Method and control device for operating a textile treatment device, textile treatment device

Abstract

A method for operating a textile treatment device (100) comprising a drum (105) for treating textiles (130), a heat pump (110), a heating device (120), and a blower (125) for directing process air, tempered by the heat pump (110) and the heating device (120), into the drum (105), includes a step of using a heat pump (110) to dehumidify the process air during a drying process. In a deactivation step, the heat pump (110) is deactivated, and in an activation step, the heating device (120) is activated when the moisture content of the textiles (130) during the drying process corresponds to a predetermined residual moisture content in the textiles (130), in order to increase the humidity and temperature of the process air during a step of sanitizing the textiles (130).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a control device for operating a textile treatment device and a textile treatment device.

[0002] DE 102021106619 A1 discloses a process for providing hygiene requirements in a dryer with steam generation.

[0003] The invention aims to create an improved method and an improved control device for operating a textile treatment device and an improved textile treatment device.

[0004] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a method and a control device for operating a textile treatment device and by a textile treatment device having the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0005] The advantages achievable with the invention consist in particular of the fact that a method can be created which enables reliable sanitization of textiles in a textile treatment device.

[0006] A method for operating a textile treatment device is presented. The textile treatment device comprises a drum for treating textiles, a heat pump, a heating device, and a blower for directing process air, tempered by the heat pump and the heating device, into the drum. The method includes an operating step, a deactivation step, and an activation step. In the operating step, a heat pump is used to dehumidify the process air during a drying process, responding to a drying signal. The drying signal represents the selection of a drying program for drying textiles in the drum.In the deactivation step, the heat pump is deactivated, and in the activation step, the heating device is activated when the moisture content of the textiles during the drying process corresponds to a predetermined residual moisture content in the textiles, in order to increase the humidity and air temperature of the process air during a step of sanitizing the textiles.

[0007] The drying program can, for example, be a hygiene program for drying and sanitizing textiles. The drying program can be started by a drying signal, such as in response to input from a user of the textile treatment device. The humidity and air temperature in the treatment room can be increased during the drying program for hygienic treatment. To achieve this, once a certain residual moisture level is reached in the textiles, the heat pump (i.e., the compressor) can be deactivated and the heating element activated. This increases both the humidity and the air temperature. With the approach presented here, the textiles can be dried using a heat pump until a predetermined residual moisture level is reached.A process for meeting hygiene requirements can then be carried out with the heat pump switched off and the auxiliary heating element (also known as a supplementary heater) switched on, without adding any additional steam or water mist to the drum. This auxiliary heating element can be a hygienic heater, also known as a QPD heater. The approach presented here can therefore be understood as achieving maximum hygiene with QPD when treating damp textiles, which can also be referred to as laundry. The drying program can achieve maximum germ reduction in damp textiles without over-drying them. The textiles can have a pleasant feel after the drying program. With this approach, the duration of the drying program can be shortened, the textiles can be treated more quickly, and thus mechanical stress on the textiles can be reduced.Hygienizing can increase the reduction of germs and prevent the textiles from drying out too quickly.

[0008] During the deactivation step, the heat pump can be deactivated, and during the activation step, the heating element can be activated, if the moisture content of the textiles during the drying process corresponds to a predetermined residual moisture level, for example, between 10 and 40 percent. This prevents the textiles from over-drying.

[0009] During the sanitizing step, the heating device can be operated to maintain a hygienic temperature in the drum, for example, between 60 and 90 degrees Celsius. This allows for maximum reduction of germs.

[0010] The process can include a step of switching off the heating device and a step of reducing the fan's output in response to the switch-off step, in order to reduce the volume flow of process air during an exposure phase. For example, the fan can be operated in reverse during the reduction step to decrease its output.

[0011] The reduction step can be carried out for a predetermined duration of the exposure phase. During the exposure phase, the heating system and the heat pump can be deactivated.

[0012] The sanitizing step and the contact phase can represent a temperature holding phase. This temperature holding phase can last from 10 to 50 minutes. During this temperature holding phase, the textiles can be reliably sanitized.

[0013] The procedure can include a step of switching on the heat pump and the fan. This switching-on step can be carried out after the exposure phase has ended. This allows the drying process to continue.

[0014] The process can include a step of switching off the heat pump and the fan, whereby the switching-off step can be carried out when the moisture content of the textiles corresponds to a predetermined residual moisture level, for example, below 10 percent. In this way, over-drying of the textiles can be prevented.

[0015] Although the described approach is based on a household appliance, the procedure described here can be used accordingly in connection with a commercial or professional device, for example a medical device, such as a cleaning or disinfection device, a small sterilizer, a large-capacity disinfector or a container washing system.

[0016] The approach presented here further creates a control device designed to execute, control, or implement the steps of a variant of the method presented here in corresponding facilities. This embodiment of the invention, in the form of a control device, also allows the problem underlying the invention to be solved quickly and efficiently.

[0017] The control device can be configured to read input signals and use these input signals to determine and provide output signals. An input signal can, for example, be a sensor signal readable via an input interface of the control device. An output signal can be a control signal or a data signal that can be provided at an output interface of the control device. The control device can be configured to determine the output signals using a processing instruction implemented in hardware or software. For example, the device can include a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, or a software module and may be implemented as a discrete component or comprised of a discrete component.

[0018] A textile treatment device comprises an embodiment of a control device mentioned herein, a drum, a heat pump, a heating device, and a blower for directing process air, the temperature of which can be controlled by the heat pump and the heating device, into the drum. The textile treatment device is, for example, configured as a dryer or a washer-dryer.

[0019] A computer program product or computer program with program code that can be stored on a machine-readable medium such as semiconductor memory, hard disk memory, or optical memory is also advantageous. If the program product or program is executed on a computer or device, it can be used to carry out, implement, and / or control the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described above.

[0020] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Fig. 1. A representation of an exemplary embodiment of a textile treatment device; Fig. 2 a schematic block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a textile treatment device; Fig. 3 a diagram of a drying process to illustrate an embodiment of a method for operating a textile treatment device; and Fig. 4 A diagram showing a drying process to illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a textile treatment device.

[0021] Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a textile treatment device 100. The textile treatment device 100 is, for example, configured as a washer-dryer or a clothes dryer and comprises a drum 105, a heat pump 110, a control device 115, a heating device 120, and a blower 125. The textile treatment device 100 is designed to treat, for example, textiles 130 in the drum 105.

[0022] For example, a user places textiles 130 into the drum 105. To do this, the user opens a door 135 and closes it again after placing the textiles 130 into the drum 105. Using the control device 115, which is designed, for example, as a touch display, the user selects a drying program.

[0023] The drying program is executed using the heat pump 110. The heat pump 110 is located below the drum 105, in a so-called base module 140. The heat pump 110 comprises a condenser 145, also called a cooler, a condenser 150, also called a heater, and a compressor 155. The heat pump 110 is designed to dehumidify process air during a drying process. The blower 125 is designed to direct warm, dry process air into the drum 105. For this purpose, an air outlet 160 is provided on the rear side of the drum 105.

[0024] In an operating state of the textile treatment machine 100, warm, dry process air is drawn from the blower 125 into the drum 105. An arrow 165 merely illustrates one possible flow direction of the warm, dry process air. Inside the drum 105, water evaporates from the textiles 130 due to the process air and is absorbed by the process air, causing it to become cold and humid. The now cold, humid process air is then directed from the drum 105 towards the heat pump 110. For this purpose, the drum 105 has an air inlet 170 located between the drum 105 and the door 135. Another arrow 175 merely illustrates one possible flow direction of the cold, humid process air. The cold, moist process air flows through the heat pump 110, is cooled there by means of the condenser 145, subsequently heated by the condenser 150 and is then fed back to the drum 105 as warm, dry process air by means of the blower 125.

[0025] The heating device 120 is arranged between the blower 125 and the drum 105 only as an example.

[0026] During the drying process, the textiles 130 are still damp. The heating device 120 is activated and the heat pump 110 is deactivated when the moisture content in the textiles 130 reaches a predetermined residual moisture level. This increases the humidity and temperature of the process air to sanitize the textiles 130.

[0027] After sanitizing, the heat pump 110 can be reactivated to dry the textiles 130 to a desired degree of dryness.

[0028] The following figures explain the process of sanitizing in more detail.

[0029] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a textile treatment device 100. The textile treatment device 100 is similar to or corresponds to the textile treatment device from Fig. 1.

[0030] A user employs the textile treatment unit 100 to, for example, dry textiles. To do this, the user places the textiles into the drum 105 and selects a drying program. The textiles usually have a certain amount of residual moisture when they are placed in the drum 105 of the textile treatment unit 100. A motor 200 drives the drum 105 and the blower 125. This causes hot process air to flow through the drum 105 and the textiles inside. The hot process air absorbs the residual moisture from the textiles, causing it to cool. The cool process air is then passed to the heat pump 110. There, it flows into the condenser 145, where it is cooled further. The cooled process air then flows into the condenser 150, where it is heated. The heated process air is then drawn back into the drum 105 by the blower 125 to remove any remaining residual moisture from the textiles.

[0031] In the operational state of the textile treatment unit 100, the textiles in the drum 105 are dried using the heat pump 110. When the textiles have a predetermined residual moisture content, the heat pump 110 is deactivated and the heating device 120 is activated. In the activated state, the heating device 120 heats the process air supplied by the blower 125, thereby increasing the humidity and temperature of the process air. In this way, the textiles in the drum 105 are sanitized.

[0032] Fig. Figure 3 shows a diagram of a drying process to illustrate an embodiment of method 301 for operating a textile treatment device. In other words, it shows Fig. 3 a program for wet textiles, which can also be referred to as laundry.

[0033] Four diagrams are shown, with time t plotted on the abscissa and a state of the respective component of the textile treatment machine, or a temperature or humidity profile, plotted on the ordinate. The individual time intervals are shown schematically and can last from a few minutes to several tens of minutes. Furthermore, the duration of the individual time intervals can vary.

[0034] The abscissas show various time points t1, t2, t3, t4, and t5; for clarity, only the abscissa of the fourth diagram is shown here. The first time point, t1, marks the start of the drying process. This means the user has placed the textiles in the drum and selected a drying program. The first time point, t1, can also be described as the start of a drying phase 300 or preheating and / or drying. The second time point, t2, marks the end of the drying phase 300 and the start of a hygiene phase 305, which can also be described as sanitization. The third time point, t3, marks the end of the hygiene phase 305 and the start of a contact phase 310, which can also be described as a cooling phase for the heat pump 110. The fourth time point, t4, marks the end of the contact phase 310 and the start of a post-drying phase 315, which can also be described as post-drying.The fifth time point t5 marks the end of the post-drying phase 315 and thus the end of the drying process.

[0035] The first diagram shows the state of the heating device 120, which can also be described as an electric heater. The second diagram shows the state of the heat pump 110, specifically the compressor. The third diagram shows the residual moisture content (320) in the textiles, and the fourth diagram shows the humidity (325) of the process air.

[0036] At time t1, i.e., at the beginning of the drying process, the heating device 120 is activated and, for illustrative purposes, deactivated again after a few minutes. At the second time t2, the heating device 120 is reactivated, which can also be referred to as step 318 of the activation process, and remains activated during the hygiene phase 305, i.e., from the second time t2 until the third time t3. The heating device 120 is therefore deactivated at the third time t3 and remains deactivated until the end of the drying process, i.e., until the fifth time t5.

[0037] The heat pump 110 is activated, for example, at the beginning of the drying process, simultaneously with the heating device 120. In other words, the heat pump 110 is used in step 330 of the preheating process to dehumidify the process air during the drying process. This occurs in response to a drying signal 332. The drying signal 322 represents a selection of the drying program for drying the textiles in the drum. The heat pump 110 remains activated, for example, until the second time point t2 is reached. At time t2, the heat pump 110 is deactivated 335. At time t4, the heat pump 110 is switched on 340.

[0038] The residual moisture 320 decreases steadily during the drying phase 300 and remains at least partially constant during the hygiene phase 305 and the exposure phase 310, before the residual moisture 320 decreases continuously during the post-drying phase 315, so that the residual moisture 320 in the textiles is at zero percent at time t5.

[0039] During the drying phase 300, and while the heating device 120 is activated during this phase, the relative humidity 325 rises sharply. After the heating device 120 is deactivated during the drying phase 300, the relative humidity 325 decreases slowly but steadily. During the hygiene phase 305, when the heating device 120 is reactivated, the relative humidity 325 rises continuously. During the exposure phase 310, the relative humidity 325 is maintained and then decreases continuously during the final drying phase 315 until a predefined residual moisture level is reached.

[0040] Fig. Figure 4 shows a diagram of a drying process to illustrate an embodiment of method 301 for operating a textile treatment device. The diagram is similar to or corresponds to the diagram in Figure 4. Fig. 4 of the diagram representation in Fig. 3, except that states and progressions of other components and state variables are shown.

[0041] Three diagrams are shown. The first diagram shows the state of a cooling air blower 400 of the textile treatment device. The cooling air blower 400 is activated during the hygiene phase 305 and the exposure phase 310.

[0042] The second diagram shows the state of the blower 125 of the textile treatment device. The blower 125 is activated from the first time point t1 until the third time point t3. During the exposure phase 310, the power of the blower 125 is reduced, for example, by operating the blower 125 in the opposite direction. For instance, the power of the blower 125 is reduced by half. After the exposure phase 310 has ended, i.e., from the fourth time point t4, the blower 125 is reactivated and remains activated until the fifth time point t5 is reached, i.e., until the end of the drying phase 315.

[0043] The third diagram shows the temperature profile of the textiles (405°C) during the drying process. During the drying phase (300°C), the temperature (405°C) rises continuously, reaching its peak at time t3. With the start of the exposure phase (310°C), the temperature (405°C) drops slightly, remaining elevated until time t5.

[0044] The following describes procedure 301 for operating the textile treatment device using the diagrams in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 briefly summarized.

[0045] The procedure 301 includes step 330 of using the heat pump 110 and step 335 of deactivating the heat pump 110, as well as step 318 of activating the heating device 120.

[0046] Step 330 of using the 110 heat pump is in the Fig. The second diagram shown in Figure 3 illustrates this. Heat pump 110 is used to dehumidify the process air during a drying process. The use of heat pump 110 is triggered by the drying signal 332.

[0047] Step 335, deactivating heat pump 110, and step 318, activating heating device 120, occur at time t2 and are contingent upon the moisture content of the textiles during the drying process corresponding to a predetermined residual moisture level. For illustrative purposes only, heat pump 110 is deactivated and heating device 120 is activated when the moisture content of the textiles corresponds to a predetermined residual moisture level of 10 to 40 percent.

[0048] Hygiene phase 305 marks the sanitization of the textiles, and this phase is carried out from time t2 to time t3. During hygiene phase 305, the humidity and temperature of the process air are increased.

[0049] At time t3, step 355 of switching off the heating device 120 occurs, followed by step 410 of reducing the power of the blower 125. Thus, for example, the volume flow of the process air is reduced during the exposure phase 310. The blower power remains reduced for the duration of the exposure phase 310.

[0050] At time t4, the heat pump 110 is switched on (step 340), and simultaneously the fan 125 is switched on (step 415). More precisely, in step 415 of the switch-on process, the power of the fan 125 is increased again. When the moisture content of the textiles corresponds to a predetermined residual moisture level of less than 10 percent, the heat pump 110 and the fan 125 are switched off in step 345 of the switch-off process; this is shown here only as an example at time t5.

[0051] After the expiry of the in Fig. 3 and Fig. The textiles are hygienized after the drying process shown in step 4.

[0052] In other words, the heating device 120 is activated at time t1 to accelerate the process at the beginning and to enable the hygiene phase 305 without the heat pump 110. The heat pump 110 is switched off during the hygiene phase 305 to allow for high humidity. The residual moisture 320 is used to generate steam. The hygiene phase 305 is controlled by a humidity signal, which, for example, represents a residual moisture content of 10 to 40 percent in the textiles. The effect of high humidity 325 and temperature is used for hygienization. The cooling air blower 400 is activated during the hygiene phase 305 to prevent condensation in the textile treatment unit. During the exposure phase 310, the volume flow of the process air is kept low by reducing the power of the blower 125 to minimize moisture loss. The effect of high humidity and temperature 405 is used for hygienization.

[0053] The control, i.e., the start of hygiene phase 305, is triggered by the residual moisture content of the textiles, for example, between 10 and 40 percent, or between 10 and 15 percent. Hygiene phase 305 without heat pump 110 additionally or alternatively takes place at a temperature of, for example, 60 to 90 degrees Celsius in the treatment room, or, for example, advantageously, 65 to 70 degrees Celsius. The exposure phase 310 takes place without heating device 120 and heat pump 110. The temperature maintenance phase, i.e., hygiene phase 305 plus exposure phase 310, has a duration of, for example, 10 to 50 minutes, or, for example, 20 to 30 minutes.

[0054] The approach presented here prevents over-drying of the textiles, enables a high reduction in germs, and ensures better uniformity of the hygienic treatment, i.e., its effect on the surface or within the textile. The 310-minute exposure phase without heating device 120 and heat pump 110 is energy-saving and protects the compressor from excessive temperature stress during restart. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 102021106619 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Method (301) for operating a textile treatment device (100), wherein the textile treatment device (100) comprises a drum (105) for treating textiles (130), a heat pump (110), a heating device (120) and a blower (125) for directing process air, tempered by the heat pump (110) and the heating device (120), into the drum (105), wherein the method comprises the following steps: Using (330) the heat pump (110) to dehumidify the process air during a drying process, responding to a drying signal (332) representing a selection of a drying program for drying textiles (130) in the drum (105); Deactivating (335) the heat pump (110) and activating (318) the heating device (120) when the moisture content of the textiles (130) during the drying process corresponds to a predetermined residual moisture content in the textiles (130) in order to increase the humidity and air temperature of the process air during a step (350) of sanitizing the textiles (130). [2] Method (301) according to claim 1, wherein in step (325) of deactivation the heat pump (110) is deactivated and in step (318) of activation the heating device (120) is activated when the moisture of the textiles (130) during the drying process corresponds to a predetermined residual moisture of 10 to 40 percent. [3] Method (301) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the step (350) of sanitizing the heating device (120) is operated to maintain a hygienic temperature of 60 to 90 degrees Celsius in the drum (105). [4] Method (301) according to claim 3, comprising a step (355) of switching off the heating device (120) and a step (410) of reducing a power of the blower (125) responding to the switching off in order to reduce a volume flow of the process air during an exposure phase (310). [5] Method (301) according to claim 4, wherein the step (410) of reducing is carried out for a predetermined duration of the exposure phase (310). [6] Method (301) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the step (350) of sanitizing and the exposure phase (310) represent a temperature holding phase, wherein the temperature holding phase represents a duration of 10 to 50 minutes. [7] Method (301) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a step (340) of switching on the heat pump (110) and a step (415) of switching on the fan (125), wherein the steps (340; 415) of switching on are carried out after the end of the action phase (310). [8] Method (301) according to claim 7, comprising a step (345) of switching off the heat pump (110) and the blower (125), wherein the step (345) of switching off is carried out when the moisture content of the textiles (130) corresponds to a predetermined residual moisture content of less than 10 percent [9] Control device configured to perform and / or control the steps of the method (301) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8 in corresponding units. [10] Textile treatment device (100) with a control device according to claim 9, a drum (105), a heat pump (110), a heating device (120) and a blower (125) for directing process air, tempered by the heat pump (110) and the heating device (120), into the drum (105), wherein the textile treatment device (100) is designed as a washer-dryer. [11] Computer program product with program code for carrying out the method (301) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, when the computer program product is executed on a control device.

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