DE102007028212A1 - Process for the treatment of laundry items and washing machine suitable for this purpose - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the treatment of laundry 7 with a wash liquor in a washing machine with a bottom of a tub 1 lye drain system 18, a rotatably mounted drum 2 and a heater 13, 16 for direct heating of a load containing the wash liquor (a1) Laundry 7, the process comprising the steps of: a) adding the wash liquor to the load (a1) in an amount (a2) less than or equal to the amount (a3) required to saturate the laundry 7 ("saturation amount"); and wetting the laundry items 7; b) heating of the wetted laundry items 7 by the heating device 13, 16; and c) adding water having a temperature T <SUB> w </ SUB> of not more than 40 ° C for rinsing the wash liquor from the laundry items 7. The invention also relates to a washing machine suitable for carrying out the method.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for the treatment of laundry items in a washing machine and a particular for performing this method suitable washing machine.

at known washing process to be washed with the laundry items treated with a lot of water, which is used to saturate the garments Sufficient water and an additional minimum free fleet, generally 2 to 3 liters, which is a mass transfer between bound and free fleet. As a result, in particular, a transfer of heat between the heater, the free fleet warmed up, and the laundry done. The adjustment of the amount of water is in each case by suitable Method for regulating the level of water in the drum and the adaptation the amount of the pumping speed the garments ensured. The free liquor results after deduction of the bound in the laundry Amount of water from the amount of water filled in the washing machine. cotton fabric binds about 200% of its own weight, leaving a loading amount of 6 kg of cotton fabric about 121 Water binds.

at These procedures are used during heating by the constant Change from bound to free fleet and vice versa, both the washing active Substances for the laundry as well the solved one Dirt removed from the laundry. Since many soiling on or in laundry only at higher temperature are solvable, have to while heating both free and bound liquor are heated.

Of the Energy consumption of a washing machine is essential for heating the water needed Energy determined. A reduction in the amount of water in one Washing machine would be therefore desirable in particular a reduction in the amount of free liquor. however must be at a conventional Washing machine by the free fleet of heat transport from the heater guaranteed in the laundry become. Any reduction of the free fleet and thus a reduction The energy consumption is therefore difficult to achieve.

Known activities to reduce the free liquor in a drum washing machine are the reduction of a gap between the drum and the tub or a external heating the fleet in a water heater. All known measures however, there is a common need to heat up an additional although to require reduced share of free fleet.

A The object of the invention is therefore to provide a method for the treatment of laundry in a washing machine, in which energy compared to known methods and / or water can be saved.

A It is also the task one for the implementation show this method suitable washing machine.

According to the invention These objects by a method with the features of the claim 1 and by a washing machine with the features of the claim 11 solved. Preferred embodiments of the invention are listed in the respective dependent claims. Also match preferred embodiments of the method preferred embodiments the washing machine and vice versa, even if this is not the case Individual is pointed out.

• a) Zugabe der Waschlauge zu der Beladungsmenge (a1) einer Menge (a2) kleiner oder gleich einer Menge (a3), die zur Sättigung der Wäsche mit Wasser erforderlich ist („Sättigungsmenge"), und Benetzen der Wäschestücke;
• b) direkte Erwärmung der benetzten Wäschestücke durch die Heizvorrichtung; und
• c) Zugabe von Wasser mit einer Temperatur T_w von höchstens 40°C zum Ausspülen der Waschlauge aus den Wäschestücken umfasst.

The invention thus relates to a method for treating items of laundry with an aqueous wash liquor in a washing machine with a liquor drain system arranged at the bottom of a tub, a rotatably mounted drum and a heating device for direct heating of a load containing the wash liquor, the method comprising the steps

• a) adding the wash liquor to the loading amount (a1) of an amount (a2) equal to or less than an amount (a3) required to saturate the laundry with water ("saturation amount"), and wetting the laundry items;
• b) direct heating of the wetted laundry items by the heating device; and
• c) adding water having a temperature T _w of at most 40 ° C for rinsing the wash liquor from the laundry items comprises.

In a preferred embodiment this process will be step c) after completion of step b).

The temperature T _{w of} the water in step c) is preferably at most 30 ° C.

Prefers the direct heating takes place the laundry containing the wash liquor with hot foam, hot air, water vapor and / or electromagnetic radiation using the heater was obtained.

The heating device for directly heating a loading amount containing the wash liquor can in the washing machine according to the invention be attached in different places. Preferably, the heating device is arranged in the tub and in particular in the drum.

In the case of heating the wet pieces of hot-foam laundry subsequent to step a), the hot foam is preferably produced by rotating the drum at a speed U ₁ which is less than an application speed U _{A of} the laundry, turning on the heater and heating the foam , The application speed U _{A of} the laundry is the rotational speed of the drum at which the items of laundry can be applied to an inner wall of the drum, for example a speed in the range of 300 to 500 revolutions per minute.

at the warming with hot Foam can be a direct heating the laundry causes become. The temperature gradient is over the performance of the heater and the foam density adjustable. Since primarily the surface of the laundry is heated, it is beneficial if the laundry is turned intensively. This can be advantageous by reversing Operating the drum at a speed of 30 to 100 revolutions done per minute.

The warming in step b) by means of electromagnetic radiation is preferably by using a microwave heater and / or an infrared radiator ("IR emitter") causes.

at the warming with microwaves is a direct heating of the bound in the laundry Wash liquor (surfactant solution) also possible. The temperature gradient is here via the microwave power adjustable. When using a microwave heater is on it To ensure that there are no short circuits due to possibly existing in the laundry items metallic parts comes. Furthermore certain synthetic fibers may not be when heated with microwaves stable. So could for example, at seams made of polyester to damage come from laundry.

at the warming With an IR emitter direct heating of the laundry items is also possible. Of the Temperature gradient is over the power of the IR emitter adjustable. As in particular the surface of the textile pieces heated is, this is an intensive redistribution of laundry by reversing operation of the drum of advantage.

The warming the wetted laundry with hot air has the advantage that a temperature gradient is adjustable, whereby heat loss can be reduced.

to Production of hot air can in principle be used a known from a tumble heater become. The use of hot air is therefore particularly advantageous in a combination device that the Function of a washing machine combined with that of a tumble dryer.

at the warming with superheated steam the air can be saturated with water vapor at the applied temperature (saturated steam) or unsaturated be. The advantage of using superheated steam is improved Heat transfer between a heater and water.

in the inventive method the drum in step b) is preferably for a period of 10 up to 30 minutes at a speed of 30 to 100 revolutions per Minute, particularly preferably reversing 40 to 70 revolutions per minute operated. As a result, in particular a good redistribution of Scores achieved, so the warming wetted laundry items that generally on their surface takes place due to the improved accessibility of the surface as possible evenly can.

in the Step c), the in step b) essentially only solved, still remaining in the laundry Rinsed out dirt become.

With Procedure of step c) is generally the actual washing process completed. In the further program sequence, the laundry items can then as in a conventional Wash program rinsed and be hurled.

At the inventive method contain the laundry items Loading amount at most the for the saturation the laundry with washing liquor required amount of water.

Preferably is the ratio the amount (a2) to the amount (a3) in the range of 0.5 to 0.9. Using of hot Steam in step b) is the ratio of the amount (a2) to the amount (a3) preferably in the range of 0.5 to 0.7.

For example could at a loading amount (a1) of 6 kg with linen of cotton fabric one Amount of water (a2) of 10 liters (for example, 8 liters when used of steam).

at Cotton fabric amounts the saturation amount (a3) about water twice a load (a1). For synthetic fibers, which is water Absorb to a lesser extent, the amount of saturation (a3) can be significant be lower. The values for the saturation amount (a3) are known per se, so that the amount of water (a2) in a wash program can be specified.

in this connection If necessary, the loading quantity (a1) can be determined by a measure known per se. Therefore, in the method according to the invention, a first sensor becomes advantageous for determining the amount of a liquid in the tub or a foam whose sensor signal during the Procedure can be followed.

to Determination of the loading quantity (a1) can be carried out, for example, in the method step a) a measured by means of the first sensor hydrostatic pressure p with the filled Amount of water or suds to be compared. The one in the drum located laundry Absorbs water or wash liquor, the or therefore not to a increase the hydrostatic pressure can contribute. By comparing the measured hydrostatic pressure p and / or the temporal gradient of the hydrostatic pressure p with corresponding in a program control A laundry stored values for the moistening of laundry can be the laundry item (Loading amount (a1)) and its moisture degree (wetting degree) determine. As a result, the duration of wetting in step a) be tuned very precisely to the given laundry items. This is generally a program for the inventive method adequate wetting of the laundry costs signaled, so that step a) is completed and step b) started can be.

At the inventive method is the surveillance a temperature in the drum advantageous. This is preferred in the washing machine, a second sensor for determining the temperature arranged in the drum.

The Amount in the process according to the invention water to be used or wash liquor can additionally be reduced thereby that while the steps a) and / or b) the drum at a high speed is turned. This is possibly in the laundry pieces containing water / suds thrown off and a reduction in the amount required for saturation reached on water or wash liquor.

object The invention is also a Washing machine with a program control for controlling a program sequence, one in a tub rotatably mounted drum, one arranged at the bottom of the tub Laugenablaufsystem, and a drive motor for the drum, the washing machine additionally a heater for directly heating a wash liquor containing loading amount (a1) with laundry.

at the heater is in a first preferred embodiment to a device for generating steam or hot air. In a second preferred embodiment if the heating device is a microwave heating device and / or an IR emitter.

Preferably is in the washing machine according to the invention a first Sensor for determining a quantity of one in the tub liquid and possibly foam, wherein the sensor signal during the process preferably can be tracked.

It is moreover preferred when in the washing machine according to the invention a second Sensor arranged to determine a temperature in the drum.

The Invention has the advantage that over conventional methods a clear lower amount of water or wash liquor is heated. This amount corresponds essentially to saturation the laundry necessary Amount, which by appropriate rapid rotation of the drum during the heating can still be reduced. This is a significant savings of water and energy possible.

An embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the 1 described in more detail.

1 Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the parts relevant to the following description of an embodiment of a washing machine in which a method as described above can be performed. Other embodiments are conceivable.

The washing machine of the 1 embodiment shown has a tub 1 in which a drum 2 rotatably mounted and by a drive motor 14 can be operated. The rotation axis 3 the drum 2 is directed from the horizontal by a small angle (eg 13 °) forward to the top, giving you easier access and insight into the interior of the drum 2 Has. laundry agitator 4 allow a redistribution of laundry 7 during the rotation of the drum 2 , scooping devices 5 allow intensive rinsing of the cleaned items of laundry 7 with water 6 ,

At the in 1 The embodiment shown is a heater 16 outside of tub 1 and drum 2 , In the 1 shown heater 16 In particular, can provide hot air or steam.

Alternatively, an optionally used in step b) of the method described above and by Turning the drum 2 with the laundry 7 generated foam on one at the bottom of the tub 1 arranged heating device 13 to be heated. When turning the drum, the wash liquor is partially from the laundry 7 thrown off and so intensively mixed with air, whereby foam is formed. Also, the rotating drum can 2 in washing liquor, which is below the drum 2 in the tub 1 stands, enter air and thus cause foam. The formation of foam can be assisted by adding a corresponding detergent to the wash liquor.

The washing machine of 1 also has a liquor feed system 8th . 9 . 10 on, that is a water connection fitting for the domestic water network 8th , an electrically controllable valve 9 and a supply line 10 to the tub 1 optionally also via a Waschmitteleinspüleinrichtung ("Einspülschale") 11 may be performed from the feed water there presented detergent in the tub 1 can transport. The valve 9 as well as the heater 13 can be controlled by a control device ("program control") 12 in response to a program schedule related to a timing program and / or to the achievement of certain measurements of parameters such as rotational speed of the drum 2 can be bound within the washing machine.

A lye drain system 18 with any necessary lines and drain valve and drain pump is, as is known, the sake of clarity only shown schematically as an arrow.

A first sensor 15 for the measurement of the hydrostatic pressure p is in the tub 1 intended. It is also a second sensor 17 for determining a temperature in the drum 2 arranged. The second sensor 17 However, it can also be in a space between the tub 1 and the drum 2 are located.

In the embodiment shown here, in step a) of the above-described method for treating the laundry items 7 Water is introduced in an amount sufficient to create a space between the tub 1 and the drum 2 at a lower end of the drum is filled with water and the laundry items 7 can wet. This wash liquor is gradually removed from the laundry items 7 taken until they are wetted to saturation. More wash or water does not have to be added. Heating the laundry items 7 with the washing liquor bound in it takes place directly and without mediation by an unbound residue of wash liquor. This contamination in the laundry 7 initially dissolved, but not completely flushed out. This is done only in a subsequent step by additionally added, not or at least not very highly heated water, which no longer has to contribute to solving the pollution, but only to their rinsing out of the laundry 7 , For this purpose, a comparatively low temperature of at most 40 ° C, possibly even only at most 30 ° C is sufficient. The required heating energy is therefore very low, since heating energy primarily only for those in the laundry to be treated 7 tied fleet must be spent.

Claims (14)

Method of treating laundry items ( 7 ) with an aqueous wash liquor in a washing machine with a at the bottom of a tub ( 1 ) arranged liquor drain system ( 18 ), a rotatably mounted drum ( 2 ) and a heating device ( 13 . 16 ) for directly heating a load (a1) of the laundry items containing the wash liquor ( 7 ), characterized in that it comprises the steps of a) adding the wash liquor to the load (a1) in an amount (a2) less than or equal to an amount (a3) sufficient to saturate the laundry ( 7 ) with water ("saturation amount"), and wetting the laundry ( 7 ); b) heating the wetted laundry items ( 7 ) by the heating device ( 13 . 16 ); and c) adding water at a temperature T _w of at most 40 ° C for rinsing the wash liquor from the laundry items ( 7 ). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that step c) is performed only after completion of step b). A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the temperature T _{w of} the water in step c) is at most 30 ° C. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the direct heating of the laundry containing the wash liquor ( 7 ) is carried out with hot foam, hot air, water vapor and / or electromagnetic radiation using the heating device ( 13 . 16 ) was obtained. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the wetted laundry items ( 7 ) are heated with hot foam, then, following step a), the hot foam is produced by rotating the drum at a speed U ₁ which is less than an application speed U _{A of} the laundry; 13 . 16 ) is turned on and the foam is heated. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the heating in step b) by means of electromagnetic radiation by using a microwave heating ( 16 ) or an IR emitter ( 16 ) is effected. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the drum ( 2 ) is reversibly operated in step b) for a period of 10 to 30 minutes at a speed of 30 to 100 revolutions per minute. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized that a relationship the amount (a2) to the amount (a3) is between 0.5 and 0.9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the items of laundry ( 7 ) are heated by hot steam and in step b) the ratio of the amount (a2) to the amount (a3) is between 0.5 and 0.7. Washing machine with a program control ( 12 ) for controlling the program sequence, one in a tub ( 1 ) rotatably mounted drum ( 2 ), one at the bottom of the tub ( 1 ) arranged liquor drain system ( 18 ) and a drive motor ( 14 ) for the drum ( 2 ), characterized in that the washing machine is a heating device ( 13 . 16 ) for direct heating of a load (a1) of laundry items containing the wash liquor ( 7 ) having. Washing machine according to claim 10, characterized in that it is in the heating device ( 13 . 16 ) around a device ( 16 ) for producing steam or hot air. Washing machine according to claim 10, characterized in that it is in the heating device ( 13 . 16 ) to a microwave heater ( 16 ) and / or an IR emitter ( 16 ). Washing machine according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the heating device ( 13 . 16 ) in the tub ( 1 ) is arranged, in particular in the drum ( 2 ). Washing machine according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that a second sensor ( 17 ) for determining a temperature in the drum ( 2 ) is arranged.