washing liquid as state detection elements.
[0012] The particular technical advantage achieved thereby is that the foam generation state can be determined before foam formation and measures can be taken to prevent foam formation without having to terminate the state that gives rise to foam. That is to say, the laundry care process can proceed as if there were no foam, so that the process can be carried out in a particularly resource-saving manner without affecting the process result. In particular, re-supplying the washing liquid and reducing the concentration of the laundry care substance can be avoided.
[0013] The state detection element can in particular also be a foam detection device for detecting the foam that has already been generated in the lye container and / or the laundry tub. For example, the foam detection device can be a liquid level detection element, a pressure detection element or an optical sensor.
[0014] As a prerequisite for the method step of activating the ventilation element, the condition that the control device particularly has to determine is that the tub drive device rotates the laundry tub and the liquid level of the washing liquid in the lye container is high enough so that the rotating laundry tub is immersed in the washing liquid, which corresponds to the usual parameters required for generating foam in the lye container, especially in the case where the laundry care substance in the washing liquid is supersaturated. This supersaturation of the washing liquid can also be understood as an excess of the laundry care substance. For example, if the customer has put in too much laundry care substance for the laundry to be cared for during the laundry care process. In particular, this prerequisite can be met from the start of the washing cycle, at which time it can be assumed that the laundry care substance has been added to the washing liquid to support the treatment of the laundry.
[0015] Thereby, the control device can intervene preventively, i.e., through the ventilation element before foam is generated in the lye container and / or the laundry tub, so that foam can be effectively combated and even completely avoided.
[0016] As an alternative prerequisite for starting the method step for activating the ventilation element, the control device can determine that foam has been generated in the lye container and / or the laundry tub as a prerequisite. Thereby, the control device can in particular take the same preventive measures, especially activating the ventilation element, so as to effectively combat foam without significantly changing the washing process. Monitoring the alternative condition has the particular advantage that, in addition to the above-mentioned states, other possibilities of foam formation can also be considered and eliminated, because if the foam volume is recognized as being greater than a predetermined level, the method step can also be started. Particularly advantageously, it can be determined whether the laundry has absorbed a predetermined amount of the washing liquid, so as to take further measures to reduce the foam, such as pumping the washing liquid out of the laundry care device. In this way, although further measures are taken, the next washing and care process can still be continued without re-adding the washing liquid.
[0017] Therefore, the present invention can prevent excessive foaming, and can also ensure that the washing liquid is not unnecessarily diluted, so that there is no need to additionally add laundry care substances. Therefore, although anti-foaming measures are taken, the laundry care efficiency will not be reduced during the laundry care process. In addition, the consumption of fresh water can be reduced, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the laundry care device.
[0018] A laundry care device can be understood as a device for laundry care, such as a washing machine or a washer-dryer, especially a washer-dryer with washing and drying functions. In particular, such a laundry care device can be understood as a household laundry care device. In other words, such a laundry care device is used in household management and processes laundry in normal household quantities.
[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the state detection element is a liquid level detection element connected to the control device for detecting the liquid level of the washing liquid in the lye container, and the control device is configured to activate the ventilation element to supply an air flow to the lye container when the tub drive device rotates the laundry tub and when the liquid level detection element detects that the liquid level of the washing liquid in the lye container is higher than a liquid level threshold, where the liquid level threshold corresponds to the liquid level required for the rotating laundry tub to be immersed in the washing liquid to reduce the foam in the lye container and / or the laundry tub and / or avoid generating foam in the lye container and / or the laundry tub.
[0020] The technical advantage achieved thereby is that the control device can detect the generation of foam in the lye container and / or the laundry tub by rotating the laundry tub in contact with the washing liquid, so as to take preventive measures to avoid foam.
[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the control device is configured to activate the ventilation element to supply an air flow to the lye container and / or the laundry tub when the tub drive rotates the laundry tub at a minimum speed and when the level detection element detects that the level of the washing liquid in the lye container is higher than the level threshold, wherein the minimum speed is in particular 50 revolutions per minute.
[0022] The technical advantage achieved thereby is that the rotation of the laundry tub at the minimum speed is an additional advantageous prerequisite for the control device, namely that foam is formed in the lye container and / or the laundry tub.
[0023] The minimum speed corresponds in particular to the abutment speed of the laundry tub, wherein the abutment speed corresponds to the following speed of the laundry tub at which the laundry received in the laundry tub abuts against the laundry tub due to the action of centrifugal force and a laundry tunnel is formed inside the laundry.
[0024] The rotation of the laundry tub at the minimum speed, in particular at a minimum speed of 50 revolutions per minute, in particular at the abutment speed, can ensure that during the wetting process, for example, the washing liquid can fully wet the laundry, because especially when the laundry tub rotates at the abutment speed, the washing liquid can advantageously enter the laundry tunnel formed inside the laundry, thereby achieving full wetting of the laundry.
[0025] On the other hand, the minimum speed, in particular the abutment speed, should be high enough so that when the laundry tub rotates at the minimum speed, in particular at the abutment speed, foam is likely to occur (related to the correspondingly high level of the washing liquid in the lye container), thereby creating conditions for the anti-foam measures of the present invention.
[0026] In particular, the minimum speed, in particular the abutment speed, should be greater than 50 revolutions per minute, in particular greater than 60 revolutions per minute, in particular greater than 70 revolutions per minute, in particular greater than 80 revolutions per minute, in particular greater than 90 revolutions per minute, in particular greater than 100 revolutions per minute.
[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, the distance between the lowermost region of the lye container and the lowermost region of the laundry tub corresponds to the level threshold.
[0028] The technical advantage achieved thereby is that the level threshold or the corresponding level can be simply and effectively determined by the corresponding distance.
[0029] In order to immerse the rotating laundry tub in the washing liquid, the lowermost region of the laundry tub must obviously come into contact with the washing liquid received in the lye container. Since the height of the lowermost region of the lye container determines the zero height of the corresponding level or level threshold, the distance between the lowermost region of the lye container and the lowermost region of the laundry tub determines the corresponding level or level threshold that is necessary for the rotating laundry tub to be immersed in the washing liquid.
[0030] In an advantageous embodiment, the ventilation element has a ventilation channel with an outlet opening, which is fluid-technically connected to the lye container or the laundry tub, and the ventilation element has a fan, which is arranged in the ventilation channel and is configured to blow air from the ventilation channel through the outlet opening into the lye container and / or the laundry tub.
[0031] The technical advantage achieved thereby is that the fan arranged in the ventilation channel can supply an effective air flow through the outlet opening to the lye container and / or the laundry tub.
[0032] In an advantageous embodiment, the lye container has a device opening, which can be closed by the device door of the laundry care device, wherein the device opening is sealed by an elastic sleeve of the laundry care device, and the outlet opening of the ventilation channel is arranged on the plastic sleeve.
[0033] The technical advantage achieved thereby is that by arranging the outlet opening of the ventilation channel on the elastic sleeve, an effective supply of air to the lye container, in particular directly to the laundry tub, can be achieved.
[0034] In an advantageous embodiment, the ventilation element includes a heating element for heating the air flow, in particular the air flow provided by the fan, wherein the control device is configured to activate the heating element and the ventilation element to supply a heated air flow to the lye container and / or the laundry tub when the state detected by the state detection element is above the liquid level threshold, above a predetermined minimum rotational speed and / or when foam is recognized, wherein the control device is in particular configured to activate the heating element and the ventilation element to supply a heated air flow when the tub drive device rotates the laundry tub and when the liquid level detection element detects that the washing liquid level in the lye container is above the liquid level threshold.
[0035] The technical advantage achieved thereby is that the air flow, in particular the air flow heated by the heating element, can particularly effectively counteract or prevent foam.
[0036] In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device has a pumping device, which is fluid-technically connected to the lye container, in particular to the discharge opening, and the pumping device is control-technically connected to the control device, wherein the control device is configured to activate the pumping device to pump the washing liquid out of the lye container when the state detected by the state detection element is above the liquid level threshold, above a predetermined minimum rotational speed and / or when foam is recognized, and wherein the control device is in particular configured to heat the laundry by circulating hot air after pumping the washing liquid out of the lye container, the hot air being provided by a ventilation element including a heating element.
[0037] The technical advantages achieved thereby are that pumping out the washing liquid from the lye container causes the liquid level of the washing liquid in the lye container to drop below the liquid level threshold, so that the rotating laundry tub is no longer immersed in the washing liquid, thereby hindering the formation of foam. In addition, part of the foam is removed from the washing lye container together with the pumped-out washing liquid.
[0038] In particular, if the laundry received in the laundry tub has been wetted with a sufficient amount of washing liquid and laundry care substances, especially completely saturated, then it is not necessary to add fresh water anymore, especially during the subsequent laundry care process.
[0039] If there is no warm washing liquid available to heat the laundry after pumping out the washing liquid, the ventilation element can blow a stream of heated air into the lye container including the heating element to effectively heat the laundry received in the laundry tub.
[0040] In an advantageous embodiment, the liquid level detection element is configured as a pressure detection element for detecting the pressure of the washing liquid in the lye container.
[0041] The technical advantages achieved thereby are that the pressure of the washing liquid detected by the pressure detection element can be effectively correlated with the corresponding liquid level of the washing liquid in the lye container.
[0042] Therefore, the liquid level threshold is especially correlated with the corresponding pressure threshold.
[0043] In an advantageous embodiment, the liquid level detection element, especially the pressure detection element, includes a riser pipe arranged sectionally in the lye container, and a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure in the riser pipe is arranged at one end of the riser pipe away from the lye container to detect the pressure in the lye container.
[0044] The technical advantages achieved thereby are that the pressure in the lye container can be effectively detected.
[0045] In particular, the riser pipe has an end facing the lye container. For example, when the liquid level of the washing liquid in the lye container rises, the washing liquid can penetrate into the riser pipe and compress the air column above it in the riser pipe, so that the pressure sensor arranged at one end of the riser pipe away from the lye container can detect the corresponding compression of the air column as an increase in pressure and correlate it with the rise of the washing liquid in the lye container or the generation of foam in the lye container.
[0046] In an advantageous embodiment, the riser pipe is configured as a siphon device, which includes a bent section that can be filled with washing liquid, and the siphon device includes a riser pipe section that extends vertically and can be filled with air, and the pressure sensor is arranged in this riser pipe section.
[0047] The technical advantage achieved thereby is that the bent section of the riser pipe configured as a siphon device can ensure a stable washing liquid column in the riser pipe for effective pressure measurement.
[0048] In an advantageous embodiment, the riser pipe has a riser opening at one end facing the lye container, and the riser opening is fluid-technologically connected to the inside of the lye container so that the washing liquid and / or foam can enter the riser pipe from the inside of the lye container, wherein the riser pipe is arranged in the lye container in such a way that the washing liquid level in the lye container is arranged below the riser opening during the detection period.
[0049] The technical advantage achieved thereby is that the riser opening allows the washing liquid and / or foam to enter the riser pipe, thus enabling pressure measurement. If during the detection period, the liquid level of the washing liquid is lower than the riser opening of the riser pipe, the pressure signal detected by the control device during the detection is the result of the foam entering the riser pipe.
[0050] In an advantageous embodiment, the control device is configured to deactivate the ventilation element again after a predetermined period of time, or the control device is configured to deactivate the ventilation element again when the tub drive device rotates the laundry tub at a speed less than or equal to the maximum rotational speed.
[0051] The technical advantage achieved thereby is that when the laundry tub rotates at a speed lower than the maximum rotational speed, the rotational speed value is correspondingly low, so the risk of foam formation is very low, enabling the ventilation element to be deactivated by the control device. Alternatively, if there is no longer a risk of foam generation accordingly, the control device can also deactivate the ventilation element after a sufficiently long predetermined time.
[0052] In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device has a heating element arranged in the lye container, and the heating element is configured to directly heat the washing liquid arranged in the lye container.
[0053] The technical advantage achieved thereby is that in addition to the heating element arranged in the ventilation element, the heating element arranged in the lye container can also directly heat the washing liquid in the lye container.
[0054] In an advantageous embodiment, the state detection element of the laundry care device has a foam detection device that is control-technologically connected to the control device for detecting foam, wherein the control device is configured to activate the ventilation element when the foam detection device detects foam to supply an air flow to the lye container. Alternatively or additionally, if the liquid level detection element detects that the washing liquid level in the lye container is higher than the liquid level threshold, the ventilation element can be activated when the tub drive device rotates the laundry tub.
[0055] The technical advantage achieved thereby is that the additional detection of foam by the foam detection device means that the control device can optimally control the activation of the fan.
[0056] In an advantageous embodiment, the lye container has a supply element which is fluid-technically connected to the discharge opening via a circulation pumping line, the laundry care device comprising a pump which is configured to pump the wash liquor out of the lye container through the discharge opening within the framework of a circulation pumping process and to pump the pumped-out wash liquor back into the lye container through the circulation pumping line and through the supply element, and the foam detection device comprising a power detection element for detecting an electric power parameter of the pump, wherein the control device is configured to activate the pump within the framework of the circulation pumping process during a detection period, and the control device is configured to determine that there is foam in the lye container when the electric power parameter of the pump detected by the power detection element during the detection period is less than a power parameter threshold and when the liquid level in the lye container detected by the liquid level detection element during the detection period is greater than a further liquid level threshold.
[0057] The technical advantage achieved hereby is that foam can be detected particularly effectively. If the pump electric power parameter evaluated by the control device, in particular the motor current, is below the power parameter threshold, the control device can effectively determine that the pump is only conveying air within the framework of an idling operation. At the same time, if the liquid level of the wash liquor in the lye container is greater than a further liquid level threshold, the corresponding liquid level value must be based on the presence of foam, since the pump is only conveying air although there is still wash liquor in the lye container.
[0058] In particular, foam recognition also includes level measurement by pressure measurement (especially during pumping), measurement of the presence of foam using electrodes, and / or a method based on machine learning using all available sensor signals.
[0059] According to a second aspect, the task is solved by a method for reducing foam in a laundry care device, wherein the laundry care device comprises: an alkali solution container for receiving a washing liquid; a laundry tub for receiving laundry, wherein the laundry tub is arranged in the alkali solution container and is rotatable by a tub drive device of the laundry care device; a fresh water supply device which is fluid-technically connected to the alkali solution container via a fresh water pipeline, the alkali solution container having a discharge opening; a ventilation element configured to supply an air stream to the alkali solution container; a state detection element for detecting the state of the laundry care device; and a control device which is control-technically connected to the ventilation element, the tub drive device and the state detection element, wherein when the state detected by the state detection element indicates that foam formation is favored or has occurred in the alkali solution container and / or the laundry tub, method steps are initiated, wherein the method steps comprise: when the state detected by the state detection element exceeds a liquid level threshold, exceeds a predetermined minimum rotational speed and / or foam is recognized, in particular when the laundry has absorbed a predetermined amount of the washing liquid, activating the ventilation element by means of the control device to supply an air stream to the alkali solution container and / or the laundry tub in order to reduce the foam present in the alkali solution container and / or the laundry tub and / or to prevent foam from forming in the alkali solution container and / or the laundry tub. A method for preventing foam formation should also be understood as a method for reducing foam in a laundry care device, since when the method steps are carried out in advance before foam formation, the prevention of foam has been achieved by measures for reducing foam.
[0060] Alternatively or additionally, activation can also take place when the tub drive device rotates the laundry tub and when a liquid level detection element detects that the liquid level of the washing liquid in the alkali solution container is higher than a liquid level threshold, wherein the liquid level threshold corresponds to the liquid level required for the rotating laundry tub to be immersed in the washing liquid.
[0061] The technical advantage achieved thereby is to ensure effective reduction and prevention of foam.
[0062] An embodiment of the laundry care device according to the first aspect is also an embodiment of the method according to the second aspect. Description of the Drawings
[0063] Embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and are described in detail below.
[0064] In the drawings:
[0065] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a laundry care device according to an embodiment is shown;
[0066] Figure 2Schematic diagram showing a laundry care device with a control device according to an embodiment;
[0067] Figure 3 Schematic diagram showing a laundry care process according to a first embodiment; and
[0068] Figure 4 Schematic diagram showing a method for reducing foam in a laundry care device according to an embodiment. Detailed description of the invention
[0069] Figure 1 Schematic diagram showing a conventional laundry care device, such as a washing machine, according to an embodiment. The laundry care device 100 includes a flushing housing 101 in which a detergent or other laundry care substance can be injected. The laundry care device 100 has a device housing 102 with a device opening 104 that can be closed by a device door 103 for loading the laundry care device 100. In addition, the laundry care device 100 also has an operating element 106 for operating the laundry care device 100.
[0070] Figure 2 Schematic diagram showing a laundry care device with a control device according to an embodiment.
[0071] The laundry care device 100 has an alkali solution container 105 for receiving the washing liquid and a laundry tub 107 for receiving the laundry. In this case, the laundry tub 107 is arranged in the alkali solution container 105. A tub drive device 109 rotates the laundry tub 107. The alkali solution container 105 has a discharge port 111.
[0072] The laundry care device 100 includes a fresh water supply device 118-1 that supplies fresh water to the alkali solution container 105 or to the laundry received in the laundry tub 107 via a fresh water pipeline 118-2 through a flushing housing 101 (not shown) in the laundry care device 100. Figure 2 Specifically, in a particular embodiment, the laundry care device 100 has a supply element 113. The discharge port 111 is fluid-technically connected to the supply element 113 through a circulation pumping pipeline 115, and a pump 117 for pumping the washing liquid through the circulation pumping pipeline 115 is arranged in the circulation pumping pipeline 115. In this particular embodiment, the pump 117 can be
[0073] In the Figure 2During the cycle pumping process not shown, the washing liquid is pumped from the lye container 105 to the cycle pumping pipeline 115 through the discharge port 111, and the washing liquid can be re-supplied to the lye container 105 and the laundry tub 107 through the cycle pumping pipeline 115 and the supply element 113. Thus, during the laundry care process, the washing liquid can be effectively circulated through the cycle pumping pipeline 115 and re-supplied to the laundry in the laundry tub 107.
[0074] The laundry care device 100 further includes a control device 119 which is connected to the pump 117, in particular through a first control connection 121. The first control connection is connected to the tub drive device 109 for rotating the laundry tub 107 through a second control connection 123, and the second control connection is connected to the fresh water supply device 118-1 for supplying the washing liquid to the laundry tub 107 through a third control connection 125.
[0075] In addition, the control device 119 is also connected in a control-technical manner to a status detection element through a fourth control connection 127. The status detection element is in the form of a liquid level detection element 129 for detecting the status of the laundry care device 100, and the status represents, for example, the liquid level in the lye container 105.
[0076] In addition, another feature of the laundry care device 100 is that it has a ventilation element 131 which is designed to supply an air flow to the laundry received in the laundry tub 107.
[0077] In particular, the ventilation element 131 has a ventilation channel 133 with an outlet 135 which is connected to the lye container 105 in a fluid-technical manner. Figure 2 The corresponding suction port for sucking air of the ventilation channel 133 is not shown. In addition, the ventilation element 131 also has a fan 137 which is arranged in the ventilation channel 133 and is designed to blow air from the ventilation channel 133 into the lye container 105 through the outlet 135. The corresponding air flow can be advantageously used to dry the laundry received in the laundry tub 107.
[0078] In particular, the outlet 135 is arranged on a plastic sleeve not shown in the laundry care device 100, Figure 2 where the plastic sleeve seals the device opening 104 of the laundry care device 100. In particular, in such an embodiment, the air flow can be directly supplied to the laundry tub 107 by using the ventilation element 133.
[0079] As Figure 2As shown in the schematic diagram in , the ventilation element 131 particularly further includes a heating element 139 for supplying a heated air stream to the lye container 105 and / or the laundry tub 107. Here, the heating element 139 is particularly arranged in the ventilation passage 133 downstream of the blower 137, so that the air moved by the blower 137 can be effectively heated by the heating element 139, and then the heated air can be supplied to the lye container 105 and / or the laundry tub 107.
[0080] Therefore, the supply of hot air can also be used, for example, within the framework of a drying process that is connected to the laundry care process, to dry the laundry received in the laundry tub 107. However, the corresponding hot air can also be used during the laundry care process itself to directly heat the washing liquid received in the lye container 105, so that other heating elements for heating the washing liquid in the laundry care device 100 can even be omitted.
[0081] It should also be noted that the blower 137 and the heating element 139 are connected to the control device 119 through Figure 2 other control connections not shown in .
[0082] The blower 137 and the heating element 139 can also be advantageously used within the framework of suppressing the foam in the lye container 105, where the corresponding foam is generated by adding an excessive amount of laundry care substances to the washing liquid, and / or where the corresponding foam can also be generated when the liquid level of the washing liquid is relatively high and the tub moves violently due to impact.
[0083] In this case, the air (which can include cold air or hot air) provided by the ventilation element 131 to the foam will cause the foam bubbles of the foam to burst, so that the foam in the lye container 105 is rapidly reduced. In addition, during the laundry care process, the air provided by the ventilation element 131 will cause the formed foam bubbles to be immediately destroyed again, so that basically no foam is generated. For other details, please refer to the description of Figure 3 below.
[0084] The laundry care device 100 further includes a discharge line 141, which is fluid-technically connected to the circulation pumping line 115. Figure 2 In , only schematically shown is that the pumping device 143 is designed to pump the washing liquid out of the lye container 105 through the discharge port 111 during Figure 2 a pumping process not shown in , through the circulation pumping line 115 and through the discharge line 141 out of the laundry care device 100.
[0085] In addition, Figure 2The distance 145 between the lowermost region of the lye container 105 and the lowermost region of the laundry tub 107 is shown, which distance determines the lowest liquid level or liquid level threshold 147 of the washing liquid in the lye container 105, at which level or liquid level threshold, the rotating laundry tub 107 is immersed in the washing liquid.
[0086] Figure 3 A diagram showing a laundry care process according to a first embodiment.
[0087] Figure 3 The shown laundry care process shows two different test runs in diagrams (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) respectively. One is when the ventilation element 131 ( Figure 3 represented by a triangle) is activated, and the other is when the ventilation element 131 ( Figure 3 represented by a circle) is deactivated. In each case, the laundry tub 107 is loaded three-quarters full and an excessive amount of laundry care substance is used.
[0088] Figure 3 The shown first and second curves 140-1, 140-2, third and fourth curves 140-3, 140-4, fifth and sixth curves 140-5, 140-6, seventh and eighth curves 140-7, 140-8, ninth and tenth curves 140-9, 140-10, and eleventh and twelfth curves 140-11, 140-12, 140-12 show the rotational speed of the laundry tub 107 of the laundry care device 100 along the vertical axis 144 in diagram (a) respectively, in revolutions per minute; the amount of fresh water supplied to the lye container 105 by the fresh water supply device 118-1 of the laundry care device 100 in diagram (b), in liters; the pressure in the lye container 105 detected by the liquid level detection element 129 in diagram (c), in pascals; the rotational speed of the pump 117 of the circulation pumping system in diagram (d), in revolutions per minute; the rotational speed of the fan 137 of the ventilation element 131 in diagram (e), in revolutions per minute; and the temperature of the washing liquid measured by the temperature sensor in diagram (f). In each case, it is a function of time, and this time is shown along the horizontal axis 148 in diagrams (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f).
[0089] The first, third, fifth, seventh, ninth and eleventh curves 140-1, 140-3, 140-5, 140-7, 140-9 and 140-11 ( Figure 3 marked with circles) show the laundry care process with the fan 137 deactivated, while the second, fourth, sixth, eighth, tenth and twelfth curves 140-2, 140-4, 140-6, 140-8, 140-10 and 140-12 (Figure 3 The state of activating the blower 137 is shown (marked by a triangle in the middle), especially as shown in Figure 3 Figure (e) in
[0090] During Figure 3 the laundry care process shown, the time period of the laundry care process shown along the horizontal axis 148 in all Figures (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) includes the range from approximately the 0th second to approximately the 1000th second of the laundry care process.
[0091] Figure 3 The laundry care process shown starts from the first supply time period 149, during which the control device 119 is designed to activate the fresh water supply device 118-1 of the laundry care device 100 to supply fresh water to the lye container 105, which can be derived from Figure (b).
[0092] It can also be derived from Figure (c) that during the first supply time period 149, the fresh water supplied to the lye container 105 also increases the pressure in the lye container 105 detected by the liquid level or pressure detection element 129.
[0093] It can be derived from Figure (d) that during the first supply time period 149, the blower 137 is deactivated.
[0094] After the first supply time period 149 is the detection time period 151, which can be derived from Figure (a) that the detection time period 151 starts by activating the rotation of the laundry tub 107. At the start of the detection time period 151, the laundry tub 107 rotates at the minimum rotational speed. In this particular case, for example, it rotates at a relatively high abutment speed, especially up to 800 revolutions per minute, so that the laundry received in the laundry tub 107 is squeezed against the laundry tub 107 under the action of centrifugal force, thereby forming a laundry tunnel in the laundry in the laundry tub 107, and the circulating pumped washing liquid can be advantageously injected into this laundry tunnel, thereby effectively and completely wetting the laundry. Figure 3 Figure (d) of
[0095] From Figure 3 Figure (c) of
[0096] During Figure 3During the detection time period shown in the illustration (c), the foam formed in the lye container 105 can be recognized. If the blower 137 is deactivated according to the fifth curve 140-5, the level sensor 129 will detect an increase in pressure due to the formation of foam in the lye container 105. Therefore, the state of the laundry care device can be detected using a state detection element in the form of the level sensor 129, and this state indicates the presence of foam, that is, the state is the recognition of foam.
[0097] In this case, especially through the device door 103 of the laundry care device 100, the generation of foam cannot be visually recognized because the rotation of the laundry tub 107 (especially about 100 revolutions per minute in this embodiment) will squeeze out the foam in the lye container 105, and the sharp corners outside the laundry tub 107 will break up the foam. However, once the laundry tub 107 stops, the lye container 105 will be completely filled with lye again.
[0098] On the contrary, if the blower 137 is activated to break up and dissolve the foam in the lye container 105, based on the significant decrease in the pressure value during the detection time period according to the sixth curve 140-6 in the illustration (c), no foam will be recognized in the lye container 105. Therefore, the generation of foam can be effectively prevented by activating the blower 137.
[0099] It should be emphasized again here that the effective prevention of foam generation can be achieved only by the incoming air flow of the blower 139 of the ventilation element 131, without the need to forcibly activate the heating element 139 optionally arranged in the ventilation channel 133. However, in this case, the heating element 139 can also be optionally activated to heat the air flow, so as to eliminate the foam more quickly.
[0100] In addition, an object of the present invention is to prevent the generation of foam in the lye container 105, so it is not necessarily required to perform foam recognition in the laundry care device 100 in advance.
[0101] According to the present invention, the control device 119 is designed to activate the ventilation element 131 to supply an air flow to the lye container 105 when the state detected by the state detection element 129 is above the liquid level threshold 147 and / or above a predetermined minimum rotational speed. In particular, when the tub drive device 109 rotates the laundry tub 107 and when the liquid level of the washing liquid in the lye container 105 detected by the liquid level detection element 129 is higher than the liquid level threshold 147, the detected state is reached, where the liquid level threshold 147 corresponds to the liquid level required for the rotating laundry tub 107 to be immersed in the washing liquid.
[0102] Thus, for the control device 119 for activating the ventilation element 131, two relevant criteria are: the washing liquid level in the lye container 105 is high enough so that the laundry tub 107 is immersed in the washing liquid; and the tub drive device 109 rotates the laundry tub 107. In an alternative embodiment, other criteria can also be considered, and the presence of these other criteria facilitates the generation of foam. For example, in addition to reaching or exceeding a high enough level, a high enough washing liquid supply, the detected amount of laundry, the type of laundry, the type and / or amount of added laundry care substances or detergents, and / or the selected laundry care process can be other criteria that facilitate foam formation.
[0103] To more effectively combat foam, it is optionally also possible that when the state detected by the state detection element 129 is exceeding the liquid level threshold 147, exceeding a predetermined minimum rotational speed, and / or foam is recognized, in particular when the tub drive device 109 rotates the laundry tub 107, and when the washing liquid level in the lye container 105 detected by the liquid level detection element 129 is higher than the liquid level threshold 147, the control device 119 activates the circulating pumping device 143 to pump the washing liquid out of the lye container 105, where the liquid level threshold 147 corresponds to the liquid level required for the rotating laundry tub 107 to be immersed in the washing liquid.
[0104] By optionally pumping out the washing liquid by means of the pumping device 143, the liquid level in the lye container 105 can be advantageously reduced, thereby effectively preventing the rotating laundry tub 107 from foaming again, and thus causing the foam already present in the lye container 105 to decompose by itself or be destroyed by the incoming air flow.
[0105] Since the ventilation element 131 of the laundry care device 100 particularly has a heating element 139 through which hot air can be supplied to the lye container 105, as described above, when the pumping device 143 pumps the washing liquid out of the lye container 105, the laundry can also be subsequently heated by hot air.
[0106] Even if foam detection is not absolutely necessary, prior foam recognition can simplify the corresponding pumping process because if the washing liquid contains a supersaturated laundry care substance before the heating stage after the wetting stage, the re-formation of foam can be effectively avoided.
[0107] From Figure 3 It can be seen from the second curve 140-2 shown in the illustration (a) that the control device 119 starts to control the laundry care device 100 from approximately the 900th second, so that the laundry tub 107 rotates in the reverse direction at a low speed below the critical maximum rotational speed for foam formation, especially in different rotational directions, thereby greatly reducing the risk of re-forming foam from that moment on. Thus, from Figure 3As can be seen from the illustration (e), the control device 119 deactivates the blower 137 from this moment on. Alternatively, the control device 119 can also deactivate the blower 137 again after a predetermined time.
[0108] Figure 4 Schematic diagram showing a method for reducing foam in a laundry care device according to an embodiment.
[0109] The method 200 includes the following method steps: When the state detected by the state detection element 129 is above the liquid level threshold 147, above a predetermined minimum rotational speed, and / or when foam is recognized, in particular when the tub drive device rotates the laundry tub 107, and when the liquid level of the washing liquid in the lye container 105 detected by the liquid level detection element 129 is higher than the liquid level threshold 147, the ventilation element 131 is activated by the control device 119 to supply an air flow to the lye container 105, wherein the liquid level threshold 147 corresponds to the liquid level required for the rotating laundry tub 107 to be immersed in the washing liquid to reduce the foam in the lye container 105.
[0110] All features explained and shown in the various embodiments of the present invention can be arranged in different combinations in the subject matter of the present invention in order to achieve their advantageous effects simultaneously.
[0111] The protection scope of the present invention is given by the claims and is not limited by the features explained in the description or shown in the figures.
[0112] List of reference numerals:
[0113] 100 Laundry care device
[0114] 101 Flushing housing
[0115] 102 Device housing
[0116] 103 Device door
[0117] 104 Device opening
[0118] 105 Lye container
[0119] 106 Operating element
[0120] 107 Laundry tub
[0121] 109 Tub drive device
[0122] 111 Drain opening
[0123] 113 Supply element
[0124] 115 Circulation pumping pipeline
[0125] 117 Pump
[0126] 118-1 Fresh water supply device
[0127] 118-2 Fresh water pipeline
[0128] 119 Control device
[0129] 121 First control connection
[0130] 123 Second control connection
[0131] 125 Third control connection
[0132] 127 Fourth control connection
[0133] 129 Liquid level detection element
[0134] 131 Ventilation element
[0135] 133 Ventilation passage
[0136] 135 Outlet opening
[0137] 137 Fan
[0138] 139 Heating element
[0139] 140-1 First curve
[0140] 140-2 Second curve
[0141] 140-3 Third curve
[0142] 140-4 Fourth curve
[0143] 140-5 Fifth curve
[0144] 140-6 Sixth curve
[0145] 140-7 Seventh curve
[0146] 140-8 Eighth curve
[0147] 140-9 Ninth curve
[0148] 140-10 Tenth curve
[0149] 140-11 Eleventh curve
[0150] 140-12 Twelfth curve
[0151] 141 Discharge pipeline
[0152] 143 Pumping device
[0153] 144 Vertical coordinate axis
[0154] 145 Distance between the lye container and the laundry tub
[0155] 147 Liquid level threshold
[0156] 148 Horizontal axis
[0157] 149 First supply time period
[0158] 151 Detection time period
[0159] 200 Method for reducing foam
[0160] 201 Method step: Activate the ventilation element.
Claims
1. A clothing care device (100), comprising: A lye container (105) for receiving washing liquid; a laundry tub (107) for receiving laundry, wherein the laundry tub (107) is arranged in the lye container (105) and can be rotated by a tub drive (109) of the laundry care device (100); a fresh water supply device (118-1) which is fluidically connected to the lye container (105) via a fresh water pipeline (118-2), wherein the lye container (105) has a drain port (111); a ventilation element (131) which is configured to supply fresh water to the lye container (105). A container (105) supplies an air flow; a state detection element (129) for detecting the state of the clothing care device (100); and a control device (119), which is connected to the ventilation element (131), the barrel drive device (109) and the state detection element (129) in terms of control technology, and the control device is configured to start a method step when the state detected by the state detection element (129) indicates that foam is conducive to or has been generated in the alkali liquid container (105) and / or the clothing barrel (107), characterized in that: The control device (119) is configured to activate the ventilation element (131) in the method step to supply an air flow to the alkali liquid container (105) and / or the laundry tub (107) when the state detected by the state detection element (129) is exceeding a liquid level threshold value (147), exceeding a predetermined minimum rotation speed and / or identifying foam, in particular when the laundry absorbs a predetermined amount of washing liquid, so as to reduce the foam present in the alkali liquid container (105) and / or the laundry tub (107) and / or avoid the generation of foam in the alkali liquid container (105) and / or the laundry tub (107).
2. The clothing care device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The state detection element is a liquid level detection element (129) connected to the control device (119) and used to detect the liquid level of the washing liquid in the alkali liquid container (105), and The control device (119) is configured to activate the ventilation element (131) to supply an air flow to the alkali liquid container (105) and / or the laundry tub (107) when the tub driving device (109) rotates the laundry tub (107) and when the washing liquid level in the alkali liquid container (105) detected by the liquid level detection element (129) is higher than a liquid level threshold (147), wherein the liquid level threshold (147) corresponds to a liquid level required for the rotating laundry tub (107) to be immersed in washing liquid, so as to reduce foam existing in the alkali liquid container (105) and / or the laundry tub (107) and / or avoid the generation of foam in the alkali liquid container (105) and / or the laundry tub (107).
3. The clothing care device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The control device (119) is configured to activate the ventilation element (131) to supply an air flow to the alkali solution container (105) and / or the clothing tub (107) when the tub drive device (109) rotates the clothing tub (107) at a minimum rotation speed and when the liquid level detection element detects that the washing liquid level in the alkali solution container (105) is higher than a liquid level threshold value (147), wherein the minimum rotation speed is in particular 50 revolutions per minute.
4. The clothing care device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The distance (145) between the lowermost area of the alkali liquid container (105) and the lowermost area of the laundry tub (107) corresponds to the liquid level threshold (147).
5. The clothing care device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The ventilation element (131) has a ventilation channel (133), which has an outlet opening (135), which is fluidically connected to the alkali solution container (105) or the laundry tub (107), and the ventilation element (131) has a fan (137), which is arranged in the ventilation channel (133) and is designed to blow air from the ventilation channel (133) through the outlet opening (135) into the alkali solution container (105) and / or the laundry tub (107).
6. The clothing care device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The ventilation element (131) comprises a heating element (139) for heating an air flow, and the control device (119) is configured to activate the heating element (139) and the ventilation element (131) to supply a heated air flow to the alkali liquid container (105) and / or the laundry tub when the state detected by the state detection element (129) is exceeding a liquid level threshold value (147), exceeding a predetermined minimum rotation speed and / or recognizing foam.
7. The clothing care device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The laundry care device (100) comprises a pumping device (143), which is fluidically connected to the lye container (105), in particular to the drain opening (111), and is control-connected to the control device (119), wherein the control device (119) is configured to activate the pumping device (143) to pump washing liquid out of the lye container (105) when the state detected by the state detection element (129) is that a liquid level threshold value (147) is exceeded, a predetermined minimum rotation speed is exceeded, and / or foam is detected, wherein the control device (119) is particularly configured to heat the laundry by circulating hot air after the washing liquid is pumped out of the lye container (105), wherein the hot air is provided by a ventilation element (131) comprising a heating element (139).
8. The clothing care device (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that: The liquid level detection element (129) is configured as a pressure detection element for detecting the pressure of the washing liquid in the alkaline liquid container (105).
9. The clothing care device (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that: The liquid level detection element (129), in particular the pressure detection element, comprises a standpipe arranged in sections in the alkali liquid container (105), wherein a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure in the standpipe is arranged at one end of the standpipe facing away from the alkali liquid container (105) to detect the pressure in the alkali liquid container (105).
10. The clothing care device (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that: The standpipe is designed as a siphon device, which comprises a curved section that can be filled with washing liquid, and the siphon device comprises a standpipe section that extends vertically and can be filled with air, in which standpipe section the pressure sensor is arranged.
11. The clothing care device (100) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: The standpipe has a standpipe opening at the end facing the lye container (105), which is fluidically connected to the interior of the lye container (105) so that washing liquid and / or foam can enter the standpipe from the interior of the lye container (105), wherein the standpipe is particularly installed in the lye container (105) such that the washing liquid level in the lye container (105) is arranged below the standpipe opening during the detection time period (151).
12. The clothing care device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The control device (119) is configured to deactivate the ventilation element (131) again after a predetermined time interval, or the control device (119) is configured to deactivate the ventilation element (131) again when the tub drive device (109) rotates the laundry tub at a speed less than or equal to a maximum speed.
13. The clothing care device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The state detection element (129) is a foam detection device connected to the control device (119) in terms of control technology, and is used to detect foam, wherein the control device (119) is configured to activate the ventilation element (131) to supply an air flow to the alkali liquid container (105) when the foam detection device detects foam and if the tub drive device (109) rotates the laundry tub (107).
14. The clothing care device (100) according to claim 13, characterized in that: The lye container (105) has a supply element (113) which is fluidically connected to the drain (111) via a circulating pumping line (115), and the laundry care device comprises a pump (117) which is designed to pump washing liquid out of the lye container (105) via the drain (111) within the framework of a circulating pumping process and to pump the pumped washing liquid back into the lye container (105) via the circulating pumping line (115) and via the supply element (113). The foam detection device comprises a power detection element (131) for detecting an electrical power parameter of the pump (117), wherein the control device (119) is configured to activate the pump (117) within the framework of a cyclic pumping process during a detection period (151), and The control device (119) is configured to determine that foam is present in the alkali liquid container (105) when an electric power parameter of the pump (117) detected by the power detection element (131) is less than a power parameter threshold value during the detection time period (151), and when a state detected by the state detection element (129), in particular a liquid level in the alkali liquid container (105) detected by the liquid level detection element (129) is greater than a liquid level threshold value (147) during the detection time period (151).
15. A method (200) for reducing foam in a garment care device (100), wherein the garment care device (100) comprises: A lye container (105) for receiving washing liquid; a laundry tub (107) for receiving laundry, wherein the laundry tub (107) is arranged in the lye container (105) and can be rotated by a tub drive (109) of the laundry care device (100); a fresh water supply device (118-1) which is fluidically connected to the lye container (105) via a fresh water line (118-2), the lye container having a drain opening (111); a ventilation element (131) which is configured to supply fresh water to the lye container (105). supplying an air flow; a state detection element (129) for detecting the state of the clothing care device (100); and a control device (119) which is connected to the pump (117), the ventilation element (131), the tub drive (109) and the state detection element (129) in terms of control technology, wherein when the state detected by the state detection element (129) indicates that foam is conducive to or has been generated in the alkali liquid container (105) and / or the clothing tub (107), a method step is started, characterized in that the method step comprises: When the tub drive device (109) rotates the laundry tub (107), and when the state detected by the state detection element (129) is that the liquid level threshold (147) is exceeded, the predetermined minimum rotation speed is exceeded and / or foam is identified, in particular when the laundry absorbs a predetermined amount of washing liquid, the ventilation element (131) is activated (201) by the control device (119) to supply an air flow to the alkali solution container (105) and / or the laundry tub (107) so as to reduce the foam present in the alkali solution container (105) and / or the laundry tub (107) and / or avoid the generation of foam in the alkali solution container (105) and / or the laundry tub (107).
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Laundry care appliance with a control unit
DE102017222088A1