Laundry care appliance with a control system and method for operating the laundry care appliance

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a laundry care appliance with a control system.

[0002] In a conventional laundry care appliance, incorrect operation by the user can occur under certain circumstances. Such incorrect operation includes, in particular, selecting a laundry care program that is unsuitable for the laundry care process, overloading the drum with laundry, reloading laundry during a running laundry care program, changing the laundry care program, manually adding washing liquid, and / or other incorrect operations.

[0003] Incorrect operation may result in an imbalance between the washing liquid in the tub and the laundry in the washing drum, which may cause the drum drive, which rotates the washing drum, to overheat and thus be damaged.

[0004] EP 3 085 825 discloses a method for operating a washing machine.

[0005] JP 2000 102694 A discloses a laundry care appliance having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0006] The object underlying the invention is to provide a laundry care appliance with a drum drive for rotating a laundry drum and a corresponding method for operating the laundry care appliance, in which overheating of the drum drive is avoided.

[0007] This object is achieved by the subject matter having the features according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0008] According to a first aspect, the object of the invention is achieved by a laundry care appliance comprising a tub for holding washing liquid, a fill level sensor for detecting a fill level of washing liquid in the tub, a laundry drum for holding laundry, wherein the laundry drum is arranged in the tub, a drum drive for rotating the laundry drum, a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the drum drive, a pump for pumping washing liquid from the tub, and a controller which is connected for control purposes to the drum drive, the fill level sensor, the temperature sensor and the pump, wherein the controller is designed to detect a temperature of the drum drive by means of the temperature sensor during an overheating detection period and to detect a fill level of washing liquid in the tub by means of the fill level sensor, and wherein the controller is designedto activate the pump for pumping washing liquid out of the tub during an adaptation period following the overheating detection period if the temperature of the drum drive detected during the overheating detection period is above a temperature threshold and the filling level of washing liquid in the tub detected during the overheating detection period is above a filling level threshold, in order to prevent overheating of the drum drive.

[0009] This provides the technical advantage that overheating of the drum drive can be effectively avoided.

[0010] The overheating detection period can, in particular, be a period of one of a plurality of laundry care programs stored in the control unit of the laundry care appliance, so that a potential overheating problem with the drum drive can be detected early by the control unit. In particular, the overheating detection period can be a period of any laundry care program stored in the control unit.

[0011] The temperature sensor, which detects the temperature of the drum drive, is in particular in thermally conductive contact with the drum drive. In particular, the temperature sensor is arranged in or on the drum drive and thus enables the control system to determine the temperature of the drum drive in real time. The temperature sensor can also be a sensor unit that can determine the temperature of the drum drive indirectly, for example, via a resistance measurement of one or more windings or via a calculation model stored in the control system that evaluates one or more motor parameters detected by the sensor unit with regard to the temperature of the drum drive.

[0012] During the overheating detection period, the controller compares the temperature detected by the temperature sensor with the temperature threshold value, wherein the temperature threshold value is in particular a predetermined temperature threshold value which is stored in the controller, for example, depending on the type of laundry care appliance used and / or the laundry care program being executed.

[0013] If the detected temperature of the drum drive exceeds the temperature threshold, the control system detects a possible criterion that indicates an impending overheating of the drum drive.

[0014] Here, the temperature threshold is lower, specifically approximately 10 °C lower, than a limit temperature threshold, which corresponds to a temperature value at which damage to the drum drive is possible. The sufficient distance between the temperature threshold and the limit temperature threshold ensures that the control system has sufficient time to intervene when the temperature threshold is exceeded and prevent the temperature from reaching the limit temperature threshold.

[0015] A further criterion which indicates an impending overheating of the drum drive is when the control determines that a fill level value of washing liquid in the tub detected by the fill level sensor exceeds a fill level threshold value stored in the control, wherein the fill level threshold value is in particular a predetermined fill level threshold value which is stored in the control, for example, depending on the type of laundry care appliance used and / or the laundry care program being carried out.

[0016] A high filling level of washing liquid in the tub, determined accordingly by the control system, in combination with a certain high temperature value of the drum drive during the overheating detection period, enables the control system to draw a conclusion about excessive stress on the drum drive due to an excessively high filling level of washing liquid in the tub.

[0017] For this reason, during the adjustment period following the overheat detection period, the controller activates the pump to pump out washing liquid from the tub, thereby reducing the level of washing liquid in the tub.

[0018] Due to the correspondingly reduced filling level of washing liquid in the tub, the resistance which the washing liquid opposes to the rotating laundry drum is reduced, which can reduce the strain on the drum drive and thus reduce the temperature of the drum drive again.

[0019] A laundry care appliance is a device used for laundry care, such as a washing machine or a tumble dryer. In particular, such a laundry care appliance is a household laundry care appliance. That is, a laundry care appliance used in household management and used to treat laundry in normal household quantities.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment, the controller is designed to activate the drum drive to rotate the laundry drum at an adjusted speed during the adaptation period and to activate the pump to pump out washing liquid from the tub if the temperature of the drum drive detected during the overheating detection period is above the temperature threshold and the filling level of washing liquid in the tub detected during the overheating detection period is above the filling level threshold.

[0021] This achieves the technical advantage that, in addition to pumping out washing liquid from the tub, the rotation of the laundry drum at the adjusted speed also results in an effective reduction in the load on the drum drive and thus an effective reduction in the temperature of the drum drive.

[0022] By adjusting the speed of the laundry drum during the adjustment period, a particularly advantageous distribution of the laundry in the laundry drum is achieved, so that imbalances in the laundry drum and power peaks of the drum drive resulting from the imbalances can be reduced.

[0023] In particular, the controller is configured to activate the drum drive during the adaptation period to rotate the laundry drum at an increased speed, wherein the increased speed is higher than a standard speed of a previous laundry care program. The standard speed of the previous laundry care program comprises, in particular, a speed less than or equal to a system speed at which the laundry held in the laundry drum is applied to the rotating laundry drum.

[0024] Because the increased speed at which the laundry drum rotates during the adjustment period is higher than the standard speed of the previous laundry care program, the laundry collected in the drum is deposited particularly evenly on the rotating drum, thus reducing the occurrence of laundry clumping in the drum. This ensures that the laundry is deposited as a homogeneous ring on the rotating drum, and power peaks in the drum drive resulting from imbalances can be reduced.

[0025] In particular, the increased speed is between 1.3 and 1.5 times higher than the standard speed, especially the initial speed, of the previous laundry care program. For example, if the initial speed of the previous laundry care program was 60 revolutions per minute, the increased speed is between 80 and 90 revolutions per minute.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, the controller is designed to activate the pump for pumping out washing liquid from the tub and in particular also the drum drive for rotating the laundry drum at the adjusted speed during the adaptation period if the temperature of the drum drive detected during the overheating detection period is above the temperature threshold and the fill level of washing liquid in the tub detected during the overheating detection period is above the fill level threshold and an electrical performance parameter, in particular motor current and / or motor torque, of the drum drive detected by the controller is above a power threshold.

[0027] This achieves the technical advantage that by taking into account the electrical performance parameter of the drum drive, in particular motor current and / or motor torque, the control system has an additional parameter available which enables the control system to determine during the overheating detection period that there is a risk of overheating of the drum drive.

[0028] If the electrical performance parameter, in particular motor current and / or motor torque, of the drum drive is above the performance threshold value, the correspondingly high power consumption of the drum drive indicates a high load on the drum drive.

[0029] In an advantageous embodiment, the control is designed to activate the pump for pumping washing liquid out of the tub during the adaptation period when the drum drive rotates the laundry drum at the adapted speed.

[0030] This achieves the technical advantage that the pump only pumps washing liquid out of the tub when the adjusted speed of the washing drum is reached during the adjustment period, so that a particularly advantageous pumping out of washing liquid from the tub is ensured.

[0031] In an advantageous embodiment, the controller is designed to deactivate the pump again during the adaptation period if a second filling level of washing liquid in the tub detected during the adaptation period is equal to or less than the filling level threshold value.

[0032] This achieves the technical advantage that the control system deactivates the pump again during the adjustment period once the wash liquid level in the tub has dropped sufficiently. This keeps the adjustment period as short as possible.

[0033] In an advantageous embodiment, the controller is designed to activate the pump for pumping washing liquid out of the tub during a fill level check period following the adaptation period if a third fill level of washing liquid in the tub detected during the fill level check period is above a second fill level threshold, wherein the second fill level threshold is greater than the first fill level threshold, wherein the controller is designed to deactivate the drum drive during the fill level check period in order not to rotate the laundry drum during the fill level check period.

[0034] This achieves the technical advantage that during the fill level check period, the movement of the washing liquid held in the tub is stopped due to the non-rotating laundry drum, so that the washing liquid collects in a lower area of ​​the tub, thus enabling a particularly effective re-measurement of the fill level.

[0035] If the third fill level value detected during the fill level check period is greater than the second fill level threshold, the pump for pumping out washing liquid from the tub is activated again during the fill level check period in order to further reduce the fill level of washing liquid in the tub.

[0036] In an advantageous embodiment, the control is designed to activate the drum drive for rotating the laundry drum at the adjusted speed during a rotation period following the fill level check period, wherein the rotation period is followed in particular by a further fill level check period.

[0037] This achieves the technical advantage that during the rotation period following the fill level check period, additional washing liquid, for example from the laundry, is effectively spun out.

[0038] In an advantageous embodiment, the controller is designed to repeat the fill level check period until the third fill level of washing liquid detected during the fill level check period is less than the second fill level threshold value.

[0039] This achieves the technical advantage that iterative repetitions of the fill level check period ensure that the pump for pumping washing liquid out of the tub is activated until the third fill level of washing liquid detected during the fill level check period falls below the second fill level threshold.

[0040] In an advantageous embodiment, the controller is designed to activate the drum drive to rotate the laundry drum at a standard speed of the laundry care program stored in the controller during a temperature check period following the fill level check period and / or rotation period, wherein the controller is designed to detect a temperature increase of the drum drive by means of the temperature sensor during the temperature check period.

[0041] This achieves the technical advantage that during the temperature check period, the control system detects any potential overheating of the drum drive that may still be present, or alternatively, based on the detected temperature increase, the control system can ensure that the preceding steps were able to effectively prevent any potential overheating of the drum drive, and the laundry care program can then be continued at the standard speed.

[0042] In particular, the temperature rise is represented by the quotient of ΔT / Δt, where Δt corresponds to the duration of the temperature check period, and where ΔT corresponds to the difference between the maximum detected temperature and the minimum detected temperature during the temperature check period.

[0043] In an advantageous embodiment, the controller is designed to activate the pump for pumping washing liquid out of the tub and in particular also the drum drive for rotating the laundry drum at the adjusted speed during a second adaptation time period following the temperature check time period and in particular also to activate the drum drive for rotating the laundry drum at the adjusted speed if the temperature increase detected during the temperature check time period exceeds a temperature increase limit value.

[0044] This achieves the technical advantage that by comparing the temperature rise detected during the temperature check period with the temperature rise limit value, the control system can use an advantageous criterion to determine whether or not there is a risk of overheating of the drum drive.

[0045] If the temperature increase detected during the temperature check period exceeds the temperature increase limit, there is a risk of the drum drive overheating and the control system reacts by carrying out a second adjustment period during which the pump again pumps out washing liquid and during which, in particular, the laundry drum is again rotated at the adjusted speed.

[0046] In an advantageous embodiment, the controller is designed to activate the pump for pumping washing liquid out of the tub and in particular also the drum drive for rotating the laundry drum at the adjusted speed during a second fill level check period following the second adaptation period if a fourth fill level of washing liquid in the tub detected during the second fill level check period is above a third fill level threshold value, wherein the third fill level threshold value is greater than the second fill level threshold value.

[0047] This achieves the technical advantage that, within the scope of the second fill level checking period, the control system can advantageously determine whether the activation of the pump carried out during the second adaptation period was sufficient to sufficiently reduce the fill level of washing liquid in the tub.

[0048] In an advantageous embodiment, the controller is designed to activate the drum drive to rotate the laundry drum at a standard speed of a laundry care program stored in the controller during a second temperature check period following the second fill level check period, wherein the controller is designed to detect a temperature increase of the drum drive by means of the temperature sensor during the second temperature check period.

[0049] This provides the technical advantage that the risk of overheating of the drum drive can be assessed again by the control system during the second temperature check period.

[0050] In an advantageous embodiment, the controller is designed to deactivate the drum drive and to transmit a warning message to a warning message output device of the laundry care appliance if the temperature increase detected during the second temperature checking period exceeds the temperature increase limit value.

[0051] This provides the technical advantage that if the temperature rise limit is exceeded again due to the temperature rise detected during the second temperature check period, there may be a defect in the laundry care appliance that requires manual intervention by the user or a service technician.

[0052] In an advantageous embodiment, the controller is designed to execute the laundry care program stored in the controller during a normal laundry care period following the temperature check period or second temperature check period, and to activate the drum drive to rotate the laundry drum at a standard speed of the laundry care program stored in the controller if the temperature increase detected during the first or second temperature check period is equal to or less than the temperature increase limit value.

[0053] This achieves the technical advantage that if a temperature increase detected during the first or second temperature check period is equal to or less than the temperature increase limit, the laundry care program can continue normally since there is no longer any risk of the drum drive overheating.

[0054] According to a second aspect, the object of the invention is achieved by a method for preventing overheating of a drum drive in a laundry care appliance, wherein the laundry care appliance has a tub for receiving washing liquid, a fill level sensor for detecting a fill level of washing liquid in the tub, a laundry drum for receiving laundry, wherein the laundry drum is arranged in the tub, a drum drive for rotating the laundry drum, a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the drum drive, a pump for pumping washing liquid from the tub, and a control system which is connected to the drum drive, the fill level sensor, the temperature sensor and the pump for control purposes.The method comprises the following method steps: detecting a temperature of the drum drive by means of the temperature sensor and a fill level of washing liquid in the tub by means of the fill level sensor by the controller during the overheating detection period; activating the pump to pump washing liquid out of the tub by the controller during an adjustment period following the overheating detection period if the temperature of the drum drive detected during the overheating detection period is above a temperature threshold and the fill level of washing liquid in the tub detected during the overheating detection period is above a fill level threshold, in order to prevent overheating of the drum drive.

[0055] This provides the technical advantage that overheating of the drum drive can be effectively avoided.

[0056] The embodiments identified as advantageous embodiments for the laundry care appliance according to the first aspect are also advantageous embodiments for the method according to the second aspect.

[0057] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0058] They show: Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a laundry care appliance; Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a laundry care appliance with a controller; Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a laundry care process according to an embodiment; and Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a method for preventing overheating of a drum drive in a laundry care appliance according to an embodiment.

[0059] Fig. 1shows 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, such as detergent or other liquid substances, can be poured. The laundry care appliance 100 has an appliance housing 102. The laundry care appliance 100 includes an appliance door 103 for loading the laundry care appliance 100 with laundry.

[0060] Fig. 2shows a schematic view of a laundry care appliance with a control system. The laundry care appliance 100 has a tub 105 for holding washing liquid, and a laundry drum 107 for holding laundry. The laundry drum 107 is arranged in the tub 105. The laundry care appliance 100 has a drum drive 109 for rotating the laundry drum 107. The tub 105 has a drain opening 111. The drain opening 111 is fluidly connected to a pump 117 via a liquid line 115. The pump 117 can pump washing liquid through the drain opening 111 from the tub 105 during a Fig. 2 not shown pumping process into the liquid line 115 and further through an outlet line 125 from the laundry care appliance 100.

[0061] 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.

[0062] In particular, the washing liquid supply device 118-1 comprises a Fig. 2 not shown dispenser tray 101 of the laundry care appliance 100 and / or a Fig. 2 not shown fresh water connection of the laundry care appliance 100, wherein a controller 119 of the laundry care appliance 100 is designed to activate a washing liquid inlet via the dispenser tray 101 and / or the fresh water connection in order to supply washing liquid and / or fresh water as washing liquid into the laundry drum 107 and the tub 105.

[0063] The laundry care appliance 100 has a fill level sensor 120 arranged in the tub 105, which is designed to detect a fill level of washing liquid in the tub 105, wherein the fill level sensor 120 is connected to the controller 119 for control purposes.

[0064] The laundry care appliance 100 further includes a temperature sensor 123 for detecting a temperature of the drum drive 109, wherein the temperature sensor 123 is connected to the controller 119 for control purposes. In particular, the temperature sensor 123 is arranged in or on the drum drive 109.

[0065] The laundry care appliance 100 further comprises the controller 119, which is connected to the pump 117, which is connected to the drum drive 109, which is connected to the washing liquid supply device 118-1, which is connected to the fill level sensor 120, and which is connected to the temperature sensor 123, each by a control connection 121.

[0066] Fig. 3shows a schematic view of a laundry care process according to an embodiment.

[0067] The Fig. 3 The first curve 127 shown shows, along the ordinate axis 129, a temperature of the drum drive 109 of the laundry care appliance 100 detected by a temperature sensor 123 as a function of time, which is plotted along the abscissa axis 131.

[0068] The Fig. 3 The further illustrations shown each show a filling level 133 of washing liquid in a tub 105 of the laundry care appliance 100 at correspondingly different time periods.

[0069] The Fig. 3 The second curve 135 shown shows, along the ordinate axis 137, a rotational speed of a laundry drum 107 of the laundry care appliance 100 caused by the drum drive 109 as a function of time, which is plotted along the abscissa axis 139.

[0070] During an overheat detection period 141, the controller 119 executes a laundry care program and activates the drum drive 109 to rotate the laundry drum 107 at a standard speed 143 of the laundry care program stored in the controller 119.

[0071] The corresponding standard speed 143 corresponds to a washing speed which is preferably less than or equal to a contact speed of the laundry drum 107, at which the laundry held in the laundry drum 107 is just in contact with the laundry drum 107.

[0072] As shown in the first curve 127, the temperature sensor 123 detects the temperature of the drum drive 109 during the overheat detection period 141. In addition, during the overheat detection period 141, the fill level sensor 120 detects a fill level 133 of washing liquid in the tub 105, as shown in the left illustration.

[0073] The controller 119 detects that, at the end of the overheating detection period 141, the detected temperature of the drum drive 109 is above a temperature threshold 145. The temperature threshold 145 is slightly below a limit temperature threshold 147, in particular approximately 10°C, to ensure that damage to the drum drive 109 can be ruled out when the temperature threshold 145 is reached. The temperature threshold 145 and limit temperature threshold 147 are stored in the controller 119 in a predetermined manner, in particular depending on the laundry care appliance type and / or the laundry care program being executed.

[0074] In addition, the controller 119 detects that at the end of the overheating detection period 141, the Fig. 3The detected fill level 133 of washing liquid, which is only shown schematically, is above a fill level threshold. The fill level threshold is stored in the controller 119 in a predetermined manner, particularly depending on the type of laundry care appliance and / or the laundry care program being executed.

[0075] In order to avoid a further increase in the temperature of the drum drive 109 and to prevent damage to the drum drive 109, the controller 119 activates the pump 117 for pumping washing liquid out of the tub 105 and the drum drive 109 for rotating the laundry drum 107 at an adjusted speed 151 during an adaptation period 149 following the overheating detection period 141.

[0076] As from the Fig. 3can be removed, the corresponding adjusted speed 151 is above the application speed, and in particular is 1.3 to 1-5 times the application speed depending on the size of the laundry drum 107 and the load quantity of the laundry drum 107. If the application speed is, for example, 60 revolutions per minute, the adjusted speed 151 is, for example, between 80 revolutions per minute and 90 revolutions per minute.

[0077] By rotating the laundry drum 107 at the adjusted speed 151, which is higher than the standard speed 143, during the adjustment period 149, a particularly advantageous, even placement of the laundry on the laundry drum 107 is achieved, whereby any imbalances that may occur can be avoided, and a particularly even rotation behavior of the laundry drum 107 and thus a particularly homogeneous performance profile of the drum drive 109 can be ensured.

[0078] Furthermore, by pumping out washing liquid from the tub 105 during the adaptation period 149, the rotational resistance of the laundry drum 107 rotating due to the washing liquid is reduced, whereby the power consumption of the drum drive 109 can also be reduced.

[0079] In this case, the controller 119 is particularly designed to activate the pump 117 for pumping washing liquid out of the tub 105 during the adaptation period 149 when the drum drive 109 rotates the laundry drum 107 at the adapted speed 151.

[0080] In order not to disturb the user of the laundry care appliance 100 due to the volume of the pumping noise, it may be particularly advantageous to keep the pumping process as short as necessary during the adjustment period 149. In this case, the controller 119 is particularly configured to deactivate the pump 117 again during the adjustment period 149 if a second fill level 133 of washing liquid in the tub 105 detected during the adjustment period 149 is equal to or less than the fill level threshold.

[0081] Subsequently, the controller 119 is configured to activate the pump 117 to pump washing liquid out of the tub 105 during a fill level check period 153 following the adjustment period 149 if a third fill level 133 of washing liquid in the tub 105 detected during the fill level check period 153 is above a second fill level threshold, wherein the second fill level threshold is greater than the first fill level threshold. The controller 119 is configured to deactivate the drum drive 109 during the fill level check period 153 in order to prevent the laundry drum 107 from rotating during the fill level check period 153.

[0082] The standstill of the laundry drum 107 during the fill level check period 153 ensures that the washing liquid is in a stationary state so that an effective fill level measurement can be carried out during the fill level check period 153.

[0083] If, during the level checking period 153, the detected third level 133 of washing liquid in the tub 105 is above the second level threshold, which is greater than the first level threshold, the pump 117 is activated to pump washing liquid out of the tub 105.

[0084] In this case, the controller 119 is designed to activate the drum drive 109 to rotate the laundry drum 107 at the adjusted speed 151 during a rotation time period 155 following the fill level check time period 153, wherein the rotation time period 155 is in particular followed by a further fill level check time period 153.

[0085] Here, the controller 119 is designed to repeat the fill level check period 153 until the third fill level 133 of washing liquid detected during the fill level check period 153 is less than the second fill level threshold value.

[0086] Here, the controller 119 is configured to activate the drum drive 109 to rotate the laundry drum 107 at the standard speed 143 of the laundry care program stored in the controller 119 during a temperature check period 157 following the fill level check period 153 and / or rotation period 155. Here, the controller 119 is configured to detect a temperature increase of the drum drive 109 during the temperature check period 157 using the temperature sensor 123.

[0087] As in the Fig. 3 As shown, the controller 119 determines the temperature rise by the quotient of ΔT / Δt, where Δt corresponds to the duration of the temperature check period 157, and where ΔT corresponds to the difference between the maximum detected temperature and the minimum detected temperature during the temperature check period 157.

[0088] The controller 119 is configured to activate the pump 117 to pump out washing liquid from the tub 105 during a second adaptation period 159 following the temperature check period 157 and to activate the drum drive 109 to rotate the laundry drum 107 at the adjusted speed 151 if the temperature increase detected during the temperature check period 157 exceeds a temperature increase limit value.

[0089] The controller 119 is configured to activate the pump 117 to pump washing liquid out of the tub 105 during a second fill level check period 161 following the second adaptation period 159 if a fourth fill level 133 of washing liquid in the tub 105 detected during the second fill level check period 161 is above a third fill level threshold, wherein the third fill level threshold is greater than the second fill level threshold. The controller 119 is configured to repeat the second fill level check period 163 until the fourth fill level 133 of washing liquid detected during the fill level check period 163 is less than the third fill level threshold.

[0090] The controller 119 is designed to activate the drum drive 109 to rotate the laundry drum 107 at a standard speed 143 of the laundry care program stored in the controller 119 during a second temperature check time period 163 following the second fill level check time period 161, wherein the controller 119 is designed to detect a temperature increase of the drum drive 109 by means of the temperature sensor 123 during the second temperature check time period 163.

[0091] The controller 119 is designed to, during a period following the second temperature checking period 163 and in Fig. 3not shown normal laundry care section, to execute the laundry care program stored in the controller 119, and to activate the drum drive 109 to rotate the laundry drum 107 at a standard speed 143 of a laundry care program stored in the controller 119 when the temperature rise detected during the temperature check period is equal to or less than the temperature rise limit value.

[0092] In this case, the selected laundry care program of the laundry care appliance 100 can advantageously be continued without the risk of overheating of the drum drive 109.

[0093] However, the controller 119 is configured to deactivate the drum drive 109 and transmit a warning message to a warning message output device of the laundry care appliance 100 if the temperature increase detected during the second temperature check period 163 exceeds the temperature increase limit.

[0094] In this case, a warning message to the user seems useful to enable the laundry care program to be aborted and to ensure that the drum drive 109 is not damaged by overheating.

[0095] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a method for preventing overheating of a drum drive in a laundry care appliance according to one embodiment.

[0096] The method 200 comprises, as a first method step, the detection 201 of a temperature of the drum drive 109 by means of the temperature sensor 123 and of a fill level 133 of washing liquid in the tub 105 by means of the fill level sensor 120 by the controller 119 during an overheating detection period 141.

[0097] The method 200 comprises, as a second method step, the activation 203 of the pump 117 for pumping washing liquid out of the tub 105 by the controller 119 during an adaptation period 149 following the overheating detection period 141, if the temperature of the drum drive 109 detected during the overheating detection period 141 is above a temperature threshold 145 and the fill level 133 of washing liquid in the tub 105 detected during the overheating detection period 141 is above a fill level threshold, in order to avoid overheating of the drum drive 109.

[0098] All features explained and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention can be provided in different combinations in the subject matter according to the invention in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects.

[0099] The scope of the present invention is given by the claims and is not limited by the features explained in the description or shown in the figures. List of reference symbols

[0100] 100 Laundry care appliance 101 Dispenser tray 102 Appliance housing 103 Appliance door 105 Tub 107 Laundry drum 109 Drum drive 111 Drain opening 115 Liquid line 117 Pump 118-1 Washing liquid supply device 118-2 Supply line 119 Controller 120 Level sensor 121 Control connection 123 Temperature sensor 125 Outlet line 127 First curve 129 Ordinate axis with respect to the first curve 131 Abscissa axis with respect to the first curve 133 Level of washing liquid in the tub 135 Second curve 137 Ordinate axis with respect to the second curve 139 Abscissa axis with respect to the second curve 141 Overheat detection period 143 Standard speed 145Temperature threshold 147Limit temperature threshold 149Adaptation period 151Adjusted speed 153Level check period 155Rotation period 157Temperature check period 159Second adaptation period 161Second level check period 163Second temperature check period200Procedure for preventing overheating of a drum drive 201First process step: Detecting a temperature and a fill level 203Second process step: Activating the pump

Claims

1. Laundry care appliance (100) with an outer tub (105) for accommodating washing liquid (129), a fill level sensor (120) for detecting a fill level (133) of washing liquid in the outer tub (105), a laundry drum (107) for accommodating laundry, wherein the laundry drum (107) is arranged in the outer tub (105), a drum drive (109) for rotating the laundry drum (107), a temperature sensor (123) for detecting a temperature of the drum drive (109), a pump (117) for pumping washing liquid out of the outer tub (105), and a controller (119), which is connected from a control perspective to the drum drive (109), the fill level sensor (120), the temperature sensor (123) and the pump (117), characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied, during an overheating detection time section (141), to detect a temperature of the drum drive (109) by means of the temperature sensor (123) and to detect a fill level (133) of washing liquid in the outer tub (105) by means of the fill level sensor (120), the controller (119) is embodied, during an adaptation time section (149) following the overheating detection time section (141), to activate the pump (117) to pump washing liquid out of the outer tub (105) if the temperature of the drum drive (109) detected during the overheating detection time section (141) lies above a temperature threshold value (145) and the fill level (133) of washing liquid in the outer tub (105) detected during the overheating detection time section (141) lies above a fill level threshold value, in order to avoid an overheating of the drum drive (109).

2. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied, during the adaptation time section (149), to activate the drum drive (109) to rotate the laundry drum (107) at an adapted rotational speed (151) and to activate the pump (117) to pump washing liquid out of the outer tub (105) if the temperature of the drum drive (109) detected during the overheating detection time section (141) lies above the temperature threshold value (145) and the fill level (133) of washing liquid in the outer tub (105) detected during the overheating detection time section (141) lies above the fill level threshold value.

3. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied, during the adaptation time section (149), to activate the pump (117) to pump washing liquid out of the outer tub (105) and in particular also to activate the drum drive (109) to rotate the laundry drum (107) at the adapted rotational speed (151) if the temperature of the drum drive (109) detected during the overheating detection time section (141) lies above the temperature threshold value (145) and the fill level (133) of washing liquid in the outer tub (105) detected during the overheating detection time section (141) lies above the fill level threshold value and an electrical performance parameter detected by the controller (119), in particular motor current and / or motor torque, of the drum drive (109) lies above a performance threshold value.

4. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied, during the adaptation time section (149), to activate the pump (117) to pump washing liquid out of the outer tub (105) if the drum drive (109) rotates the laundry drum (107) at the adapted rotational speed (151).

5. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied, during the adaptation time section (149), to deactivate the pump (117) again if a second fill level (133) of washing liquid in the outer tub (105) detected during the adaptation time section (149) is equal to or less than the fill level threshold value.

6. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied, during a fill level review time section (153) following the adaptation time section (149), to activate the pump (117) to pump washing liquid out of the outer tub (105) if a third fill level (133) of washing liquid in the outer tub (105) detected during the fill level review time section (153) lies above a second fill level threshold value, wherein the second fill level threshold value is greater than the first fill level threshold value, wherein the controller (119) is embodied to deactivate the drum drive (109) during the fill level review time section (153), in order not to rotate the laundry drum (107) during the fill level review time section (153).

7. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 6, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied, during a rotation time section (155) following the fill level review time section (153), to activate the drum drive (109) to rotate the laundry drum (107) at the adapted rotational speed (151), wherein in particular a further fill level review time section (153) follows the rotation time section (155).

8. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied to repeat the fill level review time section (153) until the third fill level (133) of washing liquid detected during the fill level review time section (153) is less than the second fill level threshold value.

9. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied, during a temperature review time section (157) following the fill level review time section (153) and / or rotation time section (155), to activate the drum drive (109) to rotate the laundry drum (107) at a standard rotational speed (143) of the laundry care program stored in the controller (119), wherein the controller (119) is embodied, during the temperature review time section (157), to detect a temperature increase of the drum drive (109) by means of the temperature sensor (123).

10. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 9, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied, during a second adaptation time section (159) following the temperature review time section (157), to activate the pump (117) to pump washing liquid out of the outer tub (105) and in particular also to activate the drum drive (109) to rotate the laundry drum (107) at the adapted rotational speed (151) if the temperature increase detected during the temperature review time section (157) exceeds a temperature increase limit value.

11. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 10, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied, during a second fill level review time section (161) following the second adaptation time section (159), to activate the pump (117) to pump washing liquid out of the outer tub (105) and in particular also to activate the drum drive (109) to rotate the laundry drum (107) at the adapted rotational speed (151) if a fourth fill level (133) of washing liquid in the outer tub (105) detected during the second fill level review time section (161) lies above a third fill level threshold value, wherein the third fill level threshold value is greater than the second fill level threshold value.

12. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 11, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied, during a second temperature review time section (163) following the second fill level review time section (161), to activate the drum drive (109) to rotate the laundry drum (107) at a standard rotational speed (143) of a laundry care program stored in the controller (119), wherein the controller (119) is embodied, during the second temperature review time section (163), to detect a temperature increase of the drum drive (109) by means of the temperature sensor (123).

13. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 12, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied to deactivate the drum drive (109) and to transmit a warning message to a warning message output facility of the laundry care appliance (100) if the temperature increase detected during the second temperature review time section (163) exceeds the temperature increase limit value.

14. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied, during a normal laundry care section following the temperature review time section (157) or second temperature review time section (163), to execute the laundry care program stored in the controller (119), and to activate the drum drive (109) to rotate the laundry drum (107) at a standard rotational speed (143) of the laundry care program stored in the controller (119) if the temperature increase detected during the first or second temperature review time section (157, 163) is equal to or less than the temperature increase limit value.

15. Method (200) for avoiding an overheating of a drum drive (109) in a laundry care appliance (100), wherein the laundry care appliance (100) has an outer tub (105) for accommodating washing liquid (129), a fill level sensor (120) for detecting a fill level (133) of washing liquid in the outer tub (105), a laundry drum (107) for accommodating laundry, wherein the laundry drum (107) is arranged in the outer tub (105), a drum drive (109) for rotating the laundry drum (107), a temperature sensor (123) for detecting a temperature of the drum drive (109), a pump (117) for pumping washing liquid out of the outer tub (105), and a controller (119), which is connected from a control perspective to the drum drive (109), the fill level sensor (120), the temperature sensor (123) and the pump (117), characterised in that the method (200) has the following method steps: detection (201) of a temperature of the drum drive (109) by means of the temperature sensor (123) and a fill level (133) of washing liquid in the outer tub (105) by means of the fill level sensor (120) by way of the controller (119) during the overheating detection time section (141), activation (203) of the pump (117) to pump washing liquid out of the outer tub (105) by way of the controller (119) during an adaptation time section (149) following the overheating detection time section (141) if the temperature of the drum drive (109) detected during the overheating detection time section (141) lies above a temperature threshold value (145) and the fill level (133) of washing liquid in the outer tub (105) detected during the overheating detection time section (141) lies above a fill level threshold value, in order to avoid an overheating of the drum drive (109).