EP1971714A1 - A washing machine and a control method - Google Patents

A washing machine and a control method

Info

Publication number
EP1971714A1
EP1971714A1 EP06819933A EP06819933A EP1971714A1 EP 1971714 A1 EP1971714 A1 EP 1971714A1 EP 06819933 A EP06819933 A EP 06819933A EP 06819933 A EP06819933 A EP 06819933A EP 1971714 A1 EP1971714 A1 EP 1971714A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
foam
drum
spinning
washing
washing machine
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP06819933A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1971714B1 (en
Inventor
Aysegul Ayday Besikci
Levent Gokkus
Ebru Gungor
Gokhan Yildiz
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Arcelik AS
Original Assignee
Arcelik AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Arcelik AS filed Critical Arcelik AS
Publication of EP1971714A1 publication Critical patent/EP1971714A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1971714B1 publication Critical patent/EP1971714B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/06—Arrangements for preventing or destroying scum

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a washing machine and a control method.
  • the aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine and control method, wherein excessive foam formation during the washing process is prevented without using additional equipments.
  • a foam level sensor is used to detect excessive foaming that can occur particularly during the spinning after main wash. If foam level sensed by the foam level sensor exceeds the pre-determined maximum foam level, a foam decreasing algorithm is executed in order to decrease the foam formed.
  • the executed foam decreasing algorithm as the foam is sensed, the drum rotating at the spinning speed is immediately stopped and the spinning step is interrupted. Then, the drum starts operating bi-directionally or unidirectionally preferably with starts and stops as in main washing step with a pre-determined low speed and/or runtime rate so as not to increase the foaming and the foam mixes with water.
  • the draining pump is operated as the drum starts operating to drain the foamed water.
  • the foam decreasing algorithm executed by interrupting the spinning after the main washing is also executed in the spinning after rinsing processes when needed and the excessive foaming is prevented.
  • Figure 1 - Is the schematic view of a washing machine.
  • the washing machine (1) comprises a drum (2) into which the laundry is placed, a tub (3) in which the drum (2) moves, a motor (4) which actuates the drum (2), a draining pump (5) which drains the washing water out of the washing machine (1) at the end of the washing process, and a foam level sensor (6) which detects the foam level inside the drum (2).
  • the washing steps such as main washing, spinning and rinsing are executed in pre-determined durations in accordance with the washing program selected by the user.
  • the drum (2) is stopped by interrupting the spinning step and the drum (2) is moved in a pre-determined speed (V2) and/or runtime ratio (R2) so as to provide the mixing of the water and the foam and the water mixed with the foam is drained by operating the draining pump (5) as the drum (2) starts operating.
  • V2 pre-determined speed
  • R2 runtime ratio
  • the foam level decrease is provided by selecting a lower drum (2) operation speed (V2) in the foam decreasing process than the drum (2) operation speed (Vl) in the main washing step (V2 ⁇ Vl).
  • decreasing of the foam is provided by selecting (R2 ⁇ Rl) a lower runtime ratio (R2) than the runtime ratio (Rl) of the drum in the main washing step.
  • the spinning step is started again and if the foam level sensor (6) detects that the foam could not be decrease, then the processes of stopping the drum 82) by interrupting the spinning step, mixing the water and the foam by moving the drum (2) at a certain speed (V2) and/or runtime ratio (R2), and draining the foamed water by running the draining pump (5) as the drum (2) starts rotating are repeated one by one at pre-determined time intervals.
  • V2 speed
  • R2 runtime ratio
  • the foam decreasing method in the washing machine (1) wherein the laundry is washed via the main washing, rinsing, and spinning steps comprises the steps below.
  • the washing machine (1) is turned-on.
  • the main washing step is executed by taking the detergent in.
  • the drum (2) is stopped by interrupting the spinning process if an excessive foam formation is detected.
  • the foam decreasing process is executed by moving the drum (2) at low speed (V2) and/or runtime ratio (R2) and draining the water-foam mixture by means of the draining pump (5) which operates as the drum (2) starts moving.
  • the spinning process is continued and the foam level is controlled during the spinning.
  • the foam decreasing process is re-executed and it is repeated predetermined number of times according to the detected foam level.
  • the washing process is finished by executing the rinsing and the spinning after rinsing steps.
  • more enhanced mixing of water and foam is provided by drawing water into the tub (3) during the foam decreasing process wherein the draining pump (5) operates and the drum (2) moves slowly.
  • the foam levels after both the main washing and the spinning after rinsing steps are detected by the foam level sensor (6) and if the foam level is detected to be greater than the maximum value then the foam decreasing process is executed by interrupting the spinning process.
  • the foam overflow which may occur during the spinning is prevented and the spinning performance is enhanced without the need for additional equipments in order to decrease the foaming. Furthermore, detergent stain formation on the laundry is prevented.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)

Abstract

This invention relates to a washing machine (1) and a control method thereof wherein the main washing, the rinsing and the spinning steps are executed, a foam level sensor (6) is used to detect the excessive foaming that may occur inside the drum (2) after the main washing and the rinsing, and a foam decreasing algorithm is executed to decrease the foam.

Description

Description A WASHING MACHINE AND A CONTROL METHOD
[0001] This invention relates to a washing machine and a control method.
[0002] In washing machines, using more detergent than needed or using a detergent with extra foaming characteristics causes excessive foam formation inside the washing tub. The foam formed in the washing tub reduces the rinsing performance of the washing machine and results in detergent particles left on clothes at the end of the washing cycle. The detergent remainders on clothes may be harmful for health and looks as if the washing machine does not wash properly. Besides, the excessive foam reaches to the detergent box passing through the tub water inlet and can overflow. In order to prevent excessive foam formation, usually less foaming detergents are used, the drum rotation speed is decreased, the temperature is increased and water is sprayed onto the foam.
[0003] In the patent document no. DE4334969, hot air is blown into the washing tub by means of a hot air generating device in order to prevent the excessive foam.
[0004] In the patent document no. DE4104151, in the washing machine, when a foam is sensed by a foam sensing device, the drum rotation speed is decreased and the heater is turned on.
[0005] In the patent document no. DE3840265, in order to prevent foaming in a washing machine, the spinning speed of the drum into which the laundry is placed is compared with the pre-determined suitable spinning speeds and kept under control.
[0006] In the patent document no. EP0724036, the rotation speed of the drum is decreased, the amount of water taken in the rinsing step is increased and the user is warned in order to prevent the excessive foam.
[0007] In the patent document with No. US2001052249, water is sprayed onto the foam in the washing machine.
[0008] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine and control method, wherein excessive foam formation during the washing process is prevented without using additional equipments.
[0009] The washing machine and the control method realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention are explicated in the attached claims.
[0010] In the washing machine of the present invention, programmes including main washing, spinning after main washing, rinsing, spinning after rinsing are employed in certain time intervals, and a foam level sensor is used to detect excessive foaming that can occur particularly during the spinning after main wash. If foam level sensed by the foam level sensor exceeds the pre-determined maximum foam level, a foam decreasing algorithm is executed in order to decrease the foam formed. In the executed foam decreasing algorithm, as the foam is sensed, the drum rotating at the spinning speed is immediately stopped and the spinning step is interrupted. Then, the drum starts operating bi-directionally or unidirectionally preferably with starts and stops as in main washing step with a pre-determined low speed and/or runtime rate so as not to increase the foaming and the foam mixes with water. The draining pump is operated as the drum starts operating to drain the foamed water. The foam decreasing algorithm executed by interrupting the spinning after the main washing is also executed in the spinning after rinsing processes when needed and the excessive foaming is prevented.
[0011] The washing machine and the control method realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention are illustrated in the attached figures, where :
[0012] Figure 1 - Is the schematic view of a washing machine.
[0013] Elements shown in figures are numbered as follows :
1. Washing machine
2. Drum
3. Tub
4. IVb tor
5. Draining pump
6. Foam level sensor
[0014] The washing machine (1) comprises a drum (2) into which the laundry is placed, a tub (3) in which the drum (2) moves, a motor (4) which actuates the drum (2), a draining pump (5) which drains the washing water out of the washing machine (1) at the end of the washing process, and a foam level sensor (6) which detects the foam level inside the drum (2).
[0015]
[0016] In the washing machine (1), the washing steps such as main washing, spinning and rinsing are executed in pre-determined durations in accordance with the washing program selected by the user. During the main washing step, the drum (2) executes the washing process by moving in a certain runtime ratio (Rl = Ton/(Ton + Toff)), wherein T on is the operation duration and Toff is the stop duration, in a certain speed (Vl) in a bidirectional or unidirectional way with the successive start and stop movements. When the washing machine (1) starts operating, first the washing is done using detergent by executing the main washing step, and the spinning step is employed following the main washing step.
[0017] In the washing machine (1) of the present invention, if it is detected that the foam level exceeds the pre-determined maximum foam level by the foam level sensor (6), to decrease the foam, the drum (2) is stopped by interrupting the spinning step and the drum (2) is moved in a pre-determined speed (V2) and/or runtime ratio (R2) so as to provide the mixing of the water and the foam and the water mixed with the foam is drained by operating the draining pump (5) as the drum (2) starts operating. Thus, the washing performance is enhanced by decreasing the foam formed in the washing machine (1) during the spinning step.
[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the foam level decrease is provided by selecting a lower drum (2) operation speed (V2) in the foam decreasing process than the drum (2) operation speed (Vl) in the main washing step (V2 < Vl).
[0019] In another embodiment of the present invention, decreasing of the foam is provided by selecting (R2 < Rl) a lower runtime ratio (R2) than the runtime ratio (Rl) of the drum in the main washing step.
[0020] After the foam- water mixture in the tub (3) is drained out, the spinning step is started again and if the foam level sensor (6) detects that the foam could not be decrease, then the processes of stopping the drum 82) by interrupting the spinning step, mixing the water and the foam by moving the drum (2) at a certain speed (V2) and/or runtime ratio (R2), and draining the foamed water by running the draining pump (5) as the drum (2) starts rotating are repeated one by one at pre-determined time intervals.
[0021] The foam decreasing method in the washing machine (1) wherein the laundry is washed via the main washing, rinsing, and spinning steps comprises the steps below.
- The washing machine (1) is turned-on.
- The main washing step is executed by taking the detergent in.
- The spinning process is started.
- It is detected whether there is foaming or not by the foam level sensor (6) during the spinning.
- The drum (2) is stopped by interrupting the spinning process if an excessive foam formation is detected.
- The foam decreasing process is executed by moving the drum (2) at low speed (V2) and/or runtime ratio (R2) and draining the water-foam mixture by means of the draining pump (5) which operates as the drum (2) starts moving.
- If the foam level is detected to be normal then the spinning process is continued and the foam level is controlled during the spinning. - If the foam level is detected not to be decreased yet during the spinning process, the foam decreasing process is re-executed and it is repeated predetermined number of times according to the detected foam level.
- The washing process is finished by executing the rinsing and the spinning after rinsing steps.
[0022] In another embodiment of the present invention, more enhanced mixing of water and foam is provided by drawing water into the tub (3) during the foam decreasing process wherein the draining pump (5) operates and the drum (2) moves slowly.
[0023] In the washing machine (1) of the present invention, the foam levels after both the main washing and the spinning after rinsing steps are detected by the foam level sensor (6) and if the foam level is detected to be greater than the maximum value then the foam decreasing process is executed by interrupting the spinning process.
[0024] In the washing machine (1) and the control method of the invention, the foam overflow which may occur during the spinning is prevented and the spinning performance is enhanced without the need for additional equipments in order to decrease the foaming. Furthermore, detergent stain formation on the laundry is prevented.

Claims

Claims
[0001] A washing machine (1) wherein washing steps such as main washing, spinning and rinsing are executed in pre -determined time intervals according to the users choice, comprising a drum (2) into which the laundry is placed, a tub (3) in which the drum (2) moves, a motor (4) which actuates the drum (2), a draining pump (5) which drains the washing water outside the washing machine (1) at the end of the washing process, and characterized by a drum (2) which is stopped by interrupting the spinning process in order to decrease the foam when it is detected by the foam level sensor (6) that the foam formed during the spinning process exceeds the pre-determined maximum foam level and provides the foam to be mixed with the water by moving in a pre-determined velocity ( V2) and/or a runtime ratio (R2) not to increase foaming, and a draining pump (5) which is operated as the drum (2) starts moving so as to drain the water-foam mixture.
[0002] A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a drum (2) whose running velocity (V2) in the foam decreasing process is lower (V2 < Vl) than the running velocity (Vl) in the main washing step.
[0003] A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a drum (2) whose runtime ratio (R2) in the foam decreasing process is lower (R2 < Rl) than the runtime ratio (Rl) in the main washing step.
[0004] A control method for the washing machine as in any of the above claims comprising the following steps : Turning the washing machine (1) on. Executing the main washing step by taking the detergent in. Starting the spinning process. Detecting whether there is foaming or not by the foam level sensor (6) during the spinning. Stopping the drum (2) by interrupting the spinning process if an excessive level of foam is detected. Executing the foam decreasing process by moving the drum (2) at low velocity ( V2) and/or runtime ratio (R2) and draining the water-foam mixture by means of the draining pump (5) operated as the drum (2) starts moving. If the foam level is normal then contunuing the spinning process and controlling the foam level during the spinning. If the foam level is detected not to be decreased yet during the spinning process, re-executing the foam decreasing process and repeating it pre-determined number of times according to the detected foam level. Finishing the washing process by executing the rinsing and the spinning after rinsing steps.
[0005] A washing machine (1) and the control method thereof as in the Claim 4, char- acterized providing a better mixing of water and foam by drawing water inside of the tub (3) during the foam decreasing process wherein the draining pump (5) runs and the drum (2) moves slowly. A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by sensing the foam levels after both the main washing and the spinning after rinsing steps by the foam level sensor (6) and executing the foam decreasing process by interrupting the spinning process if it is detected that the foam level is greater than the maximum value.
EP06819933.0A 2005-12-29 2006-12-08 A washing machine and a control method Active EP1971714B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
TR200505326 2005-12-29
PCT/EP2006/069485 WO2007074037A1 (en) 2005-12-29 2006-12-08 A washing machine and a control method

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1971714A1 true EP1971714A1 (en) 2008-09-24
EP1971714B1 EP1971714B1 (en) 2019-05-08

Family

ID=37882229

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06819933.0A Active EP1971714B1 (en) 2005-12-29 2006-12-08 A washing machine and a control method

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1971714B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2007074037A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2023128971A1 (en) * 2021-12-29 2023-07-06 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi A washing machine

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102007033492A1 (en) * 2007-07-18 2009-01-22 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Process for controlling foam production in a washing machine and washing machine suitable for this purpose
DE102007036041A1 (en) * 2007-08-01 2009-02-05 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Method for removing foam in a drum washing machine and drum washing machine suitable for this purpose
EP2848726B1 (en) 2013-09-11 2019-03-27 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag A method for operating a washing machine
EP2849007B1 (en) * 2013-09-11 2020-11-11 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag A method for controlling a washing machine during a washing cycle
EP3077585A1 (en) 2013-12-04 2016-10-12 Arçelik Anonim Sirketi A washer and the control method thereof
EP2960363B1 (en) 2014-06-27 2020-01-22 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Method for washing laundry in a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine
AU2017203834B2 (en) * 2016-06-08 2019-10-03 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry treatment apparatus and method of controlling the same
CN111850961B (en) * 2019-04-17 2023-12-22 博西华电器（江苏）有限公司 Washing machine and foam detection method and device thereof

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3638498C2 (en) * 1986-11-11 1994-06-30 Licentia Gmbh Program-controlled washing machine
JPH0696069B2 (en) * 1989-03-28 1994-11-30 三洋電機株式会社 Washing machine
FR2649422B1 (en) * 1989-07-04 1992-01-03 Esswein Sa WASHING MACHINE WITH IMPROVED AND ECONOMICAL RINSING
DE4342274A1 (en) * 1993-12-10 1995-06-14 Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete Automatically controlled washing machine

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2007074037A1 *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2023128971A1 (en) * 2021-12-29 2023-07-06 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi A washing machine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1971714B1 (en) 2019-05-08
WO2007074037A1 (en) 2007-07-05

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