Laundry appliance with controls

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry care appliance (100) comprising a tub (105) for receiving washing liquid (129), a washing drum (107) for receiving laundry, wherein the washing drum (107) is arranged in the tub (105), a drum drive (109) for rotating the washing drum (107), a level sensor (123) for detecting a level of washing liquid (129) in the tub (105) and a control unit (119) which is connected to the drum drive (109) and the level sensor (123) for control purposes.The control unit (119) is configured to activate the drum drive (109) during an ejection period (157) to rotate the washing drum (107) at an ejection speed (159) in order to apply the laundry (127) held in the washing drum (107) to the washing drum (107) and to at least partially expel the washing liquid (129) bound to the laundry (127) from the laundry (127), wherein the fill level sensor (123) is configured to detect a fill level of washing liquid (129) in the tub (105) during the ejection period (157), and that the control unit (119) is configured to activate the drum drive (109) during a further ejection period (157) following the ejection period (157) in order to adjust the ejection speed (159) of the rotating washing drum (107) depending on the detected fill level of washing liquid. (129) to change in the lye container (105).

Description

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

[0002] In a conventional laundry care appliance, various methods are used to care for the laundry in the drum. The drum is rotated within the tub filled with washing liquid, primarily at different speeds, to effectively move both the laundry and the liquid. This ensures optimal contact between the laundry and the washing liquid, facilitating the effective transfer of fabric care products and / or heat from the liquid to the fabric.

[0003] Due to the unpredictable movement of the laundry within the rotating drum, it can happen in conventional laundry care appliances that certain items of laundry do not come into sufficient contact with the washing liquid, which may impair the quality of the laundry care.

[0004] In WO 2009 / 112222 A1, an adjustment of the rotational speed of a washing drum in a drum washing machine is disclosed.

[0005] In DE 10 2017 219 043 A1 a laundry care appliance with load detection is disclosed.

[0006] DE 199 08 802 A1 discloses a method for spinning wet laundry in a rotating drum of a laundry treatment machine.

[0007] Publication EP 3 770 314 A1 discloses a method for operating a washing machine with a tub for holding washing liquid for treating laundry.

[0008] The object underlying the invention is to provide a laundry care device with which an advantageous laundry care process can be ensured.

[0009] 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.

[0010] According to a first aspect, the problem according to the invention is solved by a laundry care device comprising a tub for holding washing liquid, a drum for holding laundry, the drum being arranged in the tub, a drum drive for rotating the drum, a level sensor for detecting the level of washing liquid in the tub, and a control unit which is connected to the drum drive and the level sensor, wherein the control unit is configured to activate the drum drive to rotate the drum at a specific speed during an ejection period in order to apply the laundry held in the drum to the drum and to at least partially expel the washing liquid bound to the laundry, wherein the level sensor is configuredduring the discharge phase, the control system is configured to detect the level of washing liquid in the tub, and the control system is configured to activate the drum drive during a subsequent discharge phase in order to change the discharge speed of the rotating washing drum depending on the detected level of washing liquid in the tub.

[0011] This achieves the technical advantage that by changing the output speed of the rotating washing drum depending on the detected fill level of washing liquid, particularly advantageous laundry care is ensured.

[0012] During the ejection phase, the washing drum rotates at a sufficiently high ejection speed that, due to centrifugal force, presses the laundry against the drum, forcing the washing liquid bound to the laundry out, particularly along a radial ejection direction. The ejected washing liquid is then removed from the drum through openings and collects in the tub, where the liquid level is detected by the fill sensor.

[0013] Thus, by measuring the fill level of the washing liquid in the lye container using the fill level sensor, a correlation can be obtained with the effectiveness of the removal of washing liquid from the laundry and thus with the wetting of the laundry.

[0014] Since the movement of the laundry during the exit phase is difficult to predict, clumping of laundry items can occur, preventing an even distribution of the laundry in the rotating washing drum, which can impair the effective removal of the washing liquid from the laundry during the exit phase, resulting in a reduced level of washing liquid in the tub after the exit phase.

[0015] Additionally, the type of fabric being washed can also influence the laundry's ability to absorb or retain washing liquid.

[0016] Thus, by monitoring the fill level during the discharge period, the control system can draw conclusions about the intake and discharge behavior of the laundry.

[0017] In the subsequent discharge phase, the control system adjusts the rotational speed of the washing drum by activating the drum drive, depending on the detected level of washing liquid. Specifically, if a reduced washing liquid level was detected during the discharge phase, the rotational speed of the washing drum is increased in the subsequent discharge phase to ensure effective wetting of the laundry with washing liquid.

[0018] The expulsion period and / or the subsequent expulsion period may in particular be part of a wetting step, a washing step or a rinsing step of a laundry care program stored in the control system of the laundry care device.

[0019] A laundry care appliance is understood to be a device used for laundry care, such as a washing machine or a tumble dryer, especially a washer-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.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment, the control system is designed to activate the drum drive during the further discharge period in order to increase the rotational speed of the washing drum rotating at the discharge speed, in particular to increase it to an increased discharge speed if the fill level of washing liquid in the tub detected after the discharge period falls below a fill level threshold.

[0021] This achieves the technical advantage of ensuring effective wetting of the laundry throughout the subsequent sprouting phase. Level monitoring during the preceding, initial sprouting phase serves to control and evaluate the sprouting behavior of the washing liquid bound to the laundry.

[0022] In particular, the control system compares the detected fill level with a predetermined fill level threshold. This fill level threshold depends on a variety of parameters, including the amount of laundry, the type of laundry, the dry weight of the laundry, the total amount of washing liquid in the tub, the amount of washing liquid released from the laundry, the machine speed, the geometry of the drum, and / or the geometry of the tub. The fill level threshold can also be specifically defined depending on the laundry care program being executed.

[0023] If the fill level threshold was not reached during the preceding, first exit period, the rotational speed of the washing drum is increased during the subsequent exit period, in particular to the increased exit speed, in order to allow the detected fill level of washing liquid to reach the fill level threshold after the subsequent exit period.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, the control system is designed to terminate the further expulsion period when the fill level of the washing liquid in the lye container, detected during the further expulsion period, reaches the fill level threshold.

[0025] This achieves the technical advantage that reaching the fill level threshold represents the end point of the subsequent discharge phase, allowing the control system to terminate this phase, particularly immediately. Following this discharge phase, the control system can then reduce the rotational speed of the washing drum.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, the control system is designed to terminate the further expulsion period if the fill level of the washing liquid detected during the further expulsion period does not reach the fill level threshold value after a predetermined time interval during the further expulsion period.

[0027] This achieves the technical advantage that, even if the amount of washing liquid is not completely expelled, the further expulsion phase can be terminated after a longer time interval, since reaching the fill level threshold after the predetermined time interval appears unlikely, in order to prevent an unnecessary extension of the further expulsion phase.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device has an imbalance sensor for detecting an imbalance of the rotating laundry drum, wherein the control is designed to activate the drum drive only to increase the ejection speed, in particular to the increased ejection speed, during the further ejection period if the imbalance sensor does not detect an imbalance of the rotating laundry drum.

[0029] This achieves the technical advantage that an increase in the output speed can be carried out safely without the laundry care appliance being damaged by an imbalance of the rotating washing drum.

[0030] The imbalance sensor includes in particular a power sensing element for detecting an electrical power value of the drum drive of the washing drum, and / or a device for detecting a deflection or acceleration of a vibrating system of the washing drum, and / or a 3D sensor for detecting a deflection of the washing drum in all three spatial directions.

[0031] In this case, the spatial displacement of the oscillating system can be mathematically converted into the acceleration of the displacement of the oscillating system, in particular via the velocity of the displacement of the oscillating system.

[0032] In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device has an imbalance sensor for detecting an imbalance of the rotating laundry drum, wherein the control is configured to activate the drum drive during the further ejection period in order to reduce the rotational speed of the rotating laundry drum, in particular to reduce it to a reduced ejection speed, when the imbalance sensor detects an imbalance of the rotating laundry drum.

[0033] This achieves the technical advantage that, in the event of a detected imbalance of the rotating washing drum, e.g. due to clumping of laundry, damage to the laundry care appliance can be advantageously prevented by increasing the output speed.

[0034] In an advantageous embodiment, the control system is configured to terminate the further expulsion period when the detected level of the washing liquid reaches a level threshold, or the control system is configured to terminate the further expulsion period when the detected level of the washing liquid does not reach a level threshold after a further predetermined time interval during the further expulsion period.

[0035] This achieves the technical advantage that, after reaching the fill level threshold, the further budding period can be terminated immediately, or, after the further predetermined time interval has elapsed, the further budding period can be terminated to prevent the further budding period from continuing indefinitely.

[0036] In an advantageous embodiment, the control system is configured to activate the level sensor for detecting the level of the washing liquid during the discharge period in the tub, if a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of a laundry care program of the laundry care appliance or if the rotational speed of the washing drum has reached the discharge speed.

[0037] This achieves the technical advantage that the start of the fill level measurement can be advantageously correlated with the start of the discharge phase. In particular, the control system can detect the start of the discharge phase by the washing drum reaching its discharge speed, or the start of the discharge phase can be defined by a fixed time interval after the start of the laundry care program.

[0038] In an advantageous embodiment, the control system is configured to activate the drum drive during at least one setup period before the exit period in order to rotate the washing drum at a setup speed, wherein the setup speed comprises a speed of the washing drum at which the laundry contained in the washing drum is in contact with the washing drum during the rotation of the washing drum.

[0039] This achieves the technical advantage that the movement of the laundry inside the drum can be favorably influenced by changing the drum's rotational speed. In particular, the initial rotational speed is lower than the final rotational speed, so that when the drum rotates at the initial speed, the laundry is held against the drum by the centrifugal force, but this force is not strong enough to force the washing liquid out of the laundry.

[0040] In an advantageous embodiment, the control system is configured to activate the drum drive during at least one scooping period before the discharge period in order to rotate the washing drum at a scooping speed, wherein the scooping speed comprises a rotation of the washing drum at which the washing liquid taken up in the tub is at least partially moved along by the washing drum and falls onto the laundry taken up in the washing drum.

[0041] This achieves the technical advantage that the movement of the laundry inside the drum can be favorably influenced by changing the drum's rotational speed. Specifically, the scooping speed is lower than both the discharge speed and the feed speed. Therefore, when the drum rotates at the scooping speed, the laundry is not carried along by the drum itself. However, the washing liquid present in the drum is scooped along by the rotating drum and falls, particularly from above, onto the laundry inside the drum to ensure effective wetting.

[0042] To ensure effective movement of the washing liquid, in particular scooping of the washing liquid, the washing drum has in particular a plurality of protrusions, in particular laundry scoops, which move or carry the washing liquid along during the rotation of the washing drum.

[0043] In an advantageous embodiment, the control system is configured to activate the drum drive during at least one intermediate period before the discharge period in order to rotate the washing drum in an intermediate speed range, wherein the intermediate speed range comprises a range of rotational speeds of the washing drum which extends between a supply speed and a scooping speed of the washing drum.

[0044] This achieves the technical advantage that by changing the rotational speed of the washing drum from the system speed via the intermediate speed range to the scooping speed, or from the scooping speed via the intermediate speed range to the system speed, the movement behavior of the laundry contained in the washing drum can be advantageously influenced.

[0045] In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device has a washing liquid supply device for supplying washing liquid into the lye container, wherein the control is configured to activate the washing liquid supply device for supplying washing liquid into the lye container before the discharge time section, in particular before the scooping time section and / or before the setup time section and / or before the intermediate time section.

[0046] This achieves the technical advantage that a sufficient amount of washing liquid is available during the following time periods to effectively wet the laundry.

[0047] According to a second aspect, the problem according to the invention is solved by a method for caring for laundry in a laundry care appliance, wherein the laundry care appliance comprises a tub for holding washing liquid, a drum for holding laundry, the drum being arranged in the tub, a drum drive for rotating the drum, a level sensor for detecting the level of washing liquid in the tub, and a control unit which is connected to the drum drive and the level sensor, wherein the method comprises the following steps: activating the drum drive to rotate the drum at an ejection speed by the control unit during an ejection period in order to apply the laundry held in the drum to the drum and to at least partially expel the washing liquid bound to the laundry from the laundry.Activating the level sensor by the control unit during the discharge period to detect the level of washing liquid in the tub during the discharge period, and activating the drum drive by the control unit during a subsequent discharge period to change the discharge speed of the rotating washing drum depending on the detected level of washing liquid in the tub.

[0048] This achieves the technical advantage of ensuring effective adjustment of the wetting of the washing liquid.

[0049] In an advantageous embodiment, activating the drum drive during the further ejection period includes increasing the ejection speed of the rotating washing drum, in particular to an increased ejection speed if the fill level of washing liquid in the tub detected after the ejection period falls below a fill level threshold.

[0050] This achieves the technical advantage of ensuring effective adjustment of the wetting of the washing liquid.

[0051] In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device has an imbalance sensor for detecting an imbalance of the rotating laundry drum, and includes activating the drum drive during the further ejection period by reducing the ejection speed of the rotating laundry drum, in particular to a reduced ejection speed, when the imbalance sensor detects an imbalance of the rotating laundry drum.

[0052] This achieves the technical advantage of preventing damage to the laundry care appliance.

[0053] 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.

[0054] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0055] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic view of a laundry care appliance; Fig. 2 a schematic view of a laundry care appliance with a control unit; Figs. 3A, 3B schematic views of rotation processes of a washing drum; Fig. 4 a schematic view of a laundry care process; Figs. 5A, 5B schematic views of a laundry care process according to a first embodiment; Fig. 6 a schematic view of a laundry care process according to a second embodiment; and Fig. 7 a schematic representation of a method for caring for laundry in a laundry care appliance.

[0056] 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 substances, such as 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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 configured to activate a washing liquid supply via the detergent dispenser 101 and / or the fresh water connection in order to supply washing liquid and / or fresh water as washing liquid into the washing drum 107.

[0061] The laundry care appliance 100 further comprises a level sensor 123 for detecting the level of washing liquid in the tub 105. In particular, the level sensor 123 is arranged in the tub 105.

[0062] Alternatively, the level sensor 123 can be arranged, in particular, outside the lye container 105 and can detect the level of washing liquid in the lye container 105 by means of communicating tubes in a further vessel, wherein the level sensor 123, in particular a pressure sensor, is connected to the further vessel, which is in particular closed, so that a pressure can be built up.

[0063] The laundry care appliance 100 also includes a control unit 119, which is connected to the pump 117, which is connected to the drum drive 109, to the washing liquid supply device 118-1 and to the fill level sensor 123, each by a control connection 121.

[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 Figuren 3A und 3B show schematic views of the rotation processes of a washing machine drum.

[0066] In the Fig. 3A A washing drum 107 arranged in a tub 105 of a laundry appliance 100 is shown schematically, with the washing drum 107 rotating at a low speed. The laundry 127 held in the washing drum 107, as well as the free washing liquid 129 held in the tub 105, are shown schematically. A heating element 131 for heating the washing liquid 129 is also arranged in the tub 105. The washing drum 107 also has a plurality of projections 133 on its inner surface, which are designed to move the laundry 127 and the washing liquid 129 held in the washing drum 107 as a function of the rotational speed of the washing drum 107. A first direction of rotation 135-1 of the washing drum 107 is shown in the Fig. 3A depicted.

[0067] In the Fig. 3B A washing drum 107 arranged in a tub 105 of a laundry appliance 100 is shown schematically, wherein the washing drum 107 rotates at a high speed, in particular at an output speed. Due to the fact that, compared to the Fig. 3A As the washing drum 107 rotates faster, the laundry 127 adheres to the drum 107 due to the centrifugal force acting upon it, and the washing liquid 129 bound to the laundry 127 is expelled from the laundry 127 along a radial expulsion direction 137, so that the expelled washing liquid 129 collects in the space between the washing drum 107 and the tub 105. A second rotation direction 135-2 of the washing drum 107, opposite to the first rotation direction 135-1, is located in the Fig. 3B depicted.

[0068] Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of a laundry care process.

[0069] The in Fig. 4 The first curve 139 shown depicts, along the ordinate axis 141, the rotational speed of a washing drum 107 driven by a drum drive 109 as a function of time, which is plotted along the abscissa axis 143.

[0070] As from the Fig. 4 As can be seen, the washing drum 107 is rotated at different speed levels, starting with a system time period 145 during which the washing drum 107 rotates at a system speed 147, where the system speed 147 corresponds to the speed of the washing drum 107 at which the laundry 127 contained in the washing drum 107 is in contact with the washing drum 107 during the rotation of the washing drum 107 due to the centrifugal force acting on the laundry.

[0071] The operating time section 145 is followed by an intermediate section 149, during which the washing drum 107 rotates in an intermediate speed range 151, the intermediate speed range encompassing a range of rotational speeds of the washing drum 107 that extends between the operating speed 147 and a scooping speed 153 of the washing drum 107. The scooping speed 153 is lower than the operating speed 147.

[0072] During the intermediate phase 149, the laundry 127 is no longer in complete contact with the washing drum 107, but rather the laundry 127 and the washing liquid 129 are carried along inside the washing drum 107, in particular by the projections 133 of the washing drum 107. During the intermediate phase 149, a particularly dynamic movement of the laundry 127 and washing liquid 129 inside the washing drum 107 can be achieved by the changing rotational speed of the rotating washing drum 107.

[0073] The intermediate section 149 is followed by a scooping section 155, during which the washing drum 107 rotates at a scooping speed 153. The scooping speed 153 is lower than the base speed 147 and also lower than the intermediate speed range 151, so that during the scooping section 155 the laundry 127 is no longer, or only to a small extent, carried along by the projections 133 of the washing drum 107, so that the laundry 127 remains in a lower region of the washing drum 107 during its rotation. However, the projections 133 of the washing drum 107 do carry along some of the washing liquid 129 during the scooping section 155, so that the carried-along washing liquid 129 can drip, in particular from above, onto the laundry 127 in the washing drum 107, thereby achieving advantageous wetting of the laundry 127.

[0074] The scooping time section 155 is followed by another intermediate section 149, during which the scooping speed 153 is increased within the intermediate speed range 151 until the washing drum 107 rotates again at the system speed 147 in the subsequent system time section 145. The sequence of the respective in Fig. 4 The time periods shown, 149, 145, 149, 155, can be repeated or varied as desired.

[0075] As from the Fig. 4 Furthermore, as can be seen, the last setup time section 145 is followed by a discharge time section 157, during which the washing drum 107 rotates at a discharge speed 159 that is greater than the setup speed 147. The rotation of the washing drum 107 at the discharge speed 159 exerts such a strong centrifugal force on the washing liquid 129 bound to the laundry 127 that the washing liquid 129 is expelled from the laundry 127 along a radial discharge direction 137, as shown in the Fig. 3B is graphically represented.

[0076] In particular, the output speed 159 is between 100 rpm and 350 rpm and the duration of the output period 157 is between 10 min and 20 min, wherein the output speed 159 and the duration depend on the size of the washing drum 107, the amount of washing liquid and the load of laundry 127.

[0077] By rotating the washing drum 107 at different speeds, it is advantageous to influence the movement of the laundry 127 and the movement of the washing liquid 129 within the washing drum 107, so that complete wetting of the laundry 127 with washing liquid 129 and also uniform heating of the laundry 127 during the laundry care process can be ensured.

[0078] In particular, the one according to the Fig. 4 The described laundry care process ensures advantageous wetting of the laundry 127 with a wide variety of laundry loads, especially with different laundry load quantities, different sizes of individual laundry items, and different absorbencies of individual laundry items.

[0079] However, it may happen during the discharge period 157 that the discharge speed 159 is not reached, e.g., due to an imbalance of the rotating washing drum 107 caused by clumping of laundry items in the washing drum 107. It may also happen during the discharge period 157 that, despite reaching the discharge speed 159, an insufficient amount of washing liquid 129 is discharged from the laundry 127, so that the desired complete wetting of the laundry 127 with washing liquid 129 is not achieved during the discharge period 157.

[0080] For this reason, the following Fig. 5A und Fig. 5B according to the first embodiment and in the Fig. 6 According to the second embodiment, an automatic adjustment of the expulsion time period 157 is described in order to ensure a particularly advantageous laundry care process.

[0081] The Figuren 5A und 5B show schematic views of a laundry care process according to a first embodiment.

[0082] The present invention is based on the finding that, during the discharge phase 157, the effectiveness of the discharge of the washing liquid 129 bound to the laundry 127 is detected by means of a level sensor 123 of the washing tub 105 designed as a pressure sensor. The washing liquid 129 discharged from the laundry 127 during the discharge phase 157 exits the washing drum 107 through openings in the drum and collects at the bottom of the washing tub 105, where the amount of washing liquid can be detected by the level sensor 123.

[0083] Thus, the fill level of washing liquid 129 in the lye container 105 detected by means of the fill level sensor 123 during the expulsion period 157 allows a direct conclusion to be drawn about the effectiveness of the expulsion of washing liquid 129 from the laundry 127.

[0084] The one in Fig. 5A The second curve shown, 161, shows different speed ranges of a rotating washing drum 107.

[0085] The one in Fig. 5A The third curve 163 shows different fill levels of washing liquid 129 in the tub 105, detected by a level sensor 123, which in this case are output as pressure values ​​measured by a pressure sensor. The third curve 163 is temporally correlated with the second curve 161.

[0086] As can be seen from the second curve 161, the exhaust speed 159 is identical during both exhaust time periods 157-1, 157-2.

[0087] Nevertheless, the third curve shows 163 different fill levels of washing liquid 129 in the lye container 105 during the two expulsion time periods 157-1 and 157-2.

[0088] In particular, the fill level of the washing liquid 129 reaches a fill level threshold value of 165 during the first bud break period 157-1, whereas the fill level of the washing liquid 129 does not reach the fill level threshold value of 165 during the second bud break period 157-2, but only reaches a reduced fill level value of 165-1.

[0089] The target level threshold value 165 depends on a variety of parameters, in particular on the amount of laundry, the type of laundry, the dry weight of the laundry, the total amount of washing liquid 129 in the tub 105, the amount of washing liquid 129 spun free from the laundry 127, the level of the spin speed 159, the geometry of the washing drum 107 and the geometry of the tub 105.

[0090] The reason for the different fill levels of washing liquid 129 during the first and second discharge time periods 157-1, 157-2 at the same discharge speed 159 is due to the unpredictable movement behavior of the laundry 127 in the rotating washing drum 107, which results in different quantities of washing liquid 129 being discharged from the laundry 127 in the first and second discharge time periods 157-1, 157-2.

[0091] However, to ensure that the same amount of washing liquid 129 is expelled from the laundry 127 during different expulsion time periods 157, the control unit 119 changes the flow rate during the process. Fig. 5B In the fourth discharge period 157-4 shown, the rotational speed of the washing drum 107 depends on the fill level of washing liquid 129 detected by the fill level sensor 123.

[0092] If the fill level of washing liquid 129 in the tub 105, as detected by the level sensor 123, does not reach the fill level threshold 165, the controller 119 increases the flow rate during the cycle. Fig. 5B In the fourth discharge period 157-4 shown, the rotational speed of the washing drum 107 is increased to a higher discharge speed 159-1, thereby driving more washing liquid 129 out of the laundry 127, and the level of washing liquid 129 detected by the level sensor 123 in the tub 105 reaches the level threshold 165.

[0093] However, particular care must be taken to ensure that the difference between the increased output speed 159-1 and the output speed 159 is not too large, as an excessive increase in the increased output speed 159-1 can lead to undesirable resonances in the washing drum 107. For this reason, the difference between the increased output speed 159-1 and the output speed 159 is specifically set at a value of less than or equal to 50 rpm.

[0094] The fill level sensor 123 is activated for fill level measurement, in particular when the respective discharge time period 157 begins, i.e., when the rotational speed of the washing drum 107 reaches the discharge speed 159, or when a predetermined time period stored in the laundry care program has elapsed, which correlates with the start of the discharge time period 157. Thus, the monitoring function of the fill level sensor 123 is correlated with the start of the discharge time period 157 in this case.

[0095] As from the Fig. 5B As can be seen, the fourth flushing period 157-4 ends when the measured fill level of the washing liquid 129 reaches the fill level threshold 165 within a predetermined time interval. As in Fig. 5B As shown, the control unit 119 terminates the fourth exit period 157-4 immediately when the detected fill level reaches the fill level threshold 165.

[0096] If the in Fig. 5B If, as not shown, the case should occur that after the predetermined time interval of the fourth exit period 157-4 has elapsed, the detected fill level of the washing liquid 129 does not reach the fill level threshold 165, then this means that the fill level threshold 165 cannot be reached, so that in this case too the control 119 ends the fourth exit period 157-4.

[0097] In order for the control unit 119 to be able to increase the output speed 159 to the increased output speed 159-1 during the corresponding output time period 157, there must be no imbalance in the rotating washing drum 107 to prevent damage to the washing drum 107. Such an imbalance can occur, for example, due to clumping of laundry 127 in the rotating washing drum 127.

[0098] For this reason, the laundry care appliance 100 includes, in particular, an imbalance sensor designed to detect an imbalance of the rotating washing drum 107. The imbalance sensor comprises, in particular, a power sensing element for detecting an electrical power value of the drum drive 109 of the washing drum 107, a device for detecting a deflection or acceleration of a vibrating system of the washing drum 107, and / or a 3D sensor for detecting a deflection of the washing drum 107 in all three spatial directions.

[0099] The control unit 119 is specifically designed to increase the rotational speed of the washing drum 107 to the increased rotational speed 159-1 only during the discharge period 157 if the imbalance sensor does not detect any imbalance of the rotating washing drum 107.

[0100] Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of a laundry care process according to a second embodiment.

[0101] For the relevant details of the curves, please refer to the explanations regarding Fig. 5A und Fig. 5B referred.

[0102] According to the second embodiment, the imbalance sensor detects during the Fig. 6 In the fifth output phase 157-5 shown, an imbalance of the rotating washing drum 107 occurs, so that in the subsequent sixth output phase 157-6 the control 119 reduces the output speed 159 to a reduced output speed 159-2 in order to avoid damage to the laundry care device 100.

[0103] To ensure effective removal of washing liquid 129 from the laundry 127 during the sixth removal period 157-6, despite the reduced removal speed 159-2, the duration of the sixth removal period 157-6 is extended by a further time interval. As can be seen from the third curve 163, the fill level of the removed washing liquid 129 in the lye container 105 reaches the fill level threshold 165 after the sixth removal period 157-6.

[0104] As from the Fig. 6 As can be seen, the sixth budding period 157-6 is terminated when the further time interval of the sixth budding period 157-6 has elapsed, or when the recorded fill level of the washing liquid 129 during the sixth budding period 157-6 reaches the fill level threshold value 165.

[0105] If the in Fig. 6 In the case not shown, that after the expiry of the further time interval of the sixth budding period 157-6 the detected fill level of the washing liquid 129 does not reach the fill level threshold 165, this means that the fill level threshold 165 cannot be reached, so that in this case too the control 119 ends the sixth budding period 157-6.

[0106] Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of a procedure for caring for laundry in a laundry care device.

[0107] The process 200 comprises, as a first process step, the activation 201 of the drum drive 109 to rotate the washing drum 107 with an ejection speed 159 by the control 119 during an ejection time period 157 in order to apply the laundry 127 received in the washing drum 107 to the washing drum 107 and to at least partially expel the washing liquid 129 bound to the laundry 127 from the laundry 127.

[0108] The second step of the process 200 includes the activation 203 of the level sensor 123 by the control unit 119 during the expulsion period 157 in order to detect a level of washing liquid 129 in the lye container 105 during the expulsion period 157.

[0109] The process 200 comprises, as a third process step, the activation 205 of the drum drive 109 by the control 119 during a further ejection period 157 following the ejection period 157, in order to change the ejection speed 159 of the rotating washing drum 107 depending on the detected fill level of washing liquid 129 in the tub 105.

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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. Bezugszeichenliste

[0112] 100 Laundry appliance 101 Detergent dispenser 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 Level sensor 125 Outlet line 127 Laundry 129 Washing liquid 131 Heating element 133 Projection 135-1 First direction of rotation 135-2 Second direction of rotation 137 Output direction 139 First curve of a washing drum rotation speed 107 as a function of time 141 Ordinary axis 143 Abscissa axis 145 Start time interval 147 Start speed 149 Intermediate time period 151 Intermediate speed range 153 Scooping speed 155 Scooping time period 157 Output time period 157-1 First output time period 157-2 Second output time period 157-3 Third output time period 157-4 Fourth output time period 157-5 Fifth output time period 157-6 Sixth output time period 159 Output speed 159-1 IncreasedOutput speed 159-2 Reduced output speed 161 Second curve of a rotational speed of the washing drum 107 as a function of time 163 Third curve of a flow of fill levels / pressure values ​​of washing liquid 129 in the tub 105 as a function of time 165 Fill level threshold 165-1 Reduced fill level threshold 200 Procedure for maintaining laundry 201 First procedure step: Activating the drum drive during the output time period 203 Second procedure step: Activating the fill level sensor during the output time period 205 Third procedure step: Activating the drum drive during the further output time period

Claims

1. Laundry care appliance (100) with an outer tub (105) for receiving washing liquid (129), a laundry drum (107) for receiving laundry, wherein the laundry drum (107) is arranged in the outer tub (105), a drum drive (109) for rotating the laundry drum (107), a fill level sensor (123) for capturing a fill level of washing liquid (129) in the outer tub (105) and a controller (119), which is connected to the drum drive (109) and the fill level sensor (123) via control technology, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied to activate the drum drive (109) to rotate the laundry drum (107) at an expulsion speed (159) during an expulsion time segment (157) in order to attach the laundry (127) received in the laundry drum (107) to the laundry drum (107) and to expel the washing liquid (129) bound to the laundry (127) at least partially out of the laundry (127), wherein the fill level sensor (123) is embodied to capture a fill level of washing liquid (129) in the outer tub (105) during the expulsion time segment (157), and that the controller (119) is embodied to activate the drum drive (109) during a further expulsion time segment (157) adjoining the expulsion time segment (157) in order to change the expulsion speed (159) of the rotating laundry drum (107) as a function of the captured fill level of washing liquid (129) in the outer tub (105).

2. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied to activate the drum drive (109) during the further expulsion time segment (157), in order to increase the speed of the laundry drum (107) rotating with the expulsion speed (159), in particular to increase it to an increased expulsion speed (159-1), when the fill level of washing liquid (129) in the outer tub (105), captured following the expulsion time segment (157), does not reach a fill level threshold value (165).

3. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 2, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied to terminate the further expulsion time segment (157) when a fill level of the washing liquid (129) in the outer tub (105), captured during the further expulsion time segment (157), reaches the fill level threshold value (165).

4. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 2, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied to terminate the further expulsion time segment (157) when a fill level of the washing liquid (129) captured during the further expulsion time segment (157) after a predetermined time interval during the further expulsion time segment (157) does not reach the fill level threshold value (165).

5. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the laundry care appliance (100) has an unbalance sensor for capturing an unbalance of the rotating laundry drum (107), wherein the controller (119) is embodied only to activate the drum drive (109) during the further expulsion time segment (157) in order to increase the expulsion speed (159), in particular to increase it to the increased expulsion speed (159-1) when the unbalance sensor does not capture an unbalance of the rotating laundry drum (107).

6. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the laundry care appliance (100) has an unbalance sensor for capturing an unbalance of the rotating laundry drum (107), wherein the controller (119) is embodied to activate the drum drive (109) during the further expulsion time segment (157) in order to reduce the speed of the rotating laundry drum (107), in particular to reduce it to a reduced expulsion speed (159-2) when the unbalance sensor captures an unbalance of the rotating laundry drum (107).

7. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 6, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied to terminate the further expulsion time segment (157) when the captured fill level of the washing liquid (129) reaches a fill level threshold value (165), or that the controller (119) is embodied to terminate the further expulsion time segment (157) when the captured fill level of the washing liquid (129) does not reach a fill level threshold value (165) following a further predetermined time interval during the further expulsion time segment (157).

8. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied to activate the fill level sensor (123) in order to capture the fill level of the washing liquid (129) during the expulsion time segment (157) in the outer tub (105) when a predetermined duration has elapsed following a start of a laundry care program of the laundry care appliance (100) or when the speed of the laundry drum (107) has reached the expulsion speed (159).

9. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied to activate the drum drive (109) during at least one attachment time segment (145) before the expulsion time segment (157), in order to rotate the laundry drum (107) with an attachment speed (147), wherein the attachment speed (147) comprises a speed of the laundry drum (107), in which the laundry (127) received in the laundry drum (107) attaches to the laundry drum (107) while the laundry drum (107) is rotating.

10. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied to activate the drum drive (109) during at least one scooping time segment (155) before the expulsion time segment (157) in order to rotate the laundry drum (107) at a scooping speed (153), wherein the scooping speed (153) comprises a speed of the laundry drum (107), in which the washing liquid (129) received in the outer tub (105) is also moved at least partially by means of the laundry drum (107) and falls onto the laundry (127) received in the laundry drum (107).

11. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 10, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied to activate the drum drive (109) during at least one intermediate time segment (149) before the expulsion time segment (157), in order to rotate the laundry drum (107) in an intermediate speed region (151), wherein the intermediate speed region (151) comprises a region of the speeds of the laundry drum (107) which extends between the attachment speed (147) and a scooping speed (153) of the laundry drum (107).

12. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the laundry care appliance (100) has a washing liquid supply facility (118-1) for supplying washing liquid (129) into the outer tub (105), wherein the controller (119) is embodied to activate the washing liquid supply facility (118-1) in order to supply washing liquid (129) into the outer tub (105) before the expulsion time segment (157), in particular before the scooping time segment (155) and / or before the attachment time segment (145) and / or before the intermediate time segment (149).

13. Method (200) for caring for laundry (127) in a laundry care appliance (100), wherein the laundry care appliance (100) has an outer tub (105) for receiving washing liquid (129), a laundry drum (107) for receiving laundry, wherein the laundry drum (107) is arranged in the outer tub (105), a drum drive (109) for rotating the laundry drum (107), a fill level sensor (123) for capturing a fill level of washing liquid (129) in the outer tub (105) and a controller (119), which is connected to the drum drive (109) and the fill level sensor (123) via control technology, characterised in that the method (200) has the following method steps: Activating (201) the drum drive (109) in order to rotate the laundry drum (107) with an expulsion speed (159) by means of the controller (119) during an expulsion time segment (157) in order to attach the laundry (127) received in the laundry drum (107) to the laundry drum (107), and to expel the washing liquid (129) bound to the laundry (127) at least partially out of the laundry (127), Activating (203) the fill level sensor (123) by means of the controller (119) during an expulsion time segment (157) in order to capture a fill level of washing liquid (129) in the outer tub (105) during the expulsion time segment (157) and Activating (205) the drum drive (109) by means of the controller (119) during a further expulsion time segment (157) adjoining the expulsion time segment (157) in order to change the expulsion speed (159) of the rotating laundry drum (107) as a function of the captured fill level of washing liquid (129) in the outer tub (105).

14. Method (200) according to claim 13, characterised in that the activation (205) of the drum drive (109) during the further expulsion time segment (157) comprises increasing the expulsion speed (159) of the rotating laundry drum (107), in particular to an increased expulsion speed (159-1), when the fill level of the washing liquid (129) in the outer tub (105), captured after the expulsion time segment (157), does not reach a fill level threshold value (165).

15. Method (200) according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that the laundry care appliance (100) has an unbalance sensor for capturing an unbalance of the rotating laundry drum (107), and that the activation (205) of the drum drive (109) during the further expulsion time segment (157) comprises reducing the expulsion speed (159) of the rotating laundry drum (107), in particular to a reduced expulsion speed (159-2) when the unbalance sensor captures an unbalance of the rotating laundry drum (107).

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