DE102017103167A1 - Water supply control and washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a water supply control for a washing machine (1) with a tub (2) and a laundry drum (3), with the steps of determining a loading amount of laundry (5) in the laundry drum (3); and determining a dripping saturation value that defines a water binding capacity of the laundry (5) by calculating an average of stored drip levels associated with a selected wash program. Furthermore, the invention relates to a washing machine (1) with a tub (2), a laundry drum (3) and a control device which is adapted to control the above water supply control.

Description

The invention relates to a water supply control and a washing machine. In a water supply control, a composition of the load of laundry in the laundry drum is considered only relatively coarse. There is usually a distinction between very absorbent laundry such as terry towels and normal and absorbent laundry.

However, a laundry load in the laundry drum, especially in the household area, can have a very diverse composition of laundry items with different levels of absorbency. Therefore, the previous division into two states for the determination of a laundry composition is only partially suitable. In case of improper load determination also a faulty load is determined. This determined incorrect load quantity influences further process steps of a washing program and results in that consumption values for water energy and time are not optimal.

The invention thus presents the problem of providing a water supply control and a washing machine, which are designed optimized.

According to the invention this problem is solved by a water supply control with the features of claim 1 and a washing machine with the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention will become apparent from the following subclaims.

The achievable with the invention advantages are in addition to an adaptation to the washing behavior of a user of the washing machine is that a tank behavior is optimized in the water supply control. A number of refueling cycles can be reduced in particular in the case of very absorbent laundry, since a first quantity of water supplied to the suds container can be adjusted in accordance with the dripping saturation value. Furthermore, a better quantity dependency can be achieved, in particular for non-absorbent laundry, because a liquor tank supplied first amount of water and thus the total amount of water can be reduced.

The invention relates to a water supply control for a washing machine with a tub and a laundry drum, with the steps of determining a loading amount of laundry in the laundry drum; and determining a dripping saturation value that defines a water binding capacity of the laundry by calculating an average of stored drip levels associated with a selected wash program.

By determining the dripping saturation value by calculating an average of stored drip saturation values associated with the selected washing program, the washing program may be adjusted to user-specific washing habits. The dripping saturation value is a continuous process variable that determines the laundry cost composition. This process variable can not only distinguish between highly absorbent and normally absorbent laundry, but can variably determine all intermediate stages. It can still be achieved a learning effect. Furthermore, an amount of water required for washing the laundry located in the laundry drum can be optimally adjusted because the amount of water to be supplied to the tub is set not only with respect to the detected load amount but also with the absorbency of the laundry.

This is important in all washing processes, but especially in a wet-washing process, in which the moisture content of the laundry lying below the saturation moisture is washed and the water present in the washing process is bound in the laundry. When wet washing is at any time, already with the water inlet at the beginning of the washing process to ensure that the level of water in the tub a value at which the washing drum contacted the washing liquid or even immersed in the washing liquid is not achieved because of Washing process otherwise is significantly disturbed by the resulting foam and the formation of a water jacket on the laundry drum. The water supply control allows a targeted setting of the amount of water required for the washing program for washing the laundry. This makes a faster washing process possible.

The determination of the dripping saturation value, which defines the water-binding capacity of the laundry, can be carried out after starting the selected washing program but before starting a water feed into the tub. Alternatively, the determination of the dripping saturation value after the water feed can be carried out, for example, at the end of the washing program, wherein the determined dripping saturation value is assigned to the selected washing program and stored, and the determined assigned and stored drip saturation value is retrieved after re-starting the wash program but before the start of the water inlet into the tub.

The average may be formed by taking a sum of all or some of the drip saturation values associated with the selected washing program and dividing by the corresponding number of drip levels used for the calculation. Preferably, the average is calculated from at least ten, more preferably at least twenty last stored drip levels associated with the selected wash program. Alternatively, the stored drip saturation values are assigned a weight which is taken into account in the calculation. For example, dripping saturation values last stored and associated with the selected washing program are provided with a higher weighting than dripping saturation values stored previously and assigned to the selected washing program.

Preferably, in calculating an average of stored drip counts associated with the selected watch program, the stored drip counts that are within a predetermined range of values are taken into account and the stored drip counts associated with the selected watch program are excluded from the predetermined range of values. Preferably, each wash program is assigned its own value range.

In a preferred embodiment, the determined loading amount is assigned to the selected washing program and the assigned loading amount is stored. Preferably, when determining the dripping saturation value, the loading quantity assigned to the washing program and stored and determined is taken into account. For example, stored drip levels associated with the wash program and determined at the same or similar load level receive a higher weighting than stored drip levels associated with the wash program determined at a dissimilar load level. For example, loading amount ranges are formed for each washing program or are stored in the washing machine so that loading amounts that are within a loaded amount value range are judged to be the same or similar, and loading amounts that are outside of this loading amount value range are unlike get ranked.

Determining a loading amount of laundry in the laundry drum preferably comprises determining a mass moment of inertia of the laundry. For example, the load quantity in an inertia method is determined by a performance evaluation of the loaded laundry drum during an acceleration phase and a plateau phase. Alternatively, preferably determining a loading amount of laundry in the laundry drum comprises weighing the laundry in the laundry drum, for example using load cells mounted on the washing machine. The loading amount can be determined based on a measurement of the lowering of the washing unit loaded with the laundry by calculating.

In a preferred embodiment, determining the loading amount of laundry in the laundry drum comprises calculating an average of stored load amounts associated with the selected wash program when an error message occurs during or after determining the load of laundry in the laundry drum by means of a moment of inertia of the laundry or weighing the laundry in the laundry drum is generated. As a result, the load quantity can be determined as a function of the user-specific behavior and represent a continuous process variable that is self-learning. As a result, the water and / or energy supply during the washing process and its duration can be further optimized.

Preferably, the amount of water is supplied to the tub as a function of the determined or retrieved Abtropfsättigungswertes and the determined loading amount.

Preferably, a basic amount of water is supplied as a function of the determined or retrieved Abtropfsättigungswertes and the determined loading amount, then measured a filling level of the water in the tub and then refilled water depending on the measured filling level.

In another preferred embodiment, a basic water quantity is supplied to the suds container as a function of the determined or retrieved desiltration saturation value and the determined loading amount, and subsequently a further dripping saturation value is determined and water is used as a function refueling the determined further dripping saturation value. Determining the further drip saturation value comprises the steps of: rotating the laundry drum to increase the drum speed, determining a level of water in the tub while increasing the drum speed, and determining a stop speed at which the determined level is greater than a predetermined level; Determining a saturation value of the laundry, which indicates a degree of saturation of the laundry with water, by means of the determined termination speed and the determined loading amount; and determining the further dripping saturation value by means of the amount of supplied water, the determined saturation value and the determined loading amount.

In a preferred embodiment, the determined additional dripping saturation value is assigned to the selected washing program and stored. As a result, the dripping saturation value can be formed self-learning. The stored and assigned drip saturation value may be included in determining the drip saturation value for a new washing process with the dryness program associated with the drip saturation value.

While the loading amount and the dripping saturation value are determined and / or retrieved before starting the water supply into the tub, the further drip saturation value is determined according to the water supply of the basic water amount, assigned to the selected washing program and stored. The determined dripping saturation value or determined further drip saturation value preferably enters as dripping saturation value into process functions during the execution of the washing program. With the method, the water absorption capacity of the laundry is made possible by means of the physical value of the dripping saturation. This value is a continuous size and also describes laundry mixing items correctly.

• - Parametrierung des Wasserzulaufs, beispielsweise durch Ermitteln einer Wasserzulaufmenge zum Waschen der Wäsche in den Laugenbehälter in einer oder mehreren Portionen,
• - Parametrierung der Heizphase, beispielsweise durch Auswahl eines Heizprogramms,
• - Parametrierung vom Waschrhythmus, beispielsweise durch Einstellen einer Maximaldrehzahl der Wäschetrommel, einer Gesamtdauer von Trommelumdrehungen, einer Dauer von Trommelumdrehungen bei einer spezifischen Trommeldrehzahl oder einem spezifischen Trommeldrehzahlbereich und/oder einer Stillstanddauer der Wäschetrommel während einer Drehrichtungsänderung der Wäschetrommel,
• - Parametrierung eines Umflutsystems beispielsweise durch Einstellen einer Betriebsdauer des Umflutsystems während des Waschprogramms und/oder eines Volumenstroms, der aus einem ersten Bereich des Laugenbehälters in einen zweiten Bereich des Laugenbehälters geleitet wird,
• - Dosierung eines Pflegemittels wie ein Weichspüler aus einem Dosiersystem in den Waschautomaten,
• - Parametrierung eines Schleudervorgangs beispielsweise in einer Spülphase und/oder Parametrierung eines Schleudervorgangs Schleuderphase des Waschprogramms.

The determined dripping saturation value or determined additional dripping saturation value can be used to optimize all phases of a washing process. For example, the determined dripping saturation value or determined additional dripping saturation value enters into process functions, such as:

• Parameterization of the water inlet, for example by determining a water feed amount for washing the laundry in the tub in one or more portions,
• - parameterization of the heating phase, for example by selecting a heating program,
• Parameterization of the washing rhythm, for example by setting a maximum speed of the laundry drum, a total duration of drum revolutions, a duration of drum revolutions at a specific drum speed or a specific drum speed range and / or a stoppage period of the laundry drum during a change of direction of the laundry drum,
• Parameterizing a circulating system, for example by setting an operating time of the circulating system during the washing program and / or a volumetric flow which is conducted from a first region of the tub into a second region of the tub,
• Dosing a conditioning agent such as a fabric softener from a dosing system in the washing machine,
• - Parameterization of a spin process, for example, in a rinse phase and / or parameterization of a spin cycle spin phase of the wash program.

The determined dripping saturation value and determined additional dripping saturation value are preferably determined as the physical quantity l (liters) of water per kg (kilograms) dry weight of laundry. The step of determining a loading amount of laundry in the laundry drum is therefore performed prior to supplying water and / or a base water amount in the tub in dependence on the determined or retrieved drip saturation value, so that the loading amount can be determined as dry weight. After supplying the water and / or the base water amount in the tub, the laundry drum is rotated by increasing the drum speed, the filling level of water in the tub is determined during the increase of the drum speed and the Abbruchdrehzahl is determined at which the particular level is greater, as the predetermined level.

The level of water in the tub during the increase in the drum speed is determined continuously or at predetermined intervals, for example, using a pressure sensor. The filling level is preferably measured in millimeters of water with a pressure sensor positioned in the lower region of the tub, based on the operating position of the washing machine. From the termination speed and the loading amount of the degree of saturation of the laundry can be determined because there is an approximately equal relationship between the Abbruchdrehzahl, load amount and saturation value. Subsequently, the further dripping saturation value by means of the amount becomes supplied water, the determined saturation value and the determined load quantity determined. The amount of water supplied to the tub can be determined, for example, by means of a volume flow meter. The term "water" as used herein also includes water-containing liquids, such as wash liquor and / or liquor, in which the water is mixed with one or more other components. Position and directional information refer to the operational installation position of the washing machine.

In a preferred embodiment, the further dripping saturation value is determined by means of the formula (1): $$\begin{array}{l}\text{Abtropfsättigungswert}=\hfill \\ \text{Amount of water supplied}/\left(\text{load size}*\text{saturation value}\right)\hfill \end{array}$$

The dripping saturation value is determined in units of l / kg (liters per kilogram).

The saturation value is a value indicating a degree of saturation of the laundry in the laundry drum with water. For determining the saturation value, the saturation value is preferably read out as a function of the termination rotational speed and the determined loading amount from a data memory of the automatic washing machine.

When the drum speed reaches a predetermined final speed during the increase of the drum speed, i. is equal to the predetermined final speed, and the particular level is equal to or less than the predetermined level, it is preferred to add a further amount of water to the tub and rotate the laundry drum to increase the drum speed, determining the level of water in the tub during the elevation the drum speed and determining the Abbruchdrehzahl repeated. The steps are repeated until the termination speed can be determined, that is, until the determined level is greater than the predetermined level. The predetermined final speed is preferably the technically possible final speed of the washing machine.

In a preferred embodiment, the determined drip saturation value or determined further drip saturation value indicates the water content in the laundry, which is maximum at a drum speed of 40 min ^-1 and in which water in the laundry drum remains in the laundry drum. By the phrase "in which the laundry drum located in the water drum remains in the laundry drum" means that no water leakage takes place from a lateral surface of the laundry drum.

Preferably, the amount of water supplied to the tub is determined. This can be realized, for example, by means of a volume flow meter.

In a preferred embodiment, the determined additional dripping saturation value is assigned to a selected washing program and stored. Alternatively or additionally, the determined loading amount is also preferably assigned to the selected washing program and stored. Thus, on the one hand, the washing behavior of the washing machine user can be documented. On the other hand, the stored and associated data can continue to be used to determine the dripping saturation value and / or the loading amount.

The invention further relates to a washing machine with a tub, a laundry drum and a control device, which is configured to control the above water supply control according to one or more of the described embodiments.

The washing machine can be a washing machine or a combined appliance, for example a washer-dryer.

• 1 eine skizzierte, schematische und nicht-maßstabsgerechte Teil-Darstellung eines Waschautomaten.

An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawing and will be described in more detail below. It shows

• 1 a sketched, schematic and non-scale part representation of a washing machine.

1 shows a sketched, schematic and non-scale part representation of a washing machine. The washing machine 1 has a tub 2 for receiving water (not shown) and a laundry drum 3 for receiving laundry 5 on. The tub 2 is coupled with a water inlet, a Einspülkasten 8th and a the Einspülkasten 8th and the tub 2 connecting tube 9 having. Furthermore, the tub is 2 with a drain device 6 coupled, over the water from the washing machine 1 can be removed. Furthermore, in the lower part of the tub 2 , Based on the operating position of the washing machine 1, a pressure sensor 10 for sensing a pressure value or a filling level of water in the tub 2 arranged.

In the lower part of the tub 2 , based on the operational installation position of the washing machine 1 , is optionally also a heating element 10 to heat up in the tub 2 located water. The heating of the washing liquid can also be realized in other ways, which are not shown here. Optionally, but not necessarily, the washing machine further comprises a flooding device 4 on, which is designed to draw water from a lower area of the tub 2 in an upper area of the tub 2 to promote, based on the operational installation position of the washing machine 1 ,

In a first variant, a wash program selected by the user is started, in particular when a moist washing process is in operation. There will be a load of laundry 5 in the laundry drum 3 determined. Furthermore, a dripping saturation value, which is a water-binding capacity of the laundry 5 defined by calculating an average of stored drip saturation values associated with the selected wash program. Subsequently, a basic amount of water is supplied in an amount that depends on the determined loading amount and the determined drip-saturation value. If necessary, additional water is refueled. Refueling may be carried out as a function of a measured fill level of the water in the tub after the basic water quantity has been supplied or preferably as a function of a further dripping saturation value. To determine the further dripping saturation value, the laundry drum 3 rotated while increasing the drum speed, while a level of water in the tub 2 is determined continuously or at predetermined intervals. If the determined level is greater than a predetermined level, a Abbruchdrehzahl is determined in which the determined level is greater than a predetermined level.

If the technically possible final speed of the washing machine 1 is achieved without the specific filling level is greater than the predetermined filling level, the laundry drum 3 brought to a standstill. Then the tub 2 Re-fed water, the laundry drum 3 is rotated again increasing the drum speed and the filling level of water in the tub 2 determined again continuously or at predetermined intervals during the speed increase. These steps are repeated, if necessary, until the determined filling level is greater than the predetermined filling level, so that the stopping speed can be determined. After determining the Abbruchdrehzahl the saturation value of the laundry 5 , which is a degree of saturation of the laundry 5 indicates with water, determined by means of the determined termination speed and the determined load. The saturation value is a function of the termination speed and the loading amount from a data memory (not shown) of the washing machine 1 read. Subsequently, the further dripping saturation value is determined by means of the amount of supplied water, the determined saturation value and the determined loading amount, wherein the further drip saturation value is equal to the amount of supplied water divided by (loading amount times saturation value). The additional dripping saturation value is assigned to the selected washing program and stored. The determined loading amount is also assigned to the selected washing program and stored.

In a second variant, a washing program selected by the user is started, in particular during operation of a moist washing process. There will be a load of laundry 5 in the laundry drum 3 determined, assigned to the selected wash program and stored. Furthermore, a dripping saturation value, which is a water-binding capacity of the laundry 5 defined, determined at the last execution of the selected wash program by calculating an average of stored drip levels associated with the selected wash program. Subsequently, a base water amount is supplied in an amount that depends on the determined loading amount and the retrieved drip saturation value.

If necessary, additional water is refueled. Refueling may be carried out as a function of a measured fill level of the water in the tub after the basic water quantity has been supplied or preferably as a function of a further dripping saturation value. To determine the further dripping saturation value, the laundry drum 3 rotated while increasing the drum speed, while a level of water in the tub 2 is determined continuously or at predetermined intervals. If the determined level is greater than a predetermined level, a Abbruchdrehzahl is determined in which the determined level is greater than a predetermined level. If the technically possible final speed of the washing machine 1 is achieved without the specific filling level is greater than the predetermined filling level, the laundry drum 3 brought to a standstill. Then the tub 2 Re-fed water, the laundry drum 3 is rotated again by increasing the drum speed and a filling level of water in the tub 2 is determined again or continuously at predetermined intervals during the speed increase. These steps are repeated, if necessary, until the determined filling level is greater than the predetermined filling level, so that the stopping speed can be determined.

After determining the Abbruchdrehzahl the saturation value of the laundry 5 , which is a degree of saturation of the laundry 5 indicates with water, determined by means of the determined termination speed and the determined load. The saturation value is a function of the termination speed and the loading amount from a data memory (not shown) of the washing machine 1 read.

Subsequently, the further dripping saturation value is determined by means of the amount of supplied water, the determined saturation value and the determined loading amount, wherein the further drip saturation value is equal to the amount of supplied water divided by (loading amount times saturation value). The additional dripping saturation value is assigned to the selected washing program and stored. Thereafter, the dripping saturation value is determined by calculating an average of stored drip saturation values associated with the selected wash program, associated with the selected wash program, and stored so that the determined drip saturation value is retrievable upon restart of the selected wash program. That is, when the user re-selects the wash program to do laundry again 5 in the washing machine 1 to wash with this watch program, is a load of laundry 5 in the laundry drum 3 determined again and fed water in an amount that depends on the re-determined loading amount and the last stored drip saturation value, which was determined and stored at the end of the last execution of the wash program.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

washing machine

2

tub

3

washing drum

4

Umfluteinrichtung

5

Laundry

6

off device

7

heating element

8th

dispenser drawer

9

tube

10

pressure sensor

Claims (10)

Water supply control for a washing machine (1) with a tub (2) and a laundry drum (3), with the steps - Determining a loading amount of laundry (5) in the laundry drum (3); and Determining a dripping saturation value defining a water binding capacity of the laundry (5) by calculating an average of stored drip saturation values associated with a selected washing program. Water supply control after Claim 1 , Characterized in that in calculating an average value of stored Abtropfsättigungswerten associated with the selected wash program, the data stored and associated with the selected wax program Abtropfsättigungswerte be considered which lie within a predetermined value range, and the data stored and associated with the selected wax program Abtropfsättigungswerte remain outside the predetermined value range. Water supply control according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the determined loading amount is assigned to the selected washing program and the assigned loading amount is stored. Water supply control according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the determination of a loading amount of laundry (5) in the laundry drum (3) comprises determining a moment of inertia of the laundry (5) or weighing the laundry (5) in the laundry drum (3) , Water supply control after Claim 4 characterized in that the determination of the loading amount of laundry (5) in the laundry drum (3) comprises calculating an average of stored load quantities associated with the selected wash program when an error message occurs during or after determining the load of laundry (5 ) is generated in the laundry drum (3) by means of the mass moment of inertia of the laundry (5) or the weighing of the laundry (5) in the laundry drum (3). Water supply control according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquor container, a base water quantity is supplied in dependence of the determined Abtropfsättigungswertes and the determined loading amount. Water supply control after Claim 6 , characterized in that measured after supplying the basic amount of water, a filling level of the water in the tub and then water is refueled depending on the measured filling level. Water supply control after Claim 6 characterized in that, after supplying the basic water amount, a further dripping saturation value is determined and water is refueled in dependence on the determined further drip saturation value, wherein the determination of the further drip saturation value comprises the steps of rotating the laundry drum (3) while increasing the drum speed, determining a fill level of Water in the tub (2) during the increase of the drum speed, and determining a Abbruchdrehzahl, wherein the determined filling level is greater than a predetermined filling level; Determining a saturation value of the laundry (5), which indicates a degree of saturation of the laundry (5) with water, by means of the determined termination speed and the determined loading amount; and determining the further dripping saturation value by means of the amount of supplied water, the determined saturation value and the determined loading amount. Water supply control after Claim 8 , characterized in that the further drip saturation value is assigned to the selected washing program and stored. Washing machine (1) with a tub (2), a laundry drum (3) and a control device which is set up, a water supply control according to one of Claims 1 to 9 to control.

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