EP2930262A1 - Water supply control and fully automatic washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a water supply control for wet washing with a washing machine (1), a washing drum (3) and a circulating device (4) comprehensive washing machine (1), in the washing liquid in a washing process completely in the laundry drum (3) laundry located (5) is bound, wherein a plurality of Umwutschleudergänge (A 1, A 2, A 3) are performed, in which the washing liquid from the laundry (5) expelled and sprayed back into the laundry (5), and between the Umwutschleudergängen (A 1, A 2, A 3) in each case a reversing phase (B 1, B 2, B 3) is carried out and before the first circulating centrifugation (A 1) a basic amount of water volume controlled or up to a predetermined level of washing liquid in the tub (2) is supplied and then a water portion in each reversing phase (B 1, B 2, B 3) and at low speeds can also be refueled in Umflutschleudern until a ge Desired moisture of the laundry (5) is reached. The invention further relates to a washing machine, which is designed or implemented for carrying out the water supply control.

Description

The invention relates to a water supply control for wet washing with a washing machine. The automatic washing machine has a lye container, a laundry drum and a flooding device. In the wet washing washing liquid is completely bound in the laundry in the washing process and is driven out during a plurality of Umflutschleudergängen and sprayed back into the laundry.

In a washing process called wet washing, the moisture of the laundry is below the saturation moisture, so that the washing liquid in the washing process is bound in the laundry. Due to a low, non-contacting the laundry drum washing liquid level in the tub, the washing liquid introduced into the laundry to achieve a uniform wetting and distribution of the detergent is expelled by Umwlschleudern and sprayed via a Umfluteinrichtung back into the laundry. The term "circulating centrifugal" means that the laundry drum is rotated at a drum speed at which the laundry is at least partially applied to the drum basket, and at the same time promotes the circulating the washing liquid from a first region of the tub in a second region of the tub. The washing liquid in the washing process and thus the moisture is gradually increased by introducing water through a water inlet device. During the flooding spin, it must be ensured that the wash liquor level in the tub does not reach a value at which the laundry drum contacts or dips into the wash liquid because it results in foaming and washcoat formation on the laundry drum, significantly disrupting the washing process. To prevent this, the water is supplied to the tub in relatively small portions of water, which has the consequence that the water supply phase for wet washing is relatively time-consuming and the flushing of a washing additive from a dispenser is difficult in the tub.

The invention thus raises the problem of controlling the water feed into the tub in a wet-washing method of the type mentioned above so that the duration of the water supply phase is kept as low as possible. At the same time a washing additive from the Einspülkasten be rinsed satisfactorily in the tub.

According to the invention this problem is solved by a water supply control with the features of claim 1 and a washing machine with the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention will become apparent from the following subclaims.

The achievable with the present invention consist in addition to achieving a satisfactory duration of the water inlet phase is that at the same time a washing additive is flushed out of the Einspülkasten in the tub in a satisfactory degree.

The basic idea of the water supply control according to the invention in wet washing is that after initially a basic amount of water was supplied either volume controlled or up to a predetermined water level in the tub prior to the first Umwutschleudergang further Wasserportionen can be refueled between the Umwutschleudergängen until the desired moisture content of the laundry is achieved , It is therefore not necessary that water is refueled during the circulating centrifuges. The water supply control is terminated when the desired humidity of the laundry is reached. By refueling a portion of water in each Reversierphase nachzutankende water portion can be chosen relatively large, so that the duration of the water supply control can be kept relatively low.

Several circulating centrifuges are carried out alternately with one or more reversing phases. The number of Umwutschleudergängen or Reversierphasen depends on the achievement of the desired moisture content of the laundry. In the Umflutschleudergängen the laundry drum is rotated at a drum speed above the application speed and simultaneously promotes the Umfluteinrichtung washing liquid from a first, preferably lower portion of the tub in a second, preferably upper portion of the tub, based on the operational installation position of the washing machine. In the reversing phase, the laundry drum is rotated at a drum speed that is below the apply speed, the bypass device may, but need not, be deactivated. This ensures that the laundry drum does not spin in the reversing phase. Rather, the laundry drum is rotated in the reversing phase at a relatively low drum speed or not rotated. The reversing phase not only serves as a refueling step but also for redistributing the laundry. In the reversing phase, the laundry is evenly distributed in the laundry drum and potential laundry balls are dissolved.

By thus controlled water inlet to the tub ensures that the washing liquid in the tub does not come into contact during a Umflutschleuderns with the laundry drum and prevents the washing process disturbing foaming or the formation of a water jacket on the laundry drum becomes. At the same time optimal moisture penetration of the laundry and a uniform distribution of the washing additive in the laundry are ensured. The desired for the washing process moisture of the laundry can be set, for example, using the set in Umwutschleudergang drum speed of the laundry drum or the maximum drum set at a drum speed variation during Umwutschleudergangs and / or set to the end of the water inlet target height of the wash liquor in the tub.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the circulating device is deactivated in the reversing phase. Washing liquid can accumulate in the lower region of the tub, based on the operating position of the automatic washing machine. Washing liquid can drain from the laundry in the lower portion of the tub.

In a preferred embodiment, a pressure in the tub is measured at least during Umflutschleudergänge. From the pressure of the washing liquid level can be determined in the tub, so that it can be ensured that the washing liquid level is below a value in which the washing liquid comes into contact with the laundry drum.

In order to increase process reliability, the tumbler drum speed can be varied so that the tumble drums are operated with tumbler drum speed ramps. The Umflutschleuder-drum speed can be increased continuously. Alternatively, the tumbler drum speed is gradually increased.

In a preferred embodiment, each flooding spin cycle is started by rotating the laundry drum at a minimum tumble drum speed. The minimum rollout drum speed is equal to or above the apply speed at which the wash is at least partially applied to a jacket of the laundry drum and below a critical drum speed. During the circulating spin, the tumbler tumbler speed is increased continuously or stepwise up to a maximum tumbler speed. The maximum purge spin speed is preferably above the critical drum speed. The purge cycle is terminated when the measured pressure is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure limit.

Preferably, in the above embodiment, in a first variant, when the maximum tumbler tumbler speed is reached, the tumbler is set to the minimum tumbler tumbler speed and the minimum tumbler tumbler speed is increased continuously or incrementally until the maximum tumbler tumbler speed is reached. The foregoing steps, ie, setting the tumbler drum speed to the minimum tumbler drum speed upon reaching the maximum tumbler drum speed and continuously increasing the minimum tumbler tumbler speed to the maximum tumbler tumbler speed are repeated until the measured pressure is equal to or higher than the predetermined pressure Limit is, so that the Umwutschleudergang is terminated. Refueling is possible in this embodiment not only in the reversing phases, but in addition to each resetting the drum speed to the minimum Umwutschleuderdrehzahl.

Alternatively, in a second variant of the Umflutschleudergang is terminated when reaching the maximum Umflutschleuder-drum speed. That the flooding cycle is terminated when the maximum floater drum speed is reached or when the measured pressure is equal to or higher than the predetermined pressure limit. As a result, larger portions of water can be refueled per refueling step in the reversing phase (s) than in the first variant, since the risk of foam formation is lower than in the first variant. However, the second variant tends to take more time than the first variant, as more reversing phases must be performed.

In a preferred embodiment, a loading amount of the laundry in the laundry drum is determined prior to starting the first circulating spin cycle and the water portion is selected as a function of the loading amount. Preferably, the loading quantity is determined before the laundry is thoroughly moistened by means of an automatic loading sensor system. The loading sensor can determine the loading amount, for example, from the weight-related lowering of the drum during loading with laundry. For determining the loading amount, any known method for determining the loading amount can be used.

If it is necessary to carry out a plurality of reversing phases until the desired moisture is reached, the portions of water to be replenished in the respective several reversing phases are preferably adjusted so that the proportion of water is set lower with increasing number of reversing phases. This additionally reduces the risk of foaming. The nachzutankenden water portions depend on the one hand on the load of the laundry in the laundry drum and on the other hand on the dimensions of the automatic washing machine. Preferably, the water portion at the beginning of the water supply control is in the range of 1.0 to 5.0 liters and at the end of the water supply control in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 liters.

In a preferred embodiment, the minimum Umflutschleuder drum rotational speed is in the range of 80 to 150 Umin and ^-1, the maximum Umflutschleuder drum speed in the range of 300 to 600 Umin ^-1.

The invention further relates to a washing machine with a tub for holding washing liquid, a washing drum rotatably mounted in the tub for receiving laundry to be treated, a Umfluteinrichtung for conveying the washing liquid from a first region of the tub in a second region of the tub, a water inlet device and a Control device for controlling a plurality of circulating centrifugal passages and at least one reversing phase carried out between the circulating centrifugal passages, characterized in that the control device is adapted to activate the water inlet device between the circulating centrifugal phases and to control it according to the water supply control described above or its variants and developments.

That is, the water inlet device, the water via a Einspülkasten that can store at least one washing additive, leads into the tub, is controlled by a control device so that they can supply the tub in each reversing phase water and at minimum Umflutschleuderdrehzahlen also during the Umflutschleudergängen water can.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Teil-Querschnittsansicht eines Waschvollautomaten;

Fig. 2

einen zeitlichen Verlauf einer Wasserzulaufsteuerung; und

Fig. 3

einen zeitlichen Verlauf einer weiteren Wasserzulaufsteuerung.

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 schematic partial cross-sectional view of a washing machine;

Fig. 2

a time course of a water supply control; and

Fig. 3

a time course of another water supply control.

In Fig. 1 is a purely schematic representation of a partial cross-sectional view of a washing machine 1 shown. The washing machine 1 has a tub 2 for receiving washing liquid. In the tub 2, a laundry drum 3 for receiving laundry 5 is rotatably mounted. The automatic washing machine 1 further comprises a circulating device 4, which can convey washing liquid from the lower region of the tub 2 into the upper region of the tub 2, based on the operating position of the automatic washing machine 1. The circulating device 4 comprises a circulating pump 4a, a circulating line 4b and a circulating nozzle 4c. The circulating pump 4a is set up to promote washing liquid from a drain pipe 7, which is arranged at the lower region of the tub 2, into the circulating line 4b when activated. The circulating nozzle 4c is designed to inject the washing liquid conveyed by the circulating line 4b onto the laundry 5 or to inject it into it. The drain pipe 7 is further connected to a drain device 6. The drain device 6 has a drain pump 6a and a drain line 6b. When activated, the drainage pump 6a conveys washing liquid from the drainage pipe 7 into the drainage pipe 6b, which is usually in a sewer (not shown) empties. The automatic washing machine 1 also has a pressure sensor 8. The pressure sensor 8 is suitable for measuring and evaluating the pressure resulting in the tub 2 due to a water column.

The in Fig. 1 shown washing machine 1 is set up, one of in Fig. 2 and 3 and in the accompanying description below, to perform water supply controls. The time periods on the time axis t are in the Fig. 2 and 3 are only indicated symbolically. The time course is shown in each case schematically. At least during the flooding cycles of the water supply controls, the pressure in the tub is measured. At the in Fig. 2 shown first variant of a water supply control each Umwutschleudergang is terminated when a measured pressure in the tub is above a pressure limit p-limit. At the in Fig. 3 shown second variant of a water supply control each Umwutschleudergang is terminated when a measured pressure in the tub is above a pressure limit p-limit or when a maximum Umflutschleuder-drum speed n _{2 of} the laundry drum is reached. The refilling of portions of water in the reversing phases explained below increases the moisture content of the laundry during the water supply control.

Fig. 2 shows a time course of a water supply control. It is a portion of water tanked and the first Umflutschleudergang A ₁ is started. The circulating device is activated in the circulating centrifugal passage A ₁ . The laundry drum is rotated at a minimum tumble drum speed n ₁ which is above the apply speed. The tumbler drum speed is increased in stages until a maximum tumbler tumbler speed n _{2 is} reached. Meanwhile, the pressure in the tub is measured. Since the pressure limit p_limit has not yet been reached when n ₂ is reached, the tumbler drum speed is set to the minimum tumbler tumbler speed n ₁ , an amount of water is charged, and the speed is increased stepwise again. Upon reaching the pressure limit p-limit, the flooding spin is terminated, and a reversing phase B ₁ is performed. In reversing phase B ₁ , the flooding device is deactivated and the laundry drum is rotated at a drum speed below the application speed or not rotated. The laundry can be redistributed in the laundry drum. After lapse of a predetermined period of time, the reversing phase B _{1 is} ended, and a circulating centrifugal A ₂ is started. The flooding device is activated and tumbler drum speed of the laundry drum is incrementally increased from the minimum tumbler tumbler speed n ₁ until the maximum tumbler tumbler speed n _{2 is} reached. When the maximum circulating tumbler drum speed n _{2 is} reached, the measured pressure in the tub also reaches the pressure limit p_grenz, and the circulating spin cycle is terminated, and a reversing phase B ₂ is performed in accordance with the reversing phase B ₁ described above. After expiration of the predetermined period of time, the reversing phase B _{2 is} terminated and a circulating centrifugal passage A ₃ is started. In the flooding cycle A ₃ , the flooding device is activated, and the flooding tumble drum rotation speed is gradually increased from the minimum floater drum rotation speed n ₁ . Before reaching the maximum circulating-pullout drum speed n ₂ , the measured pressure value reaches the pressure limit p-limit and the circulating-impeller A ₃ is terminated. The desired humidity F is reached and the water supply control is terminated. The washing process for washing the laundry can be started.

Fig. 3 shows a time course of another water supply control. It is a portion of water tanked and the first Umflutschleudergang A ₁ is started. The flooding device is activated in the flooding spin A ₁ , and the laundry drum is rotated at a minimum rollout drum speed n ₁ , which is above the application speed. The tumble drum speed is gradually increased. Upon reaching a maximum Umflutschleuder-drum speed n _{2 of} the Umwutschleudergang A _{1 is} terminated. The pressure in the tub at this time is below the pressure limit p_grenz. Following the circulating spin A ₁ , the reversing phase B _{1 is} performed, in which the circulating device is deactivated and the laundry drum is rotated at a drum speed below the application speed or not rotated, so that the laundry can redistribute in the laundry drum. After a predetermined period of time, the reversing phase B _{1 is} terminated, and the circulating centrifugal A ₂ is started. The flooding device is activated, and tumble drum rotation speed of the laundry drum is gradually increased from the minimum tumble drum rotation speed n ₁ . Even before the tumble drum rotation speed has been increased to the maximum tumble drum rotation speed n ₂ , the pressure in the tub reaches the pressure limit p_limit, and the flooding cycle A ₂ is terminated. Subsequently, the reversing phase B ₂ is carried out in accordance with the reversing phase B ₁ described above. After the lapse of the predetermined period of time, the reversing phase B _{2 is} ended, and a circulating centrifugal passage A ₃ is started. In the flooding cycle A ₃ , the flooding device is activated, and the flooding tumble drum rotation speed is gradually increased from the minimum floater drum rotation speed n ₁ . The maximum circulating tumble drum speed n ₂ is reached before the pressure in the tub reaches p-limit. The Umwutschleudergang A ₃ is terminated upon reaching the maximum Umflutschleuder-drum speed n ₂ , and a Reversierphase B ₃ is carried out according to the Reversierphase B ₁ . The desired humidity F is reached and the water supply control is terminated. The washing process for washing the laundry can be started.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Waschvollautomat

2

tub

3

washing drum

4

Umfluteinrichtung

4a

Umflutpumpe

4b

Umflutleitung

4c

Umflutdüse

5

Laundry

6

off device

6a

drain pump

6b

drain line

7

drain pipe

8th

pressure sensor

A ₁ , A ₂ , A ₃

Umflutschleudergänge

B ₁ , B ₂ , B ₃

Reversierphasen

F

desired humidity

n ₁

minimum rollout drum speed

n ₂

maximum rollout drum speed

p_grenz

Pressure limit

t

Time

Claims (10)

Water supply control for wet washing with a washing machine (1) comprising a lye container (2), a washing drum (3) and a flooding device (4), in which washing liquid in a washing process is completely bound in laundry (5) located in the laundry drum (3) is, wherein several Umwutschleudergänge (A ₁ , A ₂ , A ₃ ) are performed, in which the washing liquid is expelled from the laundry (5) and sprayed back into the laundry (5), and between the Umwutschleudergängen (A ₁ , A ₂ , A ₃ ) in each case a reversing phase (B ₁ , B ₂ , B ₃ ) is performed and before the first circulating spin (A ₁ ) a basic amount of water volume controlled or up to a predetermined level of washing liquid in the tub (2) is fed and then a portion of water in each Reversing phase (B ₁ , B ₂ , B ₃ ) is refueled until a desired moisture content of the laundry (5) is reached. Water supply control according to claim 1, characterized in that the circulating device (4) in the reversing phase (B ₁ , B ₂ , B ₃ ) is deactivated. Water supply control according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least during the Umflutschleudergänge (A ₁ , A ₂ , A ₃ ), a pressure in the tub (2) is measured. Water supply control according to claim 3, characterized in that each Umwutschleudergang (A ₁ , A ₂ , A ₃ ) by means of rotating the laundry drum (3) at a minimum Umflutschleuder-drum speed (n ₁ ) is started, which is equal to or above an application speed at the the laundry (5) at least partially abuts a jacket of the laundry drum (3), and is below a critical drum speed, and during the Umwutschleudergangs the Umflutschleuder-drum speed is increased continuously or stepwise up to a maximum Umwutschleuder speed (n ₂ ) and the Purge cycle is terminated when the measured pressure is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure limit. Water supply control according to claim 4, characterized in that the washing drum (3) upon reaching the maximum Umwutschleuder speed (n ₂ ) is set to the minimum Umflutschleuder speed (n ₁ ) and the minimum Umwutschleuder speed (n ₁ ) again continuously or is gradually increased until the maximum Umflutschleuder speed (n ₂ ) is reached, after each lowering to the minimum speed water can be supplied and the process continues repeat until the measured pressure is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure limit. Water supply control according to claim 4, characterized in that the Umflutschleudergang (A ₁ , A ₂ , A ₃ ) when reaching the maximum Umflutschleuder speed (n ₂ ) is terminated. Water supply control according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that before the start of the first circulating centrifugal cycle (A ₁ ) a loading amount of the laundry (5) in the laundry drum (3) is determined and the water portion is selected in dependence on the loading amount. Water supply control according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of reversing phases (B ₁ , B ₂ , B ₃ ) are carried out and the water portions to be replenished in the respective several reversing phases (B ₁ , B ₂ , B ₃ ) are adjusted so that the Water portion with increasing number of reversing phases (B ₁ , B ₂ , B ₃ ) is lower. Water supply control according to one of the preceding claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the minimum circulating centrifugal speed (n ₁ ) in the range of 80 to 150 Umin ^-1 and the maximum circulating centrifugal speed (n ₂ ) in the range of 300 to 600 Umin ^{- 1} lies. Automatic washing machine with a suds container (2) for holding washing liquid, a washing drum (3) rotatably mounted in the suds container (2) for receiving laundry (5) to be treated, a circulating device (4) for conveying the washing liquid from a first area of the suds container (3) 2) in a second region of the tub (2), a water inlet device and a control device for controlling several Umflutschleudergänge (A ₁ , A ₂ , A ₃ ) and at least one between the Umwutschleudergängen (A ₁ , A ₂ , A ₃ ) each carried out Reversierphase (B ₁ , B ₂ , B ₃ ), characterized in that the control device is adapted to activate the water inlet device in the at least one reversing phase (B ₁ , B ₂ , B ₃ ), according to a water supply control according to claims 1 to 9 ,

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