DE102015214803A1 - Laundry care device with a circulation system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry care device (100) with a rotatably mounted washing drum (107) for receiving laundry, a suds container (109) for receiving suds, wherein the suds container (109) has a discharge opening (113) and an inlet opening (111) a circulation system (105) fluidly connecting the discharge port (113) to the inlet port (111), the circulation system (105) including a pump (117) for pumping wash liquor into the washing drum (107). The pump (117) is adapted to pump the wash liquor into the wash basket (107) at different pump pressures within the same wash to vary a location of the wash liquor in the rotating wash basket (107).

Description

The present invention relates to a laundry care device with a circulation system.

In conventional laundry care equipment, circulation systems are used to pump wash liquor out of the tub by means of a pump and to recirculate the pumped wash liquor by means of the pump through the circulation system to the tub. Here, the liquor tank supplied liquor is passed directly to the laundry in the washing drum to wet the laundry with wash liquor. At a constant pumping power of the pump, the wash liquor is passed into the middle of the wash in the wash drum, whereby the supplied wash liquor may not evenly wet the laundry.

It is the object underlying the invention to provide a laundry care device with a circulation system in which the wetting of the laundry with wash liquor can be improved in the washing drum.

This object is achieved by an article having the features according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

According to one aspect, the object according to the invention is provided by a laundry care device having a rotatably mounted washing drum for holding laundry, a suds container for holding washing liquor, the suds container having a discharge opening and an inlet opening, a circulation system which fluidly connects the discharge opening to the inlet opening the circulation system comprises a pump for pumping wash liquor into the wash tub, the pump being configured to pump the wash liquor into the wash tub at different pump pressures within the same wash to vary a location of the wash liquor in the rotating wash drum.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that come through the changing location of the wash liquor, which is introduced into the rotating washing drum, different areas of the laundry in the rotating washing drum with wash in contact, so that a uniform and thus complete wetting of the laundry is ensured in the washing drum.

In conventional laundry care apparatus with circulation systems, the pump is operated at a constant speed during the circulation process, whereby a constant flow of washing liquor is obtained in the circulation system. Due to the constant flow rate of wash liquor, the wash liquor is pumped through the inlet opening with a uniform injection pattern into the wash basket, thereby providing a steady wash basket with a constant appearance of the supplied wash liquor in the wash tub. In a rapid rotation of the washing drum, the laundry may be pressed due to the centrifugal forces occurring on the drum wall of the washing drum, which can form a laundry tunnel in the middle of the washing drum. The wash liquor injected through the inlet opening wets the laundry tunnel and is pressed radially outwards by the centrifugal forces that occur through the laundry. However, the front side of the washing drum adjacent laundry may be insufficiently wetted.

In order to obtain a complete wetting of the laundry even with a fast rotation of the washing drum, the pump is designed to pump wash liquor within the same washing process with different pump pressures through the circulation system in the washing drum. The different pump pressures result in different flow rates of the wash liquor in the circulation system. Due to the different flow rates of wash liquor, therefore, different injection patterns of the wash liquor passed through the inlet opening into the wash drum and, consequently, a varying location of the injected wash liquor on the wash in the rotating wash drum occur.

Thus, due to the changing location of the washing liquor introduced onto the laundry in the rotating washing drum, a large portion of the laundry in the washing drum can come into contact with washing liquor, resulting in complete wetting of the laundry with washing liquor.

A laundry care appliance is understood to mean a device which is used for laundry care, such as e.g. a washing machine or a tumble dryer. In particular, such a laundry care appliance is understood as a household laundry care appliance. So a laundry care device, which is used in the context of household management, and is treated with the laundry in normal household quantities.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the laundry care appliance comprises a nozzle, which is arranged at the inlet opening, wherein the pump is designed to pump the washing liquor through the nozzle into the washing drum.

This achieves the technical advantage that a particularly effective introduction of the wash liquor into the wash drum is ensured by the nozzle arranged at the inlet opening. The nozzle has an advantageous shape for effectively redirecting the liquid flow of the wash liquor pumped through the nozzle, whereby the wash liquor can effectively wet the laundry in the wash tub. The circulation system is fluidly connected to the inlet port and the nozzle located at the inlet port so that the pump pumps wash liquor at different pump pressures through the nozzle, thereby directing the wash liquor pumped through the nozzle with different injection patterns into the wash drum.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the pump is designed to pump wash liquor within the same washing process with periodically changing pump pressures in the washing drum, wherein the periodically changing pump pressures correspond in particular a sinusoidally running pump pressure change.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that a temporally periodic change of the pump pressures of the pump can be advantageously realized by a corresponding control of the pump drive, whereby an advantageous control of the changing location of the wash liquor is made possible in the rotating washing drum. In particular, can be achieved by the temporally periodic change in the pump pressure that the place of occurrence of the wash liquor in the washing drum also periodically changes periodically, whereby a temporally uniform distribution of the wash liquor is achieved on the laundry.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the circulation system comprises a circulation hose which fluidly connects the drain opening to the inlet opening, the pump being connected to the circulation hose to pump wash liquor out of the tub into the circulation hose through the drain opening and the pumped wash liquor out of the wash tank To pump circulation hose through the inlet opening into the washing drum.

Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that the circulating hose of the circulation system effectively circulates washing liquor from the tub into the circulation tubing and out of the circulation tubing into the washing tub, thereby enabling efficient supply of washing liquor to the laundry in the washing tub.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the laundry care appliance comprises a pump drive for driving the pump and a controller for controlling the pump drive, wherein the controller is designed to operate the pump drive at a first speed during a first time interval of the washing operation to wash liquor during the first Pumping time interval with a first pump pressure in the washing drum, and wherein the controller is configured to operate the pump drive at a second speed, which is different from the first speed during a second time interval subsequent to the first time interval, to wash liquor during the second Time interval with a second pump pressure, which is different from the first pump pressure to pump into the washing drum.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that by changing the speed of the pump drive, and the resulting change in the pump pressure, the resulting change in the flow of wash liquor in the circulation system, and the resulting resulting change in the spray behavior of the wash liquor in the washing drum effective change of the location of the wash liquor is achieved in the rotating washing drum.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the laundry care appliance comprises a drum drive for driving the washing drum at a rotational frequency, and the pump is designed to pump washing liquor into the washing drum at a pump pressure which changes according to a pumping frequency, the pumping frequency being dependent on the rotational frequency or on a multiple of the rotational frequency differs.

Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that is ensured by the different values of the pumping frequency of the pump and the rotational frequency of the washing drum that the changing location of the pumped through the pump into the washing drum wash liquor is passed to a large area of the drum shell of the washing drum. By different from the rotational frequency of the washing drum pumping frequency of the changing pump pressure of the pump ensures that during different revolutions of the washing drum different wetting paths are traversed on the surface of the washing drum by the introduced wash liquor. As a result, a complete wetting of the laundry in the washing drum can be ensured.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the pumping frequency is lower than the rotational frequency.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that an advantageous wetting of the laundry in the washing drum can be ensured by the low pumping frequency. During a change in the pump pressure by the pump, the washing drum rotates several times under the introduced washing liquor jet through several times. Thus, each time the pump pressure changes, different areas of the laundry in the washing drum are wetted.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the pump can be deactivated during a period of the washing process in order to set the pumping of washing liquor into the washing drum during the period of time.

This achieves the technical advantage that the pump is designed to adjust the pumping of wash liquor into the wash drum during the time period, so that the wash present in the wash drum can be sufficiently flooded by wash liquor already present in the wash drum, thereby ensuring uniform wetting of the wash is reached.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the laundry care appliance comprises a fill level sensor which is designed to detect a fill level of wash liquor in the tub, wherein the pump is designed to change the pump pressure in dependence on the detected fill level of wash liquor.

Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that the pump pressure of the pump can be changed depending on the detected level of the wash liquor in the tub, thereby ensuring that the pump pressure can be adjusted to the amount of non-bonded to the laundry wash in the tub , This will ensure that if the level of wash liquor is low, the pump does not need to be turned off or the tub is not being pumped empty.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care apparatus, a flow sensor is arranged in the circulation system, which is designed to detect a flow rate of wash liquor in the circulation system, wherein the pump is designed to change the pump pressure in dependence on the detected flow rate of wash liquor.

Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that the pump pressure can be changed in dependence on the detected flow rate of wash liquor in the circulation system, in particular in the circulation tube, thereby ensuring that the pump pressure can be adapted to the detected flow rate of the wash liquor. This ensures that, given a possible blockage of the circulation system and consequent reduction in flow rate, the pump pressure of the pump can be changed accordingly to ensure efficient circulation of the wash liquor in the circulation system.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the inlet opening is arranged on a front side or on an upper side of the tub and the drain opening is arranged on an underside of the tub.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that by the appropriate positioning of the drain opening and the inlet opening to the tub effective drainage of wash liquor from the tub, or an effective feeding of wash liquor is made possible in the tub. The inlet opening is located on an upper side or on a front side of the laundry care appliance, e.g. in the vicinity of a sleeve disposed on the tub, thereby enabling efficient circulation of wash liquor in the circulation system.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the washing drum comprises a device for moving laundry in the washing drum or a device for moving wash liquor in the washing drum.

Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that by the device for moving laundry in the washing drum or the device for moving wash liquor in the washing drum, such as. Wäschemitnehmer, the wetting of laundry located in the washing drum is improved with wash liquor. During a rotation of the washing drum laundry remains in the apparatus for moving laundry hang in the washing drum and are carried by the washing drum in the direction of rotation of the washing drum. Likewise, wash liquor can be moved through the device for moving wash liquor in the direction of rotation of the wash drum.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the circulation system comprises a depression for depositing impurities.

Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that impurities can be collected in the recess of the circulation system, whereby these can then be advantageously removed from the circulation system.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the laundry care appliance comprises a filter unit, wherein the filter unit is arranged in the circulation system, and wherein the filter unit preferably comprises a foreign body trap for removing foreign bodies.

This achieves the technical advantage that foreign bodies, such as e.g. Impurities through which filter unit, or foreign body trap, can be effectively removed from the circulation system.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a method for varying a location of wash liquor in a rotating washing drum in a laundry care device, wherein the laundry care device, the rotatably mounted washing drum for receiving laundry, a tub for receiving wash liquor, wherein the tub a discharge port and an inlet port, and a circulation system fluidly connecting the discharge port to the inlet port, the circulation system comprising a pump for pumping wash liquor into the wash tub, the method comprising pumping wash liquor within the same wash at different pump pressures in the washing drum to vary a location of the wash liquor in the rotating washing drum.

Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that by pumping wash liquor with different pump pressures and the resulting different flow rates of wash liquor in the circulation system, a different spraying behavior of the introduced into the washing drum wash liquor is achieved, whereby the place of occurrence of the wash liquor in the rotating washing drum can be varied to ensure an advantageous wetting of the laundry in the washing drum.

Further embodiments will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

1 a schematic view of a laundry care device;

2 a schematic view of a laundry care device with a circulation system; and

3 a flow of a method for varying a location of wash liquor, which is passed into the washing drum of a laundry care device.

1 shows a schematic view of a general laundry care device 100 , such as a washing machine. The laundry care device 100 includes an induction bowl 101 , in the wash-care substance, such as detergent, can be filled. The laundry care device 100 includes a door 103 for loading the laundry care device 100 with laundry.

2 shows a schematic view of a laundry care device with a circulation system. The laundry care device 100 includes a circulation system 105 , as well as a washing drum 107 for holding laundry, a tub 109 for receiving wash liquor which has an inlet opening 111 and a drain opening 113 having. The inlet opening 111 and the drain hole 113 are through a circulation tube 115 fluidly connected, wherein the circulation tube 115 with a pump 117 connected is. At the inlet opening 111 is a nozzle 118 arranged, which is formed, washing liquor in the washing drum 107 to guide and if necessary in the washing drum 107 to wet existing laundry. The pump 117 is formed, wash liquor through the drain opening 113 from the tub 109 in the circulation tube 115 to pump and pumped out the washing liquor from the circulation hose 115 through the inlet opening 111 and through the nozzle 118 again in the tub 109 to pump. The laundry care device 100 further comprises a pump drive 119 to drive the pump 117 ,

By using the circulation system 105 is the Waschlaugentransport in the laundry care device 100 optimized. Through the inlet opening 111 at one on the tub 109 arranged cuff is the in the circulation system 105 pumped wash liquor through the nozzle 118 directly on the laundry in the washing drum 107 pumped. For a full load of washing drum laundry 107 Can the through the nozzle 118 in the washing drum 107 Injected wash lye bounce off the laundry and into the tub 109 run back without completely flooding the laundry.

When the washing drum 107 is rotated very quickly, the laundry is due to the centrifugal forces occurring against the drum wall of the washing drum 107 pressed, causing a wash tunnel in the washing drum 107 forms. The suds are taken from the pump 117 through the circulation hose 115 to the nozzle 118 pumped and then into the forming laundry tunnel in the washing drum 107 initiated. In conventional laundry care appliances 100 becomes the pump drive 119 the pump 117 operated at a constant speed, whereby during the recirculation of the wash liquor in the circulation system 105 a constant flow of the wash liquor is provided. When introducing the washing liquor into the washing drum 107 through the nozzle 118 the laundry will be in the middle of itself in the washing drum 107 forming laundry tunnel advantageously wetted, and due to the centrifugal forces occurring a flooding of the laundry in the washing drum 107 in a direction away from the laundry tunnel outward radial direction. The on the tub 109 Washing applied to the front side is only insufficiently wetted in a conventional injection mode, since the pump is at a constant pump pressure 117 present constant occurrence of the through the nozzle 118 in the washing drum 107 directed washing liquor jet to the center of the washing tunnel in the washing drum 107 is aligned.

In the present invention, the pump 117 formed, the wash liquor within the same washing process with different pump pressures through the circulation system 105 , or through the circulation hose 115 , through the inlet opening 111 and through the nozzle 118 in the rotating washing drum 107 to pump. By changing the pump pressure of the pump 117 in the circulation system 105 pumped wash liquor occurs according to different flow rates through the pump 117 in the circulation system 105 subsidized wash liquor. When in the circulation system 105 pumped wash liquor through the nozzle 118 in the washing drum 107 is passed, it comes because of the different flow rates of the wash in the circulation system 105 to a correspondingly different injection behavior of the wash liquor in the washing drum 107 through the nozzle 118 and thereby to a correspondingly varying location of the wash liquor in the rotating washing drum 107 , With a rotating washing drum 107 can by the temporal change of the place of occurrence of the washing drum 107 conducted wash liquor almost every area of the washing drum 107 be controlled, and thereby in the washing drum 107 be completely wetted with washing solution laundry.

The laundry care device 100 further includes a controller 121 , which with the pump drive 119 through a control connection 123 is connected and formed, the pump drive 119 to control, in particular the speed of the pump drive 119 to change. By changing the speed of the pump drive 119 also gets through the pump 117 caused pump pressure when pumping wash through the circulation system 105 changed. The pump 117 the wash liquor can be pumped into the wash drum at periodically changing pump pressures 107 pumps, wherein the periodically changing pump pressures in particular correspond to a sinusoidally running pump pressure change.

Due to the time-varying location of the injected wash liquor in the washing drum 107 , in particular in a rotating washing drum 107 , and in the knowledge of the rotational frequency of the washing drum 107 can the pump pressure of the pump 117 be changed so that at a time complete rotation of the washing drum 107 almost exactly one sine wave of the change of the pump pressure is completed, but not exactly one. This ensures that in a new circulation of the washing drum 107 the wash tunnel of the laundry in the washing drum 107 is sprayed offset to the first rounding. For this reason, it is advantageous the pumping frequency of the pump 117 in terms of the rotational frequency or a multiple of the rotational frequency of the washing drum 107 to choose different, because at identical frequencies, otherwise exactly the same wetting path as in the rotations of the washing drum 107 previously traveled.

Due to the time-varying pump pressure of the pump 117 and the resulting time-varying occurrence point through the nozzle 118 in the washing drum 107 passed washing liquor on the laundry in the washing drum 107 For example, soiling such as blood, which tends to be difficult to remove in case of uneven moistening, can be better washed out. As a result, overall a significant improvement in the washing performance can be achieved. As a result, the wetting times can be reduced, whereby the overall program duration of the washing process can be shortened. Lower wash laundering levels allow better environmental evaluation in the label device rating as less energy is needed to heat the smaller amount of liquid wash liquor not attached to the wash. Therefore, even when the wash liquor is heated to the same predetermined process end temperature, less energy and, above all, less time is required, so that a program time reduction is achieved even with this measure.

3 FIG. 10 shows a flow of a method for varying the location of wash liquor which is fed into the washing drum of a laundry care appliance, the laundry care appliance according to FIG 2 is described.

The procedure 200 includes pumping as a process step 201 of washing liquor within the same washing process with different pump pressures in the washing drum 107 to a place of occurrence of the washing liquor in the rotating washing drum 107 to vary.

All of the features explained and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention may be provided in different combinations in the article according to the invention in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects.

The scope of the present invention is given by the claims and is not limited by the features illustrated in the specification or shown in the figures.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

 Laundry care device

101

 dispenser tray

103

 door

105

 circulation system

107

 washing drum

109

 tub

111

 inlet port

113

 drain hole

115

 circulation hose

117

 pump

118

 jet

119

 pump drive

121

 control

123

 control connection

200

 Method for varying the location of the wash liquor

201

 Process step: Pumping wash liquor within the same wash with different pump pressures

Claims (15)

Laundry care device ( 100 ) with a rotatably mounted washing drum ( 107 ) for receiving laundry, a tub ( 109 ) for receiving washing liquor, wherein the tub ( 109 ) a drain opening ( 113 ) and an inlet opening ( 111 ), a circulation system ( 105 ), which the drain opening ( 113 ) with the inlet opening ( 111 ), whereby the circulation system ( 105 ) a pump ( 117 ) for pumping washing liquor into the washing drum ( 107 ), characterized in that the pump ( 117 ) is formed, the wash liquor within the same washing process with different pump pressures in the washing drum ( 107 ) to a location of the wash liquor in the rotating washing drum ( 107 ) to vary. Laundry care device ( 100 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the laundry care device ( 100 ) a nozzle ( 118 ), which at the inlet opening ( 111 ) is arranged, wherein the pump ( 117 ) is formed, the wash liquor through the nozzle ( 118 ) in the washing drum ( 107 ) to pump. Laundry care device ( 100 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pump ( 117 ) is formed, washing liquor within the same washing process with periodically changing pump pressures in the washing drum ( 107 ), wherein the periodically changing pump pressures in particular correspond to a sinusoidally running pump pressure change. Laundry care device ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circulation system ( 105 ) a circulation hose ( 115 ), which the drain opening ( 113 ) with the inlet opening ( 111 ) fluidically connects the pump ( 117 ) with the circulation hose ( 115 ) is connected to wash liquor through the drainage port ( 113 ) from the tub ( 109 ) in the circulation hose ( 115 ) and pump out the pumped washing liquor from the circulation hose ( 115 ) through the inlet opening ( 111 ) in the washing drum ( 107 ) to pump. Laundry care device ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laundry care appliance ( 100 ) a pump drive ( 119 ) for driving the pump ( 117 ) and a controller ( 121 ) for controlling the pump drive ( 119 ) includes that the controller ( 121 ) is formed during a first time interval of the washing process, the pump drive ( 119 ) to operate at a first speed to supply wash liquor during the first time interval with a first pump pressure into the wash drum ( 107 ) and that the controller ( 121 ) is formed, during a subsequent to the first time interval second time interval the pump drive ( 119 ) at a second rotational speed, which is different from the first rotational speed, in order to introduce washing liquor into the washing drum during the second time interval with a second pump pressure, which is different from the first pump pressure ( 107 ) to pump. Laundry care device ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laundry care appliance ( 100 ) a drum drive for driving the washing drum ( 107 ) with a rotational frequency, and that the pump ( 117 ) is formed, wash liquor having a pump frequency according to a changing pump pressure in the washing drum ( 107 ), wherein the pumping frequency is different from the rotational frequency or from a multiple of the rotational frequency. Laundry care device ( 100 ) according to claim 6, characterized in that the pumping frequency is less than the rotational frequency. Laundry care device ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pump ( 117 ) is deactivated during a period of the washing process, during the period of the pumping of wash liquor into the washing drum ( 107 ). Laundry care device ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laundry care appliance ( 100 ) comprises a level sensor, which forms a level of wash liquor in the tub ( 109 ), whereby the pump ( 117 ) is adapted to change the pump pressure in dependence on the detected level of wash liquor. Laundry care device ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the circulation system ( 105 ) a flow sensor is arranged, which is designed, a flow rate of wash liquor in the circulation system ( 105 ), whereby the pump ( 117 ) is adapted to change the pump pressure in dependence on the detected flow rate of wash liquor. Laundry care device ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet opening ( 111 ) at a front or at an upper side of the tub ( 109 ) and that the drain opening ( 113 ) on an underside of the tub ( 109 ) is arranged. Laundry care device ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the washing drum ( 107 ) a device for moving laundry in the washing drum ( 107 ) or a device for moving wash liquor in the washing drum ( 107 ). Laundry care device ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circulation system ( 105 ) comprises a recess for depositing contaminants. Laundry care device ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laundry care appliance ( 100 ) comprises a filter unit, wherein the filter unit in the circulation system ( 105 ), and that the filter unit preferably comprises a foreign body trap for removing foreign matter. Procedure ( 200 ) for varying a location of a wash liquor in a rotating wash drum ( 107 ) in a laundry care appliance ( 100 ), wherein the laundry care device ( 100 ) the rotatably mounted washing drum ( 107 ) for receiving laundry, a tub ( 109 ) for receiving washing liquor, wherein the tub ( 109 ) a drain opening ( 113 ) and an inlet opening ( 111 ), and a circulation system ( 105 ), which the drain opening ( 113 ) with the inlet opening ( 111 fluidically connecting, wherein the circulation system ( 105 ) a pump ( 117 ) for pumping washing liquor into the washing drum ( 107 ), characterized in that the method ( 200 ) pumping ( 201 ) of washing liquor within the same washing process with different pump pressures in the washing drum ( 107 ) to a location of the wash liquor in the rotating washing drum ( 107 ) to vary.

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