EP2606172B1 - Laundry treatment device having a screen holder and method for operating a laundry treatment device having a lint screen - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a laundry treatment appliance having a sieve holder for receiving a sieve. The invention further relates to a method for operating a laundry treatment appliance, comprising a sieve holder with a lint filter.

Such a laundry treating appliance and method will be apparent from the document DE 10 2008 054 832 A1 , In the device disclosed therein and in the method disclosed therein, condensate flows through at least one lint filter on its way to a condensate container, which is arranged and removable separately from the condensate container.

The font WO 2010/028992 A1 discloses a dryer comprising a drying chamber for receiving a moist material and a process air guide for supplying process air into the drying chamber and for discharging process air from the drying chamber, which process air guide a heat source for heating the process air before entering the drying chamber and a heat sink for cooling the Process air after its exit from the drying chamber, and arranged between the drying chamber and the heat sink first lint filter for collecting lint from the process air, which is associated with a first cleaning device. This first cleaning device has a collector for a liquid, a first flushing line connected to the collector, a first control element located in this first flushing line and a first distributor connected to the first flushing line for distributing liquid conveyed through the first flushing line to the first lint filter and to Picking up intercepted lint from the first lint filter, comprising a first drain for discharging the liquid with the collected lint from the first lint filter to the collector.

The lint after the cleaning of the lint filter and / or an evaporator-containing liquid is collected in a drip tray before it is pumped into the washing. However, due to the lint in the liquid, operation of the pump is prone to failure. In order to prevent at least from the cleaning of the lint filter incurred lint into the drip tray, the second lint filter is provided.

The font EP 2 075 368 A1 relates to a method for disposing of a condensate in a domestic appliance for the care of laundry, in which the condensate accumulating in operation of the domestic appliance is collected in a collecting container, wherein the level of condensate collected in the collecting container is monitored and a signal when exceeding a filling level threshold is generated as an indication to perform a Kondensatentsorgungsvorgangs or a condensate removal process is started.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a possibility for a more reliable operation of a laundry treatment appliance, in particular a laundry drying appliance.

This object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are in particular the dependent claims and the following description can be removed.

The object is accordingly achieved by a laundry treatment appliance, comprising a sieve receiver for holding a sieve, wherein the sieve receiver is assigned at least one level measuring device for measuring at least one water level at the sieve receiver, wherein the level measuring device is functionally connected to a control device, which control device is adapted to to flush the lint filter with liquid having a predetermined volume and to detect at least a predetermined level of liquid in the lint filter corresponding to a predetermined degree of lint filling.

This laundry treatment appliance has the advantage that a degree of filling of a sieve located in the sieve receiver with fluff, hair, etc., can be detected in a simple manner. The laundry treatment device makes the fact make use of the fact that the liquid flowing into the sieve runs all the worse, the more lint etc. are present in the sieve. In other words, the more it is added with lint, etc., the less liquid throughput through the sieve. Thus, if liquid flows into the sieve receiver and thus also into the sieve inserted therein, the liquid level in the sieve receiver rises. The more lint already deposited in the sieve, the higher the liquid can rise to a maximum. In particular, a level can be detected by means of the level measuring device, which indicates a quantity of lint in the sieve which corresponds to a sieve which is full or almost full with lint, etc. (also referred to below as "limit level"). Thus, filling of the sieve with lint, etc. can be deduced by simple level measurement.

For a particularly simple preferred embodiment of the level measurement, a fill level sensor can be arranged on an inner side of a wall of the sieve holder. If the level rises to the level of the level sensor, this triggers a signal.

It is still a preferred embodiment that the screen receptacle is connected to a flood chamber according to the principle of communicating vessels and the at least one level measuring device is arranged and arranged for measuring at least one water level of the flood chamber. This refinement has the advantage that the level measurement can be carried out with particularly low errors. For example, fluid dynamics (wave formation, sloshing, etc.) in the flood chamber will only be damped. Also, a misdetection of the level measuring device is avoided by liquid splash. Furthermore, a misdetection of the level measuring device can be avoided by a wetted screen.

It is a specific preferred embodiment that the flood chamber has a lower passage opening arranged in the vicinity of a bottom of the flood chamber, which fluidly connects the flood chamber to the filter holder. This way even low water levels can be reliably detected.

It is possible for the flood chamber to be located at a distance from the sieve receiver and to be hydraulically connected thereto, for example, by means of at least one liquid channel (pipe, hose or the like).

However, it is a preferred embodiment for a compact and robust construction that the flood chamber is located in the sieve holder. The flood chamber is thus integrated into the sieve holder.

In order not to add the flooding chamber with lint, hair or other particles, the flood chamber is preferably arranged outside a provided for receiving the sieve area within the sieve holder.

For the same purpose, the flood chamber is preferably arranged laterally of a region provided for receiving the sieve.

In particular, the sieve holder can be subdivided into a sieve receiving chamber for receiving the sieve and the flood chamber, wherein the two chambers are separated from one another by a dividing wall. The partition wall may have a lower passage opening for Have exchange of liquid. Liquid can flow out of the sieve into the flood chamber through the lower passage opening until a (geodetic) liquid level in the sieve receiving chamber and in the flood chamber has reached the same height, and vice versa with decreasing level in the sieve receiving chamber back into the sieve flow. The partition may have an upper vent for exchanging air to prevent air accumulation in the flood chamber.

It is yet another preferred embodiment that the flood chamber has an overflow or overflow channel leading to at least one moisture sensor. The overflow is arranged with its located in the flood chamber overflow opening (with its lower edge), in particular at a height corresponding to the limit level. When the liquid reaches this level, it flows through the overflow to the at least one moisture sensor, which can output a corresponding signal when wetting. The level measuring device may include, for example, the overflow and the humidity sensor. This development has the advantage that the actual sensor (moisture sensor, etc.) can be arranged separately from the flood chamber. Thus, the sensor can be easily replaced and also provided a sufficient installation space for the sensor.

Similarly, if no dedicated flood clip is provided, the overflow may also be provided directly in or at the screen receptacle.

It is furthermore a preferred embodiment that at least one moisture sensor is arranged at least partially in the flood chamber. This allows a particularly compact design. The at least one humidity sensor is arranged so that it strikes upon reaching at least one threshold level.

It is also a preferred embodiment that the level measuring device is functionally connected to a control device, wherein the control device is set up to trigger at least one action of the laundry treatment device on the basis of at least one measurement of the at least one level measuring device.

The at least one action may include an output of an acoustic and / or optical signal. The at least one action can also be an output of a hint to a user, in particular via a display unit of the household appliance. The at least one action may further include switching off the household appliance and / or inhibiting a subsequent starting of a process sequence, in particular laundry treatment process.

It is also a preferred embodiment that a plurality of moisture sensors are arranged at least partially in the flood chamber, which respond to different levels of a liquid in the flood chamber.

Thus, graduated actions can be triggered by the moisture sensors depending on the level reached. For example, if a first humidity sensor responds upon reaching a lower level, but a second, higher level is not yet reached, the home appliance may issue a warning to a user, e.g. of the kind "lint filter full, please change". If the second, higher level is reached and consequently an associated second humidity sensor responds, for example, additionally or alternatively, a new laundry treatment process can be blocked, if necessary together with a message of the type "appliance deactivated because the lint filter is full, please change".

Alternatively, different levels may be detected, for example, by a single level gauge, e.g. be detected by a float.

It is a preferred embodiment that the level measuring device has at least one moisture sensor. The moisture sensor may comprise, for example, a pair of electrodes. The electrode pair may be used for moisture detection e.g. be under a voltage, wherein a current flowing between the electrodes increases or only forms if the space between the two electrodes is filled with liquid. The current change can be detected well and used for a level detection. In other words, the electrode pair (digital or analog) can be checked for its conductance).

Alternatively or additionally, the level measuring device may have a float arranged in the flood chamber, which is coupled to or has a reed sensor or reed switch.

The sieve may e.g. a sieve or a filter. Accordingly, the sieve receiver may also be referred to as a filter holder, etc. The sieve or filter may e.g. made of metal or fabric.

The liquid may be water, in particular condensate water.

In particular, cleaning water from a lint filter and / or a heat exchanger can be introduced into the sieve holder.

The laundry treatment device may be configured to perform the level measurement (only) in connection with a cleaning process of a lint filter and / or a heat exchanger or to deposit it with an action. Thus, a level due to rapid filling can be detected with a defined purge volume, resulting in high accuracy of determination. A level exceeding due to a dependent of a laundry volume and stored in the laundry moisture level exceeding can be ignored, however.

The laundry treatment appliance may in particular be a laundry drying appliance, in particular a tumble dryer or a washer-dryer (combination of a washing machine and a tumble dryer).

• Spülen des Flusensiebs mit Flüssigkeit mit einem vorbestimmten Volumen, und
• Feststellen eines Erreichens mindestens eines vorbestimmten Pegels der Flüssigkeit in dem Flusensieb, welcher einem vorbestimmten Befüllungsgrad mit Flusen entspricht.

The object is also achieved by a method for operating a laundry treatment appliance, comprising a sieve holder with a lint filter, wherein the sieve holder is assigned at least one level measuring device for measuring at least one water level at the sieve receiver, which method has at least the following steps:

• Rinsing the lint filter with liquid having a predetermined volume, and
• Detecting a reaching of at least a predetermined level of the liquid in the lint filter which corresponds to a predetermined degree of lint filling.

The method thus uses the level determination as a measure of the degree of filling. The correlation between the level and the degree of filling can, for example, have been determined by tests or empirically.

According to the invention, the determination or determination of the predetermined level is carried out by means of a flushing of the lint filter with liquid having a predetermined volume. This allows a particularly accurate correlation between the level and the degree of filling.

It is a preferred embodiment that the step of determining the reaching of the predetermined level comprises determining a time period within which the predetermined level remains reached. In other words, a period of time may be predetermined for which the predetermined level must be reached (or exceeded) in order to be used or taken into account for a determination of the degree of filling, e.g. to trigger an action. This time period can be stored, for example, in the control device. This embodiment has the advantage that short-term level fluctuations, e.g. can occur due to wave formation, can be ignored and only the "static" level is considered.

It is a specific preferred embodiment that the determination of the predetermined level by means of a flushing of the lint filter with liquid from a cleaning process of an upstream (in particular located in a process air duct) lint filter and / or a heat exchanger is performed. It is exploited that the volume of liquid for cleaning the upstream lint filter and / or the heat exchanger is well known. For example, the liquid may be provided by emptying (flushing) a rinse container having a known volume. In addition, since such a cleaning process can be performed regularly, then the degree of filling with lint, etc. can be determined regularly without or with only a small additional effort.

It is a preferred development that the step of positively detecting the achievement of the predetermined level is followed by a step of performing an action.

Fig.1

zeigt eine Skizze eines Wäschebehandlungsgeräts, ausgestaltet als Wäschetrockner;

Fig.2

zeigt als Schnittdarstellung in Seitenansicht eine Siebaufnahme des Wäschebehandlungsgeräts gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform; und

Fig.3

zeigt als Schnittdarstellung in Seitenansicht eine Siebaufnahme des Wäschebehandlungsgeräts gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform.

In the following figures, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments schematically illustrated in the accompanying drawing. In this case, the same or equivalent elements may be provided with the same reference numerals for clarity. Show it:

Fig.1

shows a sketch of a laundry treatment device, designed as a clothes dryer;

Fig.2

shows a sectional view in side view of a sieve receiving the laundry treatment appliance according to a first embodiment; and

Figure 3

shows a sectional view in side view of a sieve receiving the laundry treatment appliance according to a second embodiment.

As in Fig.1 illustrated, the laundry treatment device, here a tumble dryer 1, designed as a rotatable drum drying chamber 2, which absorbs wet material, here laundry 3, for drying. A closed process air duct 4 is provided, in which, driven by a blower 5, a process air flow is circulated which absorbs moisture from the laundry 3 and removes it. In a heat source 6, the process air is heated before it enters the drying chamber 2. After the thus heated process air has flowed around receiving the moisture due to the rotation of the drying chamber 2 in this washing around 3, it leaves the drying chamber 2 and reaches a heat sink 7. There it is cooled so that the entrained moisture condenses out precipitated as condensate in liquid form on the structures of the heat sink 7 and dripped into a collecting tray 8 arranged under this. From the collecting tray 8 such condensate passes through the pumping line 9, in which a condensate pump 10 is inserted, to a collector 11. This collector 11 is designed so that it can be removed from the dryer 1 after completion of a drying process to the liquid pour it out and give it to a suitable disposal.

Between the drying chamber 2 and the heat sink 7, a first lint filter 12 is arranged in the process air guide 4. This first lint filter 12 is necessary to lint, these are fine, dust-like fiber particles and the like, which entraises the flowing process air of the laundry 3, so that they do not reach the heat sink 7 and contaminate it. This is necessary above all because lint that precipitate on appropriately exposed surfaces of the heat sink 7, the thermal conductivity of the structures within the heat sink 7 can significantly deteriorate, so that the operation of the dryer 1 can be affected or even endangered. However, the presence of the first lint filter 12 in the process air guide 4 is not free of possible impairments, because even the first lint filter 12th represents a significant flow obstruction in the process air guide 4, if it clogs in the course of a drying process with lint.

In order to avoid this impairment and also to provide a convenient way to remove the lint from the dryer 1, the first lint filter 12 is associated with a first cleaning device 13, 14, 15, with which the first lint filter 12 using the stored in the collector 11 Condensate can be freed from lint. For this purpose, a first purge line 13 is connected to the collector 11, which passes through a first control member 14 to a arranged on the first lint filter 12 first manifold 15, through which condensate can be distributed from the collector via the first lint filter 12, so that this condensate on the first lint filter 12 deposits lint and dissipates. Such loaded with lint condensate passes through a discharge line 16 to a second lint filter 28, which catches the lint taken from the condensate, whereupon the condensate in turn the drip tray 8 flows to be transported out of this by means of the condensate pump 10 back to the collector 11. In the second lint filter 28, the lint is a compact, moist lump, which can be relatively easily removed and disposed of the second lint filter 28. Alternatively, the lint filter 28 may be replaceable.

The heat source 6 and the heat sink 7 are integrated in the present embodiment illustrated in a heat pump 6, 7, 20, 21, 22, in which heat, which is withdrawn from the process air in the heat sink 7, pumped to the heat source 6 and fed back there the process air becomes. The purpose of a closed refrigerant circuit 20, in which a refrigerant circulates. Under a refrigerant is under suitable conditions in terms of pressure and temperature reversibly vaporizable and condensable substance to understand. This substance may be present propane, carbon dioxide or a fluorinated hydrocarbon compound such as the known R134a, R152a, R407C and R410a - the latter two substances are mixtures of several fluorinated hydrocarbon compounds. In any case, the refrigerant passes in the refrigerant circuit 20 in liquid form to the heat sink 7, where it evaporates while absorbing heat from the process air also flowing through. A compressor 21 in the refrigerant circuit 20 compresses the vaporized refrigerant and delivers it to the heat source 6. There, the refrigerant liquefies by applying heat to the flowing through Dispensing process air. In liquid form, the refrigerant now flows in the refrigerant circuit 20 of a throttle 22, represented by a valve, a capillary or an orifice, to where it is expanded to a reduced pressure. In this form, it returns to the heat sink 7 to re-evaporate there. The refrigerant circuit 20 must be completely self-contained in order to ensure complete enclosure of the refrigerant over the expected service life of the dryer 1.

In practice, the first lint filter 12 is incapable of completely receiving the fluff entrained by the process air; It is always to be expected that a fraction of the lint, though extremely finely divided, passes through the lint filter 12 without being caught by it. These finely divided fluff then settle more or less completely in the heat sink 7, wherein the condensate occurring there can adhere to the corresponding exposed surfaces of the heat sink 7. These fluff can, if appropriate over a larger number of drying processes in the dryer 1 away, significantly affect the function of the heat sink 7. In the present case, it is aggravating that because of the required complete sealing of the refrigerant circuit 20, removal of the heat sink 7 from the dryer 1 is not possible for the purpose of cleaning. Therefore, the heat sink 7 is associated with a second cleaning device 23, 24, 25, with which also collected in the collector 11 condensate can be used to clear the process air exposed surfaces of the heat sink 7 and remove the resulting lint. For this purpose, a second purge line 23 together with an inserted second control element 24 is assigned to the collector, which connects the collector 11 with a second distributor 25 placed on the heat sink 7. Via this second distributor 25, condensate from the collector 11 reaches the heat sink 7 and can clean off the fluff deposited there. The condensate laden with such fluff drips off into the collecting tray 8 and is in turn fed to the collector 11 from there by means of the condensate pump 10. Since the first lint filter 12 catches the majority of all lint, the heat sink 7 is loaded only comparatively low, and the fluff deposited there are relatively finely divided. Nevertheless, these fluff, in particular hair, in particular the condensate pump 10 may affect over time. Therefore, the condensate dripping from the heat sink 7 is also conducted to the second lint filter 28.

The Kotrollorgane 14 and 24 are presently shown in each case as a simple valve 14 and 24. In a case that a relatively strong flow of the condensate is desired for the corresponding cleaning purpose, in addition to each such valve 14 and 24 may be provided a pump. Optionally, a single pump could be assigned to both valves 14 and 24, respectively.

In the dryer 1, a control device 26 is provided. This serves a user of the dryer 1 to select a program from among a variety of programs offered for the desired drying process, includes a display device to provide a user with necessary information, and controls all controllable components of the dryer 1. Corresponding control lines are shown in FIG Fig.1 not shown for clarity.

The fluff filter 28 is located in a pot-shaped sieve receiving 27. In an open serving as an inlet open top of the sieve flows through the discharge line 16 used for cleaning the first lint filter 12, linty condensate Kf and the heat sink 7 in normal operation and due to a By a bottom side arranged drain 30 flows through the filter 28 purified, substantially lint-free condensate Kr into the drip tray 8. The Siebaufnahme 27 is assigned a level measuring device 31 for measuring at least one level of the screen holder 27. The level measuring device 31 is connected to the control device 26 via a data line 32, so that measurement data generated by the level measuring device 31 can be supplied to the control device 26 and further processed and / or used there. For example, the controller 26 may initiate at least one action if the level meter 31 detects or responds to a predetermined level of condensate in the screen receiver 27.

Fig.2 shows a sectional view in side view of the screen holder 27 in more detail. The screen holder 27 is cup-shaped and has an open top 29. By the open top 29 of, for example, also pot-shaped configured second lint filter 28 can be used. During operation of the dryer 1, the filter holder 27 and the second lint filter 28 are filled by the open upper side 29, specifically with condensate Kf dripping from the heat sink 7 and / or through the discharge 16 fed Kondensat Kf. The second lint filter 28 acts as a flow resistance for the condensate Kf, so that dams the condensate Kf to be cleaned in the screen holder 27 and in the second lint filter 28. The condensate Kf thus has a level P in the screen holder 27. The more lint, etc. deposited in the second lint filter 28, the higher the level P may temporarily increase. In particular with a cleaning of the first lint filter 12 and / or with a cleaning of the heat pump, a defined volume of condensate can reach the filter holder 27 in a short time, in particular in a surge-like manner, by opening the control elements 14, 24. A maximum level P then temporarily reached can be used as a measure of the filling of the second lint filter 28, since the flow resistance of the second lint filter 28 increases with an increasing number of lint, etc. and, secondly, a larger volume in lint the second lint filter 28 is taken. The level P can thus be correlated (at least during a cleaning) with a degree of filling of the lint, etc. in the second lint filter 28.

The sieve receiver 27 is subdivided into a sieve receiving chamber 27a for receiving the second lint filter 28 and into a flood chamber 27b. The screen receiving chamber 27a and the flood chamber 27b are separated by a partition wall 33. The partition wall 33 has a lower passage opening 34 which fluidly connects the screen receiving chamber 27a and the flood chamber 27b and is disposed in a vicinity of a bottom of the flood chamber 27b. Through the lower passage opening 34, condensate from the screen receiving chamber 27a can flow through the second lint filter 28 into the flood chamber 27b until the (geodesic) level P in the screen receiving chamber 27a and in the flood chamber 27b has become substantially the same height. The condensate flowing into the flood chamber 27b is lint-free. Conversely, when the level P in the screen receiving chamber 27a drops, condensate from the flood chamber 27b can flow back into the screen receiving chamber 27a. The partition wall 33 may further include an upper vent 35 for exchanging air to prevent air accumulation in the flood chamber 27b. In this case, the upper vent opening 35 is equipped with a baffle 36 to prevent ingress of splashes, waves, etc. through the upper vent opening 35. The screen receiving chamber 27a and the flood chamber 27b are thus communicating vessels. A level P in the screen receiving chamber 27a is imaged in the flood chamber 27b. The partition 33 also causes a dynamic Behavior of the condensate in the Siebaufnahmekammer 27 a only attenuated to the flood chamber 27 b is transmitted.

The flood chamber 27b has above the lower passage opening 34 on a tubular overflow 38, which opens into the flood chamber 27b open end forms an overflow opening 39. The overflow 38 is inclined downwards as viewed from the flood chamber 27b. Thus, the condensate located in the flood chamber 27b will at least partially enter the overflow opening 39 and drain through the overflow 38 if the level P reaches or exceeds the edge of the overflow opening 39 at a threshold level Pg. The side of the overflow 38 facing away from the flood chamber 27b leads to a moisture sensor 40. If the condensate passes through the overflow 38 to the moisture sensor 40, it will strike. The overflow 38 and the humidity sensor 40 form a level measuring device 38, 40, which strikes upon reaching or exceeding the limit level Pg. The limit level Pg may be e.g. (At least during a cleaning) a full or almost full second lint filter 28 be assigned.

By hitting the humidity sensor 40 (possibly over a predetermined period of time), which is recognizable by the controller 26 via the data line 32, the controller 26 may initiate at least one action, e.g. issue a warning and / or disable the operation of the dryer. The controller 26 may not initiate an action until several times in succession, e.g. in successive cleaning operations, the humidity sensor 40 has struck each time or several times. The arrangement of the moisture sensor 40 outside the screen holder 27 has the advantage that the moisture sensor 40 is easily replaceable and also can be relatively freely aligned. At the flood chamber 27b also several level measuring means 38, 40 may be arranged, e.g. at different heights.

Figure 3 shows a sectional view in side view of a screen holder 41 according to a second embodiment, which can be used instead of the screen holder 27, for example. In contrast to the screen holder 27, the screen holder 41 now has no overflow 38. Rather, in the flood chamber 27b three electrodes 42a, 42b and 42c are arranged, which form two pairs of electrodes 42a, 42b and 42b, 42c. When the level P (at a limit level Pg1) reaches the first pair of electrodes 42a, 42b, which At the same level, a current changes between the two electrodes 42a, 42b, which can be detected by the control device 26 directly or indirectly (eg via a current comparison device 43). The level measuring device can be formed, for example, by the three electrodes 42a, 42b and 42c and the current comparison device 43.

If the level P (at a limit level Pg2) also reaches the third electrode 42c, which is at a higher level, a current changes between the two electrodes 42b, 42c, which is also directly or indirectly detectable by the control device 26. Thus, by means of the three electrodes 42a, 42b and 42c, two different levels P can be detected as limit levels Pg1 and Pg2. The controller 26 may then be e.g. trigger different actions, such as when reaching the lower limit level Pg1 a warning of the type "lint filter almost full, please change / clean" spend and on reaching the upper limit level Pg2 a warning of the type "lint filter full, please change / clean" and output deactivate the dryer.

Alternatively, only one pair of electrodes can be used, or more than two pairs of electrodes, even of different heights, can be used.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. Thus, the screen holder 27 may be filled only by dripping of the heat sink 7 condensate. The condensate used by the first lint filter 12 for cleaning can be filtered, for example, by means of its own lint filter, for example as in WO 2010/028992 A1 shown. Furthermore, the screen holder 27 may be filled only with zoom out of the first lint filter 12 condensate. The Siebaufnahme 27 may then, for example, the function of in WO 2010/028992 A1 take over shown second lint filter. Also, the shape of the screen holder and the screen is not limited to the shape shown. Strainer and filter can be used interchangeably.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

dryer

2

drying chamber

3

Wet good, laundry

4

Process air supply

5

fan

6

heat source

7

heat sink

8th

drip tray

9

pumping line

10

condensate pump

11

First cleaning device, collector

12

First lint filter

13

First cleaning device, first flushing line

14

First cleaning device, first control device

15

First cleaning device, first distributor

16

First cleaning device, discharge

20

Refrigerant circulation

21

compressor

22

throttle

23

Second purge line

24

Second controlling body

25

Second distributor

26

control device

27

sieve seat

27a

strainer containing chamber

27b

flood chamber

28

Second lint filter

29

Top of the sieve holder

30

procedure

31

Level measuring device

32

data line

33

partition wall

34

Port

35

vent

36

baffle wall

38

overflow

39

Overflow opening

40

humidity sensor

41

sieve seat

42a

electrode

42b

electrode

42c

electrode

43

Current comparator

kf

Lint-laden condensate

Kr

Lint-free condensate

P

level

Pg

limit level

Pg 1

limit level

Pg2

limit level

Claims (13)

1. Laundry treatment appliance (1), comprising a filter receptacle (27; 41) with a lint filter (28), characterised in that at least one level measuring device (31; 38, 40; 42a-c, 43) for measuring at least one level state (Pg; Pg1, Pg2) at the filter receptacle (27; 41) is associated with the filter receptacle (27; 41), wherein the level measuring device (31; 38, 40; 42a-c, 43) is functionally connected with a control device (26), which control device (26) is arranged to flush the lint filter (28) with liquid (Kf) in a predetermined volume and to ascertain attainment of at least one predetermined level (Pg; Pg1, Pg2) of the liquid (Kf), which corresponds with a predetermined degree of filling with lint, in the lint filter (28).
2. Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein the filter receptacle (27, 27a; 41) is connected with a flood chamber (27b) in accordance with the principle of communicating vessels and the at least one level measuring device (38, 40; 42a-c, 43) is equipped and arranged for measuring at least one level state (Pg; Pg1, Pg2) of the flood chamber (27b).
3. Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to claim 2, wherein the flood chamber (27b) has a lower throughflow opening (34), which is arranged in the vicinity of a base of the flood chamber (27b) and which places the flood chamber (27b) in fluid connection with the filter receptacle (27a).
4. Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to one of claims 2 and 3, wherein a plurality of moisture sensors, which respond to different levels of liquid in the flood chamber (27b), is arranged at least partly in the flood chamber (27b).
5. Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the flood chamber (27b) is disposed in the filter receptacle (27; 41).
6. Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the flood chamber (27b) has an overflow (38) leading to at least one moisture sensor (40).
7. Laundry treatment appliance according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein at least one moisture sensor (42a-c) is arranged at least partly in the flood chamber (27b).
8. Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which laundry treatment appliance (1) is arranged, for ascertaining attainment of the at least one predetermined level (Pg; Pg1, Pg2), to determine a time period within which the at least one predetermined level (Pg; Pg1, Pg2) persists.
9. Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (26) is arranged to trigger at least one action of the laundry treatment appliance (1) on the basis of at least one measurement of the at least one level measuring device (31; 38, 40; 42a-c, 43).
10. Method of operating a laundry treatment appliance (1), comprising a filter receptacle (27; 41) with a lint filter (28), wherein at least one level measuring device (31; 38, 40; 42a-c, 43) for measuring at least one level state (Pg; Pg1, Pg2) at the filter receptacle (27; 41) is associated with the filter receptacle (27; 41), which method comprises at least the following steps:

    - flushing the lint filter (28) with liquid (Kf) in a predetermined volume; and

    - ascertaining attainment of at least one predetermined level (Pg; Pg1, Pg2) of the liquid (Kf), which corresponds with a predetermined degree of filling with lint, in the lint filter (28).
11. Method according to claim 10, wherein the step of ascertaining attainment of the at least one predetermined level (Pg; Pg1, Pg2) comprises determining a time period within which the predetermined level (Pg; Pg1, Pg2) persists.
12. Method according to one of claims 10 and 11, wherein the step of ascertaining attainment of the at least one predetermined level (Pg; Pg1, Pg2) comprises ascertaining attainment of several predetermined levels (Pg; Pg1, Pg2).
13. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein ascertainment of the predetermined level (Pg; Pg1, Pg2) is carried out by means of flushing the lint filter (28) with liquid (Kf) from a flushing-out process of an upstream lint filter (12) and/or a heat exchanger (7).

Images