Laundry treatment apparatus and method of operating a laundry treatment apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treatment apparatuses, such as dryers and washers with drying functions, face inefficiencies due to unnecessary suspensions when the air filter is not properly inserted, especially when using heat pump systems, as interruptions can lead to extended waiting times and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a control unit that detects the air filter's position and delays program suspension by a predetermined time, allowing users to reinsert the filter without interrupting operations, particularly during drying programs, thus avoiding unnecessary stops and maintaining efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the apparatus immediately suspends the program when the filter device is not in the operational position, then the reliability is improved by preventing operation without proper filtration, but the productivity deteriorates due to unnecessary suspensions and extended waiting times
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements a preliminary grace period (first predetermined time period) before suspending the program. During this period, the system waits to see if the filter device is reinserted. Only if the filter remains absent after this preliminary period does the suspension occur. This preliminary waiting action resolves the contradiction by allowing operational continuity when possible while maintaining reliability safeguards.
2Reliability
If the apparatus suspends the program when the filter device is not in the operational position, then the heat pump system is protected from damage, but the loss of time increases due to extended waiting times and program interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
A grace period (second predetermined time period) is implemented before the program suspension takes effect. During this period, the system monitors whether the filter device is reinserted. If reinserted within the grace period, no suspension occurs and no time is lost. This preliminary monitoring period protects the heat pump system while minimizing time loss by avoiding unnecessary suspensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension decision is made dynamic rather than static. The control unit continuously monitors the filter device position during the grace period and adjusts the suspension decision based on real-time conditions. If the filter is reinserted within the grace period, the suspension is cancelled. This dynamic approach balances system protection with time efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus, in particular a laundry dryer or a washing machine having a drying function, and to a method of operating such a laundry treatment apparatus. The laundry treatment apparatus comprises a cabinet (3), a control unit (51) controlling the operation of the laundry treatment apparatus (2), a laundry treatment chamber (18) for treating laundry (19) using process air (A), and a process air channel (20) for guiding the process air (A) from and to the laundry treatment chamber. The process air (A) is filtered by a removable filter device which is removable from an operational position within the cabinet (3). A filter compartment is arranged within the cabinet (3) for receiving the filter device. When the filter device is properly inserted in the filter compartment, the filter device is in its operational position. Furthermore, the laundry treatment apparatus comprises a detector unit (54) for detecting the filter device being in the operational position or in a non-operational position. The method comprises starting a laundry treatment program, and in case of detecting the non-operational position of the filter device during execution of the program a suspension of the program or of the presently executed subroutine is delayed by a predetermined time period.