Method for carrying out a cleaning process for a cleaning appliance, and cleaning appliance

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for carrying out a cleaning process for a cleaning appliance, the method comprising: a step of providing an additional heating signal (150) for activating an additional heater (106) during a heating process and a steam generation process, in order to heat the additional heater (106) to a temperature suitable for evaporating water; a step of providing a supply signal (154) to a supply device (109) during the steam generation process, the supply signal (154) causing water to be supplied to the additional heater (106) in order to generate steam; a step of providing a heat pump signal (152) in order to activate a heat pump (108) during a dry-cleaning process; and a step of providing a fan signal (156) in order to activate a fan (112) during the dry-cleaning process, in order to convey the steam into a treatment chamber or drum (102) to clean the item to be cleaned, and in order to convey the steam from the treatment chamber or drum (102) into an evaporator (110) of the heat pump (108) to clean the steam.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a device for carrying out a cleaning process for a cleaning device and a cleaning device.

[0002] Laundry is sometimes not visibly dirty but is contaminated with odors and pollutants. Therefore, laundry is usually washed after a certain period of time or wear and tear and then dried in a dryer or on a clothesline. Washing and drying requires a lot of time, energy, and manual labor from the user.

[0003] Document CN 113279226 A1 discloses a clothes dryer with a treatment chamber and a heat pump for conditioning the process air. The dryer further comprises a fan for conveying the process air and a steam generator located outside the process airflow. The steam is introduced into the drum via a steam line, with the operation of the fan overlapping with the initial steam supply for a predetermined period.

[0004] Document EP 3070201 A1 discloses a laundry care cabinet in which process air is conveyed through the treatment chamber and steam is fed into the treatment chamber. The process is defined such that steam is admitted into the treatment chamber during the care process, while the heat pump is switched off.

[0005] The approach presented here aims to create an improved method and an improved device for carrying out a cleaning process for a cleaning device, as well as an improved cleaning device.

[0006] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a method and a device for carrying out a cleaning process for a cleaning device and by a cleaning device having the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0007] The approach presented here provides a way to gently remove and transport pollutants and, additionally or alternatively, odorous substances from the items being cleaned, thereby improving, for example, equipment hygiene. Furthermore, this approach offers a time-saving and energy-efficient method for cleaning the items.

[0008] A method according to claim 1 for carrying out a cleaning process for a cleaning device is presented. The cleaning device comprises a treatment chamber or drum for receiving the items to be cleaned, a heating device with a heat pump and an auxiliary heater, and a fan for conveying process air through a circuit passing through the drum and the heating device. The method includes a step of providing an auxiliary heater signal to activate the auxiliary heater during a heating process and during a subsequent steam generation process to heat the auxiliary heater to a temperature suitable for evaporating water. Furthermore, the method includes a step of providing a feed signal to an interface to a feed device during the steam generation process, wherein the feed signal causes water to be supplied to the auxiliary heater to generate steam.In one step of the provisioning process, a heat pump signal is provided to activate the heat pump during an air scrubbing process following the steam generation process. The process further includes a step of providing a fan signal to activate the fan during the air scrubbing process to convey the steam to the treatment chamber or drum for cleaning the items to be cleaned, and to convey the steam from the drum to the evaporator of the heat pump for cleaning.

[0009] The cleaning appliance can be designed, for example, as a dryer, washer-dryer, or drying cabinet. The treatment chamber is also referred to as the drum, and the drum is used when it rotates during the cleaning process to mix the items. In a drying cabinet, the treatment chamber is the area into which the items are placed, but this area remains stationary during the cleaning process. Items to be cleaned could include textiles. The cleaning process can, for example, be a cleaning program that a user of the appliance can select and adjust. The cleaning process can also be automated using the appliance's features. The drum can be designed as a rotating container.The auxiliary heater can be an electric heating device that can be activated independently of the heat pump and includes, for example, at least one heating element. The supply device can be, for example, a controllable valve or a pump, so that the amount of water supplied to the auxiliary heater can be controlled.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the method can include a step of providing the heat pump signal to activate the heat pump during the heating process in order to heat the process air. The heat pump signal can thus be provided in different sub-processes of the cleaning process to activate the heat pump. Optionally, the heat pump signal can also contain a setpoint temperature value that can be used to control the heating output of the heat pump. If both the heat pump and the auxiliary heater are active during the heating process, the process can be heated very quickly.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the heat pump signal can be provided during the supply step to heat the process air to at least 45°C. Advantageously, the process air can be heated to 50°C. When the process air heated to this temperature is passed through the drum, this can lead to the separation of odors and pollutants via thermal desorption.

[0012] According to one embodiment, during the supply step, the feed signal can be provided to an interface of the feed device, which is designed as a pump, during the steam generation process in order to pump the water to the auxiliary heater. Advantageously, the water can be drawn from a storage tank using the pump and evaporated using the auxiliary heater.

[0013] For example, the supply signal can be provided to cause intermittent pumping of water during the steam generation process. This advantageously results in uniform evaporation of the water.

[0014] The process can include a step of providing the feed signal during a post-heating process following the air washing process and a step of providing the fan signal to activate the fan during the post-heating process to warm the items being cleaned. Advantageously, any residual moisture in the items being cleaned caused by the water vapor can be removed by the post-heating process.

[0015] Furthermore, the process can include a step of providing a scent signal to activate an injection device for introducing a fragrance into the process air during the post-heating process. The injection device can be implemented, for example, as an atomizer or as a conveying device for transporting the fragrance to the auxiliary heater. Alternatively, the evaporation of perfume from an open system can be promoted by additionally increasing the process air temperature. Advantageously, the use of the fragrance can give the user a feeling of freshness from the cleaned items.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the method can include a step of providing the fan signal to activate the fan during a fan process preceding the heating process. This allows solids to be removed from the material being cleaned using the process air. For example, the solids may be in the form of dust particles that can be removed from the material being cleaned. The solids could be, for example, animal hair or dust.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the fan signal can be provided to specify a speed and / or direction of rotation for the fan. Thus, the fan can be activated and controlled via the fan signal. For example, the speed can be alternately increased and decreased during the fan process. Advantageously, by changing the speed, the airflow of the process air can be modified in such a way that even stuck solids are loosened.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the fan signal can specify a fan rotation direction reversed during the steam generation process. This allows for optimized steam formation during the steam generation process.

[0019] Furthermore, the process can include a step of providing a pump-off signal to activate a condensate pump during a pump-off process following the air scrubbing process, in order to pump out particles filtered from the steam and condensed on the evaporator after cleaning. Advantageously, the steam can condense on the evaporator, allowing the relevant particles, such as dirt particles, to be filtered out and subsequently pumped out.

[0020] The approach presented here further provides a cleaning device according to claim 12, which includes a device configured to perform the steps of the method according to one of the preceding claims by controlling the auxiliary heater, the heat pump, the fan, and the feed device. The device can, for example, be configured as a control unit.

[0021] The device can be configured to read input signals and, using these input signals, determine and provide output signals. An input signal can, for example, be a sensor signal readable via an input interface of the device. An output signal can be a control signal or a data signal that can be provided at an output interface of the device. The device can be configured to determine the output signals using a processing instruction implemented in hardware or software. For example, the device can include a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, or a software module and may be implemented as, or comprised of, a discrete component.

[0022] A computer program product or computer program with program code that can be stored on a machine-readable medium such as semiconductor memory, hard disk memory, or optical memory is also advantageous. If the program product or program is executed on a computer or device, it can be used to carry out, implement, and / or control the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described herein.

[0023] The cleaning device can be designed as a household appliance, but it can also be used in conjunction with commercial or professional equipment, such as medical devices like cleaning or disinfection machines, small sterilizers, large-capacity disinfectors, or container washing systems. Therefore, the items to be cleaned can include dishes or medical equipment.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the evaporator of the heat pump can have a hydrophilic surface. Advantageously, the surface can be coated to better filter out the particles from the steam. This allows for very effective purification of the process air.

[0025] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a cleaning device according to an embodiment; Figure 2 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of a cleaning device; Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment for carrying out a cleaning process for a cleaning device; Figure 4 is a flowchart of a cleaning process according to an embodiment for a method for carrying out a cleaning process for a cleaning device; Figure 5 is a state diagram relating to a cleaning process of the cleaning device for a feeding device according to an embodiment; Figure 6 is a state diagram relating to a cleaning process of the cleaning device for a heat pump according to an embodiment; Figure 7 is a state diagram relating to a cleaning process of the cleaning device for a fan according to an embodiment;Figure 8 is a state diagram relating to a cleaning process of the cleaning device for an auxiliary heater according to an exemplary embodiment; and Figure 9 is a state diagram relating to a cleaning process of the cleaning device for a condensate pump according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0026] Figure 1Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a cleaning device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The cleaning device 100 offers, for example, a variety of programs that can be individually selected by a user. In particular, the cleaning device 100 offers at least one cleaning program that enables the cleaning of items using humidified process air. If the cleaning device 100 is configured as a washer-dryer, it offers, for example, at least one further cleaning program that enables the cleaning of items using a washing solution and a drying program that enables the drying of the items.

[0027] The cleaning device 100 has a drum 102, for example a washing machine drum, for holding items to be cleaned, and a heating unit 104. The heating unit 104 comprises an auxiliary heater 106 and a heat pump 108. The auxiliary heater is, for example, a resistance heater, and the heat pump 108 is a heat pump unit known from washer-dryers. Using the heating unit 104, process air can be tempered before being introduced into the drum 102.

[0028] According to this embodiment, the auxiliary heater 106 is further configured to evaporate water. The water is fed to the auxiliary heater 106 using a feed device 109 of the cleaning device 100. The resulting steam can be carried along by the process air and passed through the drum 102. This allows the items to be cleaned.

[0029] According to one embodiment, an evaporator 110 of the heat pump 108 is used to purify the steam that passes through the drum 102 together with the process air. For this purpose, the cleaning device 100 has a fan 112 for conveying the process air through a circuit 114 that runs through the drum 102 and the heating unit 104. For example, the circuit 114 includes pipes and / or hoses that connect elements of the heating unit 104 to each other and to the drum 102.

[0030] Furthermore, the cleaning device 100 has a device 116, which can also be referred to as a control unit, configured to control the operation of the cleaning device 100. In particular, the device 116 is configured to control or carry out a cleaning process of the cleaning device 100, as described in one of the following figures. For this purpose, the device 116 is configured to control at least the heating device 104 and the fan 112 using electrical signals. For example, the device 116 is configured to control the operation of the auxiliary heater 106 using an auxiliary heater signal 150, the operation of the heat pump 108 using a heat pump signal 152, the operation of the feed device 109 using a feed signal 154, and the operation of the fan 112 using a fan signal 156.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the feed device 109 is implemented as a pump or, alternatively, as a controllable valve. Using the feed device 109, the water can be drawn from a liquid reservoir 118 by pumps or by gravity and conveyed to the auxiliary heater 106. The liquid reservoir 118 is used to store the water to be evaporated.

[0032] The cleaning device 100 optionally features an introduction device 119, which is designed to introduce a fragrance into the process air, controlled by a fragrance signal 158 provided by the device 116.

[0033] According to one embodiment, liquid condensed at the evaporator 110, which may contain particles 122 to be removed from the circuit 114, is separated from the circuit 114 into a collection tank 124. According to another embodiment, the cleaning device 100 additionally includes a condensate pump 120. The condensate pump 120 is designed to pump water out of the collection tank 124, controlled by a pumping signal 160 provided by the device 116. Once the water in the collection tank 124 has been cleaned of the particles 122, it can be pumped into the liquid container 118 using the condensate pump 120. For example, the condensate pump 120 is arranged in the area of ​​the collection tank 124 of the cleaning device 100.

[0034] As explained in more detail below, the cleaning unit 100 enables the execution of a cleaning program within a dryer based on the heat pump 108, steam and the auxiliary heater 106. This cleaning program, also referred to as a cleaning process, can be used, for example, when the items to be cleaned are not visibly dirty, but contain odors and / or pollutants, but a complete washing is not possible, for example, due to time constraints.

[0035] Figure 2 This shows a circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning device 100. The cleaning device 100 shown here corresponds, for example, to the one in Figure 1 described cleaning device 100. According to this embodiment, the circuit diagram is merely more detailed than in Figure 1According to this embodiment, it is illustrated that the heat pump 108 has its own heat pump circuit 200, through which, for example, a refrigerant circulates. The heat pump 108 includes the evaporator 110, a throttle 202 (also referred to as a throttling device), optionally a filter 204, a condenser 206, a compressor unit 208 (also referred to as a compressor), and optionally a desuperheater fan 210.

[0036] The evaporator 110 is designed to extract heat from the ambient air and thereby evaporate the refrigerant within the heat pump circuit 200. The condenser 206, on the other hand, is designed to liquefy the evaporated refrigerant, thereby releasing heat to the environment. This allows the heat pump 108 to be used for cooling, for example, or, according to this embodiment, for heating the process air, depending on the application. According to this embodiment, the heat pump 108 and the circuit 114 passing through the heat pump 108 each have a plurality of temperature sensors 212, which are designed to detect temperature development and / or temperature changes within the circuit 114 and / or within the heat pump circuit 200.The temperature sensors 212 enable measurement of the process air temperature before and after the drum 102, as well as temperature measurement of the refrigerant after the compressor unit 208. According to this embodiment, the circuit 114 runs through the evaporator 110 and the compressor 206 of the heat pump 108.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the cleaning device 100 has a drive 215 connected between the fan 112 and the drum 102, which is designed, for example, to set the drum 102 and / or the fan 112 in motion.

[0038] Optionally, the cleaning device 100 has a base module 214. According to this embodiment, several collection containers 124 are arranged within the base module 214, which may, for example, have different volumes. The base module 214 is optionally connected or connectable to a wastewater line. Furthermore, at least one of the collection containers 124 is optionally coupled to the liquid container 118, whereby liquid from the collection container 124 can be pumped into the liquid container 118 using the condensate pump. The base module 214 is, for example, arranged or can be arranged on a base of the cleaning device 100. According to this embodiment, the base module 214 has a float switch 216, which is designed to detect a maximum fill level of the collection container 124.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the auxiliary heater 106 comprises a heating element, for example a PCT heating element, with a humidification unit for humidifying the process air.

[0040] Figure 3 Figure 3 shows a flowchart of a method 300 according to an exemplary embodiment, wherein the method 300 is suitable for carrying out a cleaning process for a cleaning device. The method 300 can be carried out in a cleaning device such as, for example, the Figures 1 to 2 as described. The cleaning process allows items located inside the cleaning device to be cleaned, particularly without the use of a washing solution.

[0041] According to one exemplary embodiment, the cleaning process comprises a heating process, a steam generation process, and an air scrubbing process, as well as optionally a fan process, a pumping process, and a reheating process. These subprocesses are described below using the following examples: Figure 4 The process is described in detail. During the sub-processes, actuators of the cleaning device, in particular the fan, the auxiliary heater, the feed system, and the heat pump, are operated. According to an exemplary embodiment, these actuators are controlled using control signals, such as those exemplified by... Figure 1 are described. The provision of the control signals is controlled by method 300 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0042] The procedure 300 includes a step 302 of providing an additional signal, a step 304 of providing a feed signal, a step 306 of providing a heat pump signal and a step 308 of providing a fan signal.

[0043] In step 302 of the provisioning process, an auxiliary heating signal is provided to activate the auxiliary heater during a heating process and during a steam generation process following the heating process, in order to heat the auxiliary heater to a temperature suitable for evaporating water.

[0044] In step 304 of the provisioning process, a feed signal is provided to an interface to a feed device during the steam generation process, whereby the feed signal causes water to be supplied to the auxiliary heater to generate the steam. The steam is designed, for example, to dissolve volatile organic compounds from the material being cleaned.

[0045] In step 306 of the provisioning process, a heat pump signal is provided to activate the heat pump during an air washing process following the steam generation process, in order to use a heat pump evaporator to clean the steam.

[0046] In step 308 of the provisioning process, a fan signal is provided to activate the fan during the air washing process, to convey the steam for cleaning the items to the drum and to convey the steam from the drum to the evaporator of the heat pump. This involves, for example, moving the process air into the drum.

[0047] Optionally, step 308 of providing a fan signal is also performed to activate the fan during a fan process preceding the heating process in order to loosen solids from the material being cleaned using the process air.

[0048] Optionally, according to an embodiment, method 300 includes a step 312 of providing a pump-out signal to activate a condensate pump during a pump-out process following the air washing process in order to pump out particles filtered from the steam and condensed on the evaporator from the circuit after the steam has been cleaned, and optionally a step 314 of providing a fragrance signal to activate an injection device to introduce a fragrance into the process air during a post-heating process that can be carried out after the air washing process.

[0049] According to this embodiment, in step 308 of the provisioning process, the fan signal is provided, which specifies a speed or direction of rotation of the fan.

[0050] The heat pump is only optionally activated in step 306 of providing the heat pump signal during the heating process in order to heat the process air to at least 45°C and preferably to 50°C.

[0051] The supply signal is optionally provided during the steam generation process to an interface with the supply unit, which is designed as a pump, to pump the water to the auxiliary heater. According to one embodiment, the water is pumped to the auxiliary heater by means of intermittent pumping. Optionally, the supply signal is provided again during a subsequent post-heating process following the air scrubbing process. Similarly, the items to be cleaned are heated by reactivating the fan during the post-heating process.

[0052] According to one embodiment, steps 302, 304, 306, 308, 312, and 314 are performed in such a sequence, optionally repeatedly, that the heat pump, in particular the compressor of the heat pump, is off during the fan process, on during the heating process, off during the steam generation process, on during the air scrubbing process, off during the pump-out process, and off during the reheating process. The fan, for example, in the form of a process air blower, rotates at maximum speed during the fan process, at 90% during the heating process, at minimum speed during the steam generation process, at maximum speed during the air scrubbing process, at 70% during the pump-out process, and at 70% during the reheating process. The auxiliary heater is on during the fan process, on during the heating process, on during the steam generation process, off during the air scrubbing process, off during the pump-out process, and on during the reheating process.The supply device, also known as the steam generation pump, is off in the fan process, off in the heating process, on in the steam generation process, off in the air washing process, off in the pumping process, and off in the reheating process.

[0053] Figure 4 Figure 1 shows a flowchart of a cleaning process 400 according to an embodiment of a method for carrying out a cleaning process 400 for a cleaning device. The steps of the method, as described in Figure 2, are shown below. Figure 3 As described, the processes are therefore feasible within the sub-processes described below.

[0054] According to this embodiment, the cleaning process 400 comprises a fan process 402, a heating process 404, a steam generation process 406, an air scrubbing process 408, a pumping process 410, and a reheating process 412, in which the individual steps of the method are carried out. These subprocesses 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412 are carried out sequentially.

[0055] After a user has prepared the cleaning process 400, the cleaning device is ready to carry out the cleaning process 400. Such preparation 414 includes, for example, placing the items to be cleaned into the cleaning device and selecting a desired cleaning program, such as the one described in Figure 4 described cleaning process 400. In short, during preparation 414, for example, soiled laundry is added.

[0056] In the fan process 402, the material being cleaned is aerated using process air to remove solids such as dust particles, crumbs, or stones. For this purpose, the process air is conveyed through the drum of the cleaning device at, for example, the maximum speed achievable by the fan. According to this embodiment, the heat pump and the feed system are deactivated in the fan process 402. The separation of the solids is achieved by aeration at maximum volume flow.

[0057] In heating process 404, the items to be cleaned are heated using the heat pump and / or the auxiliary heater. The feed system is deactivated. According to this embodiment, the fan is activated, but it no longer runs at its maximum power, as in fan process 402, but at a slightly reduced power, for example, 90% of its power. Heating process 404 causes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to dissolve from the items being cleaned. Odors and pollutants are separated via thermal desorption. For this purpose, the temperature of the items being cleaned is increased to 50°C or more using the heat pump and auxiliary heater. The higher this temperature, the faster the odors dissolve from the items being cleaned.Adjustments to the holding time and / or temperature are made to respond to the degree of soiling, the type of laundry, and / or energy consumption. High temperatures, for example, allow for a short treatment time, but this results in higher energy consumption.

[0058] In steam generation process 406, steam is then generated using the auxiliary heater to bind, for example, VOCs dissolved from the items being cleaned. The heat pump is deactivated, and the fan is reduced to a minimum output. The feed system is activated in steam generation process 406 and conveys the water to the auxiliary heater. In steam generation process 406, the steam is generated to dissolve semi-volatile substances from the items being cleaned using the principle of steam distillation and to improve condensation in the evaporator of the heat pump. The steam is generated by conveying water, such as condensate or distilled water, to the auxiliary heater, where it evaporates. The process air blower then moves the steam onto the laundry.

[0059] In air scrubbing process 408, the steam is condensed using the heat pump, thus removing the VOCs from the process air. According to this embodiment, the fan in air scrubbing process 408 is activated at maximum power. The auxiliary heater and the feed system are deactivated during this time. In other words, air scrubbing process 408 removes gaseous substances from the process air. This occurs in an air scrubber, for example, the evaporator of the heat pump unit. The substances are separated from the process air through condensation and absorption on a fin of the evaporator or on water droplets adhering to the evaporator. A hydrophilic coating of the evaporator, for example, enables improved wetting and thus enhances absorption.Reducing the fan speed lowers the flow velocity of the process air, thereby increasing the contact time of the process air with the air scrubber. The evaporation temperature of the refrigerant can also be further lowered by using a controlled throttle, such as an expansion valve, to improve condensation.

[0060] In pump-off process 410, the condensed steam is pumped out and the VOCs bound within it are removed. The heat pump, auxiliary heater, and feed system are deactivated during this process. The fan, for example, is activated at 70% power. Pump-off process 410 thus enables the removal of contaminants from the cleaning unit. The substances are transported with the resulting condensate to the condensate pump and extracted from the unit. This occurs, for example, directly into the wastewater line or alternatively into the collection tank, also known as the condensate container, which is emptied after cleaning process 400 and only optionally rinsed.

[0061] The pumping process 410 is merely optional as a final sub-process. Alternatively, the reheating process 412 follows the pumping process 410. This means that, according to this embodiment, the user is free to decide whether the end of the pumping process 410 means the removal 416 of the cleaned item, or whether the optional reheating process 412 follows, in which the cleaned item is reheated and / or scented before removal 416. During this process, the heat pump and the feed unit are deactivated. However, the auxiliary heater is activated, and the fan is also active at a reduced power level, for example, 70%. In other words, the air scrubber unit is switched off, and only the auxiliary heater is activated to vaporize the fragrances from, for example, a perfume bottle.

[0062] In other words, the cleaning process 400 achieves the removal of solids and odors without washing in a heat pump dryer with an auxiliary heater (QPD) and steam generation.

[0063] The following will be based on the Figures 5 to 9 This document describes the control of actuators involved in cleaning process 400. The subprocesses 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, and 412 of cleaning process 400 are shown, along with state diagrams 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900, which depict the operating states of the respective actuators during each subprocess. The x-axis 504 of the state diagrams 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 symbolizes a time progression, and the y-axis 506 symbolizes the operating state of the respective actuator.

[0064] Figure 5 shows the operating state of the device using a state diagram 500 based on the Figure 1 and 2described feeding device during the cleaning process 400 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0065] Water is supplied to the auxiliary heater via the feed device to generate steam. According to this embodiment, the feed device is only activated during the steam generation process 406, for example, intermittently.

[0066] The feed device, also known as a steam generation pump, in this way, according to one embodiment, intermittently delivers water to a distribution device for supplying the auxiliary heater. The auxiliary heater pump is only controlled during the steam generation process, for example, using the control based on… Figure 1 described feed signal.

[0067] Figure 6 shows the operating state of the device using a state diagram 500 based on the Figure 1 and 2described heat pump during the cleaning process 400 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0068] According to this embodiment, the heat pump is activated in the heating process 404 and additionally in the air washing process. In the fan process 402, the steam generation process 406, the pumping process 410, and the reheating process 412, the heat pump is deactivated according to this embodiment.

[0069] The heat pump's compressor is activated, for example, to heat the process air to a base temperature of 50°C. After a certain holding time, for example 20 minutes, the compressor is switched off during steam generation and distribution and then restarted to activate the air scrubber.

[0070] Figure 7 shows the operating state of the device using a state diagram 700 based on the Figure 1 and 2described fan during the cleaning process 400 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0071] According to this embodiment, the fan is activated at all times during the cleaning process 400. During the steam generation process 406, the fan, according to this embodiment, has a different direction of rotation compared to the other sub-processes 402, 404, 408, 410, 412.

[0072] In other words, at the beginning of the ventilation phase (fan process 402), the fan motor is operated alternately at maximum speed several times. During the heating phase of heating process 404, the fan operates constantly at the optimal speed for the heat pump. During steam generation in steam generation process 406, the process air volume flow rate is set to a minimum. This is achieved, for example, by reversing the rotation at the minimum speed. During air scrubbing in air scrubbing process 408, the air is operated at the optimal speed for the heat pump. Optionally, the speed is reduced to improve the scrubber's effectiveness. During the pump-out phase in pump-out process 410, the fan operates at minimum speed. In the optional post-heating process 412, the air volume flow rate is increased again to achieve adequate heating with the heat pump.

[0073] For example, this is done using the following methods: Figure 1 The described fan signal is used to control the motor of the fan during sub-processes 402, 404, 408, 410, 412 in the preferred direction and during sub-process 406 in the opposite direction.

[0074] Figure 8 shows the operating state of the device using a state diagram 800 based on the Figure 1 and 2 described additional heating during the cleaning process 400 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0075] This embodiment illustrates that the auxiliary heating is only deactivated during the air washing process 408 and during the pumping process 410. During sub-processes 402, 404, 406, and during the reheating process 412, the auxiliary heating is activated.

[0076] In other words, the auxiliary heater is controlled as continuously as possible during subprocesses 402, 404, and 406. To achieve high temperatures on the auxiliary heater, the airflow is minimized. The auxiliary heater advantageously uses a PTC (polythermal clock) circuit. This means that its power output can be automatically reduced at high temperatures.

[0077] Figure 9 shows the operating state of the device using a state diagram 900 based on the Figure 1 and 2 The described condensate pump operates during the cleaning process according to an exemplary embodiment. For instance, the condensate pump is continuously controlled at a fixed cycle and thus operates throughout the entire cleaning process. In other words, the condensate pump is alternately activated and deactivated. This fixed cycle prevents the float switch from being triggered.

Claims

1. A method (300) for performing a cleaning process (400) for a cleaning device (100), wherein the cleaning device (100) comprises: a treatment chamber, preferably a drum (102), for receiving articles to be cleaned; a heat pump (108) having its own heat pump circuit (200) through which a coolant circulates, an evaporator (110) for cooling the process air, a throttle (202), a condenser (206) for heating the process air, and a compressor unit (208); and a heating device (104) having the heat pump (108) and an auxiliary heater (106) for controlling the temperature of the process air; and a fan (112) for conveying process air through a circuit (114) leading through the treatment chamber (102) and the heating device (104); wherein the method (300) comprises the following steps: providing (302) an additional heating signal (150) for activating the auxiliary heater (106) during a heating process (404) and during a steam generation process (406) following the heating process (404) in order to heat the auxiliary heater (106) to a temperature suitable for evaporating water; providing (304) a supply signal (154) to an interface to a supply device (109) during the steam generation process (406), wherein the supply signal (154) causes water to be supplied to the auxiliary heater (106) in order to generate steam; providing (306) a heat pump signal (152) for activating the heat pump (108) during an air washing process (408) following the steam generation process (406); and providing (308) a fan signal (156) for activating the fan (112) for conveying the process air during the air washing process (408) in order to propel, by means of the process air, the steam for cleaning the articles to be cleaned into the treatment chamber (102), preferably the drum (102), and to propel it from the treatment chamber (102) into the evaporator (110) of the heat pump (108) for cleaning the steam.

2. The method (300) according to claim 1, in which the step (306) of providing the heat pump signal (152) for activating the heat pump (108) is performed during the heating process (404) in order to heat the process air.

3. The method (300) according to claim 2, wherein, in the step (306) of providing the heat pump signal (152), the heat pump signal (152) is provided during the heating process (404) in order to heat the process air to at least 45°C.

4. The method (300) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, in the step (304) of providing the supply signal (152), the supply signal (152) is provided during the steam generation process (406) to an interface to the supply device (109) designed as a pump in order to pump the water for supplying the auxiliary heater (106) to the auxiliary heater (106).

5. The method (300) according to claim 4, wherein the supply signal (154) is provided which causes pumping of the water at intervals during the steam generation process (406).

6. The method (300) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the step (154) of providing the supply signal (154) is performed during a reheating process (412) taking place after the air washing process (408), and the step (308) of providing the fan signal (156) for activating the fan (112) is performed during the reheating process (412) in order to heat the articles to be cleaned.

7. The method (300) according to claim 6, comprising a step (314) of providing a fragrance signal (158) for activating an introducing device (119) for introducing a fragrance into the process air during the reheating process (412).

8. The method (300) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the step (308) of providing the fan signal (156) for activating the fan (312) is performed during a fan process (402) preceding the heating process (404) in order to release solids from the articles to be cleaned by using the process air.

9. The method (300) according to claim 8, wherein the fan signal (156) is provided which specifies a rotational speed or a rotational direction of the fan (112).

10. The method (300) according to any of claims 8 to 9, wherein during the steam generation process (406), the fan signal (156) specifies a rotational direction of the fan (112) that is the inverse of that of the fan process (402).

11. The method (300) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a step (312) of providing a pumping out signal (160) for activating a condensate pump (120) during a pumping out process (410) following the air washing process (408), in order to pump out particles (122) filtered from the steam and condensed at the evaporator (110) from the circuit (114) after the cleaning of the steam.

12. A cleaning device (100) having the following features: a treatment chamber, preferably a drum (102), for receiving articles to be cleaned; a heat pump (108) having its own heat pump circuit (200) through which a coolant circulates, an evaporator (110) for cooling the process air, a throttle (202), a condenser (206) for heating the process air, and a compressor unit (208); a heating device (104) having an auxiliary heater (106) and the heat pump (108); a fan (112) for conveying process air through a circuit (114) leading through the treatment chamber (102) and the heating device (104); a supply device (109) designed to supply water to the auxiliary heater (106) in order to generate steam, characterised by an apparatus (116) designed to carry out the steps (302, 304, 306, 308, 312, 314) of the method (300) according to any of the preceding claims by controlling the auxiliary heater (106), the heat pump (108), the fan (112) and the supply device (109).

13. The cleaning device (100) according to claim 12, wherein an evaporator (110) of the heat pump (108) comprises a hydrophilic surface.

14. The cleaning device (100) according to claim 12 or claim 13, which is designed as a dryer or washer-dryer and comprises a rotatable drum for providing the treatment chamber (102).

15. The cleaning device (100) according to claim 12 or claim 13, which is designed as a drying cabinet and comprises a non-movable treatment space for providing the treatment chamber (102).

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