Laundry care system with a controller

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry care system (200) comprising a laundry care device (100) with a laundry chamber (105) for receiving laundry and a control unit (107), wherein the control unit (107) contains a laundry care program with a first runtime prediction for treating a first load of laundry received in the laundry chamber (105); a user interface (101) which is connected to the control unit (107), wherein the user interface (101) is configured to receive the first runtime prediction from the control unit (107) and to display the first runtime prediction to a user before the execution of a first laundry care process; wherein the control unit (107) is configured to execute the laundry care program during the first laundry care process and to record a first runtime of the laundry care program after the first laundry care process;characterized in that the controller (107) and / or an external controller (108) outside the laundry care appliance (100) is configured to determine a second runtime forecast for the second laundry care operation of the laundry care program, based on the first runtime forecast and the first runtime of the laundry care program, before the laundry care program is executed during a second laundry care operation; wherein the user interface (101) is configured to receive the second runtime forecast from the controller (107) and / or the external controller (108) and to display the second runtime forecast to the user before the laundry care program is executed during the second laundry care operation; and wherein the controller (107) is configured to execute the laundry care program during the second laundry care operation to treat a second load of laundry received in the laundry chamber (105).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a laundry care system with a control unit, in particular a laundry care system comprising a laundry care device with a control unit, and a method for caring for laundry in a laundry care system.

[0002] Laundry care appliances often display a runtime estimate before a laundry care program starts. This estimate is typically based on the appliance's nominal load capacity. However, the average laundry load for a user is often less than the appliance's nominal load, especially for cotton programs.

[0003] As a result, conventional laundry care appliances often exhibit an inaccurate, and in particular excessively high, prediction of the duration of the laundry care program when the program is started.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a laundry care system comprising a laundry care device and a method for caring for laundry in a laundry care system, with which the most efficient possible prediction of the running time of a laundry care program of the laundry care device can be achieved.

[0005] 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.

[0006] According to a first aspect, the problem according to the invention is solved by a laundry care system comprising: a laundry care device with a laundry chamber for receiving laundry and a control unit, wherein a laundry care program with a first runtime prediction for treating a first load of laundry received in the laundry chamber is stored in the control unit; a user interface which is connected to the control unit, wherein the user interface is configured to receive the first runtime prediction from the control unit and to display the first runtime prediction to a user before the execution of a first laundry care process; wherein the control unit is configured to execute the laundry care program during the first laundry care process and to record a first runtime of the laundry care program after the first laundry care process;wherein the controller and / or an external controller outside the laundry care appliance is configured to determine a second runtime forecast for the second laundry care operation of the laundry care program, based on the first runtime forecast and the first runtime of the laundry care program, prior to the execution of the laundry care program during a second laundry care operation; wherein the user interface is configured to receive the second runtime forecast from the controller and / or the external controller and to display the second runtime forecast to the user prior to the execution of the laundry care program during the second laundry care operation; and wherein the controller is configured to execute the laundry care program during the second laundry care operation to treat a second load of laundry placed in the laundry chamber.

[0007] This achieves the technical advantage that the runtime forecast for the second laundry care cycle, and especially for several subsequent laundry care cycles, can adapt to the actual runtime of the laundry care program. Furthermore, the runtime of the first laundry care cycle, and especially the preceding cycle in the case of multiple laundry care cycles, can be included with a lower weighting, so that there are no large fluctuations in the runtime forecast, even if a user of the laundry care appliance, for example, places laundry with unusual characteristics into the laundry compartment for the first or preceding cycle, such as an unusually small or large quantity, an unusually small or large weight, and / or unusually wet or dry laundry.

[0008] The user interface can be an internal user interface of the laundry care device. Alternatively, the user interface can be an external user interface of the laundry care device, which is connected to the control system of the laundry care device and / or the external control system of the laundry care device outside the laundry care device via a communication interface and a communication network.

[0009] A laundry care appliance is understood to be a device used for laundry care, such as a tumble dryer, a washing machine, or a washer-dryer, and which specifically has a drying function. In particular, 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.

[0010] In one embodiment, the second laundry care process follows the first laundry care process. In particular, there is no further laundry care process based on the laundry care program between the first laundry care process and the second laundry care process.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment, the first runtime forecast of the laundry care program is assigned to a nominal load quantity associated with the laundry care program.

[0012] This achieves the technical advantage that a simple base value can be used for the initial runtime forecast.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the user interface is configured to transmit an initial assessment of the drying status of the first laundry to the control unit and / or the external control unit after the first laundry care process, based on an initial user input, wherein the control unit and / or the external control unit is configured to increase or decrease a second runtime of the laundry care program during the second laundry care process by a predetermined runtime fine-tuning value based on the transmitted initial assessment of the drying status of the first laundry.

[0014] This achieves the technical advantage that, after the first laundry care cycle, the user can provide the control unit and / or external control system of the laundry care device with an initial assessment of the laundry's dryness via the user interface. This allows the control unit and / or external control system to automatically adjust the runtime of the laundry care program for the second cycle to meet the user's expectations regarding the laundry's dryness. This can enable more efficient laundry care by the user of the laundry care device.

[0015] The control system can, for example, be designed to trigger the first evaluation via the user interface when a door of the laundry care appliance opens, giving the user access to the laundry compartment.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the control unit and / or the external control unit is configured to determine the second runtime forecast for the second laundry care process of the laundry care program based on the first runtime forecast, the first runtime of the laundry care program and the predetermined runtime fine-tuning value.

[0017] This achieves the technical advantage that, to determine the second runtime forecast, the runtime adjustment of the laundry care program caused by the first user evaluation can also be used.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the control and / or the external control is configured to determine the result of a first function, in particular a linear-multivariate function, in order to determine the second runtime forecast of the laundry care program, wherein in the first function the first runtime forecast and the first runtime are each weighted with a first weighting factor, and wherein the predetermined runtime fine-tuning value is weighted with a second weighting factor, wherein in particular the second weighting factor is larger, in particular twice as high, as the first weighting factor.

[0019] This achieves the technical advantage that the second runtime forecast can be determined efficiently.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment, the controller is configured to detect a second runtime of the laundry care program during the second laundry care process, wherein the controller and / or the external controller is configured to determine a third runtime forecast for the third laundry care process of the laundry care program based on the second runtime forecast and the second runtime of the laundry care program before executing the laundry care program during a third laundry care process; wherein the user interface is configured to receive the third runtime forecast from the controller and / or the external controller and to display the third runtime forecast to the user before executing the laundry care program during the third laundry care process; and wherein the controller is configured to execute the laundry care program during the third laundry care process to treat a third load of laundry received in the laundry compartment.

[0021] This achieves the technical advantage that the runtime forecast can be iteratively adjusted further during subsequent laundry care processes.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the user interface is configured to transmit a second assessment of the drying status of the second load of laundry to the controller and / or the external controller after the second laundry care process, based on a second user input, wherein the controller and / or the external controller is configured to increase or decrease a third runtime of the laundry care program during the third laundry care process by a predetermined runtime fine-tuning value based on the transmitted second assessment of the drying status of the second load of laundry.

[0023] This achieves the technical advantage that, after the second laundry care cycle, the user can provide the control unit and / or external control system of the laundry care appliance with a second assessment of the laundry's dryness status via the user interface. This allows the control unit and / or external control system to automatically adjust the runtime of the laundry care program for the third cycle to meet the user's expectations regarding the laundry's dryness. This can enable more efficient laundry care by the user of the laundry care appliance.

[0024] In one embodiment, the third laundry care process follows the second laundry care process. In particular, there is no further laundry care process based on the laundry care program between the second laundry care process and the third laundry care process.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, the control unit and / or the external control unit is configured to determine the third runtime forecast for the third laundry care process of the laundry care program based on the second runtime forecast, the second runtime of the laundry care program and the predetermined runtime fine-tuning value.

[0026] This achieves the technical advantage that, in order to determine the third runtime forecast, the runtime fine-tuning of the laundry care program caused by the second user evaluation can also be used.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, the control and / or the external control is configured to determine the result of a second function, in particular a linear-multivariate function, in order to determine the third runtime forecast of the laundry care program, wherein in the second function the second runtime forecast and the second runtime are each weighted with a first weighting factor, and wherein the predetermined runtime fine-tuning value is weighted with a second weighting factor, wherein in particular the second weighting factor is larger, in particular twice as high, as the first weighting factor.

[0028] This achieves the technical advantage that the third runtime forecast can be determined efficiently.

[0029] In an advantageous embodiment, the user interface comprises a touch-sensitive screen of the laundry care device, which is configured to capture the first and / or second input of the user for the first and / or second evaluation of the drying state of the first and / or second laundry, wherein the touch-sensitive screen is configured to transmit the first and / or second evaluation of the drying state of the laundry to the control and / or external control.

[0030] This achieves the technical advantage that the user can evaluate the laundry directly on the laundry care device immediately after removing it from the laundry compartment.

[0031] In an advantageous embodiment, the user interface comprises a mobile user device, in particular a smartphone, smart tablet, laptop or PC, which is connected to the control unit and / or external control unit via a communication network and is configured to capture the first and / or second input of the user for the first and / or second evaluation of the drying status of the first and / or second wash and to transmit the first and / or second evaluation of the drying status of the first and / or second wash unit to the control unit and / or external control unit.

[0032] This offers the technical advantage that the user can assess the laundry remotely from the laundry care machine, for example, when placing the laundry in a piece of furniture. In particular, an app can be run on the user's mobile device, which is designed to communicate with the control unit and / or external control systems.

[0033] In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device comprises an electronic memory configured to store a plurality of data records and a plurality of laundry care programs, wherein the plurality of laundry care programs comprises the laundry care program, wherein each of the laundry care programs of the plurality of laundry care programs is assigned at least one data record of the plurality of data records, wherein a data record of the plurality of data records assigned to the laundry care program comprises the first runtime and the second runtime, and in particular the third runtime, and / or the first runtime forecast and the second runtime forecast, and in particular the third runtime forecast.

[0034] This achieves the technical advantage that a separate data set can be used for each laundry care program in order to enable an efficient laundry care program-specific runtime forecast.

[0035] In an advantageous embodiment, the control unit and / or external control unit is configured to determine a value that is associated with a change in the run times and / or run time forecasts of the data set assigned to the laundry care program over a predetermined time period, wherein the control unit and / or external control unit is configured to execute a program for the automatic cleaning of the laundry care device, in particular a filter of the laundry care device, depending on a comparison of the value with a reference value.

[0036] This offers the technical advantage of detecting changes in the cycle time of the laundry care program over the appliance's lifespan, indicating lint and / or dust accumulation. This can lead to efficient automatic maintenance, particularly for laundry care appliances with heat pumps.

[0037] The predetermined time period can, in particular, be a rolling time period, i.e., encompass a predetermined number of the most recently stored runtime forecasts and / or runtimes of the dataset. The reference value can, for example, be a threshold assigned to the value.

[0038] In an advantageous embodiment, the control unit and / or external control unit is configured to determine a value that is associated with a change in the runtimes and / or runtime forecasts of the data set assigned to the laundry care program over a predetermined time period, wherein the control unit and / or external control unit is configured to determine user information depending on a comparison of the value with a reference value, wherein the user interface is configured to display the user information to the user, wherein the user information includes an instruction for manually cleaning the laundry care device, in particular a filter of the laundry care device, and / or for manually starting a program for automatically cleaning the laundry care device, in particular a filter of the laundry care device.

[0039] This offers the technical advantage of detecting changes in the laundry program's runtime over the appliance's lifespan, indicating lint and / or dust accumulation. This can lead to efficient manual or semi-automatic maintenance, particularly for laundry appliances with heat pumps.

[0040] The predetermined time period can, in particular, be a rolling time period, i.e., encompass a predetermined number of the most recently stored runtime forecasts and / or runtimes of the dataset. The reference value can, for example, be a threshold assigned to the value.

[0041] According to a second aspect, the problem is solved by a method for maintaining laundry in a laundry maintenance system, wherein the laundry maintenance system comprises: a laundry maintenance device with a laundry chamber for receiving laundry and a controller, wherein the controller contains a laundry maintenance program with an initial runtime forecast for treating the first load of laundry received in the laundry chamber; and a user interface connected to the controller; wherein the method comprises the following steps: receiving the initial runtime forecast from the controller and displaying the initial runtime forecast to a user via the user interface before executing the laundry maintenance program during an initial laundry maintenance process; executing the laundry maintenance program during the initial laundry maintenance process to treat the first load of laundry received in the laundry chamber;Recording the initial runtime of the laundry care program after the first laundry care process by the controller; determining a second runtime forecast for the second laundry care process of the laundry care program based on the first runtime forecast and the initial runtime of the laundry care program by the controller and / or the external controller before executing the laundry care program during a second laundry care process; receiving the second runtime forecast from the controller and / or the external controller and displaying the second runtime forecast to the user via the user interface before executing the laundry care program during the second laundry care process; and executing the laundry care program during the second laundry care process to treat the second load of laundry placed in the laundry compartment by the controller.

[0042] This achieves the technical advantage that the runtime forecast for the second laundry care cycle, and especially for several subsequent laundry care cycles, can adapt to the actual runtime of the laundry care program. Furthermore, the runtime of the first laundry care cycle, and especially the preceding cycle in the case of multiple laundry care cycles, can be included with a lower weighting, so that there are no large fluctuations in the runtime forecast, even if a user of the laundry care appliance, for example, places laundry with unusual characteristics into the laundry compartment for the first or preceding cycle, such as an unusually small or large quantity, an unusually small or large weight, and / or unusually wet or dry laundry.

[0043] The embodiments mentioned for the laundry care system according to the first aspect are also embodiments for the method according to the second aspect.

[0044] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0045] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic view of a laundry care device according to one embodiment; Fig. 2 a schematic view of a laundry care system comprising a laundry care device according to one embodiment; Fig. 3 in a program runtime-time diagram a curve of runtimes of a laundry care program in temporally successive laundry care processes of a laundry care system according to one embodiment; and Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a method for caring for laundry in a laundry care system according to one embodiment.

[0046] Fig. 1Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a laundry care appliance 100 according to one embodiment, such as a tumble dryer, a washing machine, or a washer-dryer. The laundry care appliance 100 can have an appliance housing 102 with an appliance opening 104, which can be closed by an appliance door 103 for loading the laundry care appliance 100. Through the appliance opening 104, a user of the laundry care appliance 100 can load laundry into a compartment arranged within the appliance housing 102 and in Fig. 1 only schematically depicted laundry chamber 105.

[0047] The laundry care appliance 100 includes a Fig. 1Control unit 107 is shown only schematically. The laundry compartment 105 of the laundry care appliance 100 is designed to hold laundry. A laundry care program with an initial runtime forecast for treating the first load of laundry placed in laundry compartment 105 is stored in control unit 107. The initial runtime forecast of the laundry care program can be assigned to a nominal load quantity associated with the laundry care program.

[0048] As in the Figure 1 In schematic representation, a user interface 101 of the laundry care appliance 100 can include a touch-sensitive screen through which a user of the laundry care appliance 100 can communicate with the control unit 107 of the laundry care appliance 100, for example to select and / or configure the laundry care program. The user interface 101 is connected to the control unit 107.

[0049] The user interface 101 is configured to receive the initial runtime forecast from the controller 107 and display this forecast to a user before the first laundry care process is executed. The controller 107 is configured to execute the laundry care program during the first laundry care process and to record the initial runtime of the laundry care program after the first laundry care process.

[0050] Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a laundry care system 200 comprising a laundry care device 100, a user interface 101, and an external controller 108 according to one embodiment. The laundry care device 100 of the in Fig. 2 The laundry care system 200 shown corresponds in particular to the one in Fig. 1 The laundry care appliance 100 shown, except that the user interface 101 can be an external user interface outside the laundry care appliance 100.

[0051] The user interface 101 can be connected to the controller 107 and / or connected via a communication network 109 to an external controller 108 outside the laundry care appliance 100. As described in the Figure 2 In schematic terms, the user interface 101 can include a mobile user device, in particular a smartphone, smart pad, laptop or PC.

[0052] The communication network 109 includes, in particular, a wireless communication network 109. Both the laundry care device 100, the user interface 101, and the external control 108 have communication interfaces for communication-technical connection with the communication network 109.

[0053] In the according to the Fig. 2In the illustrated embodiment, the communication link between the laundry care device 100 and the user interface 101, between the laundry care device 100 and the external controller 108, and also between the external controller 108 and the user interface 101 is achieved via the same communication network 109. However, alternatively, different communication networks 109 can also be used for the communication-related exchange of data between the laundry care device 100, the user interface 101 and / or the external controller 108.

[0054] The control unit 107 and / or the external control unit 108 outside the laundry care appliance 100 is designed to determine a second runtime forecast for the second laundry care operation of the laundry care program, based on the first runtime forecast and the first runtime of the laundry care program, before the execution of the laundry care program during a second laundry care operation.

[0055] The user interface 101 is designed to receive the second runtime forecast from the controller 107 and / or the external controller 108 and to display the second runtime forecast to the user before the execution of the laundry care program during the second laundry care process.

[0056] The user interface 101 can be configured to transmit an initial assessment of the drying status of the first load of laundry to the controller 107 and / or the external controller 108 after the first laundry care process, based on an initial user input. The user interface 101, in particular the touchscreen of the laundry care device 100 and / or the mobile user device, can be configured to capture the user's initial input for the initial assessment of the drying status of the first load of laundry.

[0057] The controller 107 and / or the external controller 108 can be configured to determine the result of a first function, in particular a linear-multivariate function, in order to determine the second runtime forecast of the laundry care program. In the first function, the first runtime forecast and the first runtime can each be weighted with a first weighting factor, and the predetermined runtime fine-tuning value can be weighted with a second weighting factor. The second weighting factor can be larger, in particular twice as high, as the first weighting factor.

[0058] The control unit 107 is designed to execute the laundry care program during the second laundry care process to treat the second load of laundry received in the laundry chamber 105.

[0059] The control unit 107 and / or the external control unit 108 can be configured to increase or decrease the second runtime of the laundry care program during the second laundry care process by a predetermined runtime fine-tuning value based on the transmitted first assessment of the drying status of the first laundry.

[0060] The controller 107 can be configured to record the second runtime of the laundry care program during the second laundry care process. The controller 107 and / or the external controller 108 can be configured to determine a third runtime forecast for the third laundry care process, based on the second runtime forecast and the second runtime of the laundry care program, before the laundry care program is executed during a third laundry care process.

[0061] The user interface 101 can be configured to transmit a second assessment of the drying status of the second load of laundry to the controller 107 and / or the external controller 108 after the second laundry care process, based on a second user input. The user interface 101, in particular the touchscreen of the laundry care device 100 and / or the mobile user device, can be configured to capture the second user input for the second assessment of the drying status of the second load of laundry.

[0062] The control unit 107 and / or the external control unit 108 can be configured to increase or decrease a third runtime of the laundry care program during the third laundry care process based on the transmitted second assessment of the drying status of the second laundry by a predetermined runtime fine-adjustment value.

[0063] The controller 107 and / or the external controller 108 can be configured to determine the third runtime forecast for the third laundry care operation of the laundry care program based on the second runtime forecast, the second runtime of the laundry care program and the predetermined runtime fine-tuning value.

[0064] The controller 107 and / or the external controller 108 can be configured to determine the result of a second function, in particular a linear-multivariate function, in order to determine the third runtime forecast of the laundry care program. In the second function, the second runtime forecast and the second runtime can each be weighted with the first weighting factor, and the predetermined runtime fine-tuning value can be weighted with the second weighting factor.

[0065] The user interface 101 can be configured to receive the third runtime forecast from the controller 107 and / or the external controller 108 and to display the third runtime forecast to the user before the execution of the laundry care program during the third laundry care process.

[0066] The control unit 107 can be configured to execute the laundry care program during the third laundry care process to treat third laundry received in the laundry chamber 105.

[0067] In particular, in addition to determining the third runtime forecast, iterative calculations of further runtime forecasts for additional laundry care processes of the laundry care device are possible. This is described below using an initial example, in which the corresponding calculation examples are presented in rounded form.

[0068] The control unit 107 and / or the external control unit 108 can, for example, be configured to determine, based on the nominal load quantity of the laundry care program, that the initial runtime forecast is 200 minutes.

[0069] The controller 107 and / or the external controller 108 can, for example, be configured to determine the second runtime forecast for the second laundry care process as 155 minutes based on the first runtime forecast and the first runtime of the first laundry care process of the laundry care program, which is determined, for example, as 110 minutes, using the term "0.5 * 200 + 0.5 * 110".

[0070] The controller 107 and / or the external controller 108 can, for example, be configured to determine the third runtime forecast for the third laundry care process as 130 minutes based on the second runtime forecast and the second runtime of the second laundry care process of the laundry care program, which is determined, for example, as 105 minutes, using the term "0.5 * 155 + 0.5 * 105".

[0071] The controller 107 and / or the external controller 108 can, for example, be configured to determine a fourth runtime forecast for a fourth laundry care process as 133 minutes, based on the third runtime forecast and the third runtime of the third laundry care process of the laundry care program, which is determined to be, for example, 135 minutes, using the term "0.5 * 130 + 0.5 * 135".

[0072] The controller 107 and / or the external controller 108 can, for example, be configured to determine a fifth runtime forecast for a fifth laundry care process as 129 minutes, based on the fourth runtime forecast and a fourth runtime of the fourth laundry care process of the laundry care program, which is determined, for example, as 125 minutes, using the term "0.5 * 133 + 0.5 * 125".

[0073] A second example illustrates how to incorporate the runtime fine-tuning value, with the corresponding calculations shown rounded. In this example, the runtime fine-tuning value results in a predetermined extension of the laundry care program by 12 minutes. Of course, more or less than 12 minutes is also possible.

[0074] The control unit 107 and / or the external control unit 108 can, for example, be configured to determine, based on the nominal load quantity of the laundry care program, that the initial runtime forecast is 200 minutes.

[0075] The controller 107 and / or the external controller 108 can, for example, be configured to receive the first user input, which is exemplified by an insufficient drying level of the first wash; that is, the user indicates via the user interface 101 that the first wash is too wet. The controller 107 and / or the external controller 108 can then be configured, based on the first runtime forecast (the first runtime of the first wash cycle of the wash program, which is determined to be, for example, 110 minutes) and on the runtime fine-tuning value using the formula "0.5 * 200 + 0.5 * 110 + 1 * 12", to determine the second runtime forecast for the second wash cycle as 167 minutes.

[0076] The controller 107 and / or the external controller 108 can, for example, be configured to receive the second user input, which is exemplified by an insufficient dryness level of the second load of laundry; that is, the user indicates again via the user interface 101 that the second load of laundry is too wet. The controller 107 and / or the external controller 108 can then be configured, based on the second runtime forecast, to determine the second runtime of the second laundry care cycle of the laundry care program, which is, for example, determined to be 122 minutes, and on the runtime fine-tuning value using the formula "0.5 * 167 + 0.5 * 122 + 1 * 12", to determine the third runtime forecast for the third laundry care cycle to be 157 minutes.

[0077] The controller 107 and / or the external controller 108 can, for example, be configured to receive user input, which is exemplified by indicating a sufficient dryness level for the third wash. In other words, the user specifies via the user interface 101 that the third wash is perfectly dry. The controller 107 and / or the external controller 108 can, for example, be configured to determine the fourth wash cycle's duration forecast as 145 minutes based on the third wash cycle's runtime prediction and the actual runtime of the third wash cycle in the wash program, which is determined to be, for example, 134 minutes, using the formula "0.5 * 157 + 0.5 * 134".

[0078] The controller 107 and / or the external controller 108 can, for example, be configured to receive user input, which is exemplified by indicating a sufficient dryness level for the fourth wash. This means the user specifies again via the user interface 101 that the fourth wash is perfectly dry. Based on the fourth runtime forecast and the actual runtime of the fourth wash cycle of the laundry program, which is determined to be, for example, 134 minutes, the controller 107 and / or the external controller 108 can, for example, use the formula "0.5 * 134 + 0.5 * 145" to determine the fifth runtime forecast for the fifth wash cycle as 140 minutes.

[0079] This allows for an alignment of the runtime forecast and the actual runtime, making it possible to lower the forecast even if the runtime temporarily increases. Furthermore, an extension of the laundry care program can be masked by adjusting the runtime fine-tuning value.

[0080] Fig. 3 Figure 300 shows a program runtime-time diagram 301 depicting the course of a curve 301 of runtimes of the laundry care program in successive laundry care processes of the laundry care system 200 according to one embodiment. The laundry care system 200 corresponds in particular to the one described in Figure 300. Fig. 2 Laundry care system 200 shown.

[0081] The sequential laundry care processes can, in this order, comprise the first laundry care process, the second laundry care process, and, in particular, the third laundry care process. The ordinate of the program runtime-time diagram 300 indicates the runtime of the laundry care program, and the abscissa of the program runtime-time diagram 300 indicates the temporal sequence of the laundry care programs.

[0082] The laundry care device 100 can include an electronic memory configured to store a multitude of data records and a multitude of laundry care programs. The multitude of laundry care programs can include the laundry care program itself. Each of the laundry care programs within the multitude of laundry care programs can be assigned at least one data record from the multitude of data records. A data record from the multitude of data records assigned to the laundry care program can include the first runtime and the second runtime, and in particular the third runtime, and / or the first runtime forecast and the second runtime forecast, and in particular the third runtime forecast.

[0083] As in the Figure 3As shown schematically, the control 107 and / or external control 108 can be configured to determine a value 305a, 305b, which is assigned to a change in the run times of the data set assigned to the laundry care program over a predetermined time period 303a, 303b.

[0084] Even if this is in the Figure 3 If the value 305a, 305b is not shown, it can additionally or alternatively be assigned to a change in the runtime forecasts of the data set assigned to the laundry care program over the predetermined time period 303a, 303b.

[0085] Even if this is in the Figure 3 While the runtimes of the laundry care program are only shown schematically, the value 305a, 305b can be determined, for example, via the slope of a regression line of the runtimes and / or runtime forecasts, determined, for example, by linear regression.

[0086] The control unit 107 and / or external control unit 108 can be configured to execute a program for the automatic cleaning of the laundry care appliance 100, in particular a filter of the laundry care appliance 100, depending on a comparison of the value 305a, 305b with a reference value.

[0087] Alternatively, the controller 107 and / or external controller 108 can be configured to determine user information based on a comparison of the value 305a, 305b with the reference value. The user interface 101 can be configured to display the user information 115a-b to the user. The user information can include instructions for manually cleaning the laundry appliance 100, in particular a filter of the laundry appliance 100, and / or for manually starting a program for automatically cleaning the laundry appliance 100, in particular the filter of the laundry appliance.

[0088] The reference value can, for example, be stored in memory. The reference value can, for example, be a threshold value assigned to the values ​​305a and 305b.

[0089] As in the Figure 3 As shown schematically for a first time period 303a, if the corresponding value 305a within the relevant time period 303a is below the threshold value, the control 107 and / or external control 108 may be configured not to perform the functions described above.

[0090] As in the Figure 3 schematically shown for a second time period 303b, if the corresponding value 305b within the relevant time period 303b is above the threshold value, the control 107 and / or external control 108 can be configured to perform one of the functions described above.

[0091] Fig. 4Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a method 400 for caring for laundry in a laundry care system 200 according to one embodiment. As for the embodiments according to the Figure 1 and Figure 2 As already described, the laundry care system 200 comprises a laundry care device 100 with a laundry chamber 105 for receiving laundry and a control unit 107, wherein the control unit 107 contains a laundry care program with an initial runtime forecast for treating the first load of laundry received in the laundry chamber 105. The laundry care system 200 also includes a user interface 101, which is connected to the control unit 107.

[0092] The procedure 400 includes as a first procedure step receiving 401 the first runtime forecast from the controller 107 and displaying the first runtime forecast to a user before executing 403 the laundry care program during a first laundry care process via the user interface 101.

[0093] The second step of the process 400 is the execution of the laundry care program 403 during the first laundry care process to treat the first laundry received in the laundry chamber 105.

[0094] The procedure 400 includes, as a third procedure step, the recording 405 of a first runtime of the laundry care program after the first laundry care process by the control unit 107.

[0095] The procedure 400 includes as a fourth procedure step a determination 407 of a second runtime forecast for the second laundry care process of the laundry care program based on the first runtime forecast and the first runtime of the laundry care program by the controller 107 and / or the external controller 108 before an execution 411 of the laundry care program during a second laundry care process.

[0096] The procedure 400 includes as a fifth procedure step a receiving 409 of the second runtime forecast from the controller 107 and / or the external controller 108 and a display of the second runtime forecast to the user through the user interface 101 before executing 411 the laundry care program during the second laundry care process.

[0097] The sixth step of the process 400 is the execution 411 of the laundry care program during the second laundry care process to treat the second laundry taken up in the laundry chamber 105 by the control unit 107.

[0098] 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.

[0099] The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the claims and is not limited by the features explained in the description or shown in the figures. Reference symbol list

[0100] 100 Laundry care appliance 101 User interface 102 Appliance housing 103 Appliance door 104 Appliance opening 105 Laundry chamber 107 Control unit 108 External control unit 109 Communication network 200 Laundry care system 300 Program runtime-time diagram 301 Curve of runtimes of a laundry care program 303a,b Time segment 305a,b Value 400 Procedure for caring for laundry in a laundry care system 401 First procedure step: Receiving and displaying the first runtime forecast 403 Second procedure step: Executing the laundry care program during the first laundry care process 405 Third procedure step: Recording a first runtime 407 Fourth procedure step: Determining a second runtime forecast 409 Fifth procedure step: Receiving and displaying the second runtime forecast 411 Sixth procedure step: Executing the laundry care program during the second laundry care process

Claims

1. A laundry care system (200), comprising: a laundry care appliance (100) with a laundry chamber (105) for receiving laundry and a controller (107), wherein a laundry care program with a first runtime forecast for treating a first laundry received in the laundry chamber (105) is stored in the controller (107); a user interface (101) connected to the controller (107), wherein the user interface (101) is configured to receive the first runtime forecast from the controller (107) and to display the first runtime forecast to a user before executing a first laundry care process; wherein the controller (107) is configured to execute the laundry care program during the first laundry care process and to record a first runtime of the laundry care program after the first laundry care process; characterized in thatthe controller (107) and / or an external controller (108) outside the laundry care appliance (100) is configured to determine, prior to execution of the laundry care program during a second laundry care process, a second runtime forecast for the second laundry care process of the laundry care program based on the first runtime forecast and the first runtime of the laundry care program; wherein the user interface (101) is configured to receive the second runtime forecast from the controller (107) and / or the external controller (108) and to display the second runtime forecast to the user prior to execution of the laundry care program during the second laundry care process; and wherein the controller (107) is configured to execute the laundry care program during the second laundry care process for treating second laundry accommodated in the laundry chamber (105).

2. Laundry care system (200) according to claim 1 characterized in thatthe first runtime forecast of the laundry care program is assigned to a nominal load quantity assigned to the laundry care program.

3. Laundry care system (200) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the user interface (101) is designed to transmit a first assessment of the drying state of the first laundry to the controller (107) and / or the external controller (108) after the first laundry care process based on a first input from the user, wherein the controller (107) and / or the external controller (108) is designed to increase or decrease a second running time of the laundry care program during the second laundry care process by a predetermined running time fine adjustment value based on the transmitted first assessment of the drying state of the first laundry.

4. Laundry care system (200) according to claim 3, characterized in thatthe controller (107) and / or the external controller (108) is designed to determine the second runtime forecast for the second laundry care process of the laundry care program based on the first runtime forecast, the first runtime of the laundry care program and the predetermined runtime fine adjustment value.

5. Laundry care system (200) according to claim 4, characterized in that the controller (107) and / or the external controller (108) is designed to determine the result of a first function, in particular a linear-multivariate function, in order to determine the second runtime forecast of the laundry care program, wherein in the first function the first runtime forecast and the first runtime are each weighted with a first weighting factor, and wherein the predetermined runtime fine adjustment value is weighted with a second weighting factor, wherein in particular the second weighting factor is greater, in particular twice as high, as the first weighting factor.

6. Laundry care system (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe controller (107) is configured to detect a second runtime of the laundry care program during the second laundry care process, wherein the controller (107) and / or the external controller (108) is configured to determine a third runtime forecast for the third laundry care process of the laundry care program based on the second runtime forecast and the second runtime of the laundry care program prior to executing the laundry care program during a third laundry care process; wherein the user interface (101) is configured to receive the third runtime forecast from the controller (107) and / or the external controller (108) and to display the third runtime forecast to the user prior to executing the laundry care program during the third laundry care process;and wherein the controller (107) is configured to execute the laundry care program during the third laundry care process for treating third laundry accommodated in the laundry chamber (105); 7. Laundry care system (200) according to claim 6, characterized in that the user interface (101) is designed to transmit a second assessment of the drying state of the second laundry to the controller (107) and / or the external controller (108) after the second laundry care process based on a second input from the user, wherein the controller (107) and / or the external controller (108) is designed to increase or decrease a third running time of the laundry care program during the third laundry care process by a predetermined running time fine adjustment value based on the transmitted second assessment of the drying state of the second laundry.

8. Laundry care system (200) according to claim 7, characterized in thatthe controller (107) and / or the external controller (108) is designed to determine the third runtime forecast for the third laundry care process of the laundry care program based on the second runtime forecast, the second runtime of the laundry care program and the predetermined runtime fine adjustment value.

9. Laundry care system (200) according to claim 8, characterized in that the controller (107) and / or the external controller (108) is designed to determine the result of a second function, in particular a linear-multivariate function, in order to determine the third runtime forecast of the laundry care program, wherein in the second function the second runtime forecast and the second runtime are each weighted with a first weighting factor, and wherein the predetermined runtime fine adjustment value is weighted with a second weighting factor, wherein in particular the second weighting factor is greater, in particular twice as high, as the first weighting factor.

10. Laundry care system (200) according to one of claims 3 to 5 or 7 to 9, characterized in that the user interface (101) comprises a touch-sensitive screen of the laundry care appliance (100), which is designed to detect the first and / or second input of the user for the first and / or second assessment of the drying state of the first and / or second laundry, wherein the touch-sensitive screen is designed to transmit the first and / or second assessment of the drying state of the laundry to the controller (107) and / or external controller (108).

11. Laundry care system (200) according to one of claims 3 to 5, 7 to 9 or 10, characterized in thatthe user interface (101) comprises a mobile user device, in particular a smartphone, smart pad, laptop or PC, which is connected to the controller (107) and / or external controller (108) via a communication network (109) and is designed to detect the first and / or second input of the user for the first and / or second assessment of the drying state of the first and / or second laundry and to transmit the first and / or second assessment of the drying state of the first and / or second laundry to the controller (107) and / or external controller (108).

12. Laundry care system (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe laundry care appliance (100) comprises an electronic memory which is designed to store a plurality of data records and a plurality of laundry care programs, wherein the plurality of laundry care programs comprises the laundry care program, wherein each of the laundry care programs of the plurality of laundry care programs is assigned at least one data record of the plurality of data records, wherein a data record of the plurality of data records which is assigned to the laundry care program comprises the first runtime and the second runtime, and in particular the third runtime, and / or the first runtime forecast and the second runtime forecast, and in particular the third runtime forecast.

13. Laundry care system (200) according to claim 12, characterized in thatthe controller (107) and / or external controller (108) is designed to determine a value (305a, 305b) which is associated with a change in the running times and / or running time forecasts of the data set associated with the laundry care program over a predetermined time period (303a, 303b), wherein the controller (107) and / or external controller (108) is designed to execute a program for automatically cleaning the laundry care appliance (100), in particular a filter of the laundry care appliance (100), depending on a comparison of the value (305a, 305b) with a reference value.

14. Laundry care system (200) according to claim 12, characterized in thatthe controller (107) and / or external controller (108) is designed to determine a value (305a, 305b) which is associated with a change in the running times and / or running time forecasts of the data set associated with the laundry care program over a predetermined time period (303a, 303b), wherein the controller (107) and / or external controller (108) is designed to determine user information as a function of a comparison of the value (305a, 305b) with a reference value, wherein the user interface (101) is designed to display the user information (115a-b) to the user, wherein the user information comprises an instruction for manually cleaning the laundry care appliance (100), in particular a filter of the laundry care appliance (100), and / or for manually starting a program for automatically cleaning the laundry care appliance (100), in particular the filter of the laundry care appliance (100).

15. A method (400) for caring for laundry in a laundry care system (200), the laundry care system (200) comprising: a laundry care appliance (100) having a laundry chamber (105) for receiving laundry and a controller (107), the controller (107) storing a laundry care program with a first runtime forecast for treating a first item of laundry received in the laundry chamber (105); and a user interface (101) connected to the controller (107); the method (400) comprising the following method steps: receiving (401) the first runtime forecast from the controller (107) and displaying the first runtime forecast to a user before executing (403) the laundry care program during a first laundry care process via the user interface (101); executing (403) the laundry care program during the first laundry care process for treating the first item of laundry received in the laundry chamber (105);Detecting (405) a first running time of the laundry care program after the first laundry care process by the controller (107); ; characterized in thatthe method (400) further comprises the following method steps: determining (407) a second runtime forecast for the second laundry care process of the laundry care program based on the first runtime forecast and the first runtime of the laundry care program by the controller (107) and / or the external controller (108) before executing (411) the laundry care program during a second laundry care process; receiving (409) the second runtime forecast from the controller (107) and / or the external controller (108) and displaying the second runtime forecast to the user via the user interface (101) before executing (411) the laundry care program during the second laundry care process; and executing (411) the laundry care program during the second laundry care process for treating second laundry accommodated in the laundry chamber (105) by the controller (107).

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