Laundry care system with control device

Abstract

A laundry care system comprising: a laundry care appliance, a laundry drum, a sanitization treatment device configured for sanitizing laundry contained in the laundry drum, and a control device for implementing a laundry care program, the control device being in electrical connection with the sanitization treatment device; a user interface connected with the control device, the user interface being configured for receiving a user input, and / or the laundry care appliance comprising a sensor and a drum drive in electrical connection with the control device, the sensor being configured for detecting a parameter associated with a rotation of the laundry drum, the control device being configured for: determining a surface area size of the laundry contained in the laundry drum based on the received user input and / or the parameter detected by the sensor; activating the sanitization treatment device during the laundry care program in dependence on the determined surface area size of the laundry contained in the laundry drum.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a laundry care system having a control device and a method for operating the laundry care system. Background Technology

[0002] In traditional laundry care appliances, hygienic treatment agents are used to treat laundry, such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation or steam, which can kill or damage some of the microorganisms. Here, the dosage of the hygienic treatment agent should be high enough to achieve the desired hygienic treatment, but not too high, otherwise the fabric will be excessively damaged and / or a large amount of energy will be wasted inefficiently. Furthermore, with excessively long treatment durations, the laundry may become overloaded, for example, when the laundry is moved during treatment using a drum drive. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The objective of this invention is to provide a laundry care system with laundry care appliances, the laundry care system being used to efficiently control the hygienic treatment equipment of the laundry care appliances, and a corresponding method for operating the laundry care system.

[0004] This task is solved by a 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.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the objective of the invention is solved by a laundry care system comprising: a laundry care appliance having a housing, a laundry drum disposed within the housing for receiving laundry, a hygienic treatment device, and a control device for performing a laundry care procedure, the hygienic treatment device being configured to hygienicate the laundry contained in the laundry drum by applying a hygienic treatment agent, the control device being electrically connected to the hygienic treatment device; and a user interface being communicatively connected to the control device, and the user interface being configured for... The system receives user input from a user of the laundry care system, and / or wherein the laundry care appliance includes at least one sensor electrically connected to a control device and a drum drive for rotating the laundry drum, wherein the sensor is configured to detect parameters associated with the rotation of the laundry drum, wherein the control device is configured to determine the surface area size of the laundry contained in the laundry drum based on the received user input and / or the parameters detected by the sensor, and wherein the control device is configured to activate a hygienic treatment device during a laundry care procedure based on the determined surface area size of the laundry contained in the laundry drum.

[0006] This achieves the following advantages: by determining the surface area, the hygienic treatment equipment can be activated efficiently. Here, to measure the hygienic treatment agent, the surface area of ​​the laundry can be advantageously used, thus allowing for such precise measurement that the laundry is still advantageously disinfected, while using the hygienic treatment agent as economically as possible. Furthermore, gentle treatment of the laundry can be achieved because the activation duration of the hygienic treatment equipment can be advantageously adjusted, and therefore, the duration of the laundry care procedure can also be advantageously adjusted.

[0007] In this invention, hygienic treatment of laundry is understood to kill or damage a portion of the microorganisms in the laundry, i.e., to reduce the microorganisms in the laundry.

[0008] During a laundry care program, it is possible to activate only the sanitation treatment equipment for washing the laundry. Specifically, it is possible to prevent the supply of detergent to the washing drum during the laundry care program. After the sanitation treatment equipment is deactivated during the laundry care program, the control device can be configured to terminate the laundry care program. The laundry care appliance can be configured to perform an additional laundry care program, which includes washing the laundry without activating the sanitation treatment equipment. This additional laundry care program may, for example, include supplying heated air and / or supplying washing liquid, especially washing liquid containing detergent, to the washing drum, especially an lye container, for washing the laundry.

[0009] The surface area of ​​the laundry can refer to the total volume of laundry contained within the washing drum. The control device can be configured to determine the surface area of ​​the laundry based on its area-dependent mass and weight. Area-dependent mass is understood as the ratio of the laundry's mass to its area. Area-dependent mass can be expressed, for example, in g / cm³. 2 Provided in units.

[0010] Sanitary treatment equipment may include metering devices for outputting ozone and / or vapor, and / or may preferably include ultraviolet light emission devices. Sanitary treatment agents may include ozone and / or vapor, and / or may preferably include ultraviolet radiation.

[0011] Laundry care appliances are understood to be appliances used for laundry care, such as washing machines, dryers, or washer-dryer combos. In particular, such laundry care appliances are understood to be household laundry care appliances. That is, laundry care appliances used within the framework of housework, and by means of such laundry care appliances, to handle the amount of laundry commonly found in household chores.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment, the laundry care system includes a user interface that is connected to a control device in a communication technology, wherein the user interface includes a mobile user appliance, particularly a smartphone, and / or an input element disposed on the laundry care appliance, the input element being configured to receive user input from a user of the laundry care system.

[0013] This achieves the following advantages: users can efficiently input user information. For example, a user can select at least one laundry item from multiple laundry items via user input. The control device and / or user interface, especially the application (App) of a mobile terminal device, can be configured to determine the weight and / or area-related mass of the selected laundry item based on the selected laundry item. Here, the control device and / or user interface can, for example, access the weight and / or area-related mass of the selected laundry item stored in a table or database.

[0014] According to one advantageous embodiment, the laundry care system includes a user interface that is communicatively connected to a control device, wherein the user input includes an area-related mass of laundry contained in a laundry drum, and wherein the control device is configured to determine the surface area of ​​the laundry contained in the laundry drum based on the received area-related mass input by the user.

[0015] Area-related mass is understood as the ratio of the mass of the laundry to its area. Area-related mass can be expressed, for example, in g / cm³. 2 Provided in units.

[0016] This achieves the following advantages: the user can provide the control device with information for determining area-related quality. If additional information, i.e., parameters, for determining area-related quality is provided via sensors, then not only the user's information, i.e., the user input, but also the parameters detected by the sensors can be incorporated in a weighted manner into the determination of the area-related quality of the laundry.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment, the laundry care system includes a user interface that is communicatively connected to a control device, wherein the user input includes the fabric type of the laundry contained in the laundry drum, and wherein the control device is configured to determine, based on the received fabric type input by the user, the area-related mass of the laundry contained in the laundry drum, and based on the determined area-related mass, determine the surface area size of the laundry contained in the laundry drum.

[0018] This achieves the following advantages: the user can provide information to the control device for determining area-related mass without needing to know the area-related mass of the laundry. The control device can be configured to determine the area-related mass of the laundry contained in the washing drum based on the fabric type received from the user's input, for example, according to a table stored in the user interface and / or the control device. If additional information, i.e., parameters, for determining the area-related mass is provided by sensors, then not only the user's information, i.e., the user input, but also the parameters detected by the sensors can be incorporated in a weighted manner into the determination of the area-related mass of the laundry.

[0019] According to one advantageous embodiment, the laundry care system includes a user interface that is communicatively connected to a control device, wherein the user input includes the weight of the laundry contained in the laundry drum, and wherein the control device is configured to determine the surface area of ​​the laundry contained in the laundry drum based on the received user-input weight.

[0020] This achieves the following advantages: the user can provide the control device with information for determining the weight of the laundry. If additional information, i.e., parameters, for determining area-related mass is provided via sensors, then not only the user's information, i.e., the user input, but also the parameters detected by the sensors can be incorporated in a weighted manner into the determination of the laundry's weight.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment, a laundry care appliance includes a sensor electrically connected to a control device and a drum drive for rotating a laundry drum, wherein the sensor is configured to detect parameters during a first rotation period of the drum drive, wherein the control device is configured to determine the weight of laundry contained in the laundry drum based on the parameters detected during the first rotation period, and wherein the control device is configured to determine the surface area of ​​laundry contained in the laundry drum based on the determined weight.

[0022] This achieves the following advantages: the sensors in laundry appliances can provide information for determining the weight of the laundry. If additional information for determining the weight is provided by the user, i.e., user input, then not only the user's information, i.e., the user input, but also the parameters detected by the sensors can be incorporated into the determination of the weight of the laundry in a weighted manner.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment, the sensor is configured to detect additional parameters during a second rotational period immediately following the first rotational period of the drum drive, wherein the drum drive is configured to rotate the laundry drum at a first rotational speed during the first rotational period and at a second rotational speed during the second rotational period, the second rotational speed being different from the first rotational speed, wherein the control device is configured to determine the weight of the laundry contained in the laundry drum based on the parameters detected during the first rotational period and the additional parameters detected during the second rotational period.

[0024] This achieves the following advantages: the control device can efficiently determine the weight of the laundry based on parameters detected during the first rotation period and additional parameters detected during the second rotation period. The second rotation speed can be greater than or less than the first rotation speed.

[0025] The first and / or second rotational speeds can be greater than, equal to, or less than the contact rotational speed. The drum drive can be particularly configured to cause the laundry drum to rotate at a first rotational speed acceleration during a first rotational time period and at a second rotational speed acceleration during a second rotational time period, the second speed acceleration being different from the first speed acceleration.

[0026] The weight of laundry is particularly understood as the mass of the laundry, especially the mass of dried laundry. Preferably, taking into account the law of conservation of energy, the weight or mass of the laundry can be determined from the driving energy of the drum drive and the rotational kinetic energy of the laundry drum, which is filled with laundry and rotates during the rotational period, wherein the rotational speed of the laundry drum can be constant, can fluctuate around an average value, or can increase or decrease during the rotational period. In particular, the mass of the rotating system can be determined from positive or negative rotational acceleration.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment, a laundry care appliance includes a sensor electrically connected to a control device and a drum drive for rotating a laundry drum, wherein the control device is configured to determine, based on parameters detected by the sensor, the area-related mass of laundry contained in the laundry drum, and wherein the control device is configured to determine, based on the determined area-related mass, the surface area size of laundry contained in the laundry drum.

[0028] This achieves the following advantages: the sensors in laundry appliances can provide information for determining the area-related quality of the laundry. If additional information for determining the area-related quality is provided by the user, i.e., user input, then not only the user's information, i.e., the user input, but also the parameters detected by the sensors can be incorporated in a weighted manner into the determination of the area-related quality of the laundry.

[0029] The sensors included in the laundry care system can advantageously detect one or more parameters related to the area-related mass and / or weight of the laundry. In this context, the sensor is also understood as a sensor system consisting of multiple individual sensor units, by which various parameters, particularly those related to the area-related mass and / or weight of the laundry, can be detected.

[0030] The control device can be configured to determine the area-related mass of laundry contained in a washing machine drum by implementing an algorithm based on parameters detected by sensors. This algorithm can be based, for example, on multivariate data analysis or a neural network. Alternatively or additionally, the algorithm can be configured to compare a characteristic function value of the time-varying curve of the parameters detected by the sensors, such as the ratio of amplitude to average, with a predetermined reference value.

[0031] Here, it is advantageous to fully utilize the following effect: large-area laundry items differ from small-area laundry items primarily in their mechanical characteristics. For example, in a rotating laundry drum, the movement of laundry items with a large area differs from that with a small area, where the movement is additionally influenced by the weight of the laundry item. The force generated by the movement of the laundry item and acting on the laundry drum affects the movement or drive power of the laundry drum. This effect or reaction can be detected by sensors and analyzed using algorithms in terms of area-related mass.

[0032] In the case of a laundry care appliance having a laundry drum capable of rotating about a substantially horizontal axis, it is advantageous to utilize the following conditions: the laundry is carried by the rotating laundry drum and is more or less lifted when the rotational speed is less than the contact speed, and then the laundry detaches from the mantel of the laundry drum and falls back into the lower region of the laundry drum; or when the rotational speed is equal to or greater than the contact speed, the laundry adheres to the mantel of the laundry drum and is carried around by the laundry drum, wherein, in the case of uneven distribution of laundry, due to the resulting imbalance acting on the laundry drum, a periodically fluctuating torque acts on the laundry drum within one drum rotation.

[0033] According to an advantageous embodiment, the sensor for detecting parameters of the drum drive includes a power sensor configured to detect power parameters of the drum drive, particularly motor current and / or torque, wherein the parameters include the power parameters, and wherein the control device is configured to determine the area-related mass of laundry contained in the laundry drum based on the detected power parameters of the drum drive; and / or the laundry drum is supported in a housing in a vibratory manner by means of a vibrating device, wherein the sensor includes an acceleration sensor arranged on the vibrating device, configured to detect offset parameters of the vibrating device, particularly offset force and / or offset length, wherein the parameters include the offset parameters, and wherein the control device is configured to determine the area-related mass of laundry contained in the laundry drum based on the offset parameters detected by the vibration system.

[0034] A vibrating device is understood, for example, as an lye container in which a laundry drum is rotatably supported, and a vibrating system is particularly understood as a vibrating assembly in an appliance, the assembly comprising an lye container, a laundry drum, and a drum driver rigidly fastened to the lye container.

[0035] In such an implementation, the effects of the movement of the laundry in the rotating laundry drum on the power of the drum drive and / or the vibration of the vibrating device can be advantageously determined by means of a power sensor and / or an acceleration sensor.

[0036] This achieves the following advantages: the parameters can be detected efficiently. If the laundry appliance includes not only a power sensor but also an acceleration sensor, the parameters can include power parameters and offset parameters. The control device can be configured to determine the area-related mass of the laundry contained in the laundry drum, based on the offset parameters detected by the vibration system and the power parameters detected by the drum drive, for example by weighting the power parameters and offset parameters.

[0037] According to an advantageous embodiment, the parameters, particularly the power parameters and / or offset parameters, include multiple sensor values, wherein the sensors are configured to detect the multiple sensor values ​​during a third rotational period of the drum drive, wherein the control device is configured to determine the area-related mass of the laundry contained in the laundry drum based on the multiple sensor values ​​detected during the third rotational period, wherein, in particular, the drum drive is configured to rotate the laundry drum at a third rotational speed during the third rotational period, the third rotational speed being less than the contact speed at which the laundry is just still in contact with the laundry drum.

[0038] By selecting a third rotational speed, it is advantageously ensured that the laundry does not adhere to the drum wall and circulate with the drum's rotation. Instead, the laundry is only partially carried by the drum and moves freely within it, especially being able to detach from the drum wall again and fall back to the lowest point of the drum. Therefore, during the third rotational period, the area-related mass of the laundry contained in the drum can be advantageously determined, as different motion patterns arise based on the area-related mass of the laundry, and the reaction of these motion patterns to the drum drive and / or the vibration device can be detected as parameters using sensors.

[0039] This achieves the following advantages: the control device can efficiently determine area-related mass based on multiple sensor values. The control device can be configured to determine the area-related mass of the laundry contained in the washing machine drum, particularly based on the time-varying curves of multiple sensor values ​​detected during a third rotation period. The control device can be configured to determine the area-related mass of the laundry contained in the washing machine drum by implementing an algorithm based on the multiple sensor values ​​detected during the third rotation period. This algorithm can be based, for example, on multivariate data analysis or a neural network. Alternatively or additionally, the algorithm can be configured to compare the characteristic function value of the time-varying curves of the detected sensor values, such as the ratio of amplitude to average, with a predetermined reference value.

[0040] According to an advantageous embodiment, the hygienic treatment apparatus includes an ultraviolet light emitting device, particularly at least one ultraviolet light-emitting diode, configured to emit ultraviolet light into a laundry drum for hygienic treatment of laundry contained therein. A control device is configured to determine the irradiation duration and / or irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light emitting device based on a determined surface area of ​​the laundry contained in the laundry drum, and to activate the ultraviolet light emitting device during a laundry care procedure based on the determined irradiation duration and / or irradiation intensity.

[0041] This achieves the following advantages: the hygienic treatment agent, including ultraviolet radiation, can be efficiently metered for effective hygienic treatment of laundry. The irradiation duration can be such that the laundry is treated as gently as possible during the laundry care process. The irradiation intensity can be such that the laundry is treated as gently as possible during the laundry care process.

[0042] At least one light-emitting diode (LED) is particularly capable of maximizing emission (also referred to as peak emission) in the wavelength range between 220 nm and 280 nm, especially in the wavelength range between 260 nm and 275 nm, preferably at 265 nm or 275 nm. This prevents the growth of most microorganisms on the laundry or kills most microorganisms on the laundry.

[0043] According to an advantageous embodiment, a laundry care appliance includes an appliance door having a transparent appliance window, wherein at least one light-emitting element of an ultraviolet (UV) emitting device, particularly a UV emitting device, is arranged in the transparent appliance window; and / or the laundry care appliance includes a housing opening through which a user of the laundry care appliance can transport laundry into a laundry drum, wherein a manschette is arranged around the housing opening, and at least one light-emitting element of the UV emitting device, particularly a UV emitting device, is arranged on the manschette; and / or the laundry drum includes at least one laundry carrier arranged on the inner surface of the laundry drum, wherein at least one light-emitting element of the UV emitting device, particularly a UV emitting device, is arranged on the laundry carrier.

[0044] This achieves the following advantages: the ultraviolet (UV) emitting device can efficiently introduce UV radiation, which serves as a hygienic treatment agent, into the laundry drum. The UV emitting device, and especially at least one of its emitting elements, can be aligned with a predetermined area of ​​the laundry drum.

[0045] The transparent appliance window can be made of, for example, plastic or glass. At least one light-emitting element, particularly at least one first light-emitting diode (LED), can be embedded in the transparent appliance window. At least one light-emitting element, particularly at least one second LED, can be arranged on the surface of the collar facing the laundry drum. At least one light-emitting element, particularly at least one third LED, can be arranged on the surface of the laundry carrier facing the receiving space of the laundry drum. At least one light-emitting element, particularly at least one third LED, can be arranged in the laundry carrier, wherein the laundry carrier can be configured as a transparent laundry carrier.

[0046] According to an advantageous embodiment, the ultraviolet emitting device includes a plurality of light-emitting elements, particularly light-emitting diodes, wherein a first number of light-emitting elements are aligned with a first region of a laundry drum, and a second number of light-emitting elements are aligned with a second region of the laundry drum, the second region being different from the first region, wherein a control device is configured to determine, based on a determined surface area size and / or a determined area-related mass of the laundry contained in the laundry drum, whether the irradiation duration and / or irradiation intensity of the first number of light-emitting elements is different from or the same as the irradiation duration and / or irradiation intensity of the second number of light-emitting elements.

[0047] This achieves the following advantages: the ultraviolet light emitter can target specific types of laundry for targeted irradiation. Therefore, the energy efficiency of the ultraviolet light emitter can be improved. For example, the ultraviolet light emitter can target areas where laundry, especially relatively heavy fabrics, passes by with high probability or remains on with high efficiency, such as the rising side (flank) of the washing drum during reverse motion. When handling multiple individual or relatively light fabrics, the entire washing drum can be irradiated, for example.

[0048] According to an advantageous embodiment, the control device is configured to determine, based on received user input and / or parameters detected by sensors, the probability of laundry contained in the laundry drum remaining in first and second regions during the rotation of the laundry drum, particularly during reversing rotation. The control device is configured to determine, based on a determined surface area size and / or a determined area-related mass of the laundry contained in the laundry drum, and based on the probability of the laundry remaining in the first region, the irradiation duration and / or irradiation intensity of a first number of the plurality of light-emitting elements. Furthermore, the control device is configured to determine, based on a determined surface area size and / or a determined area-related mass of the laundry contained in the laundry drum, and based on the probability of the laundry remaining in the second region, the irradiation duration and / or irradiation intensity of a second number of the plurality of light-emitting elements.

[0049] This achieves the following advantages: targeted irradiation of the laundry can be achieved by the ultraviolet light-emitting device based on the determined dwell probability, and therefore different radiation doses can be applied to different areas of the laundry drum in different ways.

[0050] According to an advantageous embodiment, the hygienic treatment apparatus includes a metering device for ozone and / or steam, wherein a control device is configured to determine the amount of ozone and / or steam based on a determined surface area of ​​laundry contained in a laundry drum, and to activate the metering device for ozone and / or steam during a laundry care program based on the determined amount, wherein the metering device for ozone and / or steam is configured to introduce the determined amount of ozone and / or steam into the laundry drum during the laundry care program.

[0051] This achieves the following advantages: the hygienic treatment agent, which includes ozone and / or steam, can be metered efficiently to effectively hygienically treat laundry. The determined amount of ozone and / or steam can be such that, at such amounts, the laundry is treated as gently as possible during the laundry care process.

[0052] According to a second aspect, the objective of the invention is solved by a method for operating a laundry care system, wherein the laundry care system comprises: a laundry care appliance having a housing, a laundry drum disposed within the housing for receiving laundry, a hygienic treatment device, and a control device for performing a laundry care procedure, the hygienic treatment device being configured to hygienically treat the laundry contained in the laundry drum by applying a hygienic treatment agent, the control device being electrically connected to the hygienic treatment device; and a user interface being communicatively connected to the control device, and the user interface being configured for... The method includes receiving user input from a user of a laundry care system, and / or wherein the laundry care appliance includes at least one sensor electrically connected to a control device and a drum drive for rotating the laundry drum, wherein the sensor is configured to detect parameters associated with the rotation of the laundry drum, and wherein the method includes: determining, by the control device, the surface area size of laundry contained in the laundry drum based on the received user input and / or parameters detected by the sensor; and activating a hygienic treatment device during a laundry care procedure by the control device according to the determined surface area size of the laundry contained in the laundry drum.

[0053] The implementation method mentioned in the laundry care system according to the first aspect is also applicable to the implementation method according to the second aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0054] Embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0055] The attached diagram shows: Figure 1 A schematic view of a laundry care system according to one embodiment is shown; Figure 2a A schematic diagram showing a first curve for a laundry care system according to one embodiment; Figure 2b A schematic diagram showing a second graph for a laundry care system according to one embodiment; and Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a method for operating a laundry care system according to one embodiment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0056] Figure 1 A schematic view of a laundry care system 100 according to one embodiment is shown.

[0057] like Figure 1 As schematically shown, the laundry care system 100 includes a laundry care appliance 101 having a housing 103 and a laundry drum 105 disposed within the housing 103 for receiving laundry items 107a, b. The housing 103 may have a housing opening—although this is not always the case in practice. Figure 1 As not shown, the user of the laundry care appliance 101 can place laundry items 107a and b into the laundry drum 105 through the opening, and the housing may include an appliance door for closing the housing opening.

[0058] Laundry care appliances 101 include Figure 1 The hygienic treatment devices 109a and 109b are schematically shown in the diagram. These devices are configured to hygienically treat the laundry 107a and 107b contained in the laundry drum 105 by applying a hygienic treatment agent. Figure 1 As schematically shown, the hygienic treatment devices 109a and 109b may include ultraviolet light emitting devices, particularly at least one ultraviolet light-emitting diode, configured to emit ultraviolet light into the laundry drum 105 to hygienically treat the laundry 107a and 107b contained therein. In this regard, the hygienic treatment agent may include ultraviolet light.

[0059] Laundry care appliance 101 may include appliance doors—although this is in Figure 1 Not shown, the appliance door has a transparent appliance window. At least one light-emitting element of an ultraviolet emitting device, particularly an ultraviolet emitting device, can be arranged in the transparent appliance window.

[0060] Alternatively or additionally, laundry care appliance 101 may include a housing opening—although this is in Figure 1As not shown, the user of the laundry care appliance 101 can transport laundry items 107a and b into the laundry drum 105 through the housing opening. A collar may be arranged around the housing opening. An ultraviolet light-emitting device, particularly at least one light-emitting element of an ultraviolet light-emitting device, may be arranged on the collar.

[0061] Alternatively or additionally, the laundry drum 105 includes at least one laundry carrier that can be arranged on the inner surface of the laundry drum 105. An ultraviolet (UV) emitting device, particularly at least one light-emitting element of a UV emitting device, can be arranged on the laundry carrier.

[0062] Despite Figure 1 Not shown, but alternative to or supplementing the ultraviolet light-emitting device, the hygienic treatment equipment may include metering devices for ozone and / or steam. Here, the hygienic treatment agent may include ozone or steam, and the metering devices for ozone and / or steam may be configured to introduce ozone or steam into the laundry drum.

[0063] like Figure 1 As illustrated, laundry care appliance 101 includes a control device 111 for performing laundry care procedures, which is electrically connected to hygienic treatment equipment 109a, b.

[0064] Laundry care system 100 includes Figure 1 The user interface 113, schematically shown, is connected to the control device 111 in a communication technology and is configured to receive user input from the user of the laundry care system 100. The user interface 113 may include a mobile user appliance, particularly a smartphone, and / or an input element disposed on the laundry care appliance 101, the input element being configured to receive user input from the user of the laundry care system 100.

[0065] In lieu of or supplementing the user interface 113, the laundry care appliance 101 includes at least one sensor 115 electrically connected to the control device 111 and a drum drive 117 for rotating the laundry drum 105. The sensor 115 is configured to detect parameters associated with the rotation of the laundry drum 105.

[0066] The control device 111 is configured to determine the surface area size of the laundry items 107a, b contained in the laundry drum 105 based on received user input and / or parameters detected by the sensor 115. The control device 111 may, for example, be configured to determine the surface area size by dividing the weight of the laundry items 107a, b by the area-related mass of the laundry items 107a, b.

[0067] Here, user input may include the area-related mass of laundry 107a and b contained in the laundry drum 105 and the weight of laundry 107a and b contained in the laundry drum 105.

[0068] Alternatively, user input may include the fabric type of the laundry 107a, b contained in the laundry drum 105 and the weight of the laundry 107a, b contained in the laundry drum 105. Control device 111 may be configured to determine the area-related mass of the laundry 107a, b contained in the laundry drum 105 based on the fabric type received from the user's input.

[0069] Alternatively, user input may include the weight of laundry 107a, b contained in the laundry drum 105, and control device 111 may be configured to determine the area-related mass of laundry 107a, b contained in the laundry drum 105 based on parameters detected by sensor 115.

[0070] In addition to or supplementing the user input including the weight of the laundry 107a, b contained in the washing drum 105, sensor 115 may be configured to detect parameters during a first rotational period of the drum drive 117, and control device 111 may be configured to determine the weight of the laundry 107a, b contained in the washing drum 105 based on the parameters detected during the first rotational period, and particularly based on the weight input by the user. Drum drive 117 may be configured to rotate the washing drum 105 at a first rotational speed during the first rotational period, which is greater than or equal to the contact speed at which the laundry 107a, b is just still in contact with the washing drum 105. At such a rotational speed, the weight of the laundry 107a, b can be determined, for example, from the parameters detected by sensor 115, from the torque of the drum drive 117 and / or the rotational acceleration used to achieve the first rotational speed and / or the change in rotational acceleration during the first rotational period.

[0071] In an alternative embodiment, the laundry drum 105 may be rotated at a speed less than the contact speed during the first rotation period, and the weight of the laundry 107a, b contained in the laundry drum 105 may be determined from data of parameters detected by the sensor 115, for example from the torque of the drum drive, which is required to accelerate the rotation of the laundry drum from a stationary state, since such torque is affected by the weight of the laundry 107a, b contained in the laundry drum 105.

[0072] Furthermore, sensor 115 may be configured to detect additional parameters during a second rotation period of drum drive 117 immediately following the first rotation period. Drum drive 117 may be configured to rotate laundry drum 105 at a first rotational speed during the first rotation period and at a second rotational speed during the second rotation period, the second speed being different from the first speed. Control device 111 may be configured to determine the weight of laundry 107a, b contained in laundry drum 105 based on parameters detected during the first rotation period and additional parameters detected during the second rotation period, and particularly based on user-input weight.

[0073] Sensor 115 may include a power sensor configured to detect power parameters of the drum drive 117, particularly motor current and / or torque. The parameters may include the power parameters. Control device 111 may be configured to determine, based on the detected power parameters of the drum drive 117, the area-related mass of the laundry 107a, b contained in the laundry drum 105, in addition to the weight of the laundry 107a, b. Alternatively or additionally, the laundry drum 105 may be supported in the housing 103 in a vibratory manner by means of a vibration device. Sensor 115 may include an accelerometer disposed on the vibration device, configured to detect offset parameters of the vibration device, particularly offset force and / or offset length. The parameters may include the offset parameters. Control device 111 may be configured to determine the area-related mass of the laundry 107a, b contained in the laundry drum 105 based on the offset parameters detected by the vibration system.

[0074] The parameters, particularly the power parameters and / or offset parameters, may include multiple sensor values. Sensor 115 may be configured to detect multiple sensor values ​​during a third rotational period of the drum drive 117. Control device 111 may be configured to determine the area-related mass of the laundry items 107a, b contained in the laundry drum 105 based on the multiple sensor values ​​detected during the third rotational period. Specifically, the drum drive 117 is configured to rotate the laundry drum 105 at a third rotational speed during the third rotational period, which is less than the contact speed at which the laundry items 107a, b are just still in contact with the laundry drum 105.

[0075] In this regard, control device 111 may be configured to determine the weight of the laundry based solely on received user input or solely on parameters detected by drum drive 117. Alternatively, control device 111 may be configured to determine the weight of the laundry based on received user input and parameters detected by sensor 115, for example by a pre-determined or user-determined weighting of the received user input and the parameters detected by sensor 115, particularly the parameters detected by drum drive 117.

[0076] Furthermore, the control device 111 may be configured to determine the area-related quality of the laundry based solely on received user input or solely on parameters detected by the sensor 115. Alternatively, the control device 111 may be configured to determine the area-related quality of the laundry based on received user input and parameters detected by the sensor 115, for example by pre-determined or user-determined additional weighting of the received user input and the parameters detected by the sensor 115.

[0077] The control device 111 is configured to activate the hygienic treatment devices 109a and 109b during the laundry care program, based on the determined surface area of ​​the laundry 107a and 107b contained in the laundry drum 105.

[0078] In particular, the control device 111 may be configured to determine the irradiation duration and / or irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet emitting device based on the determined surface area size of the laundry 107a, b contained in the laundry drum 105, and to activate the ultraviolet emitting device during the laundry care procedure based on the determined irradiation duration and / or irradiation intensity.

[0079] Alternatively or additionally, the control device 111 may be configured to determine the amount of ozone and / or steam based on a determined surface area of ​​the laundry 107a, b contained in the laundry drum 105, and to activate a metering device for ozone and / or steam during the laundry care program based on the determined amount. Here, the metering device for ozone and / or steam may be configured to introduce the determined amount of ozone and / or steam into the laundry drum 105 during the laundry care program.

[0080] like Figure 1As schematically shown, the ultraviolet light-emitting device may include a plurality of light-emitting elements, particularly light-emitting diodes (LEDs). A first number of the plurality of light-emitting elements may be aligned with a first region 119a of the wash drum 105, and a second number of the plurality of light-emitting elements may be aligned with a second region 119b of the wash drum 105, which is different from the first region 119a, such as... Figure 1 The first sanitary treatment device 109a and the second sanitary treatment device 109b are schematically shown in relation to sanitary treatment devices 109a and 109b.

[0081] The control device 111 may be configured to determine, based on a determined surface area size and / or a determined area-related mass of the laundry 107a, b contained in the laundry drum 105, the irradiation duration and / or irradiation intensity of a first number of the plurality of light-emitting elements to be different from or the same as the irradiation duration and / or irradiation intensity of a second number of the plurality of light-emitting elements.

[0082] In particular, the control device 111 can be configured to determine, based on received user input and / or parameters detected by the sensor 115, the probability of dwelling of the laundry 107a, b contained in the laundry drum 105 for the first and second regions 119a, b during the rotation of the laundry drum 105, especially in reverse rotation. The control device 111 can then be configured to determine, based on the determined surface area size and / or determined area-related mass of the laundry 107a, b contained in the laundry drum 105, and based on the probability of dwelling of the laundry 107a, b for the first region 119a, for the first number of the plurality of light-emitting elements, the irradiation duration and / or irradiation intensity. Accordingly, the control device 111 may be configured to determine the irradiation duration and / or irradiation intensity of a second number of the plurality of light-emitting elements based on the determined surface area size and / or determined area-related mass of the laundry 107a, b contained in the laundry drum 105, and based on the dwell probability of the laundry 107a, b contained in the laundry drum 105 toward the second region 119b.

[0083] Figure 2a A schematic diagram of a first graph 120 for a laundry care system 100 according to one embodiment is shown. Figure 2b A schematic diagram of a second graph 128 for the laundry care system 100 is shown. The laundry care system 100 may be... Figure 1 The laundry care system 100 shown is an example. Figure 1The laundry care system 100 includes a laundry care appliance 101 having a control device 111 and a laundry drum 117 for receiving laundry items 107a, b. Furthermore, the laundry care system 100 includes a user interface 113, and / or the laundry care appliance includes sensors 115.

[0084] like Figure 2a As illustrated, the first curve 120 has an abscissa 121, an ordinate 123, a first curve 125 shown schematically, and a second curve 127 shown schematically.

[0085] Figure 2a The horizontal axis 121 records the time or rotation angle of the sensor signal used by sensor 115. Figure 2a The vertical axis 123 records the current intensity, torque, force, or offset of the sensor signal used for sensor 115, depending on the type of sensor. (As already specified...) Figure 1 As described, sensor 115 may in particular include a power sensor and / or an acceleration sensor.

[0086] Figure 2a The first curve 125 schematically illustrates the passage of the sensor signal. Figure 2a The second curve 127 shows the sensor signal compared to the average value. For example, the control device 111 can determine, based on the relatively high amplitude of the sensor signal relative to its average value, that the laundry 107a, b contained in the laundry drum 117 has a relatively high area-related mass, as in the case of a jacket, for example.

[0087] like Figure 2b As illustrated, the second curve 128 has an abscissa 129, an ordinate 131, a third curve 133 (illustrated), and a fourth curve 135 (illustrated).

[0088] Figure 2b The horizontal axis 129 records the time or rotation angle of the additional sensor signal used by sensor 115. Figure 2b The vertical axis 131 records the current intensity, torque, force, or offset of the additional sensor signal used for sensor 115, depending on the type of sensor.

[0089] Figure 2b The third curve 133 schematically illustrates the passage of signals from other sensors. Figure 2bThe second curve 135 shows the average value compared to the other sensor signal. For example, the control device 111 can determine, based on the relatively low amplitude of the other sensor signal relative to its average value, that the laundry 107a, b contained in the laundry drum 117 has a relatively low area-related mass, such as in the case of T-shirts.

[0090] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates a method 200 for operating a laundry care system 100 according to one embodiment. The laundry care system 100 may be... Figure 1 The laundry care system 100 shown. For example, for... Figure 1 Already described and in Figure 3 As not shown, the laundry care system 100 includes a laundry care appliance 101 having a housing 103, a laundry drum 105 disposed within the housing 103 for containing laundry items 107a and b, hygienic treatment devices 109a and b, and a control device 111 for performing a laundry care procedure. The hygienic treatment devices are configured to hygienicate the laundry items 107a and b contained in the laundry drum 105 by applying a hygienic treatment agent. The control device is electrically connected to the hygienic treatment devices 109a and b. In addition, the laundry care system 100 includes a user interface 113 that is connected to the control device 111 in a communication technology and is configured to receive user input from the user of the laundry care system 100; and / or the laundry care appliance 101 includes at least one sensor 115 electrically connected to the control device 111 and a drum driver 117 for rotating the laundry drum 105, wherein the sensor 115 is configured to detect parameters associated with the rotation of the laundry drum 105.

[0091] As a first method step, method 200 includes: determining, by means of control device 111, the surface area size of laundry 107a, b contained in laundry drum 105 based on received user input and / or parameters detected by sensor 115.

[0092] As a second method step, method 200 includes: activating the hygienic treatment devices 109a,b 203 during a laundry care procedure by means of a control device 111, based on the determined surface area size of the laundry 107a,b contained in the laundry drum 105.

[0093] All the features described and illustrated in conjunction with the various embodiments of the present invention can be arranged in different combinations within the subject matter of the invention in order to achieve their advantageous effects simultaneously.

[0094] The scope of protection of this invention is given by the claims and is not limited by the features set forth in the description or shown in the drawings.

[0095] List of reference numerals 100 Laundry Care System 101 Laundry Care Appliances 103 Casing 105 Laundry drum 107a, b Laundry products 109a First Sanitary Treatment Equipment 109b Second Sanitary Treatment Equipment 111 Control device 113 User Interface 115 Sensor 117 Roller Drive 119a First Region 119b Second Area 120 First Curve Graph 121 The x-axis of the first curve 123 The vertical axis of the first curve 125 First Curve 127 Second Curve 128 Second Curve Graph 129 The x-axis of the second curve 131 The vertical axis of the second curve 133 Third Curve 135 Fourth Curve 200 Methods for operating laundry care systems 201 First method step: Determine the surface area 203 Second method step: Activate the sanitary treatment equipment.

Claims

1. A laundry care system (100), the laundry care system comprising: A laundry care appliance (101) having a housing (103), a laundry drum (105) arranged within the housing (103) for containing laundry items (107a, b), a hygienic treatment device (109a, b), and a control device (111) for performing a laundry care procedure, the hygienic treatment device being configured to hygienicate the laundry items (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105) by applying a hygienic treatment agent, and the control device being electrically connected to the hygienic treatment device (109a, b). User interface (113), which is connected to the control device (111) in a communication technology, and which is configured to receive user input from the user of the laundry care system (100), and / or wherein, The laundry care appliance (101) includes at least one sensor (115) electrically connected to the control device (111) and a drum drive (117) for rotating the laundry drum (105), wherein the sensor (115) is configured to detect parameters associated with the rotation of the laundry drum (105). Its features are, The control device (111) is configured to determine, based on received user input from the user and / or parameters detected by the sensor (115), the surface area of ​​the laundry (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105), and The control device (111) is configured to activate the hygienic treatment equipment (109a, b) during the laundry care program based on the determined surface area of ​​the laundry (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105).

2. The laundry care system (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The laundry care system (100) includes a user interface (113) that is connected to the control device (111) in a communication technology, wherein the user interface (113) includes a mobile user appliance, particularly a smartphone, and / or an input element disposed on the laundry care appliance (101), the input element being configured to receive user input from the user of the laundry care system (100).

3. The laundry care system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The laundry care system (100) includes a user interface (113) that is connected in communication technology to the control device (111), wherein the user input includes the area-related mass of the laundry (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105). The control device (111) is configured to determine the surface area of ​​the laundry (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105) based on the area-related mass received from the user input by the user.

4. The laundry care system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The laundry care system (100) includes a user interface (113) that is connected in communication technology to the control device (111), wherein the user input includes the fabric type of the laundry (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105). The control device (111) is configured to determine the area-related mass of the laundry (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105) based on the fabric type received from the user input by the user, and to determine the surface area size of the laundry (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105) based on the determined area-related mass.

5. The laundry care system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The laundry care system (100) includes a user interface (113) that is connected in communication technology to the control device (111), wherein the user input includes the weight of the laundry (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105). The control device (111) is configured to determine the surface area of ​​the laundry (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105) based on the weight received from the user input.

6. The laundry care system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The laundry care appliance (101) includes a sensor (115) electrically connected to the control device (111) and a drum drive (117) for rotating the laundry drum (105), wherein the sensor (115) is configured to detect the parameter during a first rotation period of the drum drive (117). The control device (111) is configured to determine the weight of the laundry (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105) based on parameters detected during the first rotation time period, and the control device (111) is configured to determine the surface area of ​​the laundry (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105) based on the determined weight.

7. The laundry care system (100) according to claim 6, wherein, The sensor (115) is configured to detect additional parameters during a second rotation period of the drum drive (117) immediately following the first rotation period, wherein the drum drive (117) is configured to cause the laundry drum (105) to rotate at a first rotational speed during the first rotation period and at a second rotational speed during the second rotation period, the second rotational speed being different from the first rotational speed. The control device (111) is configured to determine the weight of the laundry (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105) based on parameters detected during the first rotation time period and additional parameters detected during the second rotation time period.

8. The laundry care system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The laundry care appliance (101) includes a sensor (115) electrically connected to the control device (111) and a drum driver (117) for rotating the laundry drum (105), wherein the control device (111) is configured to determine, based on parameters detected by the sensor (115), the area-related mass of the laundry (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105). The control device (111) is configured to determine the surface area of ​​the laundry (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105) based on the determined area-related mass.

9. The laundry care system (100) according to claim 8, wherein, The sensor (115) detects parameters of the drum drive (117), and the sensor includes a power sensor configured to detect power parameters of the drum drive (117), particularly motor current and / or torque, wherein the parameters include the power parameters, and wherein the control device (111) is configured to determine, based on the detected power parameters of the drum drive (117), the area-related mass of the laundry (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105); and / or The laundry drum (105) is supported in the housing (103) in a vibratory manner by means of a vibration device, wherein the sensor (115) includes an acceleration sensor arranged on the vibration device, the acceleration sensor being configured to detect the offset parameters of the vibration device, particularly the offset force and / or offset length, wherein the parameters include the offset parameters, and wherein the control device (111) is configured to determine the area-related mass of the laundry (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105) based on the offset parameters detected by the vibration system.

10. The laundry care system (100) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, The parameters, particularly the power parameters and / or the offset parameters, include multiple sensor values, wherein the sensor (115) is configured to detect the multiple sensor values ​​during a third rotation period of the drum drive (117), and wherein the control device (111) is configured to determine the area-related mass of the laundry (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105) based on the multiple sensor values ​​detected during the third rotation period. In particular, the drum drive (117) is configured to cause the laundry drum (105) to rotate at a third rotation speed during the third rotation time period, the third rotation speed being less than the contact speed, at which the laundry (107a, b) is still in contact with the laundry drum (105).

11. The laundry care system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The hygienic treatment equipment (109a, b) includes an ultraviolet light emitting device, particularly at least one ultraviolet light emitting diode, which is configured to emit ultraviolet light into the laundry drum (105) to hygienically treat the laundry (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105). The control device (111) is configured to determine the irradiation duration and / or irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet emitting device based on a determined surface area of ​​the laundry (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105), and to activate the ultraviolet emitting device during the laundry care procedure based on the determined irradiation duration and / or irradiation intensity.

12. The laundry care system (100) according to claim 11, wherein, The laundry care appliance (101) includes an appliance door having a transparent appliance window, wherein the ultraviolet emitting device, in particular at least one emitting element of the ultraviolet emitting device, is arranged in the transparent appliance window; And / or wherein the laundry care appliance (101) includes a housing opening through which a user of the laundry care appliance (101) can transport the laundry (107a, b) into the laundry drum (105), wherein a collar is arranged around the housing opening, and wherein the ultraviolet emitting device, in particular at least one light-emitting element of the ultraviolet emitting device, is arranged on the collar. And / or wherein the laundry drum (105) includes at least one laundry carrier disposed on the inner surface of the laundry drum (105), wherein the ultraviolet emitting device, in particular at least one emitting element of the ultraviolet emitting device, is disposed on the laundry carrier.

13. The laundry care system (100) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The ultraviolet light-emitting device includes a plurality of light-emitting elements, particularly light-emitting diodes (LEDs), wherein a first number of the plurality of light-emitting elements are aligned with a first region (119a) of the laundry drum (105), and a second number of the plurality of light-emitting elements are aligned with a second region (119b) of the laundry drum (105), the second region being different from the first region (119a). The control device (111) is configured to determine, based on a determined surface area size and / or a determined area-related mass of the laundry (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105), the irradiation duration and / or irradiation intensity of a first number of the plurality of light-emitting elements to be different from or the same as the irradiation duration and / or irradiation intensity of a second number of the plurality of light-emitting elements.

14. The laundry care system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The hygienic treatment equipment (109a, b) includes a metering device for ozone and / or steam, wherein the control device (111) is configured to determine the amount of ozone and / or steam based on a determined surface area of ​​the laundry (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105), and to activate the metering device for ozone and / or steam during the laundry care program based on the determined amount, wherein the metering device for ozone and / or steam is configured to introduce the determined amount of ozone and / or steam into the laundry drum (105) during the laundry care program.

15. A method (200) for operating a laundry care system (101), wherein, The laundry care system (101) includes: a laundry care appliance (101) having a housing (103), a laundry drum (105) disposed within the housing (103) for containing laundry items (107a, b), a hygienic treatment device (109a, b), and a control device (111) for performing a laundry care procedure. The hygienic treatment device is configured to hygienically treat the laundry items (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105) by applying a hygienic treatment agent. The control device is connected to the hygienic treatment device (109a, b). 09a, b) Electrical connection; user interface (113), which is connected to the control device (111) in a communication technology, and the user interface is configured to receive user input from a user of the laundry care system (100), and / or wherein the laundry care appliance (101) includes at least one sensor (115) electrically connected to the control device (111) and a drum driver (117) for rotating the laundry drum (105), wherein the sensor (115) is configured to detect parameters associated with the rotation of the laundry drum (105), The method (200) is characterized in that it includes: The control device (111) determines (201) the surface area of ​​the laundry (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105) based on received user input and / or parameters detected by the sensor (115); and The hygienic treatment equipment (109a, b) is activated (203) during the laundry care program by means of the control device (111) based on the determined surface area of ​​the laundry (107a, b) contained in the laundry drum (105).

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