LAUNDRY CARE DEVICE WITH ONE CONTROL

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a laundry care device with a control unit.

[0002] Conventional laundry care machines use various methods to wet the laundry in the drum. Optimal wetting of the laundry in the drum cannot always be guaranteed in conventional machines, especially if no information is available regarding the load size or the absorbency of the laundry.

[0003] In WO 2006 / 097362 A1 a wetting process for a washing machine is disclosed.

[0004] US patent 2010 / 325815 A1 discloses a top-loading washing machine with a pulsator.

[0005] The object underlying the invention is to provide a laundry care device which ensures advantageous wetting of the laundry placed in the washing drum.

[0006] This problem is solved by the items with the features according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0007] According to a first aspect, the problem according to the invention is solved by a laundry care device comprising a tub for receiving washing liquid, a washing liquid supply device for supplying washing liquid into the tub, a washing drum for receiving laundry, wherein the washing drum is arranged in the tub, a weighing device for determining the weight of the laundry held in the washing drum, and a control unit which is connected to the washing liquid supply device and the weighing device, wherein the weighing device is configured to determine the weight of the laundry held in the washing drum during a determination period, wherein the control unit is configuredduring a base period following the determination period, the washing liquid supply device is to be activated to supply a base quantity of washing liquid into the tub, and wherein the control is configured to activate the washing liquid supply device to supply a wetting quantity of washing liquid into the tub during a wetting period following the base period, wherein the control is configured to determine the wetting quantity supplied during the wetting period as a function of the determined weight of the laundry in the washing drum.

[0008] This achieves the technical advantage of ensuring particularly beneficial wetting of the laundry.

[0009] In particular, the weight determination device includes a weight detection device designed to detect the weight of the laundry placed in the washing drum during the determination period. The weight detection device is thus specifically designed to detect the weight of the laundry placed in the washing drum during the determination period, i.e., to measure it using sensors.

[0010] Alternatively, the weight determination device may only include an input element of the laundry care appliance, which can be operated by a user of the laundry care appliance to enter the weight of the laundry contained in the washing drum, so that in this case the weight of the laundry is not measured by the laundry care appliance itself by means of sensors, but the weight is merely made available to the control system by the user through input.

[0011] In particular, the weight of the laundry placed in the washing drum, as determined by the weighing device, includes the dry weight of the laundry in the washing drum. The dry weight comprises the weight of the laundry before washing liquid, especially fabric softener and / or fresh water, is added to the laundry via the washing liquid supply device. However, the term "dry weight" does not necessarily require that the laundry placed in the washing drum be completely dry; therefore, the dry weight of the laundry can also refer to slightly damp items of laundry that are placed in the washing drum by the user in this state.

[0012] After the determination period, the control unit activates the washing liquid supply system during the base period to add a base quantity of washing liquid, thus supplying a basic amount of washing liquid to the washing drum. This base quantity of washing liquid is independent of the laundry weight determined by the weighing device and serves solely to rinse the laundry care product dispensed from the dispenser into the washing drum and to ensure initial wetting of the laundry in the drum. Therefore, the base quantity of washing liquid supplied during the base period remains constant, particularly across different load categories of the washing machine, and does not vary depending on the load size.

[0013] During the wetting phase following the base cycle, the control system reactivates the washing liquid supply to deliver a wetting quantity of washing liquid. Unlike the base cycle, the amount of washing liquid delivered during the wetting phase depends on the weight of the laundry as determined by the weighing device. This ensures load-dependent wetting of the laundry. Therefore, the amount of washing liquid delivered during the wetting phase varies depending on the load size or weight of the laundry.

[0014] In contrast to wetting phases carried out in conventional laundry care appliances, which are often controlled by the absorbency of the laundry, in the present invention the wetting quantity of washing liquid specifically adapted to the weight can be added at an early beginning of the washing phase, thereby increasing the washing performance for the same program duration, or thereby shortening the program duration for the same washing performance.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the present invention, less washing liquid is required because the amount of wetting liquid supplied is precisely adjusted to the amount actually needed for effective wetting. This avoids unnecessary over-supply of washing liquid, thereby reducing the required washing liquid and heating energy compared to a conventional wetting process. As a result, the laundry care device according to the present invention can be operated in a particularly resource-efficient manner.

[0016] A laundry care appliance is understood to be a device used for laundry care, such as a washing machine or a tumble dryer. Specifically, such a laundry care appliance is understood to be a household laundry care appliance. That is, a laundry care appliance used in the course of household management and with which laundry in typical household quantities is treated.

[0017] The washing container has a drain opening and a feed element, the laundry care device has a pump which is fluidically connected to the drain opening and the feed element and is designed to pump washing liquid from the drain opening and to feed the pumped washing liquid back into the washing container through the feed element in order to recirculate the washing liquid, and the control system is designed to activate the pump to recirculate washing liquid during the base time period and / or during the wetting time period.

[0018] This achieves the technical advantage that by pumping the washing liquid during the base period and / or during the wetting period, particularly effective wetting of the laundry can be ensured.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the control system is configured to activate the washing liquid supply device and the pump simultaneously during the wetting period, or the control system is configured to activate the pump with a time delay after the activation of the washing liquid supply device during the wetting period.

[0020] This achieves the technical advantage that the point of impact of the washing liquid hitting the laundry can be advantageously adjusted.

[0021] By simultaneously activating the pump and the washing liquid supply device during the wetting period, the laundry is immediately and directly wetted by means of the pumped washing liquid via the supply element.

[0022] If the pump is activated with a time delay after the washing liquid supply device, the washing liquid supplied by the washing liquid supply device is initially fed over the drum shell of the washing drum and wets the laundry in the washing drum at a different position than if the washing liquid is pumped around via the pump.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device has a level sensor for detecting the level of washing liquid in the tub, wherein the control is configured to end the wetting period if the level of washing liquid detected during the wetting period exceeds a level threshold.

[0024] This achieves the technical advantage that reaching the fill level threshold can advantageously indicate an endpoint of the wetting period, at which sufficient wetting of the laundry is present.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, the control system is designed to determine the duration of the wetting period depending on the weight of the laundry in the washing drum and / or depending on the detected fill level of washing liquid.

[0026] This achieves the technical advantage of enabling a particularly beneficial optimization of the duration of the wetting period.

[0027] The base amount of washing liquid supplied to the tub during the base period is determined independently of the weight of the laundry in the washing drum.

[0028] This achieves the technical advantage that the base quantity is the same regardless of the laundry load, thus ensuring simplified addition of the base quantity. The base quantity serves solely to dispense laundry care substance from the dispenser tray into the wash tub, or to initially wet the laundry with washing liquid. Specifically, the base quantity added during the base phase is less than the wet quantity added during the wetting phase.

[0029] In an advantageous embodiment, the lye container has a heating device for heating the washing liquid contained in the lye container, and the control system is configured to activate the heating device for heating the washing liquid contained in the lye container during the wetting period.

[0030] This achieves the technical advantage that, by activating the heating element early during the wetting phase, the temperature of the washing liquid can be increased even before the start of the washing phase of the laundry care program, thereby reducing the overall duration of the laundry care program.

[0031] In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry care appliance has a drum drive for rotating the washing drum, and the control system is configured to activate the drum drive for rotating the washing drum during the base time period and / or during the wetting time period, in particular to rotate the washing drum alternately in both directions of rotation.

[0032] This results in the technical advantage of achieving a particularly beneficial wetting of the laundry.

[0033] In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device has a drum drive for rotating the washing drum, and the control system is designed to activate the drum drive for rotating the washing drum at an ejection speed during an ejection period following the wetting period in order to expel washing liquid bound to the laundry.

[0034] This achieves the technical advantage that at the end of the wetting phase, some of the washing liquid bound to the laundry can be driven off again and absorbed into the lye container.

[0035] In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device has a level sensor for detecting the level of washing liquid in the tub, and the control system is configured to end the discharge phase when the detected level of washing liquid exceeds a level threshold, and / or the control system is configured to activate the washing liquid supply device to supply a rewetting quantity of washing liquid to the tub during a subsequent rewetting phase if the detected level of washing liquid falls below a level threshold after the discharge phase.

[0036] This achieves the technical advantage that the completion of the wetting phase can be effectively monitored based on the fill level detected by the level sensor. If the detected fill level exceeds the fill level threshold, the control system can immediately terminate the sprouting phase.

[0037] Alternatively, the budding period can also be ended by the control system after a predetermined time period has elapsed.

[0038] If the detected fill level falls below the fill level threshold after the expulsion period, the control system recognizes that possibly not enough washing liquid was supplied to the laundry and enables re-wetting of the laundry by supplying the required amount of washing liquid.

[0039] In particular, the control system is designed to activate the drum drive to rotate the washing drum and / or the pump to transfer washing liquid during the post-wetting period.

[0040] In particular, the control system is designed to end or repeat the post-wetting period depending on the fill level of washing liquid in the lye container detected after the post-wetting period.

[0041] In an advantageous embodiment, the weight determination device comprises a weighing system for weighing the laundry contained in the washing drum, a device for detecting a deflection of a vibration system of the washing drum, and / or a power detection element for detecting an electrical power value of a drum drive of the washing drum.

[0042] This achieves the technical advantage of ensuring particularly effective measurement of the laundry weight.

[0043] According to a second aspect, the problem according to the invention is solved by a method for wetting laundry in a laundry care appliance, wherein the laundry care appliance comprises a tub for receiving washing liquid, a washing liquid supply device for supplying washing liquid into the tub, a washing drum for receiving laundry, wherein the washing drum is arranged in the tub, a weighing device for determining the weight of the laundry held in the washing drum, and a control unit which is connected to the washing liquid supply device and the weighing device, wherein the method comprises the following process steps: determining the weight of the laundry held in the washing drum by the weighing device during a determination period,Activation of the washing liquid supply device to supply a base quantity of washing liquid into the tub by the control unit during a base time period following the determination time period, and activation of the washing liquid supply device to supply a wetting quantity of washing liquid into the tub by the control unit during a wetting time period following the base time period, wherein the control unit determines the wetting quantity depending on the weight of the laundry in the washing drum.

[0044] This achieves the technical advantage of ensuring optimal wetting of the laundry.

[0045] In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device has a drum drive for rotating the washing drum, and the method includes the further process step of activating the drum drive by the control during an expulsion period following the wetting period, in order to rotate the washing drum at an expulsion speed and expel washing liquid bound to the laundry.

[0046] This achieves the technical advantage that the washing liquid driven out of the laundry can be used for further analysis.

[0047] In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device has a level sensor for detecting the level of washing liquid in the tub, wherein the method comprises the following step: deactivating the drum drive by the controller to end the discharge period when the detected level of washing liquid exceeds a level threshold; or wherein the method comprises the following step: activating the washing liquid supply device by the controller during a rewetting period following the discharge period to supply a rewetting quantity of washing liquid to the tub when the detected level of washing liquid falls below a level threshold after the discharge period.

[0048] This achieves the technical advantage that, depending on the detected fill level of washing liquid in the lye container, either the wetting period can be ended when the laundry is completely wetted, or, if the laundry is not yet completely wetted, a further quantity of washing liquid can be added for re-wetting the laundry during the subsequent re-wetting period.

[0049] According to the invention, the base quantity of washing liquid supplied to the tub during the base time period is determined independently of the weight of the laundry in the washing drum.

[0050] The embodiments identified as advantageous for the laundry care device according to the first aspect are also advantageous embodiments for the method according to the second aspect.

[0051] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0052] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic view of a laundry care device; Fig. 2 a schematic view of a laundry care device with a control unit; Fig. 3 a graphic representation of a laundry wetting process according to a first, second, third and fourth embodiment; and Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a method for wetting laundry in a laundry care device.

[0053] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a general laundry care appliance 100, such as a washing machine. The laundry care appliance 100 includes a dispenser tray 101 into which laundry care substance, in particular detergent or other liquid substances, can be poured. The laundry care appliance 100 has a housing 102. The laundry care appliance 100 includes a door 103 for loading the laundry care appliance 100 with laundry.

[0054] Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a laundry care appliance with a control unit. The laundry care appliance 100 has a tub 105 for holding washing liquid and a drum 107 for holding laundry. The drum 107 is located inside the tub 105. The laundry care appliance 100 has a drum drive 109 for rotating the drum 107. The tub 105 has a drain opening 111. The laundry care appliance 100 has a feed element 113. The drain opening 111 is fluidically connected to the feed element 113 via a fluid line 115, and a pump 117 is located in the fluid line 115 for pumping washing liquid through it.

[0055] The pump 117 can pump washing fluid through the drain opening 111 from the tub 105 during a cycle. Fig. 2 During the pumping process (not shown), the washing liquid is pumped into the liquid line 115 and fed back through the liquid line 115 and the feed element 113 to the tub 105 and the washing drum 107. This allows the washing liquid to be effectively pumped back through the liquid line 115 and fed back to the laundry in the washing drum 107 during a laundry care process.

[0056] The laundry care appliance 100 has a washing liquid supply device 118-1 for supplying washing liquid into the tub 105, wherein the washing liquid supply device 118-1 is connected to the tub 105 by a supply line 118-2.

[0057] In particular, the washing liquid supply device 118-1 includes a Fig. 2 detergent dispenser 101 of the laundry care appliance 100 (not shown) and / or one in Fig. 2 The fresh water connection of the laundry care appliance 100 (not shown), wherein the control unit 119 is designed to activate a washing liquor inlet via the detergent dispenser 101 and / or the fresh water connection in order to supply washing liquor and / or fresh water as washing liquid into the washing drum 107.

[0058] The laundry care appliance 100 also includes a control unit 119, which is connected to the pump 117, the drum drive 109 and the washing liquid supply device 118-1, each by a control connection 121.

[0059] The laundry care appliance 100 further comprises a weight determination device 123 for determining the weight of the laundry held in the washing drum 107, in particular a weight detection device 123 for detecting the weight of the laundry held in the washing drum 107, i.e. for sensorially measuring the weight of the laundry in the washing drum 107.

[0060] The one in Fig. 2 The depicted weight determination device 123, or weight detection device 123, has in particular a power detection element 123-1 for detecting an electrical power value of the drum drive 109. In particular, the power detection element 123-1 is configured to detect a torque-generating current and / or an electrical power consumption of the drum drive 109 as an electrical power value of the drum drive 109. In particular, the weight determination device 123, in particular the power detection element 123-1, is configured to determine the weight of the laundry placed in the washing drum 107 as a function of the detected electrical power value of the drum drive 109.

[0061] In particular, the power acquisition element 123-1 is arranged in the controller 119. Alternatively, the power acquisition element 123-1 can be arranged, in particular, outside the controller 119, as shown in the Fig. 2 not shown. Alternatively, the power sensing element 123-1 can be arranged, in particular, within the drum drive 109.

[0062] Even if this is in the Fig. 2 Not shown, the weight determination device 123 may alternatively or additionally include a weighing system for weighing the laundry contained in the washing drum 107 and / or alternatively or additionally include a device for detecting a deflection of a vibration system of the washing drum 107.

[0063] Alternatively, however, the weight determination device 123 can simply comprise an input element of the laundry care appliance 100, via which the user can enter the weight of the laundry, without the weight determination device 123 itself measuring the weight of the laundry 107 in the washing drum 107.

[0064] The laundry care appliance 100 further comprises an outlet line 125, which is fluidically connected to the liquid line 115. The pump 117 is designed to operate during a process in Fig. 2 The pumping process (not shown) involves pumping the washing liquid out of the washing container 105 through the drain opening 111, through the liquid line 115 and out of the laundry care appliance 100 through the outlet line 125.

[0065] The laundry care appliance 100 also features, in particular, a Fig. 2 not shown level sensor for detecting the level of washing liquid in the tub 105.

[0066] The laundry care appliance 100 also features, in particular, a Fig. 2 Heating device not shown for heating the washing liquid contained in the lye container 105.

[0067] Fig. 3 shows a graphical representation of laundry wetting processes according to a first, second, third and fourth embodiment.

[0068] As in the Fig. 3 As shown, the first embodiment A comprises lines A1, A2 and A3, the second embodiment B comprises lines B1, B2 and B3, the third embodiment C comprises lines C1, C2 and C3, and the fourth embodiment D comprises lines D1, D2 and D3.

[0069] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows, according to the first, second, third and fourth embodiments A, B, C and D, a temporal representation of the rotational speed of the washing drum 107 (see the respective first curves 141 in lines A1, B1, C1 and D1), the quantity of washing liquid supplied to the tub 105 by a washing liquid supply device 118-1 (see the respective second curves 143 in lines A2, B2, C2 and D2) and the activation of the pump 117 for pumping washing liquid (see the respective third curves 145 in lines A3, B3, C3 and D3), which are plotted along the ordinate axis 127 as a function of time, which is indicated along the abscissa axis 129.

[0070] This includes the in Fig. 3 The laundry wetting processes shown according to the first, second, third and fourth embodiments A, B, C and D each have a determination time period 132, a base time period 133 following the determination time period 132, a wetting time period 135 following the base time period 133, and a sprouting time period 137 following the wetting time period 135.

[0071] Only the fourth embodiment D additionally features a post-wetting period 139 following the sprouting period 137.

[0072] The one in Fig. 3 The first curves 141 shown depict the time course of the rotational speed of a washing drum 107 rotated by a drum drive 109. During the determination period 132, the weight determination device 123, in particular the power sensing element 123-1, is designed to determine a weight of the laundry contained in the washing drum 107 on the basis of a detected electrical power value of the drum drive 109 (see lines A1, B1, C1 and D1).

[0073] The determination time period 132 is followed by the basic time period 133. During the basic time period 133, the control unit 119 activates the washing liquid supply device 118-1 to supply a basic quantity of washing liquid into the lye container 105 (see lines A2, B2, C2 and D2).

[0074] The one in Fig. 3 The second curves 143 shown depict the time course of the washing liquid supplied to the lye container 105 by the washing liquid supply device 118-1.

[0075] The supply of the basic quantity of washing liquid during the basic time period 133 serves in particular to introduce laundry care substance from the dispenser tray 101 into the tub 105 and also ensures an initial wetting of the laundry taken up in the washing drum 107 with washing liquid.

[0076] The basic quantity of washing liquid supplied to the tub 105 during the basic time period 133 is determined in particular independently of the weight of the laundry taken up in the washing drum 107.

[0077] During the base time period 133, the controller 119 also activates pump 117 to pump the washing liquid (see lines A3, B3, C3 and D3). Pumping the washing liquid further improves the wetting of the laundry. The Fig. 3 The third curves 145 shown here depict the time course of the washing liquid pumped out of the tubing container 105 by the pump 117 through the drain opening 111 and fed back into the tubing container 105 through the inlet element 113 as part of a pumping process.

[0078] The wetting period 135 follows the basic time period 133. During the wetting period 135, the controller 119 activates the washing liquid supply device 118-1 to supply a wetting quantity of washing liquid into the tub 105 (see lines A2, B2, C2 and D2), wherein the controller 119 is configured to determine the wetting quantity depending on the determined weight of the laundry in the washing drum 107.

[0079] Thus, the amount of washing liquid supplied to the tub 105 during the wetting period 135 can be optimally adapted to the weight of the laundry in the washing drum 107 as determined by the weight determination device 123, in particular the power sensing element 123-1.

[0080] In particular, the laundry care appliance 100 has a level sensor designed to detect the level of washing liquid in the tub 105. The control unit 119 is specifically designed to terminate the wetting time period 135 when the detected level of washing liquid exceeds a liquid threshold.

[0081] Exceeding the fill level threshold indicates optimal wetting of the laundry. Since the detected fill level, or rather the fill level threshold of the washing liquid in the tub 105, is directly related to the absorbency of the laundry, the control unit 119 can determine the textile types of the laundry by detecting the fill level of the washing liquid. Thus, an endpoint for the wetting period 135 can be effectively defined.

[0082] For example, the smaller amount of laundry in the washing drum 107 in the first embodiment A, compared to the second embodiment B, results in a reduction of the wetting time period 135, compared to the second embodiment B (see embodiments A and B), since the laundry can be moistened more quickly in embodiment A than in embodiment B due to the more favorable drum conditions.

[0083] In particular, the washing drum 107 is rotated during the wetting period 135, especially rotating alternately in both directions of rotation (see lines A1, B1, C1 and D1).

[0084] The wetting phase 135 is followed by the expulsion phase 137. As can be seen from lines A1, B1, C1 and D1 of the first, second, third and fourth embodiments A, B, C and D, the control unit 119 activates the drum drive 109 during the expulsion phase 137 in order to rotate the washing drum 107 at an expulsion speed in order to expel washing liquid bound to the laundry.

[0085] This ensures that some of the washing liquid bound to the laundry is expelled from it due to the centrifugal force. The amount of washing liquid released in this process can be determined, in particular, by means of a level sensor for detecting the level of washing liquid in the washing tank 105. The control unit 119 is designed to determine the amount of washing liquid expelled from the laundry during the expulsion period 137, depending on the detected level of washing liquid.

[0086] In particular, the control unit 119 is designed to terminate the exit time section 137 according to the second embodiment B when the detected fill level of washing liquid exceeds a fill level threshold value (see line B2).

[0087] If the detected fill level of washing liquid falls below a fill level threshold value after the discharge time period 137, the control unit 119 is alternatively configured according to the first embodiment A to activate the washing liquid supply device 118-1 to supply a further quantity of washing liquid into the lye container 105 (see line A2).

[0088] By adding the additional quantity of washing liquid according to the first embodiment A, it can be ensured that after the process a minimum quantity of washing liquid is present in the lye container 105, which is sufficient to adequately cover a heating element arranged on the underside of the lye container 105 with washing liquid.

[0089] The in Fig. 3 The third embodiment C shown differs from those in Fig. 3 In the second embodiment B, a larger quantity of laundry is placed in the washing drum 107, thereby increasing the duration of the wetting period 135 in the third embodiment C.

[0090] By comparing the third curves 145 in the in Fig. 3 In the second embodiment B and in the third embodiment C, different activation times of the pump 117 can be observed.

[0091] According to the third curve 145 in the in Fig. 3 In the second embodiment B shown, the pump 117 for pumping the washing liquid is activated simultaneously with the washing liquid supply device 118-1 for supplying washing liquid, so that the supplied washing liquid is pumped simultaneously by the pump 117 and thus injected centrally into the laundry.

[0092] According to the third curve 145 in the in Fig. 3 In the third embodiment C shown, the pump 117 is activated with a time delay only after the activation of the washing liquid supply device 118-1, so that the supplied washing liquid is first supplied to the laundry in the washing drum 107 via the drum shell before a pumping takes place, so that the point of impact of the washing liquid directed onto the laundry is varied.

[0093] The in Fig. 3 The fourth embodiment D shown discloses a further case in which, after the end of the discharge period 137, there is a low level of washing liquid in the lye container 105, e.g. because there is a large quantity of laundry and / or particularly absorbent laundry in the washing drum 107.

[0094] As from the in Fig. 3 As can be seen in the fourth embodiment D, an additional post-wetting period 139 follows the expulsion period 137, during which the control 119 activates the washing liquid supply device 118-1 to supply a post-wetting quantity of washing liquid into the lye container 105 if the detected fill level of washing liquid falls below a fill level threshold value after the expulsion period 137.

[0095] The control unit 119 is designed to activate the drum drive 109 to rotate the washing drum 107 and / or the pump 117 to pump washing liquid during the post-wetting period 139 (see lines D1 and D3).

[0096] In summary, it can be stated that the amount of washing liquid required for the washing process is determined directly depending on the weight of the laundry in the washing drum 107 as determined by the weight determination device 123, in particular the power measurement element 123-1.

[0097] In contrast to conventional methods, which attempt to determine the optimal wetting quantity indirectly via the absorbency of the laundry, the load-specific amount of washing liquid can be provided right at the beginning of the wetting phase, resulting in the following advantages.

[0098] A shorter wetting phase is achieved, which allows the subsequent washing phase to be started earlier, thus increasing the washing performance during the washing phase while maintaining the same program duration, or shortening the program duration while maintaining the same washing performance during the washing phase.

[0099] Furthermore, a smaller amount of washing liquid is required to wet the laundry, as there is no need to maintain a minimum level of standing washing liquid in the tub 105, as is the case with conventional washing machines. Due to the smaller amount of washing liquid, the energy required to heat it is also reduced. In addition, the washing liquid can be heated earlier in the program, thus ensuring improved washing performance.

[0100] Fig. 4shows a schematic representation of a process for wetting laundry in a laundry care device.

[0101] The procedure 200 comprises as a first procedural step the determination 201 of a weight of the laundry taken up in the washing drum 107 by the weight determination device 123, 123-1 during a determination period 132.

[0102] The second process step of the process 200 comprises the activation 203 of the washing liquid supply device 118-1 to supply a basic quantity of washing liquid into the lye container 105 and of the pump 117 to pump washing liquid by the control unit 119 during a basic time period 133 following the determination time period 132.

[0103] The process 200 comprises, as a third process step, the activation 205 of the washing liquid supply device 118-1 to supply a wetting quantity of washing liquid into the tub 105 by the control unit 119 during a wetting time period 135 following the basic time period 133, wherein the control unit 119 determines the wetting quantity as a function of the weight of the laundry taken up in the washing drum 107.

[0104] The process 200 includes, as an optional fourth process step, the activation 207 of the drum drive 109 by the control 119 during an expulsion period 137 following the wetting period 135, in order to rotate the washing drum 107 at an expulsion speed and expel washing liquid bound to the laundry.

[0105] The procedure 200 includes, as an optional fifth procedure step, the deactivation 209-1 of the drum drive 109 by the control 119 in order to end the discharge time period 137 if the detected level of washing liquid exceeds a level threshold value, or the procedure 200 includes, as an optional sixth procedure step, the activation 209-2 of the washing liquid supply device 118-1 by the control 119 during a post-wetting time period 139 following the discharge time period 137 in order to supply a post-wetting quantity of washing liquid to the lye container 105 if the detected level of washing liquid falls below a level threshold value after the discharge time period 137.

[0106] All features explained and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention can be provided in different combinations in the object according to the invention in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects.

[0107] The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the claims and is not limited by the features explained in the description or shown in the figures. Reference symbol list

[0108] 100 Laundry care appliance 101 Inlet tray 102 Appliance housing 103 Appliance door 105 Tub 107 Washing drum 109 Drum drive 111 Drain opening 113 Feed element 115 Liquid line 117 Pump 118-1 Washing liquid feed device 118-2 Feed line 119 Control 121 Control connection 123 Weight determination device 123-1 Power detection element 125 Outlet line 127 Ordinary axis 129 Abscissa axis 132 Determination time section 133 Base time section 135 Wetting time section 137 Expulsion time section 139 Post-wetting time section 141 First curve 143 Second curve 145 Third curve 200 Method for wetting laundry 201 First Process step: Determining a weight of laundry 203 Second process step: Activating the washing liquid supply device to supply a basic quantity of washing liquid 205 Third process step: Activating the washing liquid supply device to supply a wetting quantity of washing liquid 207 Fourth process step: Activating theDrum drive 209-1 Fifth process step: Deactivating the drum drive 209-2 Sixth process step: Activating the washing liquid supply device to supply a wetting quantity of washing liquid

Claims

1. Laundry care appliance (100) with an outer tub (105) for receiving washing liquid, a washing liquid supply facility (118-1) for supplying washing liquid into the outer tub (105), a laundry drum (107) for receiving laundry, wherein the laundry drum (107) is arranged in the outer tub (105), a weight determining facility (123, 123-1) for determining a weight of the laundry received in the laundry drum (107), and a controller (119) which is connected in terms of control technology to the washing liquid supply facility (118-1) and to the weight determining facility (123, 123-1), wherein the weight determining facility (123, 123-1) is designed to determine a weight of the laundry received in the laundry drum (107) during a determination time phase (132), characterised in that the controller (119) is designed to activate the washing liquid supply facility (118-1) so as to supply a base quantity of washing liquid into the outer tub (105) during a base time phase (133) subsequent to the determination time phase (132), wherein the base quantity of washing liquid supplied to the outer tub (105) during the base time phase (133) is determined independently of the weight of the laundry received in the laundry drum (107), and the controller (119) is designed to activate the washing liquid supply facility (118-1) so as to supply a wetting quantity of washing liquid into the outer tub (105) during a wetting time phase (135) subsequent to the base time phase (133), wherein the controller (119) is designed to determine the wetting quantity supplied during the wetting time phase (135) depending on the determined weight of the laundry received in the laundry drum (107), wherein the outer tub (105) has an outlet opening (111) and a supply element (113), the laundry care appliance (100) has a pump (117), which is fluidically connected to the outlet opening (111) and to the supply element (113) and is designed to pump washing liquid out of the outlet opening (111) and to then again supply the pumped washing liquid through the supply element (113) to the outer tub (105) in order to pump the washing liquid in a recirculatory manner, and the controller (119) is designed to activate the pump (117) during the base time phase (133) and / or during the wetting time phase (135) so as to pump washing liquid in a recirculatory manner.

2. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the controller (19) is designed to simultaneously activate the washing liquid supply facility (118-1) and the pump (117) during the wetting time phase (135), or the controller (119) is designed to activate the pump (117) following a temporal delay after activating the washing liquid supply facility (118-1) during the wetting time phase (135).

3. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the laundry care appliance (100) has a fill level sensor for detecting a fill level of washing liquid in the outer tub (105), wherein the controller (119) is designed to terminate the wetting time phase (135) when the fill level of washing liquid detected during the wetting time phase (135) exceeds a fill level threshold value.

4. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 3, characterised in that the controller (119) is designed to determine the duration of the wetting time phase (135) depending on the detected fill level of washing liquid.

5. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the controller (119) is designed to determine the duration of the wetting time phase (135) depending on the weight of the laundry received in the laundry drum (107).

6. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outer tub (105) has a heating facility for heating washing liquid received in the outer tub (105), and the controller (119) is designed to activate the heating facility so as to heat the washing liquid received in the outer tub (105) during the wetting time phase (135).

7. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the laundry care appliance (100) has a drum drive (109) for rotating the laundry drum (107), and the controller is designed to activate the drum drive (109) so as to rotate the laundry drum (107) during the base time phase (133) and / or during the wetting time phase (135), in particular so as to rotate the laundry drum (107) in both rotational directions in an alternating manner.

8. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the laundry care appliance (100) has a drum drive (109) for rotating the laundry drum (107), and the controller (119) is designed to activate the drum drive (109) so as to rotate the laundry drum (107) with an expulsion rotation during an expulsion time phase (137) subsequent to the wetting time phase (135), in order to expel the washing liquid taken up by the laundry.

9. Laundry care appliance (100) according claim 8, characterised in that the laundry care appliance (100) has a fill level sensor for detecting a fill level of washing liquid in the outer tub (105), and the controller (119) is designed to terminate the expulsion time phase (137) when the detected fill level of washing liquid exceeds a fill level threshold value, and / or the controller (119) is designed to activate the washing liquid supply facility (118-1) during a re-wetting time phase (139) subsequent to the expulsion time phase (137) so as to supply a re-wetting quantity of washing liquid into the outer tub (105) when the detected fill level of washing liquid falls below a fill level threshold value following the expulsion time phase (137).

10. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the weight determining facility (123, 123-1) comprises a weighing system for weighing the laundry received in the laundry drum (107), a facility for detecting a deflection of the vibration system of the laundry drum (107), and / or a power detection element (123-1) for detecting an electrical power value of a drum drive (109) of the laundry drum (107).

11. Method (200) for wetting laundry in a laundry care appliance (100), wherein the laundry care appliance (100) has an outer tub (105) for receiving washing liquid, a washing liquid supply facility (118-1) for supplying washing liquid into the outer tub (105), a laundry drum (107) for receiving laundry, wherein the laundry drum (107) is arranged in the outer tub (105), a weight determining facility (123, 123-1) for determining a weight of the laundry received in the laundry drum (107), and a controller (119) which is connected in terms of control technology to the washing liquid supply facility (118-1) and to the weight determining facility (123, 123-1), characterised in that the outer tub (105) has an outlet opening (111) and a supply element (113), wherein the laundry care appliance (100) has a pump (117), which is fluidically connected to the outlet opening (111) and to the supply element (113) and is designed to pump washing liquid out of the outlet opening (111) and to then again supply the pumped washing liquid through the supply element (113) to the outer tub (105) in order to pump the washing liquid in a recirculatory manner, wherein the method (200) comprises the following method steps, by way of the weight determining facility (123, 123-1), determine a weight of the laundry received in the laundry drum (107) during a determination time phase (132), by way of the controller (119), activate (203) the washing liquid supply facility (118-1) so as to supply a base quantity of washing liquid into the outer tub (105) during a base time phase (133) subsequent to the determination time phase (132), wherein the base quantity of washing liquid supplied to the outer tub (105) during the base time phase (133) is determined independently of the weight of the laundry received in the laundry drum (107), by way of the controller (119), activate the washing liquid supply facility (118-1) so as to supply a wetting quantity of washing liquid into the outer tub (105) during a wetting time phase (135) subsequent to the base time phase (133), wherein the controller (119) determines the wetting quantity depending on the weight of the laundry received in the laundry drum (107), and by way of the controller, activate the pump (117) during the base time phase (133) and / or during the wetting time phase (135) so as to pump washing liquid in a recirculatory manner.

12. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that the laundry care appliance (100) has a drum drive (109) for rotating the laundry drum (107), and the method has the following method step: by way of the controller (119), activate (207) the drum drive (109) so as to rotate the laundry drum (107) with an expulsion rotation during an expulsion time phase (137) subsequent to the wetting time phase (135), in order to expel the washing liquid taken up by the laundry.

13. Method (200) according to claim 12, characterised in that the laundry care appliance (100) has a fill level sensor for detecting a fill level of washing liquid in the outer tub (105), wherein the method (200) comprises the following method step: by way of the controller (119), deactivate (209-1) the drum drive (109) so as to terminate the expulsion time phase (137) when the detected fill level of washing liquid exceeds a fill level threshold value, or wherein the method (200) comprises the following method step: by way of the controller (119), activate (209-2) the washing liquid supply facility (118-1) during a re-wetting time phase (139) subsequent to the expulsion time phase (137) so as to supply a re-wetting quantity of washing liquid into the outer tub (105) when the detected fill level of washing liquid falls below a fill level threshold value after the expulsion time phase (137).