DE102022211781A1 - HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE COMPRISING A CONTROL DEVICE AND A SENSOR AND METHOD FOR CALIBRATING - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a first household appliance 1 comprising a control device 2 with which the first household appliance 1 can be operated according to an operating program selected from several available operating programs, at least one component 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 which is connected to the control device 2, can be controlled by it and develops an operating noise during its operation, and at least one sensor 13 which is connected to the control device 2 and by which any operating noise can be recorded and measured by the control device 2, wherein the operating programs comprise a quiet operating program in which the control device 2 controls the first household appliance 1 by measuring the operating noises and regulating the operating noises. The operating programs include a calibration program for calibration for measuring the operational noises, wherein the control device 2 is set up to measure at least one calibration noise with the at least one sensor 13 in the calibration program, wherein the calibration noise is emitted at a specific volume by a calibration device 16 placed near the first household appliance 1, and wherein the signals received from the at least one sensor 13 are stored in the control device 2 as significant for the specific volume and are provided for determining the volume of the operational noises in comparison with signals that the at least one sensor 13 receives during the quiet operating program of operational noises, and wherein a limit value is determined and stored from the calibration noises. The invention also relates to a method for calibrating such a household appliance 1.

Description

The invention relates to a first household appliance comprising a control device with which the first household appliance can be operated according to an operating program selected from several available operating programs, at least one component which is connected to the control device, can be controlled by it and develops an operating noise during its operation, and at least one sensor which is connected to the control device and by which each operating noise can be recorded and measured by the control device, wherein the operating programs comprise a quiet operating program in which the control device controls the first household appliance by measuring the operating noises and regulating the operating noises.

The invention also relates to a method for calibrating at least one sensor in a first household appliance, comprising a control device with which the first household appliance can be operated according to an operating program selected from a plurality of available operating programs, at least one component which is connected to the control device, can be controlled by it and develops an operating noise during its operation, and the at least one sensor which is connected to the control device and by which each operating noise can be measured by the control device, wherein the operating programs comprise a quiet operating program in which the control device is set up to control the first household appliance by measuring the operating noises and regulating the operating noises.

Some household appliances, which are understood to be devices suitable and intended for use in running a private household to achieve a material result sought therein, comprise a noise source which, when the household appliance is in operation, produces a noise by generating and emitting sound waves of specific frequencies or frequency bands. Such a noise can be noise, i.e. a signal which has a broad frequency spectrum and in which a listener cannot identify a tone of a specific pitch, or a tone or a sequence of tones, in particular a signal tone or a sequence of signal tones, by means of which the household appliance communicates specific information to a user. A message for a user in spoken language, the sequence of tones of which is stored in the household appliance, is also such a noise.

The sources of such noises are diverse: A household appliance designed as a laundry care machine such as a washing machine, tumble dryer or washer-dryer, for example, generates noises during operation depending on the following influencing factors: flow of liquid such as water, washing solution and rinsing solution into and within the laundry care machine; quantity of liquid used to care for the laundry; movements in a drive train including a motor for moving the laundry to be cared for, for pumping or for pumping out liquid; movements in a vibrating system including vibration dampers for absorbing vibrations from a slowly or quickly rotating laundry drum in which the laundry is to be treated; signal tones emitted during operation; quantity of laundry items presented for care and their distribution within the laundry care machine; use of a voice module; the program intended for caring for the laundry; structural details of the laundry care machine, for example the design of its liquid-carrying system and the means and measures provided therein for dampening noise; installation of the laundry care machine and its surroundings.

There may be situations in which it is absolutely necessary for the household appliance to operate, but the noise generated during operation of the household appliance is undesirable if it is too loud or is only acceptable if the noise level is below a certain threshold, for example at night.

Household appliances, particularly laundry care machines, are therefore marketed with special operating programs that allow the user to choose from, designed to avoid excessive noise when the household appliance in question is operating. Such a special operating program (“Night Wash” or “Silent Wash”) may provide for laundry to be spun at the end of the treatment at a reduced spin speed compared to the maximum possible or normally intended spin speed and for a shorter period of time than is usual practice. Signal tones other than warning tones may also be deactivated or only sound at a reduced volume.

Operation with reduced noise development can also be supported by design measures, for example the use of insulating materials, vibration dampers, for example idle stroke dampers, the development of noise of which is reduced by certain measures, brushless electric motors to drive laundry drums and pumps, and electronic devices that actively suppress noise.

The document EP 3 297 219 A1 describes how several household appliances can be controlled via a mobile device to work in defined operating modes. One such operating mode is a "quiet mode", which operates in the controlled household appliance with particularly low noise generation, whereby in the case of a washing machine, the spin speed is reduced and signal tones are switched off. The mobile device can have a microphone to receive and respond to voice commands. The mobile device can also have a loudspeaker to output voice, music or alarm tones.

The document EP 3 282 645 A1 describes a household appliance that is set up to measure the volume of a noise in its environment and can access stored data about the operating noises of various operating programs. An operating program for the household appliance is then selected depending on the measured noise and the noise stored for the operating program.

The document EN 10 2016 102 462 A1 describes a household appliance that is designed to measure the volume of a sound in its environment and can adapt the operation of the household appliance to the measured volume of the environment.

The document CN 104 514 119 B describes a household appliance similar to that described in EN 10 2016 102 462 A1 , in which the measured ambient noise is used to control the speed of a drive.

According to the document EP 2 278 422 B1 The measured volume in the environment of a household appliance is used to regulate the generation of noise by the household appliance. In addition to measuring the noise in the environment, noise inside the household appliance can also be measured and used for comparison.

The use of fixed operating modes with different and fixed expected noise levels has the disadvantage that the specified noise levels are based only on empirical data with a wide range of fluctuations and only refer to specified specific environments and installation conditions. The external conditions for a household appliance installed in a household and their effect on the actual noise levels that occur cannot be predicted adequately, especially since they also depend on the circumstances of the individual case, such as in the case of a laundry care machine, for example, the load quantity, load size, water absorption capacity of the laundry, and imbalance in the distribution of the laundry in the rotating washing drum. Adapting the noise level occurring in an individual case to the given conditions is therefore only possible with great restrictions, and it can also happen that the operational performance of the household appliance is unnecessarily reduced under the conditions of the individual case.

Controlling the noise produced by a household appliance based on the noise in the environment in relation to the actual needs of the user and other people in the household in question, by assuming that if the noise level in the environment is high, the operation of the appliance may also be at a high level, is also speculative. Such adaptation of one noise to another does not always have to be desired or sensible, for example in the case of a small child or infant crying, a telephone conversation or concert music being enjoyed - in the latter case, the user may increase the volume of electronically played music in order to drown out the operating noises of the household appliance. Also of importance are the difficulties in measuring a noise in the environment of a household appliance while the appliance itself is generating operating noises. In particular, precautions must be taken to exclude such operating noises from the measurement of the ambient noises and to be able to make a meaningful statement about the ambient noises.

A further problem is that the volume of operational noise that a household appliance makes when it is used as intended in a household in the place intended for it is generally not known and the volume of operational noise is estimated based on the results of test measurements by the respective manufacturer, whereby the circumstances of the installation and environment of a household appliance in a household are not taken into account. This leads to the operational noise of a household appliance being overestimated rather than underestimated, which has the consequence that the process taking place in the household appliance is restricted more than actually necessary. and thus the outcome of the process is called into question.

There is therefore a need for a household appliance of this type in which at least one sensor can be calibrated to ensure that the volume permitted to the appliance in the quiet operating program is not exceeded on the one hand and not significantly undercut on the other. The object of the invention is therefore to provide a household appliance that is upgraded in this way.

There is also a need for a method to calibrate a generic household appliance.

To solve this problem, according to the invention, a household appliance is specified with the generic features listed at the beginning and in the preamble of the corresponding independent patent claim, which additionally has the features of the characterizing part of this independent patent claim.

To solve this problem, the invention also provides a method for calibrating a household appliance with the generic features listed at the outset and in the preamble of the corresponding independent patent claim, which additionally has the features of the characterizing part of this independent patent claim.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent patent claims and in the following description and can also be used in combination with one another, as far as technical considerations permit, even if this is not explicitly stated herein.

To achieve the object, the invention accordingly provides a first household appliance comprising a control device with which the first household appliance can be operated according to an operating program selected from several available operating programs, at least one component which is connected to the control device, can be controlled by it and develops an operating noise during its operation, and at least one sensor which is connected to the control device and by which each operating noise can be recorded and measured by the control device, wherein the operating programs comprise a quiet operating program in which the control device controls the first household appliance by measuring the operating noises and regulating the operating noises. In addition, the operating programs comprise a calibration program for calibration for measuring the operational noises, wherein the control device is set up to measure at least one calibration noise with the at least one sensor in the calibration program, wherein the calibration noise is emitted at a specific volume by a calibration device placed near the first household appliance, and wherein the signals received from the at least one sensor are stored in the control device as significant for the specific volume and are provided for determining the volume of the operational noises in comparison with signals that the at least one sensor receives from operational noises during the quiet operating program, and wherein a limit value is determined and stored from the calibration noises.

To achieve the object, the invention also provides a method for calibrating at least one sensor in a first household appliance, comprising a control device with which the first household appliance can be operated according to an operating program selected from several available operating programs, at least one component which is connected to the control device, can be controlled by it and develops an operating noise during its operation, and the at least one sensor which is connected to the control device and by which each operating noise can be measured by the control device, wherein the operating programs comprise a quiet operating program in which the control device is set up to control the first household appliance by measuring the operating noises and regulating the operating noises. In this method, the control device is operated in a calibration program for calibration for measuring the operational noises by means of the sensor and the control device measures at least one calibration noise with the at least one sensor, wherein the calibration noise is emitted at a specific volume by a calibration device placed near the first household appliance, wherein calibration noises received from the at least one sensor are stored in the control device as significant for the specific volume and are provided for comparing signals that the at least one sensor receives from operational noises in order to determine the volume of the operational noises, and wherein a limit value is determined and stored from the calibration noises.

An advantage of the invention is that by specifying the limit value by a user, the household appliance can be adapted to the current needs of the user and/or the household in which the household appliance is installed. can be adjusted and operated. The setting can be made by entering it via a normal display and setting device on the household appliance itself or via an appropriately programmed mobile terminal, for example a smartphone on which an appropriate program, in particular an "app", is installed.

The invention creates a way of specifying a volume scale for a household appliance that is significant and absolute at the location where it is located, thus enabling an exact measurement of the operational noise. For significant measurements of volume, in particular the volume of operational noise, it is therefore unnecessary to resort to volume scales specified during manufacture, and local conditions in the environment of the household appliance are inherently taken into account. The limit value can correspond to the usual setting of the "room volume" at 50 dB(A) during the day and 35 dB(A) at night, in each case based on a sound pressure level of 20 µPa.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensor is mounted inside the first household appliance, for example on a circuit board that carries electrical circuits of the control device. This already provides shielding against noise from the environment of the first household appliance and can be further improved by suitable measures for acoustic insulation from the environment. This does not exclude the use of a sensor provided in the household appliance for other purposes such as voice input.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensor is mounted outside the first household appliance, the sensor and the control device being set up to communicate via a first communication connection. This embodiment involves only a small amount of shielding against noise from the environment of the first household appliance, but it allows the use of a sensor that is already present in its environment. Such a sensor could be, for example, a mobile or stationary terminal or a suitably equipped second household appliance, the second household appliance being set up close to the first household appliance. For this purpose, two household appliances, for example a washing machine and a tumble dryer, can be combined and connected to one another, and a sensor provided in one of these household appliances can be used to operate both. The first communication connection is preferably a first radio connection, in particular a first short-range radio connection according to the Bluetooth standard.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one sensor is a plurality of sensors, wherein the control device is set up to carry out the measurement of the operational noises with all sensors and to eliminate parts of the signals received from the sensors that do not originate from the components. In this way, noises from the environment of the first household appliance can be eliminated or at least suppressed strongly enough to ensure a reliable measurement of the operational noises.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the calibration program is set up to measure a sequence of several calibration noises with different associated volumes and pitches from the calibration device. This can increase the accuracy of the calibration and improve the reliability of the measurement of the operational noises.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the calibration device is a programmed mobile terminal, in particular a smartphone programmed with a corresponding "app". With further preference, the control device and the calibration device are set up to communicate via a second communication connection, wherein the second communication connection is even more preferably a second radio connection, in particular a second short-range radio connection according to the Bluetooth standard.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the control device is set up for the user to enter the limit value. The input can indicate a limit value with little specification, such as low, medium and high; it can indicate a deviation from a normal case in which the household appliance is operated without controlling the development of operational noise, such as 3 dB quieter or 10 dB quieter; it can also indicate a numerical target value, for example 60 dB(A). The limit value can be entered for the currently running quiet operating program or only for part of this quiet operating program; it can be entered for certain days of the week and times of day and can be unlimited or limited in time. If several specifications are present in parallel, an average or a minimum value can be selected from them and applied in the quiet operating program.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first household appliance comprises a voice output module connected to the control device for outputting voice messages messages with a volume that can be controlled by the control device. This also allows the output of voice messages in the quiet operating program to be adjusted to volumes below the specified limit.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first household appliance is designed as a laundry care machine and the components that generate operational noises include a laundry drum with a first motor that drives it and a pump for conveying liquid with a second motor that drives it, and the control device is set up to control at least one of the first motor and the second motor. With further preference, the first household appliance is designed as a washing machine or washer-dryer and the laundry drum is suspended in an oscillating arrangement, wherein the oscillating arrangement, a liquid level in the laundry drum or an imbalance of laundry items in the laundry drum can be controlled by the control device. There are a variety of options with regard to the controllability of a laundry drum: A liquid level in the laundry drum can be raised or lowered in order to increase or decrease noises that the liquid makes as it moves through the rotating drum, and the speed at which a drum rotates also determines the development of noises inside the laundry drum and in its drive train. An imbalance of laundry items in the rapidly rotating laundry drum also causes noise in the laundry drum and the vibrating arrangement of springs and dampers in which it is suspended, noise which can be counteracted by redistributing the laundry items in order to reduce the imbalance or by controlling adjustable springs and dampers.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first household appliance is designed as a tumble dryer or washer-dryer and the components that generate operational noises include a fan for circulating air and a heat pump, wherein the fan or the heat pump can be controlled by the control device. The fan may have its own motor for driving it or may be driven by the motor that also drives the washing drum. A heat pump that implements the inverse Rankine process is usually considered as a heat pump in a dryer, in which a working medium that circulates by means of a compressor driven by a motor is alternately evaporated and liquefied. Such a motor in a heat pump can also be controlled in order to adjust the operational noises that it causes.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the control device is set up to carry out a process for treating objects in the quiet operating program, which process is determined by several parameters, in particular mechanics, chemistry, heat and duration, and wherein the quiet operating program is set up to compensate for a reduction in at least one of these parameters, in particular mechanics, by controlling the operational noise by increasing at least one other of these parameters, in particular heat or duration. An example of such a process is the washing process for laundry items, the effectiveness of which is determined according to the Sinner circle from the four parameters mentioned. Accordingly, the reduction in a contribution from one of the parameters can be compensated for by increasing the contribution of at least one of the other parameters, wherein the parameters heat and duration are particularly suitable for this, corresponding to an increase in the temperature in the washing process and an extension of the washing process.

The method according to the invention and each of its preferred embodiments runs in particular on a first household appliance in which the control device is set up to regulate in the quiet operating program by measuring the operational noises by means of the sensor and correspondingly controlling at least one of the components in such a way that the operational noises always fall below a predefinable limit value during the execution of the quiet operating program.

In a preferred development of the invention, the calibration program is set up to measure a sequence of several calibration noises with different associated volumes and pitches by the calibration device. The calibration can thus apply and be used over extended ranges of frequencies and volumes.

In another preferred development of the invention, the calibration device is a programmed mobile terminal, in particular a programmed smartphone. This allows the spatial reference point of the calibration to be freely selected, and not directly on the household appliance, i.e. in direct contact with it, but also at a certain distance from it. First, however, the calibration device is placed on the first household appliance and the calibration measurement is carried out in this configuration. The reference point for the limit value is thus initially set to the immediate surroundings of the household appliance. A reference point can also be set outside the first household appliance. To do this, the calibration device is placed at this reference point after the limit value has been determined, the calibration noise is emitted again and measured again by the control device using the sensor, and the previously determined limit value is adjusted from a difference between the calibration noise received again by the control device and the previously received calibration noises in such a way that the new limit value at the reference point corresponds to the previously determined limit value. Volumes of the operating noises during subsequent operation of the calibrated household appliance are therefore assessed as they are perceived at the reference point outside the household appliance. If the reference point is a significant distance from the calibrated household appliance, the latter can therefore generate operating noises that are louder at its own location than at the reference point, which means that the control interventions in the quiet operating program can be less than would be necessary if the volume directly at the appliance were significant. This results in increased user-friendliness due to increased adaptability of the household appliance to be calibrated to the requirements of its users and other people in its environment.

In principle, the invention can be applied to any type of household appliance, especially since the effort required to apply the invention is relatively low. In particular, such a household appliance could be a laundry machine such as a washing machine, a washer-dryer and a tumble dryer, as well as a dishwasher.

• 1 schematisierte Ausführungsformen eines ersten Haushaltsgeräts und eines zweiten Haushaltsgeräts, beide entsprechend der Erfindung;
• 2 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines leisen Betriebsprogramms für ein Haushaltsgerät; und
• 3 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Kalibrierungsprozesses für ein Haushaltsgerät.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

• 1 schematic embodiments of a first household appliance and a second household appliance, both according to the invention;
• 2 a flow chart of a quiet operating program for a household appliance; and
• 3 a flow chart of a calibration process for a household appliance.

1 shows schematic embodiments of the first household appliance 1, which is designed as a laundry care machine, in particular a washing machine 1, and of the second household appliance 14, which is also designed as a laundry care machine 14, in particular as a tumble dryer 14.

The first household appliance 1 comprises a control device 2 with which the first household appliance 1 can be operated according to an operating program selected from several available operating programs, at least one component 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 which is connected to the control device 2, can be controlled by it and develops an operating noise during its operation, and at least one sensor 13, which is shown here as a microphone and is connected to the control device 2 and by which every operating noise can be recorded and measured by the control device 2. The operating programs include a quiet operating program in which the control device 2 controls the first household appliance 1 by measuring the operating noise and regulating the operating noise with the aim of limiting the operating noise and in particular allowing the first household appliance 1 to be operated in a residential area of an apartment while avoiding nuisance to people who are in this living area.

In order to be able to fulfil this purpose, the control device 2 is designed such that it can be regulated in the quiet operating program by measuring the operational noises by means of the sensor 13 and correspondingly controlling at least one of the components 3 to 12 in such a way that the operational noises always fall below a predeterminable limit value during the execution of the quiet operating program.

In both the first household appliance 1 and the second household appliance 14, the components 3 to 12 that generate operational noises comprise a washing drum 3 with a first motor 4 driving it and a pump 6 for conveying liquid with a second motor 7 driving it, and the control device 2 is designed to control at least one of the first motor 4 and the second motor 7. The control device 2 can therefore influence operational noises that are caused by the first motor 4 or the second motor 7 itself and/or by components driven by one of these motors 4, 7.

The first household appliance 1 is designed as a washing machine 1 (possibly also as a washer-dryer 1), wherein the laundry drum 3 is suspended in an oscillating arrangement 8, 9 with motion dampers 8 and spring 9 shown as examples, wherein the oscillating arrangement 8, 9, a liquid level in the laundry drum 3 or an imbalance of laundry items located in the laundry drum 3 can be controlled by the control device 2. Lines that control the control device For the sake of clarity, the control elements connecting the device 2 to the components to be controlled are not shown. Such a control can be an influence on the damping properties of one of the motion dampers 8, the spring constant of the spring 9 or the speed of the first motor 4 driving the laundry drum 3.

The first household appliance 1 can also be designed as a tumble dryer, as shown in 1 for the second household appliance 14, wherein the operational noise-generating components 3 to 12 comprise a fan 10 for circulating air and a heat pump 11, wherein the fan 10 or the heat pump 11 is controllable by the control device 2.

To carry out the quiet operating program in the first household appliance 1, the control device 2 can be set up such that in the quiet operating program a process for treating objects is carried out which is determined by several parameters, in particular mechanics, chemistry and heat, which act on the objects and the duration of these effects, and wherein the quiet operating program is set up to compensate for a reduction in at least one of these parameters, in particular the mechanics, by controlling the operational noise by increasing at least one other of these parameters, in particular heat or duration.

The sensor 13 to be used for the quiet operating program is mounted in particular inside the first household appliance 1, as 1 This also shows this. However, this sensor 13 can also be mounted outside the first household appliance 1, wherein the sensor 13 and the control device 2 are arranged to communicate via a first communication connection 15. In 1 this is also shown in that the sensor 13 in the second household appliance 14, which is set up close to the first household appliance 1, is used via the first communication connection 15 to measure the operational noises by the control device 2 in the first household appliance 1. “Close” accordingly means that the detection of the operational noises of the first household appliance 1 with the sensor 13 of the second household appliance 14 is possible and sensible. This is the case, for example, when the household appliances 1 and 14 are arranged close together and in particular in contact with one another next to one another or one above the other. The first communication connection 15 can be a first radio connection 15 and in particular be designed according to the Bluetooth standard. The first communication connection 15 can also be designed via a wired or wireless local communication network, in particular a WLAN.

The at least one sensor 13 to be used in the quiet operating program can be a plurality of sensors 13, wherein the control device 2 is set up to carry out the measurement of the operating noises with all sensors 13 and to eliminate in the signals received from the sensors 13 portions of noise that do not originate from the components 3 to 12 themselves, in particular noise from the environment of the two household appliances 1 and 14. According to 1 In this sense, the sensors 13 of the first household appliance 1 and the second household appliance 14 can be used together.

Both the first household appliance 1 and the second household appliance 14 have a voice output module 12 connected to the respective control device 2 for outputting voice messages at a volume that can be controlled by the control device 2. This volume is adjusted if necessary, in particular reduced, in the quiet operating program.

In considering the different environments in which a first household appliance 1 and/or a second household appliance 14 according to 1 may be installed and the different ideas of people who live in such an environment about unwanted noise and its volume, the question of which operational noises of a first household appliance 1 are to be regarded as acceptable in which situation is difficult to answer. The usual setting of "room volume" at 50 dB(A) during the day and 35 dB(A) at night, in each case based on a sound pressure level of 20 µPa, can provide a useful first indication. However, the volume of an operational noise of a household appliance always depends on the environment in which it is installed, in particular its acoustic damping properties. Finally, the spatial arrangement of a household appliance and the people in its vicinity, and the placement of the household appliance are important. A free-standing household appliance certainly makes louder noises than a household appliance that is located in or behind a piece of furniture or behind a wall. Therefore, the setting of a limit value by the manufacturer and during the manufacture of a household appliance is associated with uncertainty.

Therefore, the control device 2 in the first household appliance 1 has a calibration program for calibration for measuring the operational noise, wherein the control device 2 is is designed to measure at least one calibration noise with the at least one sensor 13, wherein the calibration noise is emitted at a specific volume by a calibration device 16 placed near the first household appliance 1, and wherein the signals received from the at least one sensor 13 are stored in the control device 2 as significant for the specific volume and are used to determine the volume of the operational noises in comparison with signals that the at least one sensor 13 receives during the quiet operating program of operational noises, and wherein a limit value is determined and stored from the calibration noises. The calibration program is set up to measure a sequence of several calibration noises with different associated volumes and pitches from the calibration device 16. The calibration device 16 is a programmed mobile terminal 16, in particular a programmed smartphone 16, which is programmed with an app that can be controlled by a user. The control device 2 and the calibration device 16 are set up to communicate via a second communication connection 17. The second communication connection 17 is a second radio connection 17 and is implemented in particular according to the Bluetooth standard. The second communication connection 17 can also be implemented via a wired or wireless local communication network, in particular a WLAN.

In addition, the control device 2 is configured for the input of the limit value by a user, possibly by changing a preset limit value.

The calibration program is set up to measure a sequence of several calibration sounds with different associated volumes and pitches from the calibration device.

To carry out the calibration, the calibration device 16 is placed on the first household appliance 1 in a first step. As a result, the sensor 13 is sufficiently close to the calibration device to receive the calibration tones emitted by it at the intended volume without subsequent corrections to the measurement being necessary.

In order to determine the operational noise of the first household appliance in the quiet operating program based on a limit value that is not significant for the immediate surroundings of the household appliance 1, but for a reference point 18 in the surroundings of the household appliance 1, which represents the needs and wishes of the people in the surroundings of the household appliance 1 better than the immediate vicinity of the household appliance 1, the calibration device 16 is placed at this reference point 18 in a second step, and the process of sending and receiving the calibration tones is repeated with the calibration device placed at this reference point 18. After determining the limit value, the calibration device 16 is placed at the reference point 18, the calibration noise is emitted again and measured again by the control device 2 using the sensor 13, and the limit value is adjusted from a difference between the calibration noise received again by the control device 2 and the previously received calibration noises in such a way that the new limit value at the reference point 18 corresponds to the previously determined limit value. From the corresponding second measurement, a correction value is thus derived by which the limit value determined in the first step is corrected in order to ensure that the operational noise at this reference point 18 remains sufficiently low.

2 shows a flow chart of a quiet operating program in a household appliance 1, 14 of the type shown here. After the start 24 of this program, a measurement 25 of the operating volume S is carried out by means of at least one sensor 13. A comparison 26 is then made between the volume S and a predetermined limit value T. If the volume S is not less than T, a follow-up control 27 is carried out by the control device 2 controlling at least one of the above-mentioned components 3 to 12 of the household appliance 1, 14 so that the operating noise caused by it is reduced. Then, just as when the volume S is less than the limit value T, a check 28 is carried out to determine whether the operating program should be ended. If this is not the case, the quiet operating program is continued 29 until another measurement 25 is taken. If this is the case, the program ends 30.

3 shows a flow chart of a program for calibrating the household appliance 1, 14. After starting 31 this program, the first placement 32 of the calibration device 16 directly on the household appliance 1, 14 and then the first transmission and reception 33 of the calibration tones between the calibration device 16 and the household appliance 1, 14 take place. Its control unit 2 registers the corresponding signals and determines the limit value for subsequent quiet operating programs. The calibration could thus end when the volume at which the operating noises caused by the household appliance 1, 14 are to be significant directly on the household appliance 1, 14. However, if it is desired to refer the volume specification to a reference point 18 away from the household appliance 1, 14, then a second Placing the calibration device 16 at the desired reference point 18 and a second transmission and reception 36 of the calibration tones. The limit value is then adjusted by the control device 2 so that the operating noises of the household appliance 1, 14, as perceived at the reference point 18, are decisive for controlling the household appliance 1, 14 in the quiet operating program. This marks the end 38 of the calibration program.

By specifying the limit value, the quiet operating program in the household appliance 1, 14 can be adapted to the current needs of the user and/or the household in which the household appliance is installed. The specification can be made by input via a conventional display and setting device on the household appliance itself or via an appropriately programmed mobile terminal, for example a smartphone on which a corresponding program, in particular an "app", is installed. The invention creates a possibility of setting a household appliance a significant and absolute volume scale at the location where it is located, thus enabling an exact measurement of the operating noise and ensuring compliance with a specified limit value. Local conditions in the environment of the household appliance are inherently taken into account.

List of reference symbols

1

First household appliance, washing machine

2

Control device

3

Laundry drum

4

First engine

5

Drivetrain

6

pump

7

Second engine

8th

Motion damper

9

Feather

10

fan

11

Heat pump

12

Speech output module

13

sensor

14

Second household appliance, tumble dryer

15

First communication connection

16

Calibration device

17

Second communication link

18

Reference point

19

door

20

Lye container

21

cuff

22

Flushing device

23

Process air circuit

24

begin

25

Measurement

26

Comparison

27

Follow-up control

28

Examination of continuation

29

Continuation

30

End

31

begin

32

First placement

33

First sending/receiving of calibration tones

34

Setting the threshold

35

Second place

36

Second transmission/reception of calibration tones

37

Adjusting the threshold

38

End

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed 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 accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 3297219 A1 [0008]
• EP 3282645 A1 [0009]
• DE 102016102462 A1 [0010, 0011]
• CN 104514119 B [0011]
• EP 2278422 B1 [0012]

Claims (15)

First household appliance (1) comprising a control device (2) with which the first household appliance (1) can be operated according to an operating program selected from several available operating programs, at least one component (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) which is connected to the control device (2), can be controlled by it and develops an operating noise during its operation, and at least one sensor (13) which is connected to the control device (2) and by which each operating noise can be recorded and measured by the control device (2), wherein the operating programs comprise a quiet operating program in which the control device (2) controls the first household appliance (1) by measuring the operating noise and regulating the operating noise, characterized in that the operating programs comprise a calibration program for calibration for measuring the operating noise, wherein the control device (2) is set up to measure at least one calibration noise with the at least one sensor (13) in the calibration program, wherein the calibration noise comes from a location close to the first household appliance (1) is emitted at a specific volume, and wherein the signals received from the at least one sensor (13) are stored in the control device (2) as significant for the specific volume and are compared with signals received by the at least one sensor (13) during the quiet operating program of operational noises to determine the volume of the operational noises, and wherein a limit value is determined from the calibration noises and stored. First household appliance (1) after Claim 1 , in which the sensor (13) is mounted inside the first household appliance (1). First household appliance (1) after Claim 1 , in which the sensor (13) is mounted outside the first household appliance (1), wherein the sensor (13) and the control device (2) are arranged to communicate via a first communication connection (15), in particular a first radio connection (15). First household appliance (1) after Claim 3 , wherein the sensor (13) is arranged in a second household appliance (14), wherein the second household appliance (14) is installed near the first household appliance (1). First household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one sensor (13) is a plurality of sensors (13), wherein the control device (2) is arranged to carry out the measurement of the operational noises with all sensors (13) and to eliminate components in signals received from the sensors (13) which do not originate from the components (3 to 12). First household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the calibration device (16) is a programmed mobile terminal (16), in particular a programmed smartphone (16). First household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the control device (2) and the calibration device (16) are arranged to communicate via a second communication connection (17), in particular a second radio connection (17). First household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which comprises a voice output module (12) connected to the control device (2) for outputting voice messages at a volume controllable by the control device (2). First household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed as a laundry care machine (1) and in which the components (3 to 12) which generate operational noise comprise a laundry drum (3) with a first motor (4) driving it and a pump (6) for conveying liquid with a second motor (7) driving it, and the control device (2) is designed to control at least one of the first motor (4) and the second motor (7). First household appliance (1) after Claim 9 , which is designed as a washing machine (1) or washer-dryer (1) and in which the laundry drum (3) is suspended in an oscillating arrangement (8, 9), wherein the oscillating arrangement (8, 9), a liquid level in the laundry drum (3) or an imbalance of laundry items located in the laundry drum (3) can be controlled by the control device (2). First household appliance (1) after Claim 9 , which is designed as a tumble dryer or washer-dryer and in which the components (3 to 12) generating operational noise comprise a fan (10) for circulating air and a heat pump (11), wherein the fan (10) or the heat pump (11) is controllable by the control device (2). First household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the control device (2) is arranged to operate in the quiet mode program to carry out a process for treating objects which is determined by several parameters, in particular mechanics, chemistry, heat and duration, and wherein the quiet operating program is set up to compensate for a reduction of at least one of these parameters, in particular mechanics, by controlling the operating noise by increasing at least one other of these parameters, in particular heat or duration. Method for calibrating at least one sensor (13) in a first household appliance (1), comprising a control device (2) with which the first household appliance (1) can be operated according to an operating program selected from several available operating programs, at least one component (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) which is connected to the control device (2), can be controlled by it and develops an operating noise during its operation, and the at least one sensor (13) which is connected to the control device (2) and by which each operating noise can be measured by the control device (2), wherein the operating programs comprise a quiet operating program in which the control device (2) is set up to control the first household appliance (1) by measuring the operating noise and regulating the operating noise, characterized in that the control device (2) is operated in a calibration program for calibration for measuring the operating noise by means of the sensor (13) and the control device (2) generates at least one calibration noise with the at least one sensor (13), wherein the calibration noise is emitted at a specific volume by a calibration device (16) placed near the first household appliance (1), wherein calibration noises received from the at least one sensor (13) are stored in the control device (2) as significant for the specific volume and are provided for comparing signals which the at least one sensor (13) receives from operational noises in order to determine the volume of the operational noises, and wherein a limit value is determined and stored from the calibration noises. Procedure according to Claim 13 , in which the calibration program is set up to measure a sequence of several calibration noises with different associated volumes and pitches from the calibration device (16). Method according to one of the Claims 13 and 14 , in which the calibration device (16) for determining the limit value is placed on the first household appliance (1) and, after determining the limit value, is placed at a reference point (18) outside the first household appliance (1), the calibration noise is emitted again and measured again by the control device (2) by means of the sensor (13), and the limit value is adjusted from a difference between the calibration noise received again by the control device (2) and the previously received calibration noises such that the new limit value at the reference point (18) corresponds to the previously determined limit value.

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