EP1860226A1 - Method for operating a washing machine and washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The washing machine (1) has a wash drum (3) in a resiliently mounted tank (2) containing the washing and wash products. Following a normal wash, rinse and spin program the locked door (15) is automatically unlocked for the removal of the clean washing (18) through the opening (17) after which the door is closed and locked while the tank is filled with water and the inner drum rotated to clean any bacteria, germs or infection.

Description

1. a) Einfüllen von Wasser in den Laugenbehälter,
2. b) Bewegen oder Drehen der Trommel zum Bewegen und Waschen des in der Trommel befindlichen Wäschepostens und
3. c) Entleeren des Wassers aus dem Laugenbehälter,
4. d) wobei nach dem Entleeren des Wassers aus dem Laugenbehälter (2) die Tür (15) zum Öffnen freigegeben wird.

The invention relates to a method for operating a washing machine with a tub for receiving washing liquid, a drum rotatably disposed within the tub and a closable by a door feed opening, comprising the method steps

1. a) filling with water into the tub,
2. b) moving or rotating the drum to move and wash the laundry load in the drum and
3. c) emptying the water from the tub,
4. d) after the emptying of the water from the tub (2), the door (15) is released for opening.

The invention further relates to a washing machine with a tub for receiving washing liquid with a rotatably disposed within the tub drum and a closable by a door feed opening, and with a program control device which controls a water inlet device and a drain device, a heating device and / or a drive device and further controls the duration of a program section, the water level, the temperature, the drive speed and / or the duration of the drive drive.

Such a method or such a washing machine is from the EP 0 835 955 known. For washing a laundry item, the program setting for the program control device is carried out on the basis of an operating handle, which controls the implementation of the individual phases or steps for the treatment, in particular for washing a laundry item. Here, a suitable program is provided for the frequently used laundry items, which ensures the automatic operation of the individual steps for the water inlet, the drum movement, the rinsing and spinning.

When washing with low temperatures or heavy contaminants, existing bacteria and odors in the laundry are not completely eliminated. If such a washing machine is used for washing animal textiles, for example horse blankets or washable dog or cat rest cushions, it must be expected that even animal hair, odors or parasites or germs transported by the animals will remain in the washing machine in low concentration. These traces of debris can lead to allergic reactions or perceptible odors in the subsequently laundered clothing in sensitive people. The same applies if, for example, diapers, floor mats or wipes are washed.

To eliminate these undesirable properties is discussed in the DE 103 28 071 A1 or. DE 197 51 028 C2 discloses a method for cleaning or disinfecting a washing machine. In this case, the user must select a separate program and start, so that the parts of the machine that come into contact with the washing liquid or with the laundry, cleaned and disinfected. It is the user's responsibility to determine if and when the cleaning or disinfection program will be carried out. Frequently, a cleaning program is only performed when already unpleasant odors from the feed opening of the washing machine are perceptible. In this case, cleaning the washing machine often requires increased effort and time.

From the DE 196 20 512 A1 a similar method for operating a washing machine, in particular for carrying out a hygiene program is known. Compared to the first-mentioned washing machines, a display device is provided in the washing machine mentioned here, by means of which the necessity for carrying out the hygiene program can be displayed. The display or the request to the user to start the hygiene program always takes place if the previously performed washing program was carried out with a lye temperature below 60 ° C. Even with the procedure and the washing machine mentioned here, it is the responsibility of the user when he starts the cleaning or disinfection program.

The invention has for its object to provide a method for operating a washing machine, which reliably meets increased hygienic requirements, and to provide a washing machine that meets increased hygienic requirements and is easy to use.

According to the invention, this problem is solved by a method having the features specified in claim 1 and a washing machine for carrying out the method according to claim 9. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the method will become apparent from the dependent claims 2 to 8.

The inventive method is characterized in that after completion of the washing, the program itself is not finished. This means that after emptying the water from the tub, the door is released for opening to provide removal of the laundry load from the drum. After emptying the drum, the user must close the door again. Upon detection of the empty drum and the subsequent closing of the door, the "waiting" program is continued automatically, in which a program section for cleaning the machine is activated. In this program section, water is introduced into the tub and the drum is rotated for a predetermined time. With this measure are still in the Removes remaining dirt from the machine so that it is thoroughly clean for the next washing batch to be washed and meets high hygienic requirements.

It is advantageous that after the release of the door or after unlocking the door, a display means is activated in a display device to signal to the user that the laundry item can be removed from the drum.

In an expedient embodiment, at least one separate display means is provided in the display device for the method step or program step for cleaning the machine, which can be activated when carrying out this method step.

In a further advantageous embodiment, an additional step is performed after the process step for emptying the drum. Here, upon detection of a drum filled with a laundry item and the subsequent closing of the door instead of the cleaning step for the machine, the process steps for washing the laundry items are carried out automatically. With this design, it is possible to wash heavily soiled items of laundry several times in succession, for example animal textiles, without the machine being cleaned after each emptying of the drum. The self-cleaning of the machine is only carried out after the last heavily soiled item of laundry has been washed. Thereafter, the machine is largely free from impurities or traces of contamination, contamination and / or odors and prepared for subsequent washing of clothing.

In an expedient embodiment, in the method step for cleaning the machine, the water inlet takes place through a separate dispensing compartment for flushing in an adding agent. By adding the addition agent, an improved cleaning of the machine, and / or odor removal and / or disinfection takes place. As an induction compartment, an additional dispenser compartment is provided in the detergent drawer in the machine. Alternatively, the pre-existing additive dispensing compartment may be used in the rinse cycle in the machine cleaning step. Thus, no structural changes to the machine are necessary.

In the process step or program section for cleaning the machine, it is appropriate that the predetermined time for rotating the drum is in the range between 8 and 15 minutes, and that the drum is rotated at an increased speed with respect to the speed for moving the tumble in the drum and that during the rotation of the drum the temperature of the water is at least 55 ° C. With these parameters, a good cleaning and / or odor removal of parts of the machine is achieved, which can come into contact with the washing liquid or with the laundry items. By heating the water or the washing liquid to above 55 ° C, a further killing of germs and mites is achieved. The machine or the parts mentioned the machine is / are hygienically clean after this cleaning step. For a subsequent washing of clothing is a clean machine available that meets high hygienic requirements.

In an advantageous embodiment, the door is automatically opened after completion of the process step in which the machine is cleaned. In this embodiment, the user no longer has to worry about opening the door if he wants to leave the door open after the machine has been used. Particularly in launderettes in which a washing machine is operated in each case by a plurality of users, it is particularly advantageous if a user only has to close the door after the removal of his last laundry item and can then leave the machine or the laundromat. After the cleaning has been carried out independently, the door automatically opens so that the cleaned machine is ready for the next user. The open door provides ventilation and drying of the interior of the machine if a long time passes before the next operation of the machine.

In an expedient embodiment, an increased amount of water is introduced into the tub in the first process step for washing the Wäschepostens compared to a color laundry program or a normal easy care program and the water heated to a washing temperature of 60 ° C. With this high amount of hot washing liquid, a good cleaning of heavily soiled laundry items is achieved, wherein the heating of the water or the washing liquid to about 60 ° C, a kill of germs and mites is achieved. Subsequently, in the next method step, the drum is rotated with a small amount of movement and / or a low speed. Due to the increased water level and the reduced drum movement, a gentle mechanical treatment of the laundry item is provided, whereby this method or program is particularly suitable for washing animal textiles (dog and / or cat pillows, soft dog and / or cat baskets and / or horse blankets) , After a rinsing step, preferably with a high water level and the subsequent emptying of the water from the tub of the laundry items is gently spun at a spin speed in the range of 600 to 900 U / min. For these mentioned process steps for washing the Wäschepostens a total of about 45 to 75 min. needed.

For carrying out the method according to the invention, a washing machine with a tub for receiving washing liquid, a drum rotatably disposed within the tub and a feed opening closable by a door are provided. The washing machine further comprises a program control device that controls a water inlet and outlet device, a heating device and / or a drive device and determines the duration of the individual program sections. The Program control device also controls the water level, the temperature, the drive speed and / or the duration of the drive drive and is intended to perform a method according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments.

Fig. 1

ein Haushaltgerät in einer skizzierten Darstellung;

Fig. 2

die Anzeigeeinrichtung und

Fig. 3, 4

jeweils den zeitlichen Verlauf des Programms bzw. des Verfahrens.

An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. Show it:

Fig. 1

a household appliance in a sketched representation;

Fig. 2

the display device and

Fig. 3, 4

in each case the temporal course of the program or the procedure.

In Fig. 1, a washing machine 1 is shown schematically in an operational position. The washing machine 1 has a tub 2, which is suspended by springs 9 swinging and supported by shock absorbers 10. Within the tub 2, the drum 3 is rotatably arranged, which is driven by the motor 12. By means of a pivotable door 15, the loading opening 17 can be closed, wherein in the front-loadable washing machine 1 shown here, the loading opening 17 is arranged in the end face of the drum 3 and the tub 2. In the lower region of the tub 2, the heating device 13 is for heating the water, depending on the selected washing program and / or the temperature setting. The water outlet 14 is also located in the lower region of the tub 2. A control device 5 controls the execution of the wash program, which is selectable via the operating handle 7. The individual sections or method steps which can be controlled by the control device 5 can be displayed on a display device 6. The closing device 16 contains a sensor which transmits the state of the door 15 to the control device 5. Furthermore, via the locking device 16, the locking or the release of the door 15, depending on the currently performed process step. The closing device 16 is controlled by the control device 5. In the upper part of the washing machine 1, the Einspülschublade 4 is arranged inside the one or more Einspülfächer (not shown) for the flushing of additives, such as detergent and / or disinfectant comprises. The flushing takes place with the aid of the water inlet 8, which is controlled by the control device 5 and directed into the corresponding Einspülfächer, depending on the respective process step. A loading sensor 11, in this example a displacement sensor, is provided for detecting the loading of the drum 3. When loading the drum 3 with a laundry item 18, the drum 3 lowers with the enclosing tub 2 due to the increase in weight. The displacement sensor 11 measures the position of the tub 2 and transmits the measured values for the position to the control device 5. The control device 5 takes into account these measured values for controlling the water inlet 8, the engine 11 and other processes relevant to the washing process.

In Fig. 2, the display device 6 is shown, which in addition to the process steps for washing a Wäschepostens 18 also indicates the procedure for cleaning the machine. This display is also referred to as a so-called program manager, since each process to be displayed takes place in a predetermined order. As display elements 19a to 19i, LEDs are used in this example, but further displays, such as displays, are possible. When selecting a program in which a cleaning of the machine 1 is selected after washing the laundry lot 18, the display element 19c lights up after the loading and starting of the machine 1. After the washing step, this display element 19c extinguishes and the display element 19d is activated as long as the laundry item is rinsed. When selecting the Rinse Hold option, the display element 19e is activated. After the rinsing stage of the tub 2 is emptied, the rinse water is pumped out. In addition, during the spin stage, the drum 3 is rotated at high speed to dewater the laundry item 18. In these stages, the display element 19f is activated. The other display elements are inactive. After emptying the tub 2, the release of the door 15 (Figure 1) is indicated by the activation of the display element 19g. After opening the door 15, the removal of the laundry item 18 and the subsequent reclosing of the door 15, the program automatically performs the process steps for cleaning the machine 1 in its course, this process being indicated by means of the activated display unit 19h. After cleaning the machine 1, the program is finished, which is indicated by means of the display device 19i.

In Fig. 3, the washing program is shown schematically by way of example over time. During the resting phase 20, the washing machine 1 is switched off or the user has not yet started a washing program. During this time, the user can load the drum 3. At the time t = 1, the door 15 is closed and selected by no later than the time t = 2, the washing program and / or the additional options. At the time t = 2, the start key is pressed or activating 30 of the selected program. At this time, the first phase 21 of the washing program, in which all process steps for washing, optionally rinsing and optionally spinning for dewatering the Wäschepostens, as well as emptying the tub 2 and pumping out the washing liquid from the tub 2, performed. During this first phase 21, the actual washing program selected by the user will expire. In this case the animal textiles program is selected for washing cat and / or dog pillows, horse rugs or other textiles for animals. This program includes washing, rinsing and spinning cycles with reduced drum movements or a low mechanical impact on the laundry compared to a conventional cooking / color laundry program. Further, an increased amount of water is preferably used for washing, which is at least temporarily heated to 60 ° C in order to achieve a reliable removal of contaminants and elimination of odors. At time t = 8 is the washing of the laundry item terminated, whereby a state transition 22 to the phase 23 for the release of the door 15 takes place. During this phase 23, in which the door 15 is released or unlocked, it can be opened by the user. The program remains active. In this example, the door 15 is opened for the phase 24 at time t = 10 and the laundry items 18 are removed from the drum 3. At the time t = 11, the door 15 is closed, whereby the state change 25 for the waiting program to the section for machine cleaning 26 takes place. In this program section 26, the process steps for cleaning the empty or not loaded with a Wäscheposten18 machine are performed, with water is introduced into the tub 2 and heated to a temperature of at least 55 ° C. In this phase, the drum 3 is rotated in order to rinse off as many components as possible which have come into contact with the water of the washing cycle for washing the laundry item. At the time t = 13, the cleaning of the machine and thus the program is finally completed, whereby a state transition 27 to the section 28 takes place, in which the door 15 is released or unlocked. In this section 28, the door 15 can be opened by the user. In an advantageous development, the door 15 springs open automatically, so that in the time 28 after the final program end 27, a cleaned machine is ready for the next use.

FIG. 4 shows, by way of example, the time course for the sequence for washing a plurality of laundry items 18 in succession. During the resting phase 20, the washing machine 1 is switched off or the user has not yet started a washing program. During this time, the user can load the drum 3. At the time t = 1, the door 15 is closed and the washing program and / or additional options are selected at the latest at the time t = 2. At the time t = 2, the start button is actuated and thus the first phase 21 a of the washing program, in which all process steps for washing the Wäschepostens, as well as the emptying of the tub 2, are performed, as already described for Fig. 3. At the time t = 8, the washing of the laundry item 18 is completed, whereby a state transition 22a to release the door 15 is carried out 23a. The program remains active. In this example, at the time t = 10, the door 15 is opened 24a and the laundry item 18 is removed from the drum 3 and then filled with another soiled laundry item. At the time t = 11, the door 15 is closed, whereby the state change 25a to the machine cleaning section 26a automatically takes place and the waiting program is continued. In this example, it is first determined in phase 26a whether the drum 3 is loaded. For this purpose, for example, the loading sensor 11 sketched in FIG. 1 is used. In this case, the control device 5 sketched in FIG. 1 has detected a loaded drum 3 on the basis of the loading sensor 11, whereby the section 26a is interrupted at the time t = 12 and the program changes to the phase 21b. In this case the machine will not be cleaned in phase 26a. In phase 21b, all process steps for washing the laundry item 18 and the emptying of the tub 2 carried out. At the time t = 17, the washing of the laundry item 18 is completed, whereby a state transition 22b to release the door 15 is carried out 23b. During this phase 23b, in which the door 15 is unlocked, it can be opened by the user. The program remains active. At time t = 20, the door 15 is closed, causing the waiting program state change 25b to the machine cleaning section 26b. In this program section 26b, the method steps for cleaning the machine are performed, as already described for Fig. 3. At the time t = 22, the cleaning of the machine and thus the program is finally finished, whereby a state transition 27 to release 28 of the door 15 and an independent opening of the door 15 takes place.

Claims (9)

Method for operating a washing machine (1) with a suds container (2) for receiving washing liquid, a drum (3) rotatably arranged within the suds container (2) and a feed opening (17) which can be closed by a door (15), comprising the method steps: a) filling water in the tub (2), b) moving or rotating the drum (3) to move and wash the laundry load (18) and in the drum (3) c) emptying the water from the tub (2), d) after the emptying of the water from the tub (2) the door (15) is released for opening,
characterized, e) that after the emptying of the drum (3) and the subsequent closing of the door (3) independently a program section (26, 26 b) for cleaning the machine (1) is activated, embedded in the water in the tub (2) and the Drum mel (3) is rotated for a predetermined time. A method of operating a washing machine according to claim 1
characterized,
that in step d) a display means (19g) is activated in a display device (6). A method of operating a washing machine according to claim 2
characterized,
in that at least one separate display means (19h) is activated in the display device (6) when performing the method step e). A method of operating a washing machine according to claim 1
characterized,
that after process step d) upon detection of the drum (3) filled with a laundry item (18) and the subsequent closing of the door (15), the process steps a) to c) (21b) for washing the laundry item (18) are carried out independently , A method of operating a washing machine according to claim 1
characterized,
that in process step e) a water inlet through a separate Einspülfach for flushing an adding agent for cleaning the machine (1), and / or odor removal and / or disinfection takes place. A method of operating a washing machine according to claim 1
characterized,
that in process step e) in the program portion (26, 26b) is for cleaning the machine, the predetermined time (for rotating the drum 3) in the range between 8 and 15 minutes, and that the drum (3) at an increased speed relative to the speed of Movement of the in the drum (3) located Wäschepostens (18) is rotated, and
that during rotation of the drum (3), the temperature of the water is at least 55 ° C. A method of operating a washing machine according to claim 1 or 6,
characterized,
that the door (15) after completion of process step e) is opened independently. A method of operating a washing machine according to claim 1
characterized,
that in step a) an increased amount of water compared to a normal easy care program in the tub (2) is admitted, and that the water is heated to a washing temperature of 60 ° C, and
that in step b) the drum (3) is rotated with a small amount of movement and / or a low speed and that a rinsing stage is carried out with a high water level and
that in step e) after emptying the water from the tub (2) the laundry item (18) is spun at a spin speed in the range of 600 to 900 U / min, wherein for the process steps a) to c) a total of about 45 to 75 minutes is needed. Washing machine (1) having a suds container (2) for receiving washing liquid, a drum (3) rotatably arranged within the suds container (2) and a feed opening (17) which can be closed by a door (15), and a program control device (5), a water inlet device (8) and a drain device (14), a heating device (13) and / or a drive device (12) controls and further the duration of a program section, the water level, the temperature, the drive speed and / or the duration of the drive drive controls, wherein the program control device (5) is provided for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 8.

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