DE102020210792A1 - Treatment module for a laundry treatment appliance, laundry treatment appliance and method for operating a laundry treatment appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a treatment module (7) for a laundry treatment appliance (1), comprising a plurality of treatment brushes (17) which are each provided for one contact with an item of laundry (5) to be treated. In order to design a smoothing process as optimally as possible, two treatment brushes (17) each form at least one pair (33) and are arranged relative to one another in one treatment position each or can be arranged in each treatment position in which the treatment brushes (17) of the at least one pair ( 33) are opposite one another in such a way that when an item of laundry (5) is positioned between the treatment brushes (17) of the at least one pair (33) they are in contact with this item of laundry (5) on both sides.

Description

The invention relates to a treatment module for a laundry treatment appliance, comprising a plurality of treatment brushes which are each provided for one contact with an item of laundry to be treated. Furthermore, the invention relates to a laundry treatment appliance with an aforementioned treatment module and a method for operating a laundry treatment appliance.

In the case of laundry treatment devices, devices are known, among other things, in which items of laundry can be subjected to a respective treatment, mostly hung individually. In such a device, which is sometimes also referred to as a laundry treatment cabinet, a movable treatment module is often provided, with which a respective treatment of the laundry item introduced is carried out in at least one treatment step. Such a treatment module can have treatment brushes which come into contact with the item of laundry that has been brought in during the course of the treatment step in order to smooth it out.

From the WO 2020/084315 A1 discloses a laundry treatment appliance designed as a laundry treatment cabinet, which has a treatment chamber into which items of laundry to be treated can be placed individually. Also provided in the treatment chamber of the laundry treatment appliance is a treatment module which can be moved vertically in the treatment chamber and has a flexible steam head. The item of laundry to be treated is clamped in the treatment chamber for smoothing, the steam head of the treatment module being brought into contact with the item of laundry in the course of the treatment. In addition, treatment brushes are provided on an opposite side of the steam head, which brushes come into contact with this side of the laundry item during the treatment of the laundry item.

Based on the prior art described above, it is now the object of the present invention to create a treatment module for a laundry treatment appliance, with this treatment module being able to eliminate creases/creases in an item of laundry placed in the laundry treatment appliance as far as possible as part of a smoothing process.

This object is achieved based on the preamble of claim 1 in conjunction with its characterizing features. The dependent claims that follow each specify advantageous developments of the invention. A laundry treatment appliance in which a treatment module according to the invention is used is also the subject of claims 8 to 10. Claims 11 to 13 also each relate to a method for operating a laundry treatment appliance.

According to the invention, a treatment module comprises a plurality of treatment brushes which are each provided for contact with an item of laundry to be treated. The treatment module according to the invention is provided for use in a laundry treatment appliance in order to smooth the item of laundry placed in the treatment chamber as far as possible in a treatment chamber and during a smoothing process via the treatment brushes.

In the context of the invention, the treatment brushes are components of the treatment module which, in the course of treating an item of laundry to be treated, come into contact with the item of laundry on bristles or bristle-like, protruding elements in order to introduce mechanical stresses into the item of laundry and thus eliminate wrinkles/ At least partially reduce creases. The bristles or the bristle-like elements preferably consist of an elastic plastic material.

The treatment module is preferably designed for a movable receptacle in the laundry treatment appliance in order to realize at least one movement of the treatment module along the item of laundry to be treated while the treatment brushes come into contact with the item of laundry and thereby smooth the item of laundry. For this purpose, corresponding guide elements are provided on the part of the treatment module, via which the treatment module is guided in the installed state in corresponding guides of the laundry treatment appliance to produce a guided movement in the laundry treatment appliance. More preferably, one or more drive devices are provided on the part of the treatment module, via which drive movements can be transmitted to the drive module.

The invention now includes the technical teaching that two treatment brushes form at least one pair and are arranged relative to one another in one treatment position each or in which one treatment position can be arranged in which the treatment brushes of the at least one pair are opposite one another in such a way that they Positioning an item of laundry between the treatment brushes of the at least one pair are in contact on both sides with this item of laundry. In other words is with him treatment module according to the invention provided at least one pair, which is composed of two treatment brushes. In a treatment position of the treatment brushes of the at least one pair, the treatment brushes are positioned relative to one another such that when an item of laundry to be treated is positioned between the treatment brushes, each of the treatment brushes of the at least one pair comes into contact with the item of laundry. The treatment brushes of the at least one pair then act on the intermediate laundry item on both sides. In one variant, the brushes of the at least one pair are permanently positioned relative to each other in the treatment position, while in an alternative variant, the treatment brushes of the at least one pair can be positioned in the treatment position from a different position.

Such an embodiment of a treatment module has the advantage that the two-sided contact of the brushes of the at least one pair with the item of laundry, which occurs in the treatment position, also introduces mechanical stresses into the item of clothing on both sides and accordingly a reliable smoothing out of wrinkles/creases can be achieved. A permanent positioning of the brushes in the treatment position allows a simple structure of the treatment module due to the then fixed positioning of the brushes, this variant being implemented in particular when the treatment module only has to be moved once along the item of laundry to be treated. On the other hand, the positioning of the brushes in the treatment position from a different position makes it possible for the item of laundry to be moved along several times in one direction of travel, while when moving in the opposite direction by deliberately leaving the treatment position, contact of the brushes with the item of laundry is avoided , which could otherwise result in the introduction of new creases into the item of laundry. For this purpose, a corresponding movable receptacle for the brushes must then be implemented in the treatment module.

The treatment brushes forming the at least one pair and facing each other in the treatment position are preferably formed with a shape corresponding to each other. In the treatment position, the brushes of a pair are then positioned, in particular, parallel to one another, so that linear or surface contact of the brushes with the item of laundry positioned between them is formed. More preferably, the brushes of the at least one pair are each in a plane in the treatment position, these planes being aligned parallel to one another and also to a plane in which the laundry item to be treated is arranged in its width and height direction.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the treatment brushes of the at least one pair are designed as rotatable round brushes. In this case, the treatment brushes of the at least one pair are present as brushes that are equipped with the bristles or bristle-like elements on a cylindrical base body and can be rotated for contact with the item of laundry. As an alternative or in addition to this embodiment, the treatment brushes of the at least one pair are designed as strip brushes. These strip brushes have an elongated, strip-like base body which is provided with the bristles or bristle-like elements on one side.

If several pairs are provided in the treatment module according to the invention, the two aforementioned variants can be mixed with one another in that at least one pair is formed by round brushes and at least one pair by strip brushes. The use of several pairs of brushes has the advantage that it can be moved along the most varied of areas of the item of laundry to be treated and smoothed in the process. The pairs of brushes are particularly preferably aligned in such a way that the treatment brushes of one or more pairs are aligned with their longitudinal or rotational axes in the horizontal direction and thus in a width direction of the item of laundry to be treated, while the treatment brushes of one or more other pairs are aligned with their longitudinal or The axes of rotation are oriented in the vertical direction and thus in a vertical direction of the item of laundry to be treated. This enables multi-axial clamping of the item of laundry to be treated, in that treatment brushes of one or more pairs apply tension in the vertical direction and in particular away from a hanging device of the item of laundry, while the treatment brushes of one or more other pairs cause tension in the width direction of the item of laundry to be treated.

In a further development of one or both of the aforementioned embodiments, the bristles of the individual brushes are each aligned inclined away from a central plane of the brush. This advantageously results in the intermediate item of laundry being stretched in the width direction of the brush, which improves the smoothing effect. In the context of the invention are also other Angular positions of the individual bristles relative to a base body of the respective brush are conceivable.

In a further development of the invention, the geometry of the treatment brushes of the at least one pair is adapted to the circumstances, such as the geometry, of the item of laundry to be treated. The treatment brushes of the pair or pairs can be arranged in the treatment module in such a way that certain areas of the item of laundry to be treated are left out in a targeted manner, such as a collar area of a shirt to be treated. On the other hand, a separate pair of treatment brushes can also be provided for a special area of the item of laundry to be treated, which is adapted to the conditions of the item of laundry in the corresponding area in terms of an arrangement of the associated treatment brushes. For example, several pairs of treatment brushes can be provided for a button placket of a shirt to be treated, which are aligned on both sides of the button placket in the vertical direction in order to generate lower tensions in the horizontal direction in the area of the button placket, which would otherwise cause wrinkles around the buttonholes of the button placket would worry.

It is an advantageous embodiment of the invention, which can be used alternatively or in combination with one of the aforementioned embodiments, that one treatment brush is part of two pairs in which this treatment brush is in the treatment position opposite two other treatment brushes at the same time. In this case, this treatment brush is involved in two pairs of treatment brushes at the same time, which on the one hand has the advantage that different pairs with a lower number of treatment brushes can be formed. This correspondingly reduces the manufacturing outlay for realizing the treatment module according to the invention. On the other hand, particularly when the treatment brushes are designed as round brushes, the effect is created that the contact areas of the treatment brushes with the item of laundry to be treated are enlarged, which increases the smoothing effect that can be produced.

In a development of the invention, the treatment brushes of the at least one pair are each accommodated in an assigned frame part, the frame parts being movable for positioning the individual treatment brush in the treatment position. Advantageously, the positioning of the individual treatment brushes in the treatment position can be realized in this way, in addition to which it is then also possible to position the individual treatment brushes via the frame part in a position that deviates from the treatment position, in which they are not connected to one between the treatment brushes of a pair placed laundry can come into contact. This makes it possible to bring the treatment brushes into contact with an intermediate item of laundry only when the treatment module and the item of laundry move relative to one another in a desired direction of movement, while contact in the case of an opposite direction of movement is eliminated by targeted positioning in the deviating position, to prevent re-entry of wrinkles/creases. Particularly preferably, the frame parts of the treatment module can be moved relative to one another in order to move the frame parts towards or away from one another and thereby bring about or cancel the treatment position of the treatment brushes. As an alternative to this, however, the individual frame part and thus also the treatment brush accommodated here can also be tilted.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the treatment brushes are each arranged on a telescopic rod, the ends of which are each movably guided in a frame. Advantageously, this allows the treatment brushes to be guided along the item of laundry to be treated with more degrees of freedom, in that the treatment brushes are tilted in a targeted manner in the frame and a length compensation is realized via the respective telescopic rod.

The subject matter of the invention is also a laundry treatment appliance which has a treatment chamber into which an item of laundry to be treated can be placed. The laundry treatment appliance is preferably designed in the form of a laundry treatment cabinet, into which items of laundry to be treated can be placed individually. In this case, the treatment chamber of the laundry treatment appliance can be preceded by an input magazine and/or an output magazine can be connected downstream, in which case a plurality of items of laundry to be treated individually in the treatment chamber can be hung up in the input magazine, or a plurality of items of laundry which are already individually in the output magazine can be accommodated in the output magazine the treatment chamber of treated laundry items takes place. A transfer of the individual item of laundry between the input magazine, treatment chamber and output magazine is more preferably carried out via a magazine axis on which the item of laundry is hung with a hanging device, in particular in the form of a clothes hanger.

In the laundry treatment appliance, the treatment module is designed according to one or more of the aforementioned variants, with the treatment brushes of the at least one pair of the treatment module being able to be brought into contact on both sides with the item of laundry placed between them to carry out a smoothing process. In this way, a laundry treatment device is advantageously realized in which reliable smoothing and thus elimination of wrinkles/creases can be achieved via the treatment brushes of the treatment module.

In the course of the smoothing process, the item of laundry to be treated is preferably contacted either over its entire surface or at least part of its surface by the treatment brushes of the treatment module in order to bring about the most complete possible smoothing of the item of laundry. This complete or at least large-area contact with the item of laundry to be treated is particularly preferably carried out by means of several pairs of treatment brushes, with the pairs being able to have different orientations to one another in terms of their orientation, as already described above with regard to the treatment brushes.

According to one embodiment of the aforementioned laundry treatment appliance, the item of laundry to be treated is brought into the treatment chamber via a hanging device. The treatment module and the suspension device in the treatment chamber can be moved relative to one another to design the smoothing process. In order to carry out the smoothing process, the suspension device and the treatment module can therefore move relative to one another, with a movable receptacle for the treatment module being particularly preferably provided in the treatment chamber of the laundry treatment appliance in order to move the treatment module relative to the stationary suspension device and thus also to the to move stationary, to be treated laundry. Alternatively, it would just as well be conceivable to move the hanging device and the item of laundry hung thereon in the course of the smoothing process, while the treatment module is in one position.

In a development of the invention, the treatment module can be moved and transferred to a parking position for bringing the item of laundry into the treatment chamber and for removing the item of laundry from the treatment chamber. The treatment module can therefore be moved into a parking position, which within the scope of the invention can be at the level of or above a magazine axis via which the introduction into the treatment chamber or the removal from the treatment chamber takes place. In addition, the parking position can also be provided below the area in which the item of laundry to be treated is moved in the treatment chamber. If the parking position is above the magazine axis, no collision with the item of laundry or its hanging device can take place due to the positioning in the parking position. If, on the other hand, the parking position is at the level of the magazine axis, it is conceivable within the scope of the invention for the treatment module to be designed in a correspondingly divided manner or to be provided with openings through which a hanging device for the item of laundry to be treated can pass over the magazine axis when it is brought in or taken out can.

A laundry treatment appliance according to the invention is operated within the meaning of the invention in such a way that an item of laundry to be treated is first introduced into the treatment chamber of the laundry treatment appliance, with the treatment brushes of the at least one pair of the treatment module then being brought into contact with the item of laundry positioned between them in order to carry out a smoothing process. In the course of the smoothing process, the treatment module and a hanging device holding the item of laundry to be treated are then moved relative to one another.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the item of laundry is brought into contact with the treatment brushes at least once in the course of the smoothing process, either over its entire surface or in each case over part of its surface. Multiple contact between the treatment brushes and the item of laundry particularly preferably takes place in that the treatment module and thus also the treatment brushes are guided several times over the item of laundry to be treated. As already described above, the treatment brushes can preferably be moved out of the treatment position in detail in order to avoid unwanted contact of the treatment brushes with the laundry item during a return movement of the treatment module relative to the laundry item to be treated.

It is an advantageous embodiment of the invention that the item of laundry placed in and the treatment module containing the round brushes are moved relative to one another in the course of the smoothing process, with the individual round brushes of the treatment module being rotated at a rotational speed which corresponds to a rolling speed of the round brush on the Item of laundry corresponds to the item of laundry in the course of the relative movement of the treatment module. This has the advantage that abrasion on the item of clothing is avoided as a result, which correspondingly protects the material of the item of laundry to be treated.

As a modification of the solution according to the invention, it is also conceivable that one brush of each pair is omitted and instead the remaining brush is worked through the two layers of the garment against a pressure plate. For this purpose, this pressure plate would have to be designed, for example, with a smooth surface at least facing the brush. The pressure plate can be provided in a stationary manner, in which case, in addition to a large, stationary pressure plate, a pressure plate that runs along with the treatment module and thus with the brush can also be used. The latter could then also be shaped to correspond to the brush, for example with a (flat) cylindrical indentation for a round brush that presses on from the opposite side. In addition, a pressure plate for the treatment could also be placed stationary or movable in an interior area of the item of laundry to be treated, with treatment brushes then working against the pressure plate from one but preferably from both outer sides of the item of laundry.

The invention is not limited to the specified combination of features of the main claim or the claims dependent thereon. In addition, there are possibilities of combining individual features with one another, even if they emerge from the claims, the following description of preferred embodiments or directly from the drawings. Reference of the claims to the drawings by the use of reference signs is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

• 1 eine schematische Ansicht eines Wäschebehandlungsgeräts gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 2 eine Detailansicht des Wäschebehandlungsgeräts aus 1 mit einem Behandlungsmodul entsprechend einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 3 eine weitere Ansicht des Behandlungsmoduls aus 2;
• 4 eine schematische Ansicht eines Behandlungsmoduls entsprechend einer zweiten Ausgestaltungsmöglichkeit der Erfindung;
• 5 eine schematische Darstellung eines Behandlungsmoduls gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 6 eine schematische Ansicht eines Behandlungsmoduls entsprechend einer vierten Ausgestaltungsmöglichkeit der Erfindung;
• 7 weitere Ansichten des Behandlungsmoduls aus 6;
• 8 eine schematische Darstellung eines Behandlungsmoduls gemäß einer fünften Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 9 eine schematische Ansicht eines Behandlungsmoduls entsprechend einer sechsten Ausgestaltungsmöglichkeit der Erfindung;
• 10 eine schematische Darstellung eines Behandlungsmoduls gemäß einer siebten Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 11 eine schematische Ansicht eines Behandlungsmoduls entsprechend einer achten Ausgestaltungsmöglichkeit der Erfindung;
• 12 eine weitere Ansicht des Behandlungsmoduls aus 11;
• 13 eine Ansicht des Wäschebehandlungsgeräts aus 1 mit einem Behandlungsmodul gemäß einer neunten Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 14 eine weitere Ansicht des Wäschebehandlungsgeräts mit dem Behandlungsmodul aus 13;
• 15 eine schematische Darstellung eines Behandlungsmoduls entsprechend einer zehnten Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 16 eine weitere Ansicht des Behandlungsmoduls aus 15;
• 17 Ansichten einer alternativen Ausgestaltungsmöglichkeit einer Behandlungsbürste;
• 18 eine Ansicht einer weiteren alternativen Ausführungsform einer Behandlungsbürste;
• 19 eine Ansicht eines Behandlungsmoduls gemäß einer alternativen Ausführungsform; und
• 20 eine schematische Darstellung eines Behandlungsmoduls gemäß einer weiteren alternativen Ausführungsform.

Advantageous embodiments, which are explained below, are shown in the drawings. It shows:

• 1 a schematic view of a laundry treatment appliance according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
• 2 a detailed view of the laundry treatment device 1 with a treatment module according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• 3 Another view of the treatment module 2 ;
• 4 a schematic view of a treatment module according to a second embodiment of the invention;
• 5 a schematic representation of a treatment module according to a third embodiment of the invention;
• 6 a schematic view of a treatment module according to a fourth possible embodiment of the invention;
• 7 more views of the treatment module 6 ;
• 8th a schematic representation of a treatment module according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;
• 9 a schematic view of a treatment module according to a sixth possible embodiment of the invention;
• 10 a schematic representation of a treatment module according to a seventh embodiment of the invention;
• 11 a schematic view of a treatment module according to an eighth possible embodiment of the invention;
• 12 Another view of the treatment module 11 ;
• 13 a view of the laundry treatment device 1 with a treatment module according to a ninth embodiment of the invention;
• 14 Another view of the laundry treatment device with the treatment module 13 ;
• 15 a schematic representation of a treatment module according to a tenth embodiment of the invention;
• 16 Another view of the treatment module 15 ;
• 17 Views of an alternative embodiment of a treatment brush;
• 18 a view of a further alternative embodiment of a treatment brush;
• 19 a view of a treatment module according to an alternative embodiment; and
• 20 a schematic representation of a treatment module according to a further alternative embodiment.

the end 1 shows a schematic view of a laundry treatment device 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The laundry treatment device 1 comprises a treatment chamber 2, which is preceded by an input magazine 3 and is followed by an output magazine 4. In the input magazine 3 of the laundry treatment device 1 can several items of laundry 5 to be treated are hung on suspension devices 6 and fed individually from the input magazine 3 to the treatment chamber 2 in order to subject the individual item of laundry 5 in the treatment chamber 2 to a smoothing process to eliminate wrinkles/creases. Following the smoothing process, the treated item of laundry 5 is then transferred to the output magazine, from which it can subsequently be removed. A transfer between the input magazine 3 and the treatment chamber 2 and between the treatment chamber 2 and the output magazine is carried out via a magazine axis--not shown in detail here. In the present case, the hanging devices 6 are clothes hangers, on each of which a piece of laundry is hung, which in the present example is a shirt.

In 1 a coordinate system is also indicated, a respective width direction of the laundry items 5 being oriented in an x-direction, a respective vertical direction of the laundry items 5 in a y-direction and a respective depth direction of the laundry items 5 being oriented in a z-direction. The items of laundry 5 are also moved in the z direction from the input magazine 3 into the treatment chamber 2 and out of this into the output magazine 4 .

2 FIG. 1 shows a detailed view of the laundry treatment appliance 1 1 in the area of the treatment chamber 2, in which a treatment module 7 is provided according to a first embodiment of the invention. This treatment module 7 is guided via guide elements 8 and 9 in the y-direction on associated guides 10 and 11 of the laundry treatment appliance 1 and is used to smooth the item of laundry 5 currently in the treatment chamber 2. The treatment module 7 can be guided by the guide elements 8 and 9 on the guides 10 and 11 via a drive device--not shown in detail here--in the y-direction relative to the item of laundry 5.

The treatment module 7 comprises a frame 12, via which the guide elements 8 and 9 are connected to one another and which is arranged in an xz plane surrounding the item of laundry 5 just placed in the treatment chamber, so that the item of laundry 5 lies in an inner region of the frame 12 . In the course of the movement of the treatment module 7 in the y-direction, this frame 12 moves surrounding the item of laundry 5. A steam head 13 is accommodated in the frame 12 on at least one side of the item of laundry 5, via which steam or an aerosol is injected into the interior of the Frame 12 can be introduced to apply the laundry located there 5 with the water vapor or the aerosol. The steam head 13 is connected within the frame 12 via lines 14 to an evaporator 15 and a tank 16 . While the evaporator 15 is attached to the treatment module 7 and moves together with it, the tank 16 is provided in a stationary manner in the interior of the treatment chamber 2 of the laundry treatment appliance 1 . In particular, the tank 16 is accessible from the outside in order to be able to fill it. In principle, an arrangement of a tank on an outside of the laundry treatment appliance 1 would also be conceivable.

In addition to the steam head 13, a number of treatment brushes 17 are also provided in the treatment module 7, with these treatment brushes 17 each being designed as rotatable round brushes 18 to 32 and lying in pairs opposite one another in the treatment positions in the frame 12, as shown in FIG 3 shown by way of example using a pair 33 of the round brushes 22 . The brushes of the respective pair 33 are positioned relative to one another in the treatment position in the frame 12 such that they come into contact on both sides with the item of laundry located in the interior area of the frame 12 . In the course of a movement of the treatment module 7 in the y-direction, the treatment brushes 17 introduce tension into the item of laundry 5 and thereby ensure that it is smoothed.

The round brushes 18 to 32 are aligned in pairs in the frame 12 in parallel x-y planes in such a way that in the course of a movement of the treatment module 7 multiaxial stresses are introduced into associated areas of the item of laundry 5 . The sleeves 34 and 35 of the item of laundry 5 are smoothed by the round brushes 18, 19, 20 and 30, 31 and 32, while the round brushes 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 smooth the chest and stomach area 36 and the back area of the item of laundry 5--which cannot be seen here. The round brushes 24, 25 and 26 are guided on a front side of the item of laundry 5 over a button strip 37 of the item of laundry 5 and are located further down in the frame in the y-direction than the round brushes 21, 22 and 23 as well as 27, 28 and 29 12 placed in order to selectively leave out a collar area 38 of the item of laundry 5 during the treatment.

As in particular in 3 is indicated, the treatment module 7 is moved up and down in the y-direction in the course of the smoothing process, with the round brushes 18 to 32 being rotated in each case. A Rota tion of the round brushes 19, 22, 25, 28 and 31 must be set in such a way that a slight application of force directed away from the suspension device 6 into the item of laundry 5 occurs. As an alternative to this, a rotation of the round brushes 19, 22, 25, 28 and 31 can advantageously also be selected in such a way that a rotational speed of the individual round brushes 19, 22, 25, 28 and 31 corresponds to a rolling speed of the individual round brushes 19, 22, 25 , 28 and 31 on the item of laundry 5 as the treatment module 7 moves.

4 shows a schematic view of a treatment module 39 according to a second embodiment of the invention, as can also be implemented in the laundry treatment appliance 1 . This treatment module 39 largely corresponds to the variant according to FIG 2 and 3 , with the difference that the treatment brushes 17 have been replaced in whole or in part by strip brushes 40 placed rigidly in the frame 12. As in 4 can be seen, these strip brushes 40 also form pairs 41 and are positioned in the frame 12 on both sides of the item of laundry 5 opposite one another in a treatment position in which, when the treatment module 39 moves in the y-direction when moving along the item of laundry 5 with the latter in contact. In contrast to the variant after the 2 and 3 however, only a single movement along the item of laundry 5 in a direction away from the hanging device 6 is carried out, since moving along in the opposite direction due to the contact of the slat brushes 40 with the item of laundry 5 could lead to new folds/creases being introduced. Otherwise, the embodiment corresponds to the variant 2 and 3 , so that reference is made to what has been described here.

the end 5 shows a schematic view of a treatment module 42 which is implemented according to a third possible embodiment of the invention and can also be used in the laundry treatment appliance 1 . This treatment module 42 largely corresponds to the treatment module 39 4 In contrast to this, the treatment module 42 now has two frame parts 43 and 44 which are provided on both sides of the intermediate item of laundry 5 just positioned in the treatment chamber and each carry one of the strip brushes 40 of the individual pair 41 . These frame parts 42 and 44 can now be moved not only in the y-direction but also in the z-direction, as indicated by the dashed arrows in FIG 5 implied. As a result, the item of laundry 5 can be moved along several times by the treatment module 42 in the course of the smoothing process, with the strip brushes 40 of the individual pair 41 only being moved in the course of a movement of the treatment module 42 and thus also of the frame parts 43 and 44 in the y-direction and are brought into contact with the item of laundry 5 pointing away from the hanging device 6, while in the course of a movement of the treatment module 42 in the y-direction towards the hanging device 6, the frame parts 43 and 44 are first moved apart in the z-direction in order to move the strip brushes 40 so long to be lifted from the item of laundry 5 until the treatment module 42 has been placed again in an upper end position in the region of the hanging device 6. Thereafter, the frame parts 43 and 44 are moved towards one another again in the z direction in order to bring the slat brushes 40 back into contact with the item of laundry 5 in the treatment position. For the rest, the configuration option corresponds to 5 according to the previous variant 4 , so that reference is made to what has been described here.

Furthermore shows 6 a schematic representation of a treatment module 45 according to a fourth possible embodiment of the invention. This treatment module 45 can also be used in the laundry treatment device 1 . This treatment module 45 largely corresponds to the variant 4 . by providing a frame 46 which can be displaced in the y-direction and which accommodates strip brushes 40 lying opposite one another on both sides of the item of laundry to be treated. The latter can be seen from the other views of the treatment module 45 in 7 apparent. The frame 46 is now designed in such a way that in an in 6 In the illustrated, upper position of the treatment module 45, the collar area 38 of the item of laundry 5 is selectively left open and accordingly no contact of the strip brushes 40 with the item of laundry 5 can take place here. For the rest, the variant corresponds to 6 otherwise according to the variant 4 , so that reference is made to what has been described here. A modification of the configuration option would also be possible within the scope of the invention 6 according to the type of embodiment 5 conceivable, in which the frame 46 is correspondingly divided into two frame parts that can be moved relative to one another and a multiple movement along the garment 5 with the treatment module 46 could take place.

the end 8th shows a structure of a treatment module 47 according to a fifth embodiment of the invention, as is also the case with the laundry treatment appliance 1 can be applied. As with the treatment module 7 after the 2 and 3 are again in a frame - not shown here - of the treatment module 47 several treatment brushes 17 in the form of rotatable round brushes 48, 49 and 50, which are opposite on both sides of the item of laundry to be treated 5, forming pairs 51 and 52. In contrast to the variant according to the 2 and 3 However, the round brush 49 is simultaneously part of the pair 51 and of the pair 52 in that the round brush 49 is opposite the round brush 48 and the round brush 50 in the treatment position. As a result, the round brush 49 ensures contact with the item of laundry 5 on both sides, both with the round brush 48 and with the round brush 50, the contact area here being compared to the variant according to FIGS 2 and 3 is enlarged. As with the variant after the 2 and 3 the frame and thus also the round brushes 48 to 50 can be moved in the y-direction in order to move the round brushes 48 to 50 along the laundry item 5 over as large an area as possible and smooth it out in the process. As for the variant after the 2 and 3 described above, a respective rotational speed of the round brushes 48 to 50 can be designed to initiate a direction of force directed away from the suspension device 6 or to simply roll the round brushes 48 to 50 on the item of laundry 5 . the inside 8th The structure shown can be used in an analogous manner with the in 2 and 3 structure shown can be used in one or more of the treatment brushes 17 shown there.

9 shows a schematic view of a treatment module 53 according to a sixth embodiment of the invention, as is also the case with the laundry treatment appliance 1 from FIG 1 can find application. In this treatment module 53, a plurality of rotatable, stationary round brushes 54, 55, 56 and 57 are provided as treatment brushes 17, which are arranged in pairs opposite one another on different sides of an item of laundry 5 to be treated. In this case, the pairs in the illustration in 9 Only one of the two round brushes 54 or 55 or 56 or 57 can be seen in each case, while the other one in the plane of the drawing is on the other side of the item of laundry 5 and is covered by the round brush that is visible in each case.

While the round brushes 54 and 55 are each oriented in the x-direction, the round brushes 56 and 57 are each oriented in the y-direction. In order to smooth out the item of laundry 5, a force F is introduced into the item of laundry 5 via the rotating round brushes 54 to 57, as shown in FIG 9 indicated with the arrows. Accordingly, the pairs of round brushes 54 and 55 smooth the item of laundry in the y-direction and the pairs of round brushes 56 and 57 smooth the item of laundry in the x-direction.

This is also realized in a similar way in the case of a treatment module 58, which in 10 shown schematically and is designed according to a seventh possible embodiment of the invention. In the case of the treatment module 58, a plurality of rotatable, stationary round brushes 59, 60 and 61 are again provided as treatment brushes 17, which are positioned in pairs in a respective treatment position on both sides of the item of laundry 5 to be treated in order to smooth the item of laundry 5 as part of a smoothing process. As with the previous variant 9 is congruent with that in the 10 Each round brush 59 or 60 or 61 to be seen is arranged in each case another round brush of the pair on the other side of the laundry item 5 to be treated. The pairs of round brushes 59 and 60 are each aligned in the y-direction, while the pair of round brushes 61 is oriented in the x-direction. As with the variant after 9 , Directions of rotation of the stationary round brushes 59, 60 and 61 are chosen so that the pairs of round brushes 59 to 61 forces F with the in 10 indicated directions are initiated. In contrast to the previous variant after 9 Here, however, the hanging device 6 of the item of laundry 5 is used as the upper bearing point.

Furthermore, the 11 and 12 schematic views of a treatment module 62, which is designed according to an eighth embodiment of the invention and can also be used in the laundry treatment appliance 1. The treatment module 62 again comprises a plurality of round brushes 63 and 64 which serve as treatment brushes 17 for treating an item of laundry 5 placed in the treatment chamber of the laundry treatment appliance 1 . As with the previous variants after the 9 and 10 , the round brushes 63 and also the round brushes 64 each form pairs in which the in 11 and 12 congruent one behind the other round brushes 63 and 64 are positioned in each treatment position to each other, so that the two round brushes 63 and 64 of the individual pair can come into contact on both sides with the laundry item 5 positioned between them.

The round brushes 63 and 64, which are assigned to each other in pairs, are each arranged on a telescopic rod 65, which 12 for the round brushes 63 is indicated. The ends of the telescopic rods 65 are each guided in a frame 66, it being possible for the respective ends to be displaced relative to the frame 66 in the x-direction. here the round brushes 63 or 64 can be guided over the item of laundry 5 in the x-direction to smooth the item of laundry 5, as is shown in 12 is indicated. In 12 It can also be seen that the round brushes 63 or 64 can be placed at an angle in the xy plane, as is the case with the example of the round brushes 63 in 12 is shown by shifting the upper ends and the lower ends of the telescopic rod 65 non-parallel. The telescopic rod 65 can represent the length compensation required for the inclined position. In 11 the round brushes 63 and 64 are moved laterally into a position in order to enable the item of laundry 5 to be brought into a position between the round brushes 63 and 64 in the z-direction. In 12 the round brushes 63 and 64 are then shown in the course of a smoothing process.

Furthermore, the 13 and 14 a treatment module 67 according to a ninth embodiment of the invention, which is also in the laundry treatment device 1 from 1 application can come. The treatment module 67 essentially corresponds to the variant according to FIG 2 and 3 , with the difference that in a frame 68 of the treatment module 67, in addition to a pair 69 of rotatable round brushes 70 and 71 oriented in the x direction, there are also pairs of rotatable round brushes 72 and 73 or 74 on both sides, which are each in the xy Level are arranged obliquely. While the pair 69 of round brushes 70 and 72 is used to smooth the chest and stomach area 36 of the item of laundry 5, the pairs of round brushes 72 and 73 or 74 are each provided for smoothing one sleeve 34 or 35, respectively.

In the course of the smoothing process, the treatment module 67 is moved up and down in the y-direction, with the round brushes 70 to 74 being rotated in each case. Again, a rotation of the round brushes 70 to 74 can each be set in such a way that a slight introduction of force into the item of laundry 5 occurs, directed away from the suspension device 6 . As an alternative to this, a rotation of the round brushes can also be selected such that a rotational speed of the individual round brushes 70 to 74 corresponds to a rolling speed of the individual round brushes 70 to 74 on the item of laundry 5 in the course of the movement of the treatment module 67 .

the end 15 shows a view of a treatment module 75 according to a tenth embodiment of the invention, this treatment module 75 also being shown in the laundry treatment appliance 1 1 can find application. The treatment module 75 has a frame 76 in which two pairs of round brushes 77 and 78 are accommodated as treatment brushes 17, with the round brushes 77 and 78 of the individual pair being positioned again in relation to one another in treatment positions so that the item of laundry 5 to get in touch with each. The round brushes 77 and 78 of the pairs are arranged at an angle in the xy plane, with the round brushes 77 being inclined in the opposite direction to the round brushes 78.

16 shows the use of the treatment module 75 in the laundry treatment appliance 1 in a plan view. In contrast to the previous variants, when an item of laundry 5 to be treated is fed from the input magazine 3 into the treatment chamber 2 or when an item of laundry that has already been treated is transferred from the treatment chamber 2 into the output magazine 4, the treatment module 75 is moved into a parking position, which moves to Height of a magazine axis 80 is located, via which the transport of the laundry items between the input magazine 3, treatment chamber 2 and output magazine 4 takes place. In the previous variants, on the other hand, it was necessary for the respective treatment module to be transferred to a parking position above it for feeding in the item of laundry 5 in order to avoid a collision with the item of laundry 5 .

In the variant after 16 the frame 76 of the treatment module 75 is now provided with an opening 80 or 81 in the z-direction both on a front and on a rear side, of which the opening 80 is also shown in 15 you can see. The respective suspension device 6 can be guided past the frame 76 of the treatment module 75 through the openings 80 and 81 .

Finally are in the 17 and 18 each possible modification of the individual treatment brushes 17 is shown, as they can be used alternatively in the variants described above. So shows 17 a round brush 82 in which bristles 83 are arranged inclined away from a central plane 84 of the round brush 82 . This inclination of the bristles 83 ensures that transverse forces are introduced when they come into contact with the item of laundry 5 to be treated, as indicated in the detailed view below. In principle, such an alignment of bristles can also be implemented in the case of strip brushes.

In 18 a round brush 85 is then shown, which is provided with bristle-like elements 86 in the form of elastic surfaces, which extend in the longitudinal direction over the round brush 85 and come into contact with the laundry item 5 to be treated when the round brush 85 rotates. These bristle-like elements can also be provided in an analogous manner in strip brushes.

the 19 and 20 also each show a view of a respective treatment module 87 or 88, which represent modifications of the solution according to the invention. At the treatment module 87 after 19 the difference here is that a treatment brush 17 is only provided on one side of the item of laundry 5, which is designed as a rotatable round brush and can be designed specifically according to one or more of the aforementioned variants. A stationary pressure plate 89 is provided on a side of the item of laundry 5 opposite the treatment brush 17 , against which the treatment brush 17 presses the item 5 of laundry to smooth the item 5 of laundry. As a result, the pressure plate 89 serves as a counter-holder for the treatment brush 17 in the course of the smoothing process. The pressure plate 89 is preferably designed with a smooth surface on a side facing the treatment brush 17 .

Also with the variant after 20 a pressure plate 89 is provided in the treatment module 88, against which a treatment brush 17 works. Different from the previous embodiment 19 is that the pressure plate 89 is placed in an inner area of the item of laundry 5 to be treated, so that a layer of the item of laundry 5 between the treatment brush 17 and the pressure plate 89 is smoothed. A further treatment brush is particularly preferably provided on a side of the pressure plate 89 opposite the treatment brush 17 shown, in order to smooth the other layer of the laundry item accordingly.

By means of the embodiments of a treatment module according to the invention, when used in a laundry treatment appliance, an item of laundry that has been brought in can be optimally smoothed.

Reference List

1

laundry treatment device

2

treatment chamber

3

input magazine

4

output magazine

5

laundry item

6

suspension device

7

treatment module

8th

guide element

9

guide element

10

guide

11

guide

12

frame

13

steam head

14

cables

15

Evaporator

16

tank

17

treatment brushes

18

round brushes

19

round brushes

20

round brushes

21

round brushes

22

round brushes

23

round brushes

24

round brushes

25

round brushes

26

round brushes

27

round brushes

28

round brushes

29

round brushes

30

round brushes

31

round brushes

32

round brushes

33

Pair

34

sleeve

35

sleeve

36

chest and abdomen area

37

button tape

38

collar area

39

treatment module

40

strip brushes

41

Pair

42

treatment module

43

frame part

44

frame part

45

treatment module

46

frame

47

treatment module

48

round brush

49

round brush

50

round brush

51

Pair

52

Pair

53

treatment module

54

round brushes

55

round brushes

56

round brushes

57

round brushes

58

treatment module

59

round brushes

60

round brushes

61

round brushes

62

treatment module

63

round brushes

64

round brushes

65

telescopic rod

66

frame

67

treatment module

68

frame

69

Pair

70

round brush

71

round brush

72

round brush

73

round brush

74

round brush

75

treatment module

76

frame

77

round brushes

78

round brushes

79

magazine axis

80

omission

81

omission

82

round brush

83

bristles

84

midplane

85

round brush

86

elements

87

treatment module

88

treatment module

89

pressure plate

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• WO 2020/084315 A1 [0003]

Claims (13)

Treatment module (7; 39; 42; 45; 47; 53; 58; 62; 67; 75) for a laundry treatment appliance (1), comprising a plurality of treatment brushes (17), each for one contact with an item of laundry to be treated (5) are provided, characterized in that two treatment brushes (17) each form at least one pair (33; 41; 51; 52; 69) and are arranged relative to each other in one treatment position each or can be arranged in one treatment position each, in which the treatment brushes ( 17) of the at least one pair (33; 41; 51; 52; 69) are opposite one another in such a way that when an item (5) of laundry is positioned between the treatment brushes (17) of the at least one pair (33; 41; 51; 52; 69 ) are in contact with this item of laundry (5) on both sides. treatment module (7; 47; 53; 58; 62; 67; 75). claim 1 , characterized in that the treatment brushes (17) of at least one pair (33; 51; 52; 69) are rotatable round brushes (18 to 32; 48 to 50; 59 to 61; 63, 64; 70 to 74; 77, 78 ; 82; 85) are formed. Treatment module (39; 42; 45) according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the treatment brushes (17) of the at least one pair (41) are designed as strip brushes (40). Treatment module according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that bristles (83) of the individual treatment brush are each aligned inclined away from a central plane (84) of the treatment brush. Treatment module (47) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one treatment brush (17) is part of two pairs (51, 52) in which this treatment brush (17) faces two other treatment brushes (17) simultaneously in the treatment position. Treatment module (42) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the treatment brushes (17) of the at least one pair (41) are each accommodated in an associated frame part (43, 44), the frame parts (43, 44) for positioning of the individual treatment brush (17) are movable in the treatment position. Treatment module (62) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the treatment brushes (17) are each arranged on a telescopic rod (65) each, the ends of which are each movably guided in a frame (66). Laundry treatment appliance (1), comprising a treatment chamber (2) into which an item of laundry (5) to be treated can be introduced, wherein in the treatment chamber (2) a treatment module (7; 39; 42; 45; 47; 53; 58; 62; 67; 75) is provided, characterized in that the treatment module (7; 39; 42; 45; 47; 53; 58; 62; 67; 75) according to one or more of Claims 1 until 7 is formed, and that the treatment brushes (17) of the at least one pair (33; 41; 51; 52; 69) of the treatment module (7; 39; 42; 45; 47; 53; 58; 62; 67; 75) for one Execution of a smoothing process on both sides with the introduced, positioned between the laundry item (5) can be brought into contact. Laundry treatment device (1) after claim 8 , characterized in that the item of laundry (5) to be treated is introduced into the treatment chamber (2) via a suspension device (6), the treatment module (7; 39; 42; 45; 47; 53; 58; 62; 67; 75 ) and suspension device (6) in the treatment chamber (2) are movable relative to each other to design the smoothing process. Laundry treatment device (1) after claim 8 or 9 , characterized in that the treatment module (7; 39; 42; 45; 47; 53; 58; 62; 67; 75) is movable and for introducing the item of laundry (5) into the treatment chamber (2) and for removing the item of laundry (5) can be transferred from the treatment chamber (2) to a parking position. Method for operating a laundry treatment appliance (1) according to one of Claims 8 until 10 , wherein an item of laundry (5) to be treated is first introduced into the treatment chamber (2) of the laundry treatment appliance (1), and the treatment brushes (17) of the at least one pair (33; 41; 51; 52; 69) of the treatment module ( 7; 39; 42; 45; 47; 53; 58; 62; 67; 75) to carry out the smoothing process with the laundry item (5) positioned between them. procedure after claim 11 , characterized in that the item of laundry (5) is brought into contact with the treatment brushes (17) in the course of the smoothing process at least once either over its entire surface or in each case part of its surface. procedure after claim 11 or 12 , characterized in that the introduced item of laundry (5) and after claim 2 out formed treatment module (7; 47; 53; 58; 62; 67; 75) are moved relative to one another in the course of the smoothing process, with the individual round brush (18 to 32; 48 to 50; 59 to 61; 63, 64; 70 to 74 ; 77, 78; 82; 85) of the treatment module (7; 47; 53; 58; 62; 67; 75) is rotated at a rotational speed which corresponds to a rolling speed of the round brush (18 to 32; 48 to 50; 59 to 61 ; 63, 64; 70 to 74; 77, 78; 82; 85) on the item of laundry (5) in the course of the movement of the treatment module (7; 47; 53; 58; 62; 67; 75) relative to the item of laundry (5). .

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