EP2813614A1 - Washing method for a washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a washing method for a household or commercial washing machine, which comprises a tub and a drum rotatably arranged in the tub, comprising a washing step (100), wherein arranged in the drum laundry (3) by rotating the drum (2) in washing liquid disposed in the tub is increased by increasing a drum speed during an acceleration phase (101) and decreasing during a subsequent braking phase (102). The acceleration phase (101) and the braking phase (102) during the washing step (100) are repeated cyclically one after the other.

Description

The invention relates to a washing method for a washing machine, which has a tub and a drum rotatably arranged in the tub. For washing laundry, the laundry is moved in the rotating drum, whereby the wetting of the laundry with the washing liquid is effected. In this case, washing liquid is in the tub or in the drum, which is flushed out of the laundry by the movement of dirt. The washing method therefore comprises a washing step in which laundry arranged in the drum is washed by rotating the drum in a washing liquid arranged in the tub. In this case, the drum can be rotated at a constant drum speed, and when the washing process is completed, be braked. Alternatively, the drum speed is ramped up during an acceleration phase, for example, and decreased during a subsequent brake phase at the completion of the wash step.

Washing processes are generally influenced by four factors, which are summarized under the term Sinnerscher circle. These four factors are temperature, time, chemistry and mechanics. A coordinated combination of these factors can increase the washing effect. In an energetically optimized washing process using, for example, less water, this is particularly true because the transferring role of the water is minimized. The optimal interaction of the factors of the Sinner circle is thus more difficult to fulfill.

The disadvantage is that in washing process, the washing time is relatively high, the mechanics in the inner wash area is relatively low and the heat and water entry into the laundry from outside to inside, resulting in a relatively inhomogeneous temperature profile in the laundry and thereby to a more irregular washing effect leads.

The invention thus raises the problem of providing an improved washing effect.

According to the invention, this problem is solved by a washing method having the features of patent claim 1 and a washing machine having the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention will become apparent from the following subclaims.

In the washing process, the acceleration phase and the braking phase are cyclically repeated during the washing step.

The achievable with the present invention consist in addition to a more uniform washing action in more washing action per time. In addition, an optimized laundry distribution and thus a better spin cycle can be achieved. During the acceleration phase, the laundry may behave differently depending on the increasing drum speed. At a drum speed which causes a centrifugal acceleration smaller than the gravitational acceleration, the laundry drops during one drum revolution from the drum shell. At a drum speed which causes a centrifugal acceleration equal to or greater than the gravitational acceleration, the laundry is in the form of a ring on the drum shell. As the drum speed increases, so does the rate of mechanics of the Sinner's circle during the acceleration phase, while at the beginning of the acceleration phase, in which the drum speed is relatively low, the temperature and chemistry factors of Sinner's circle are favored, as a lower drum speed means the introduction of the washing liquid favored via scoop ribs of the drum in the laundry. If the drum speed is so high that forms a washing ring on the drum shell, the factors temperature and chemistry of the Sinner circle are favored. When the braking phase starts and the drum speed is lowered, the Sinner's Circle mechanism is favored until the drum speed is so low that the temperature and chemistry factors of the Sinner's circle are favored, as a lower drum speed means that the washing liquid is introduced via the bowl's scooping ribs favors in the laundry. By cyclically repeating the washing step, all factors of the Sinner circle can be cyclically unfolded. The repeated combination of the three factors temperature, chemistry and mechanics reduces the fourth factor of Sinner's circle, time.

In a preferred embodiment, during the washing step, the acceleration phase and the braking phase are repeated cyclically with a cycle duration of less than 300 seconds, between 10 seconds and 180 seconds, or between 15 seconds and 90 seconds. The more frequently the acceleration and braking phases are carried out alternately, the more intense the interaction of the factors of the Sinner circle becomes.

During the acceleration phase, preferably, the drum speed is increased from a minimum speed of less than 20 revolutions per minute (RPM), less than 10 RPM, or less than 5 RPM. Alternatively or additionally, the drum speed is reduced to the minimum speed during the braking phase. The minimum speed is preferably substantially zero, more preferably zero. The lower the minimum speed is, the better the washing liquid can be introduced into the laundry via scoop ribs of the drum. A low minimum speed at the beginning of the acceleration phase and at the end of the braking phase is for the factors temperature and chemistry of the Sinner's Circle advantageous. Advantageously, the variation of the drum speed in the acceleration phase and the braking phase is such that the time course of the drum speed in a cycle is bell-shaped.

In a preferred embodiment, the drum speed is increased during the acceleration phase up to a maximum speed at which acts on the laundry, a centrifugal acceleration greater than or equal to the gravitational acceleration. As the number of revolutions increases, so does the proportion of the mechanics factor of the Sinner circle generally but also in particular in the inner area of the laundry. If the centrifugal acceleration is greater than the gravitational acceleration, the garment wraps itself in the form of a ring on the drum shell. As a result, falling movements of the laundry and possibly rubbing of the laundry on a door glass are prevented. The higher the drum speed, the greater the centrifugal acceleration that acts on the laundry. The centrifugal acceleration can become so great that washing liquid is expelled from the laundry. The maximum speed represents the drum speed to which the desired effect between the concern of the laundry on the drum shell and the expulsion of the washing liquid is ensured from the laundry. The maximum speed is selected such that a spin-on of the laundry can take place. That is, the maximum speed is less than a drum speed commonly used for spinning the laundry because the washing liquid should not be completely expelled from the laundry to develop its washing effect. The maximum speed is in the range of 50 to 80 rpm, more preferably 60 to 70 rpm.

Each cycle of acceleration phase and braking phase preferably has a tunnel phase. During the entire tunnel phase, the drum speed is so high that acts on the laundry, a centrifugal acceleration greater than or equal to the gravitational acceleration. The tunneling phase occupies less than 50%, 40%, 30% or 25% of a cycle time of the cycle of acceleration phase and braking phase. In the tunnel phase, a better mixing is achieved and continue to affect the factor mechanics of Sinner circle evenly over the laundry. During the tunneling phase, a flooding device is preferably operated in order to remove washing liquid from a lower region of the tub and to introduce it into a middle or upper region of the tub. During the tunneling phase, the laundry wraps itself in the form of a wreath on the drum shell. If washing liquid is fed into the forming ring in parallel via the flooding device, the temperature and chemistry factors of the Sinner circle can be effective, so that a more uniform moisture penetration, a higher circulation of the washing liquid and a more homogeneous temperature course in the laundry are achieved. By the Feeding of washing liquid through the circulating device can be counteracted the expulsion of washing liquid from the laundry.

Preferably, a heater is operated throughout the cycle to heat wash liquid in the tub. As a result, the proportion of the temperature of the Sinner circle can be increased.

In a preferred embodiment, after completion of a cycle, the direction of rotation of the drum is changed. This causes a better mixing of the laundry. For example, if the wash step begins with a cycle in which the drum is rotated to the right, then the drum is rotated leftward on the subsequent cycle, the drum is rotated to the right on the following cycle, and so on, with the terms "right" and "left" each refer to the operating position of the washing machine. By changing the direction of rotation of the drum better mixing of the laundry is achieved.

The invention further relates to a household or commercial washing machine with a tub, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub and a controller which is adapted to perform the washing process described above. The term washing machine should also tumble dryer for washing and drying laundry fall. For the purposes of the present invention, a commercial washing machine is a washing machine whose drum can hold laundry with a dry weight of 8 to 32 kilograms (kg). A commercial washing machine has a drum diameter of 0.59 to 0.8 meters (m), the drum volume is 80 to 320 liters (l). For the purposes of the present invention, a household washing machine is a washing machine whose drum holds laundry having a dry weight of less than 8 kg. The method described is preferably designed for a commercial washing machine.

Fig. 1

eine Waschmaschine in einer skizzierten Schnittdarstellung; und

Fig. 2

einen zeitlichen Ablauf einer Einstellung einer Trommeldrehzahl.

An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. It shows

Fig. 1

a washing machine in a sketched sectional view; and

Fig. 2

a timing of a setting of a drum speed.

Fig. 1 shows a washing machine in a sketched sectional view. Position and direction information refer to the operational installation position of the washing machine. In Fig. 1 is shown a sketched sectional view of a washing machine. The washing machine has a tub 1 and a rotatably mounted in the tub 1 drum 2. For washing, the drum 2 to be washed laundry. 3 filled. During washing, the drum 2 is driven by means of a drum drive motor 21, so that the drum 2 rotates and the laundry 3 is moved into it. The drum drive motor 21 can be controlled by a controller (not shown) such that the drum 2 can change the direction of rotation, if desired. At the tub 1, a drain pump 5 is arranged, which directs wash liquid from the tub 1 and preferably in a sewer or other water drain when activated. In the lower region of the tub 2, a heating element 6 is arranged, which can heat the washing liquid in the tub 1. Furthermore, the washing machine has a circulating device 4 with a circulating pump 41 and a circulating line 42. Upon activation of the circulating pump 41, washing liquid located in the lower region of the liquor container 1 is conveyed through the circulating line 42 into the upper region of the liquor container 1. In the Fig. 1 shown washing machine is designed to be in Fig. 2 Carry out the washing process described.

Fig. 2 shows a timing of setting a drum speed in a washing process. In the washing process, laundry arranged in the drum is washed by rotating the drum in a washing liquid disposed in the tub. The washing process comprises a washing step 100. In the washing step 100, a drum speed is increased during an acceleration phase 101 and reduced during a subsequent braking phase 102. The acceleration phase 101 and the braking phase 102 are cyclically repeated during the washing step 100.

The timing of the acceleration phase 101 and the braking phase 102 is in total Fig. 2 a total of 32 s, but is purely exemplary and may take longer or shorter. The acceleration phase 101 comprises a first acceleration section, in which the drum speed is increased from 0 rpm to 20 rpm within 1 s. In the first accelerating section, it is possible to introduce the washing liquid into the laundry through the scooping ribs of the drum and to favor the factors of temperature and chemistry of the Sinner's circle. The first acceleration section is followed by a second acceleration section, in which the drum speed is increased from 20 rpm to 52 rpm within 12 s. In the second acceleration section increases the proportion of the factor mechanics of Sinner circle with increasing drum speed. In addition, the second acceleration section serves as a preparation step for the subsequent third acceleration section. In the third acceleration section, the drum speed is increased from 52 rpm to 60 rpm within 1 second. In the third acceleration section, the drum speed is increased faster compared to the second acceleration section. In the second accelerating section, the increase of the drum speed is slower to allow better distribution of the laundry before a tunneling phase 103 described below enable. The third acceleration section is followed by a fourth acceleration section, in which the drum speed is increased from 60 rpm to 70 rpm within 1 second. In the third and fourth acceleration section, the laundry increasingly engages the drum shell with increasing drum speed. With increasing drum speed but also increasingly washing fluid is expelled from the laundry. Advantageously, therefore, in these acceleration sections via a circulating device washing liquid from the lower region of the tub in the upper region of the tub and conveyed in the drum shell adjacent laundry garnish. In these acceleration sections in particular the factors temperature and chemistry of the Sinner circle work. The drum speed is kept at 70 rpm for 1 sec in a maximum acceleration section. Subsequently, the braking phase 102 begins. The braking phase 102 has a first braking section, in which the drum speed is reduced within 1 s from 70 rpm to 60 rpm. The first brake section is adjoined by a second brake section, in which the drum speed is reduced from 60 rpm to 20 rpm within 12 s. In the first and second brake sections begins with increasing drum speed reduction, the washing mechanism. The second brake section is adjoined by a third brake section, in which the drum speed is reduced from 20 rpm to 0 rpm within 3 seconds. In the third braking section, the washing liquid level in the tub increases because free liquor forms. The forming free liquor flowing out of the laundry flows into the sump where it can be heated by the heating element. In addition, the drum speed is lowered so that the washing liquid can be introduced via the scoop ribs in the laundry, which increases the proportion of factors temperature and chemistry of Sinner's circle. The third brake section is followed by a 1 second settling phase at which the drum speed is 0 rpm before a new cycle is started, as in FIG FIG. 2 from the time of 33 s is indicated. With the new cycle starting at 33s, the direction of rotation of the drum is changed. For example, if the drum is rotated to the right in the cycle lasting from 0 s to 32 s, the drum is turned to the left in the cycle starting at 33 s. This causes a better mixing of the laundry.

The third acceleration section, the fourth acceleration section, the maximum acceleration section, the first brake section and partially the second brake section (up to the reduction of the drum speed to 52 rpm) together form the tunneling phase 103. In the tunneling phase 103 a good mixing of washing liquid and laundry is achieved and in addition, the mechanics factor of the Sinner circle works evenly over the laundry.

reference numeral

1

tub

2

drum

21

Drum drive motor

3

Laundry

4

Umfluteinrichtung

41

Umflutpumpe

42

Umflutleitung

5

Drain pump

6

heating element

100

wash

101

acceleration phase

102

braking phase

103

tunnel phase

Claims (10)

Washing method for a washing machine, which has a tub (1) and a drum (2) rotatably arranged in the tub (1), comprising a washing step (100), wherein the laundry (3) arranged in the drum (2) by means of rotating the Drum (2) is washed in a washing liquid disposed in the tub (1) by increasing a drum speed during an acceleration phase (101) and decreasing during a subsequent braking phase (102), characterized in that the acceleration phase (101) and the braking phase (102) are cyclically repeated during the washing step (100). Washing method according to claim 1,
characterized,
in that the acceleration phase (101) and the braking phase (102) are repeated cyclically during the washing step (100) with a cycle duration of less than 300 seconds (s), between 10 s and 180 s or between 15 s and 90 s. Washing method according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized,
that during the acceleration phase (101) the drum rotation speed, starting from a minimum speed of less than 20 revolutions per minute (rev / min), is increased from less than 10 U / min or less than 5 U / min and / or that during the braking phase (102) the drum speed is reduced to the minimum speed. Washing method according to claim 3,
characterized,
that the minimum speed is substantially zero. Washing method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that, during the acceleration phase (101), the drum speed is increased to a maximum speed at which the wash acts on a centrifugal acceleration greater than or equal to the gravitational acceleration. Washing method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that each cycle of acceleration phase (101) and braking phase (102) has a tunneling phase (103), wherein the drum speed during the entire tunneling phase (103) is so high that a centrifugal acceleration is applied to the laundry greater than or equal to the gravitational acceleration, and wherein the tunneling phase (103) occupies less than 50%, 40%, 30% or 25% of a cycle duration of the cycle of acceleration phase (101) and braking phase (102). Washing method according to claim 6,
characterized,
in that a circulation device (4) is operated during the tunneling phase (103) in order to remove washing liquid from a lower region of the tub (1) and to introduce it into a middle or upper region of the tub (1). Washing method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that a heating device (6) is operated during the entire cycle in order to heat washing liquid in the tub (1). Washing method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that after completion of a cycle, the direction of rotation of the drum (2) is changed in an immediately following cycle. Household or commercial washing machine with a tub, a in the tub (1) rotatably mounted drum (2) and a controller which is adapted to perform a washing method according to one of the preceding claims.

Images