DE102023200170A1 - Laundry care device with one control - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry care appliance 100 with a suds container 105 for receiving washing liquid, a laundry drum 107 for receiving laundry 129, wherein the laundry drum 107 is arranged in the suds container 105, wherein the suds container 105 has a drain opening 111 and a feed element 113, which are fluidically connected by a pumping line 115, a pump 117, which is designed to pump washing liquid out of the suds container 105 through the drain opening 111 as part of a pumping process, and to pump the pumped-out washing liquid through the pumping line 115 and through the feed element 113 back into the suds container 105, a power detection element 131 for detecting an electrical power parameter of the pump 117, a water level detection element 129 for detecting a water level in the suds container 105 and a controller 119, which is connected in terms of control technology to the pump 117, the power detection element 131 and the water level detection element 129.
The controller 119 is designed to activate the pump 117 during a detection period 143 as part of the pumping process.
The controller 119 is configured to determine the presence of foam in the tub 105 if, during the detection period 143, the electrical power parameter of the pump 117 detected by the power detection element 131 is less than a power parameter threshold value 145, and if, during the detection period 143, the water level in the tub 105 detected by the water level detection element 129 is greater than a water level threshold value.

Description

The present invention relates to a laundry care appliance with a control system.

In a conventional laundry appliance, high speeds of the washing drum and/or an overdose of laundry care substance can sometimes lead to a strong build-up of foam in the laundry appliance's detergent container. Such a strong build-up of foam can sometimes lead to foam from the detergent container penetrating into the laundry appliance's detergent tray and to washing liquid overflowing from the laundry appliance's detergent tray, thus soiling the area where the laundry appliance is installed. Such a strong build-up of foam can sometimes also negatively affect the laundry care result of a laundry care process in the laundry appliance.

Foam detection strategies in laundry care devices known from the state of the art often aim to detect the formation of foam in the laundry care device at a late stage of a laundry care process by means of long-term observation of washing parameters. Foam formation that occurs very quickly during a laundry care process is often not detected by foam detection strategies known from the state of the art.

It is the object underlying the invention to provide a laundry care appliance in which the presence of foam in a tub of the laundry care appliance can be determined promptly during a laundry care process.

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

According to a first aspect, the object according to the invention is achieved by a laundry care device with a tub for receiving washing liquid, a laundry drum for receiving laundry, the laundry drum being arranged in the tub, the tub having a drain opening and a feed element which are fluidically connected by a pumping line, a pump which is designed to pump washing liquid out of the tub through the drain opening as part of a pumping process and to pump the pumped-out washing liquid through the pumping line and through the feed element back into the tub, a power detection element for detecting an electrical power parameter of the pump, a water level detection element for detecting a water level in the tub and a controller which is connected in terms of control technology to the pump, the power detection element and the water level detection element, the controller being designed to activate the pump during a detection period as part of the pumping process, and the controller being designed to determine the presence of foam in the tub when during the detection period, the electrical power parameter of the pump detected by the power detection element is less than a power parameter threshold value, and if during the detection period, the water level in the tub detected by the water level detection element is greater than a water level threshold value.

In particular, the water level detection element is designed as a pressure detection element for detecting a pressure in the suds container, and the controller is designed to determine the presence of foam in the suds container if, during the detection period, the electrical performance parameter of the pump detected by the power detection element is less than a performance parameter threshold value, and if, during the detection period, the pressure in the suds container detected by the pressure detection element is greater than a pressure threshold value.

This achieves the technical advantage that during the detection period, a reliable and timely determination of the presence of foam in the laundry care appliance is made possible by only detecting and evaluating two parameters, comprising the electrical performance parameter of the pump and the water level, in particular pressure, in the tub.

The water level, in particular pressure, in the tub detected by the water level detection element, in particular pressure detection element, increases as the amount of washing liquid in the tub increases. However, even if foam is forming in the tub, the water level, in particular pressure, in the tub detected by the water level detection element, in particular pressure detection element, increases.

The control system cannot therefore distinguish whether foam is forming in the suds container or whether there is merely an increase in the level of the washing liquid in the suds container based solely on the fact that the water level, in particular the pressure threshold, in the suds container is exceeded by the water level, in particular the pressure, detected by the water level detection element.

In order for the controller to be able to determine whether a water level, in particular pressure, in the tub detected by the water level detection element, in particular pressure detection element, is due to the presence of foam in the tub and not to an increase in the level of washing liquid in the tub, the controller also takes into account the electrical power parameter of the pump detected by the power detection element.

In particular, the electrical power parameter of the pump detected by the power detection element includes a motor current of the pump.

If the electrical performance parameter of the pump, in particular the motor current, increases, the control system can conclude that washing liquid is being pumped through the pump and that the pump is therefore consuming a lot of power.

If the electrical power parameter of the pump detected by the power detection element falls below the predetermined power parameter threshold value, the pump's power consumption is low, which is correlated with idle operation of the pump, i.e. with pumping of air.

Thus, if the electrical performance parameter of the pump is below the predetermined performance parameter threshold value, no washing liquid is pumped through the pumping line by the pump and consequently no washing liquid can be present in the tub. However, if at the same time the water level, in particular pressure, in the tub detected by the water level detection element, in particular pressure detection element, is above the water level threshold value, in particular pressure threshold value, the detected water level, in particular pressure, can be based exclusively on the presence of foam in the tub.

This enables effective foam detection in the detergent container, which can detect foam formation very quickly so that appropriate countermeasures can be initiated promptly by the control system of the laundry care device in order to reduce the foam formation.

A laundry care appliance is understood to be a device that is used for laundry care, such as a washing machine or a tumble dryer, in particular a tumble dryer that has a washing and drying function. In particular, such a laundry care appliance is understood to be a household laundry care appliance. In other words, a laundry care appliance that is used as part of household management and with which laundry is treated in household quantities.

In an advantageous embodiment, the controller is designed to determine the presence of foam in the tub if, during the detection period, the electrical power parameter of the pump detected by the power detection element is lower than the power parameter threshold value for a minimum period of time, in particular for a minimum period of time of at least 5 seconds.

This achieves the technical advantage that recording the electrical performance parameter of the pump for a minimum period of time ensures that idle operation of the pump is reliably detected for foam detection, and thus a short-term fluctuation in the electrical performance parameter does not lead to a false positive result.

In an advantageous embodiment, the electrical performance parameter of the pump detected by the power detection element comprises a motor current of the pump.

This provides the technical advantage that, by evaluating the motor current of the pump, the control system can effectively distinguish whether the pump is pumping washing fluid or whether the pump is only pumping air during idle operation.

In an advantageous embodiment, the controller is designed to determine the absence of foam in the tub if, during the detection period, the electrical performance parameter of the pump detected by the performance detection element is greater than a performance parameter threshold value and/or if, during the detection period, the water level in the tub detected by the water level detection element is less than a water level threshold value.

This provides the technical advantage of enabling effective exclusion of foam development in the laundry care appliance. Each of the two criteria alone or the combination of the two criteria excludes the presence of foam in the tub.

If the measured electrical performance parameter of the pump is greater than the performance parameter threshold value, washing liquid is pumped through the pump.

If the water level in the tub detected by the water level detection element is lower than the water level threshold value, there is no washing liquid and no foam in the tub.

In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry care appliance has a fresh water supply device which is fluidically connected to the tub and is connected to the controller in terms of control technology, and the controller is designed to activate the fresh water supply device for supplying fresh water to the tub during a supply time period taking place before the detection time period.

This achieves the technical advantage that there is only a significant risk of foam formation in the tub after fresh water has been added, possibly with the appropriate laundry care substance rinsed in from the detergent dispenser.

In an advantageous embodiment, the control is designed to activate the pump during the supply period as part of a pumping process.

This achieves the technical advantage that effective wetting of the laundry with washing liquid is ensured by pumping the washing liquid supplied during the supply period.

In an advantageous embodiment, the control is designed to activate the pump as part of a pumping process during a pumping period following the detection period.

This achieves the technical advantage that effective laundry care is ensured by pumping the washing liquid after the collection period.

In an advantageous embodiment, the water level detection element comprises a riser pipe arranged in sections in the suds container, wherein a water level sensor for detecting a water level in the riser pipe is arranged at an end of the riser pipe facing away from the suds container in order to detect the water level in the suds container.

This provides the technical advantage of enabling effective water level detection in the suds container.

In this case, the riser pipe has in particular an end facing the suds container, into which, for example, when the washing liquid level in the suds container rises, the washing liquid can penetrate into the riser pipe and compresses the air column above in the riser pipe, so that the water level sensor, which is arranged at the end of the riser pipe facing away from the suds container, can detect the corresponding compression of the air column as a rise in the water level and correlate it with a rise in washing liquid in the suds container or with the development of foam in the suds container.

In an advantageous embodiment, the riser pipe is designed as a siphon, which comprises a curved section that can be filled with washing liquid, and which comprises a vertically extending riser pipe section that can be filled with air and in which the water level sensor is arranged.

This achieves the technical advantage that the curved section of the riser pipe designed as a siphon ensures that a stable column of washing liquid is maintained in the riser pipe in order to carry out an effective water level measurement.

In an advantageous embodiment, the riser pipe has a riser pipe opening at an end facing the suds container, which is fluidically connected to the interior of the suds container in order to enable washing liquid and/or foam to penetrate from the interior of the suds container into the riser pipe, wherein the riser pipe is mounted in the suds container in particular in such a way that during the detection period the liquid level of washing liquid in the suds container is arranged below the riser pipe opening.

This provides the technical advantage that the riser pipe opening allows washing liquid and/or foam to penetrate into the riser pipe and thus allows water level measurement. If the level of washing liquid is below the riser pipe opening of the riser pipe during the recording period, this results in a of the detection period by the controller detects the water level signal for the ingress of foam into the riser pipe.

In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry care appliance has a drum drive for rotating the laundry drum, wherein the drum drive is connected to the controller in terms of control technology, wherein the controller is designed in particular to activate the drum drive for rotating the laundry drum at a constant speed during the detection time period, during the feed time period and/or during the pumping time period.

This provides the technical advantage that the rotation of the laundry drum ensures effective wetting and thus laundry care of the laundry in the laundry drum.

In an advantageous embodiment, the controller is designed, after determining the presence of foam in the tub, to activate the drum drive for rotating the laundry drum at a reduced rotational speed during a change period following the detection period in order to reduce the amount of foam present in the tub.

This achieves the technical advantage that the rotation of the laundry drum at the reduced rotation speed ensures that no further foam is whipped up and thus the amount of foam present in the tub can be effectively reduced.

In an advantageous embodiment, the control is designed, after determining the presence of foam in the tub, to activate a fresh water supply device of the laundry care appliance for supplying fresh water to the tub during a further change period following the detection period.

This achieves the technical advantage that the amount of foam in the tub can be advantageously reduced by supplying fresh water, in particular cold fresh water.

In an advantageous embodiment, the controller is designed to deactivate a heating device of the laundry care appliance for heating the washing liquid in the suds container after determining the presence of foam in the suds container during a further change period following the detection period, and/or the controller is designed to activate a pumping device of the laundry care appliance for pumping washing liquid out of the suds container after determining the presence of foam in the suds container during a further change period following the detection period.

This achieves the technical advantage that a reduction in the temperature of the washing liquid in the tub counteracts the formation of foam or leads to a reduction in the amount of foam. By pumping out the washing liquid in the tub, any foam present in the tub can also be effectively pumped out.

According to a second aspect, the object is achieved by a method for detecting foam in a laundry care device, wherein the laundry care device has a tub for receiving washing liquid, a laundry drum for receiving laundry, wherein the laundry drum is arranged in the tub, wherein the tub has a drain opening and a feed element which are fluidically connected by a pumping line, a pump which is designed to pump washing liquid out of the tub through the drain opening as part of a pumping process and to pump the pumped-out washing liquid back into the tub through the pumping line and through the feed element, a power detection element for detecting an electrical power parameter of the pump, a water level detection element for detecting a water level in the tub and a controller which is connected in terms of control technology to the pump, the power detection element and the water level detection element, wherein the method comprises the following method steps, activating the pump as part of the pumping process by the controller during a detection period, and Determining, by the controller, the presence of foam in the tub when, during the sensing period, the electrical performance parameter of the pump sensed by the performance sensing element is less than a performance parameter threshold value and when, during the sensing period, the water level in the tub sensed by the water level sensing element is greater than a water level threshold value.

This provides the technical advantage of ensuring effective foam capture.

The embodiments characterized as advantageous embodiments for the laundry care appliance according to the first aspect are also advantageous embodiments for the method according to the second aspect.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

• 1 eine schematische Ansicht eines Wäschepflegegeräts gemäß einer Ausführungsform;
• 2 eine schematische Ansicht eines Wäschepflegegeräts mit einer Steuerung gemäß einer Ausführungsform;
• 3 eine graphische Darstellung eines Wäschepflegevorgangs gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform;
• 4 eine graphische Darstellung eines Wäschepflegevorgangs gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform;
• 5 eine schematische Darstellung eines Wasserstanderfassungselements in einem Laugenbehälter eines Wäschepflegegeräts gemäß einer Ausführungsform; und
• 6 eine schematische Darstellung eines Verfahrens zum Pflegen von Wäsche in einem Wäschepflegegerät gemäß einer Ausführungsform.

Show it:

• 1 a schematic view of a laundry care appliance according to an embodiment;
• 2 a schematic view of a laundry care appliance with a controller according to an embodiment;
• 3 a graphical representation of a laundry care process according to a first embodiment;
• 4 a graphical representation of a laundry care process according to a second embodiment;
• 5 a schematic representation of a water level detection element in a tub of a laundry care appliance according to an embodiment; and
• 6 a schematic representation of a method for caring for laundry in a laundry care appliance according to an embodiment.

1 shows a schematic view of a general laundry care appliance 100 according to an embodiment, such as a washing machine. The laundry care appliance 100 comprises a dispenser tray 101 into which detergent or other liquid laundry care substances can be filled. The laundry care appliance 100 has an appliance housing 102 with an appliance opening 104, which can be closed by an appliance door 103 for loading the laundry care appliance 100. In addition, the laundry care appliance 100 also has operating elements 106 for operating the laundry care appliance 100.

2 shows a schematic view of a laundry care appliance with a controller according to an embodiment.

The laundry care device 100 has a tub 105 for holding washing liquid, and has a laundry drum 107 for holding laundry. The laundry drum 107 is arranged in the tub 105. A drum drive 109 rotates the laundry drum 107. The tub 105 has a drain opening 111. The laundry care device 100 has a feed element 113. The drain opening 111 is fluidically connected to the feed element 113 by a pumping line 115, wherein a pump 117 for pumping washing liquid through the pumping line 115 is arranged in the pumping line 115.

The pump 117 can pump washing liquid through the drain opening 111 from the tub 105 during a 2 pumping process (not shown) into the pumping line 115 and resupply the washing liquid through the pumping line 115 and through the feed element 113 to the tub 105 and the laundry drum 107. As a result, the washing liquid can be effectively pumped through the pumping line 115 during a laundry care process and resupplied to the laundry in the laundry drum 107.

In particular, the laundry care appliance 100 comprises a fresh water supply device 118-1, which has a 2 not shown dispensing tray 101 of the laundry care appliance 100 and/or a 2 A fresh water connection (not shown) of the laundry care appliance 100 supplies fresh water through a fresh water line 118-2 to the tub 105 or to the laundry held in the laundry drum 107.

The laundry care appliance 100 further comprises a controller 119 which is connected to the pump 117 by a first control connection 121, which is connected to the drum drive 109 for rotating the laundry drum 107 by a second control connection 123, and which is connected by a third control connection 125 to the fresh water supply device 118-1 for supplying washing liquid to the laundry drum 107.

The controller 119 is also connected for control purposes by a fourth control connection 127 to a water level detection element 129 for detecting a water level in the suds container 105. The water level detection element 129 described in the exemplary embodiments for detecting a water level in the suds container 105 is designed as a pressure detection element 129 for detecting a pressure in the suds container 105.

The controller 119 is further provided with a 2 only schematically shown power detection element 131 for detecting an electrical power parameter, in particular a motor current, of the pump 117.

The laundry care appliance 100 further comprises an outlet line 133, which is connected to the pump line tung 115 is fluidically connected. A 2 The pumping device 135, which is only shown schematically, is designed during a 2 During a pumping process (not shown), washing liquid is pumped out of the tub 105 through the drain opening 111, through the pumping line 115 and through the outlet line 133 from the laundry care appliance 100.

3 shows a graphical representation of a laundry care process according to a first embodiment.

The 3 The first curve 140-1, second curve 140-2, third curve 140-3, and fourth curve 140-4 shown show along the ordinate axis 137 in illustration (a) the speed of a laundry drum 107 of the laundry care appliance 100 in revolutions per minute, in illustration (b) the amount of fresh water supplied to the tub 105 by a fresh water supply device 118-1 of the laundry care appliance 100 in liters, in illustration (c) the water level or pressure in the tub 105 in Pascal detected by a water level detection element 129 or by the pressure detection element, and in illustration (d) the motor current of the pump 117 detected by a power detection element 131, in each case as a function of time, which is shown in illustrations (a), (b), (c) and (d) along the abscissa axis 139.

In the 3 In the laundry care process shown, the time period of a laundry care process shown along the abscissa axis 139 in all representations (a), (b), (c), and (d) comprises a region which extends from approximately second 490 to approximately second 570 of the laundry care process.

The 3 The laundry care process shown begins with the supply time period 141 during which the controller 119 is designed to activate a fresh water supply device 118-1 of the laundry care appliance 100 for supplying fresh water into the tub 105, as can be seen from the illustration (b).

It can also be seen from illustration (c) that the water level in the suds container 105 detected by the water level detection element 129 also increases during the supply period 141 due to the fresh water supplied to the suds container 105.

The supply time period 141 is followed by the detection time period 143, wherein at the beginning of the detection time period 143 the controller 119 activates the pump 117 as part of the pumping process in order to pump washing liquid through a pumping line 115 of the laundry care device 100. The activation of the pump 117 by the controller 119 at the beginning of the detection time period 143 leads to a complete pumping of the fresh water supplied to the tub 105, as can be seen from the significant increase in the detected motor current of the pump 117 in the illustration (d) of the 3 can be removed.

According to a diagram (d) of the 3 In the fluctuation of the detected motor current of the pump 117 shown, the motor current of the pump 117 levels off at a constant level during the further course of the detection period 143, which is below a performance parameter threshold value 145, which allows a conclusion to be drawn about an idle operation of the pump 117. When the pump 117 is in idle operation, no washing liquid is pumped through the pump 117, but rather air, which is characterized by the fact that an extremely low motor current of the pump 117 is present. Thus, through the corresponding idle operation of the pump 117, it can be recognized that the washing liquid has been completely absorbed by the laundry present in the laundry drum 107.

Thus, the idle operation of the pump 117 detected during the detection period 143 excludes the possibility that free, i.e. unbound, washing liquid is still present in the tub 105.

As can be seen from illustration (c) of the 3 However, the water level detection element 129 also detects a water level in the tub 105 during the detection period 143 and during idle operation of the pump 117 that is above a water level threshold value 144 (in this case zero). The water level threshold value 144 can also be set to be greater than zero, for example to compensate for tolerances. The water level threshold value 144 is preferably set such that a detected water level that is less than or equal to the water level threshold value 144 indicates that there is no washing liquid in the tub 105.

Since the presence of washing liquid in the tub 105 is excluded by the detected idle operation of the pump 117, the water level in the tub 105 detected during the detection period 143 is in this case based on the presence of foam in the tub 105, which results in the corresponding detected water level value in the tub 105, so that the controller 119 detects the presence of foam in the suds container 105 immediately and promptly after activation of the pump 117.

The detection period 143 is followed by a pumping period 147 during which the pump 117 continues to operate in idle mode.

As can be seen from the figures (a), (b), (c), and (d) of the 3 As can be seen, the controller 119 activates the drum drive during the feed time period 141, during the detection time period 143 and during the pumping time period 147 in order to rotate the laundry drum 107 at a constant speed.

The generation of the water level value detected during the detection period 143 is based on the fact that the water level detection element 129 comprises in particular a riser pipe which is designed as a siphon, which comprises a curved section which can be filled with washing liquid, and which comprises a vertically extending riser pipe section which can be filled with air.

Due to the rotation of the laundry drum 107, for example with a correspondingly overdosed amount of laundry care substance, corresponding foam is generated within the tub 105 and the generated foam penetrates into the riser pipe of the water level detection element 129 and generates a corresponding water level value, which only slowly decreases during the pumping period 147, as can be seen from the illustration (c) of the 3 can be removed. A foam generated in the suds container 105 can thus only drain slowly again after the liquid level in the suds container 105 has dropped.

The present invention thus enables a very rapid detection of the appearance of foam in the tub 105 immediately after the pump 117 is activated, so that an unacceptably strong formation of foam can be prevented in a timely manner.

A corresponding foam reduction following the foam detection can be ensured, for example, by rotating the laundry drum 107 at a reduced rotational speed in order to reduce the amount of foam present in the tub 105.

Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible to activate the fresh water supply device 118-1 of the laundry care appliance 100 for supplying fresh water into the tub 105, and/or to deactivate a heating device of the laundry care appliance 100 for heating the washing liquid in the tub 105, and/or to activate a pumping device 135 of the laundry care appliance 100 for pumping washing liquid out of the tub 105 in order to initiate effective foam control measures.

4 shows a graphical representation of a laundry care process according to a second embodiment.

The subject of the 4 The embodiment shown differs from that in 3 shown embodiment in that in the in 4 In the embodiment shown, there is no foam in the tub 105.

This can be detected by the controller 119 in that during the detection period 143 the water level value shown in the illustration (c) does not exceed the water level threshold value 144 during the corresponding idle operation of the pump 117 shown in the illustration (d) or only exceeds it to an extremely small extent.

5 shows a schematic representation of a water level detection element in a tub of a laundry care appliance according to an embodiment.

In the 5 only a schematic section of a suds container 105 of a laundry care appliance 100 with a liquid level 149 of the washing liquid is shown.

The water level detection element 129 comprises a 5 schematically shown riser pipe 151.

This in 5 The riser pipe 151, which is only shown schematically and designed as a siphon, has a riser pipe opening 155 at an end 153 facing the lye container 105, which is fluidically connected to the lye container 105.

When the liquid level 149 of washing liquid rises, the washing liquid penetrates through the riser opening 155 into the interior of the riser pipe 151 and compresses air which is inside a 5 not shown vertical section of the riser pipe 151, so that a 5 A water level sensor (not shown) of the riser pipe 151 can detect a rise in water level.

In the 5 In the measurement situation shown during the recording period 143, the liquid level 149 of the washing liquid however, significantly below the riser pipe opening 155, so that a water level rise in the riser pipe 151 detected during the detection time period 143 is not caused by the penetration of washing liquid into the riser pipe 151, but results from foam being accelerated by the rotating laundry drum 107 and penetrating through the riser pipe opening 155.

Thus, the water level detection element 129, which comprises the schematically illustrated riser pipe 151, can not only detect a level of washing liquid in the tub 105, but also the presence of foam in the tub 105.

6 shows a schematic representation of a method for detecting foam in a laundry care appliance according to an embodiment.

The method 200 comprises, as a first method step, the activation 201 of the pump 117 as part of the pumping process by the controller 119 during a detection time period 143.

The method 200 comprises, as a second method step, determining 203 the presence of foam in the tub 105 by the controller 119 if, during the detection period 143, the electrical power parameter of the pump 117 detected by the power detection element 131 is less than a power parameter threshold value 145, and if, during the detection period 143, the water level in the tub 105 detected by the water level detection element 129 is greater than a water level threshold value 144.

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

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

List of reference symbols

100

Laundry care device

101

Disinfection tray

102

Device housing

103

Appliance door

104

Device opening

105

Lye container

106

Control element

107

Laundry drum

109

Drum drive

111

Drain opening

113

Feeding element

115

Pumping line

117

pump

118-1

Fresh water supply system

118-2

Fresh water pipe

119

steering

121

First tax connection

123

Second control connection

125

Third tax connection

127

Fourth control connection

129

Water level detection element

131

Performance recording element

133

Outlet line

135

Pumping device

137

Ordinate axis

139

Abscissa axis

140-1

First curve

140-2

Second curve

140-3

Third curve

140-4

Fourth curve

141

Feeding time period

143

Recording period

144

Water level threshold

145

Performance parameter threshold

147

Pumping period

149

Fluid level

151

Riser pipe

153

End of the riser pipe facing the lye container

155

Riser pipe opening

200

Method for detecting foam in a laundry care appliance

201

First process step: Activating the pump via the control system

203

Second process step: Determining the presence of foam in the tub by the control

Claims (15)

Laundry care appliance (100) with a suds container (105) for receiving washing liquid, a laundry drum (107) for receiving laundry (129), wherein the laundry drum (107) is arranged in the suds container (105), wherein the suds container (105) has a drain opening (111) and a feed element (113), which are fluidically connected by a pumping line (115), a pump (117) which is designed to pump washing liquid out of the suds container (105) through the drain opening (111) as part of a pumping process, and to pump the pumped-out washing liquid through the pumping line (115) and through the feed element (113) back into the suds container (105), a power detection element (131) for detecting an electrical power parameter of the pump (117), a water level detection element (129) for detecting a Water level in the suds container (105) and a controller (119) which is connected in terms of control technology to the pump (117), the power detection element (131) and the water level detection element (129), characterized in that the controller (119) is designed to activate the pump (117) as part of the pumping process during a detection time period (143), and in that the controller (119) is designed to determine the presence of foam in the suds container (105) if, during the detection time period (143), the electrical power parameter of the pump (117) detected by the power detection element (131) is less than a power parameter threshold value (145), and if, during the detection time period (143), the water level in the suds container (105) detected by the water level detection element (129) is greater than a water level threshold value (144). Laundry care appliance (100) by Claim 1 , characterized in that the controller (119) is designed to determine the presence of foam in the tub (105) if, during the detection time period (143), the electrical power parameter of the pump (117) detected by the power detection element (131) is less than the power parameter threshold value (145) for a minimum period of time, in particular for a minimum period of time of at least 5 seconds. Laundry care appliance (100) by Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the electrical power parameter of the pump (117) detected by the power detection element (131) comprises a motor current of the pump (117). Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the controller (119) is designed to determine the absence of foam in the tub (105) if, during the detection time period (143), the electrical power parameter of the pump (117) detected by the power detection element (131) is greater than a power parameter threshold value (145), and/or if, during the detection time period (143), the water level in the tub (105) detected by the water level detection element (129) is less than a water level threshold value (144). Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laundry care appliance (100) has a fresh water supply device (118-1) which is fluidically connected to the tub (105) and is control-technically connected to the controller (119), that the controller (119) is designed to activate the fresh water supply device (118-1) for supplying fresh water to the tub (105) during a supply time period (141) taking place before the detection time period (143). Laundry care appliance (100) by Claim 5 , characterized in that the control (119) is designed to activate the pump (117) during the feed time period (141) as part of a pumping process. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control (119) is designed to activate the pump (117) as part of a pumping process during a pumping period (147) following the detection period (143). Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water level detection element (129) comprises a riser pipe (151) arranged in sections in the suds container (105), wherein a water level sensor for detecting a water level in the riser pipe (151) is arranged at an end of the riser pipe (151) facing away from the suds container (105) in order to detect the water level in the suds container (105). Laundry care appliance (100) by Claim 8 , characterized in that the riser pipe (151) is designed as a siphon which comprises a curved section which can be filled with washing liquid and which comprises a vertically extending riser pipe section which can be filled with air and in which the water level sensor is arranged. Laundry care appliance (100) by Claim 8 or 9 , characterized in that the riser pipe (151) has a riser pipe opening (155) at an end (153) facing the suds container (105), which is fluidically connected to the interior of the suds container (105) in order to enable washing liquid and/or foam to penetrate from the interior of the suds container (105) into the riser pipe (151), wherein the riser pipe (151) is mounted in the suds container (151) in particular in such a way that during the detection time period (141) the liquid level (149) of washing liquid in the suds container (105) is arranged below the riser pipe opening (155). Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laundry care appliance (100) has a drum drive (109) for rotating the laundry drum (107), wherein the drum drive (109) is connected in terms of control technology to the controller (119), wherein the controller (119) is in particular designed to activate the drum drive (109) for rotating the laundry drum (107) at a constant speed during the detection time period (143), during the feed time period (141) and/or during the pumping time period (147). Laundry care appliance (100) by Claim 11 , characterized in that the controller (119) is designed, after determining the presence of foam in the tub (105), to activate the drum drive (109) to rotate the laundry drum (107) at a reduced rotational speed during a change section following the detection time section (143) in order to reduce the amount of foam present in the tub (105). Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the controller (119) is designed, after determining the presence of foam in the tub (105), to activate a fresh water supply device (118-1) of the laundry care appliance (100) for supplying fresh water to the tub (105) during a further change section following the detection time section (143). Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the controller (119) is designed, after determining the presence of foam in the tub (105), to deactivate a heating device of the laundry care appliance (100) for heating the washing liquid in the tub (105) during a further change period following the detection time period (143), and/or that the controller (119) is designed, after determining the presence of foam in the tub (105), to activate a pumping device (135) of the laundry care appliance (100) for pumping washing liquid out of the tub (105) during a further change period following the detection time period (143). Method (200) for detecting foam in a laundry care device (100), wherein the laundry care device (100) has a suds container (105) for receiving washing liquid, a laundry drum (107) for receiving laundry (129), wherein the laundry drum (107) is arranged in the suds container (105), wherein the suds container (105) has a drain opening (111) and a feed element (113), which are fluidically connected by a pumping line (115), a pump (117) which is designed to pump washing liquid out of the suds container (105) through the drain opening (111) as part of a pumping process, and to pump the pumped-out washing liquid through the pumping line (115) and through the feed element (113) back into the suds container (105), a power detection element (131) for detecting an electrical power parameter of the pump (117), a water level detection element (129) for detecting a water level in the tub (105) and a controller (119) which is connected in terms of control technology to the pump (117), the power detection element (131) and the water level detection element (129), characterized in that the method (200) comprises the following method steps: activating (201) the pump (117) as part of the pumping process by the controller (119) during a detection time period (143), and determining (203) the presence of foam in the tub (105) by the controller (119) if, during the detection time period (143), the electrical power parameter of the pump (117) detected by the power detection element (131) is less than a power parameter threshold value (145), and if, during the detection time period (143), the electrical power parameter of the pump (117) detected by the power detection element (131) is less than a power parameter threshold value (145), and if, during the detection time period (143), the electrical power parameter of the pump (117) detected by the power detection element (131) is less than a power parameter threshold value (145). The water level in the tub (105) detected by the water level detection element (129) is greater than a water level threshold value (144).

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