EP3006618B1 - Laundry care appliance - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a laundry care device.

The disclosure document DE 101 20 199 A1 shows a method for controlling a washing program of a washing machine with a plastic tub.

The disclosure document EP 1 870 504 A1 shows a washing machine.

The patent specification DE 10 2008 043 760 B3 shows a method for determining operating conditions of a domestic appliance.

The disclosure document EP 0 957 194 A1 shows a washing machine.

The disclosure document EP 0 118 167 A2 shows a washing machine.

A laundry care device, such as a washing machine, is often designed to carry out a fixed predetermined laundry care program, which is carried out independently of an operating state of the laundry care device, such as a temperature value of the water supplied to the laundry care device. As a result, energy consumption or water consumption can be increased when the laundry care appliance is in operation.

It is the object of the invention to provide a more efficient laundry care device.

This object is achieved by subjects having the features according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the figures, the description and the dependent claims.

According to one aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a laundry care device for carrying out a laundry care program, with a memory in which a Program parameters of the laundry care program are pre-stored, a tub and a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature value of a liquid contained in the tub, in which the laundry care device further comprises a control device which is designed to determine an updated program parameter when a temperature threshold value is reached by the detected temperature value and to replace the pre-stored program parameter with the updated program parameter in order to change the laundry care program. In this way, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that, by changing the laundry care program, energy consumption of the laundry care device can be reduced when the laundry care program is carried out.

The laundry care appliance can be a household appliance. For example, the laundry care device is a washing machine.

A household appliance is understood to mean a device that is used for housekeeping. This can be a large household appliance, such as a washing machine, a tumble dryer, a dishwasher, a cooking appliance, an extractor hood or a refrigeration device, such as a refrigerator, a freezer or a fridge-freezer. However, this can also be a small household appliance, such as a water heater, a fully automatic coffee machine, a food processor or a vacuum cleaner.

The laundry care program can be a washing program, for example for whites, coloreds or delicates, which comprises a wash wetting phase, a washing phase, a rinsing phase and / or a spin phase. Furthermore, the laundry care program can be set or changed by means of the program parameter. For example, the program parameter includes a duration of a sequence of the laundry care program, in particular a heating duration, a laundry wetting duration or a soaking duration, a heating power, a level of the liquid contained in the tub, an amount of water, an amount of detergent or a speed of a washing drum of the laundry care device.

A washing drum for receiving laundry can also be accommodated in the tub. Furthermore, the laundry care device can comprise an electric motor for driving the washing drum. The liquid received in the tub can also be water or washing liquor.

The temperature sensor can comprise a thermistor or a thermocouple. Furthermore, the temperature sensor can be arranged in the tub. For example, the temperature sensor is arranged below the washing drum on a wall of the tub.

The memory can comprise an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) storage element.

The control device can be formed by a microcontroller or a processor or comprise a microcontroller or a processor. Furthermore, the control device can be connected to the memory and the temperature sensor or connectable to the memory and / or the temperature sensor, in particular connectable by means of a switching element such as a transistor.

Furthermore, the control device can be designed to determine the updated program parameter in response to falling below, reaching and / or exceeding the temperature threshold value by the detected temperature value and to replace the pre-stored program parameter with the updated program parameter in order to change the laundry care program. Furthermore, the temperature threshold value can be a predetermined temperature threshold value. For example, the predetermined temperature threshold value is 5 ° C., 10 ° C., 15 ° C., 20 ° C., 25 ° C., 30 ° C., 35 ° C., 40 ° C., 45 ° C., 50 ° C., 55 ° C., 60 ° C, 65 ° C, 70 ° C, 75 ° C, 80 ° C, 85 ° C, 90 ° C or 95 ° C.

The control device can further be designed to select a program parameter assigned to the detected temperature value from a lookup table in order to determine the updated program parameter. Furthermore, the control device can be designed to calculate the updated program parameter as a function of the detected temperature value in order to determine the updated program parameter. For example, the updated program parameter includes a heating power and / or a heating duration that is required in order to increase the temperature of the liquid received in the tub to a temperature setpoint.

Furthermore, the control device can be designed to overwrite the program parameter pre-stored in the memory with the updated program parameter in order to replace the pre-stored program parameter with the updated program parameter. For example, the program parameter is stored in the memory in the form of a bit which is set to 0 at the beginning of the laundry care program and the control device is designed to set the bit to 1 when the temperature value is reached by the detected temperature value in order to transfer the pre-stored program parameter to the to replace updated program parameters. Here, the bit stored in the memory can be an internal bit.

In an advantageous embodiment, the control device is designed to determine the updated program parameter on the basis of a lookup table in which at least one program parameter is assigned to the temperature threshold value. This has the technical advantage, for example, that the updated program parameter can be determined efficiently.

The lookup table can be pre-stored in the memory or in a further memory, in particular in a further memory integrated in the control device.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the program parameter comprises at least one of the following program parameters: a duration of a sequence of the laundry care program, in particular a heating duration, a laundry wetting duration or a soaking duration, a heating power, a level of the liquid contained in the tub, an amount of water, an amount of detergent or a Speed of a washing drum of the laundry care device. This has the technical advantage, for example, that the laundry care program can be changed efficiently.

The sequence of the laundry care program can be a laundry wetting phase, a washing phase, a rinsing phase and / or a spinning phase. Furthermore, the laundry care device can comprise a fill level sensor for detecting the fill level of the liquid received in the tub. The laundry care device can also have a controllable, in particular one controllable by means of a valve, Include water inlet for feeding water into the tub. For example, the program parameter includes an amount of water to be introduced into the tub by means of the controllable water inlet.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device is also designed to continue the laundry care program on the basis of the updated parameter as soon as the detected temperature value reaches the temperature threshold value. This has the technical advantage, for example, that the laundry care program can be changed efficiently.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device is also designed to continue the laundry care program on the basis of the pre-stored parameter as long as the detected temperature value is lower than the temperature threshold value. This has the technical advantage, for example, that the laundry care program can be carried out efficiently.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device further comprises a water inlet for the inlet of cold water into the tub and / or a water inlet for the inlet of hot water into the tub. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that a temperature sensor integrated in the water inlet for detecting a temperature value of the incoming water can be omitted, as a result of which the laundry care device can be manufactured particularly inexpensively.

For example, the temperature of the cold water is 1 ° C, 2 ° C, 3 ° C, 4 ° C, 5 ° C, 7.5 ° C, 10 ° C, 12.5 ° C, 15 ° C, 17.5 ° C or 19 ° C and / or the temperature of the hot water 20 ° C, 25 ° C, 30 ° C, 40 ° C, 45 ° C, 50 ° C, 55 ° C, 60 ° C, 65 ° C, 70 ° C, 75 ° C, 80 ° C, 85 ° C, 90 ° C, 95 ° C or 99 ° C. The laundry care device can also be a hot water variant of a washing machine, such as a hot water washing machine.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device further comprises a heat generation device for heating the liquid received in the tub. This has the technical advantage, for example, that the temperature of the liquid received in the tub is efficient can be increased. The heat generating device can comprise an electrical heating element.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the temperature sensor comprises a thermistor or a thermocouple. This has the technical advantage, for example, that the temperature of the liquid received in the tub can be recorded efficiently. The thermistor can include a thermistor resistance, such as a Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) resistance, or a PTC thermistor resistance, such as a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) resistance.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the temperature sensor is arranged in the tub or on a wall, in particular on an underside, of the tub. This has the technical advantage, for example, that the temperature sensor can be integrated into the laundry care device in a particularly cost-effective manner.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the temperature sensor is designed to detect the temperature value of the liquid received in the tub during a laundry wetting phase or a soaking phase of the laundry care program. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that since the liquid contained in the tub is not heated during the laundry wetting phase or the soaking phase, the laundry care program can be changed depending on the temperature of the incoming water.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device further comprises a display element for displaying the updated program parameter. This has the technical advantage, for example, that the updated program parameter can be displayed to a user of the laundry care appliance. The display element can comprise a light emitting diode (LED) or a liquid crystal display, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) display.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the display element is also designed to display information relating to the updated program parameter. This has the technical advantage, for example, that the Change of the laundry care program can be displayed efficiently to a user of the laundry care device.

For example, the information includes a message regarding an energy saving or water saving brought about by the change in the laundry care program. Furthermore, the control device can be designed to determine the information on the basis of the previously stored program parameter and / or the updated program parameter.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device further comprises an actuating element for selecting the laundry care program from a plurality of laundry care programs. This has the technical advantage, for example, that the laundry care program can be selected efficiently by a user of the laundry care device.

The actuating element can comprise a switch, a button, a rotary knob, a slide latch, and / or a rotary wheel. Furthermore, the actuating element can be formed by a touch-sensitive screen, such as a touch screen. For example, the touch-sensitive screen is included in the display element or formed by the display element.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the display element is also designed to display the selected laundry care program and / or the set temperature threshold value. This has the technical advantage, for example, that operation of the laundry care device can be made easier.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device further comprises a communication interface, in particular a wireless communication interface, for receiving the temperature threshold value via a communication network. This has the technical advantage, for example, that the temperature threshold can be set efficiently.

The communication interface can be or comprise a wireless and / or a contact-based communication interface. For example, the Communication interface for wireless communication using radio frequency identification (RFID), in particular according to the ISO / IEC 14443 or ISO / IEC 18000-3 standard, using near-field communication (NFC), in particular according to the ISO / IEC 14443 or ISO standard / IEC 18092, and / or according to one of the standards Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Bluetooth, ZigBee or Wireless Local Area Network (W-LAN). As a further example, the communication interface is a contact-based communication interface which is designed as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, a Local Area Network (LAN) interface, a serial interface or a parallel interface.

The communication network can be a telephone network, in particular a cellular network, a computer network, for example a near-field communication network, a local area network (LAN) or a wireless local area network (W-LAN), or the Internet.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the memory is formed by a network memory, in particular by a cloud memory, the communication interface also being designed for communication with the network memory via the communication network. This has the technical advantage, for example, that the program parameters can be saved efficiently.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device further comprises an adjustable fill level sensor for detecting a fill level value of the liquid contained in the tub, the control device being designed to set or update a parameter of the adjustable fill level sensor when the temperature threshold value is reached by the detected temperature value in order to the laundry care program to change. This has the technical advantage, for example, that the laundry care program can be changed efficiently.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the adjustable fill level sensor comprises a pressure sensor for detecting a liquid column pressure in the tub. This has the technical advantage, for example, that an efficient fill level sensor can be used.

The pressure sensor can comprise an absolute pressure sensor and / or a differential pressure sensor. Furthermore, the pressure sensor can be connected to the tub via a pressure line. By filling the tub with hot water, a pressure increase can be generated in the tub, whereby a level value detected by the pressure sensor when the tub is filled with hot water can be higher than a further filling level value captured by the pressure sensor when the tub is filled with cold water. The pressure increase can be compensated for by setting a parameter of the adjustable filling level sensor.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the adjustable fill level sensor is arranged in the tub or on a wall of the tub. This has the technical advantage, for example, that the adjustable fill level sensor can be efficiently integrated into the laundry care device.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the control device is also designed to control an inflow of liquid into the tub on the basis of the detected fill level value in order to set the fill level of the liquid received in the tub to a predetermined fill level setpoint. In this way, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the amount of liquid in the tub can be efficiently adjusted to the predetermined fill level setpoint.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the control device is also designed to control an outflow and / or pumping out of liquid from the tub on the basis of the detected fill level value in order to set the fill level of the liquid contained in the tub to the predetermined fill level setpoint. In this way, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the amount of liquid in the tub can be efficiently adjusted to the predetermined fill level setpoint.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a method for operating a laundry care device which is provided for carrying out a laundry care program, the laundry care device comprising a memory in which a program parameter of the laundry care program is pre-stored, a lye container, a temperature sensor and a control device, solved, with the following steps: detecting a temperature value of a liquid received in the tub by means of the temperature sensor; Determining an updated program parameter when a temperature threshold value is reached by the detected temperature value by means of the control device; and replacing the pre-stored program parameter with the updated program parameter by means of the control device in order to change the laundry care program. In this way, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that, by changing the laundry care program, energy consumption of the laundry care device can be reduced when the laundry care program is carried out.

The laundry care appliance can be a household appliance. For example, the laundry care device is a washing machine.

A household appliance is understood to mean a device that is used for housekeeping. This can be a large household appliance, such as a washing machine, a tumble dryer, a dishwasher, a cooking appliance, an extractor hood or a refrigeration device, such as a refrigerator, a freezer or a fridge-freezer. But it can also be a small household appliance, such as a water heater, a fully automatic coffee machine, a food processor or a vacuum cleaner.

The laundry care program can be a washing program, for example for whites, coloreds or delicates, which comprises a wash wetting phase, a washing phase, a rinsing phase and / or a spin phase. Furthermore, the laundry care program can be set or changed by means of the program parameter. For example, the program parameter includes a duration of a sequence of the laundry care program, in particular a heating duration, a laundry wetting duration or a soaking duration, a heating power, a fill level in the tub absorbed liquid, an amount of water, an amount of detergent or a speed of a washing drum of the laundry care device.

A washing drum for receiving laundry can also be accommodated in the tub. The laundry care device can furthermore comprise an electric motor for driving the washing drum. The liquid received in the tub can also be water or washing liquor.

The temperature sensor can comprise a thermistor or a thermocouple. Furthermore, the temperature sensor can be arranged in the tub. For example, the temperature sensor is arranged below the washing drum on a wall of the tub.

The memory can comprise an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) storage element.

The control device can be formed by a microcontroller or a processor or comprise a microcontroller or a processor. Furthermore, the control device can be connected to the memory and the temperature sensor or can be connected to the memory and / or the temperature sensor, in particular connectable by means of a switching element such as a transistor.

Furthermore, the control device can be designed to determine the updated program parameter in response to falling below, reaching and / or exceeding the temperature threshold value by the detected temperature value and to replace the pre-stored program parameter with the updated program parameter in order to change the laundry care program. Furthermore, the temperature threshold value can be a predetermined temperature threshold value. For example, the predetermined temperature threshold value is 5 ° C., 10 ° C., 15 ° C., 20 ° C., 25 ° C., 30 ° C., 35 ° C., 40 ° C., 45 ° C., 50 ° C., 55 ° C., 60 ° C, 65 ° C, 70 ° C, 75 ° C, 80 ° C, 85 ° C, 90 ° C or 95 ° C.

The control device can also be designed to take a program parameter assigned to the detected temperature value from a lookup table to determine the updated program parameter. Furthermore, the control device can be designed to calculate the updated program parameter as a function of the detected temperature value in order to determine the updated program parameter. For example, the updated program parameter includes a heating power and / or a heating duration that is required in order to increase the temperature of the liquid received in the tub to a temperature setpoint.

Furthermore, the control device can be designed to overwrite the program parameter pre-stored in the memory with the updated program parameter in order to replace the pre-stored program parameter with the updated program parameter. For example, the program parameter is stored in the memory in the form of a bit, which is set to 0 at the beginning of the laundry care program, and the control device is designed to set the bit to 1 when the temperature value is reached by the detected temperature value in order to transfer the pre-stored program parameter to the to replace updated program parameters. Here, the bit stored in the memory can be an internal bit.

In an advantageous embodiment, the updated program parameter is determined on the basis of a lookup table in which at least one program parameter is assigned to the temperature threshold value. This has the technical advantage, for example, that the updated program parameter can be determined efficiently.

The lookup table can be pre-stored in the memory or in a further memory, in particular in a further memory integrated in the control device.

According to one embodiment, the laundry care device comprises a first water inlet for the inlet of cold water into the tub and a second water inlet for the inlet of hot water into the tub.

For the purposes of the present invention, cold water denotes, for example, water with a temperature between 1 ° C and 19 ° C inclusive.

For the purposes of the present invention, hot water denotes, for example, water with a temperature between 19 ° C and 99 ° C.

According to a further embodiment, the first and / or the second water inlet each comprises a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature value of the respective incoming water.

According to a further embodiment, by detecting a temperature value of a liquid received in the tub, it is determined whether cold water or hot water is or has been fed into the tub via the first water inlet and / or the second water inlet. Depending on this, a change in the operation of the laundry care appliance is provided, for example. The determination is carried out, for example, as described below.

In one embodiment, the temperature value of the liquid received in the tub, which corresponds to a tub temperature, for example, is recorded at a predetermined point in time. For example, the predetermined point in time is 1min, 2min, 3min, 4min, 5min, 6min, 7min, 8min, 9min, 10min, 15min or 20min after starting a laundry care program. The predetermined point in time lies, for example, in a time range between the start of the laundry care program and up to 20 minutes. after the laundry care program has started.

In the further course of the laundry care program, in a further embodiment, the detected temperature value is compared with the temperature threshold value. For example, two cases are distinguished from the comparison:
In a first case, the recorded temperature value falls below the temperature threshold value. From this it is concluded that the second water inlet, or for example a second valve, is not connected for the inlet of hot water or that cold water or only slightly heated water flows in via the second water inlet.

In a second case, the recorded temperature value exceeds the temperature threshold value or the recorded temperature value is equal to the temperature threshold value. From this it is concluded that hot water is running into the tub.

On the basis of this case distinction, an internal bit, which is stored in the memory, for example, is set in one embodiment. On the basis of the value of the bit, a change in the laundry care program is carried out in one embodiment, such as a deviation in a program sequence of the laundry care program, which is provided for the second case. Furthermore, for example, the bit represents the information "hot water is actually on".

According to one embodiment, it is provided that the control device is designed to move the level sensor from a first operating mode, such as an operating mode for an inlet of cold water, to a second operating mode, such as an operating mode for a Hot water inlet to switch. This means that the control device is designed to switch the fill level sensor from the first operating mode to the second operating mode depending on the distinction made between the cases. This has the technical advantage in particular that falsification of the detection of the fill level can be counteracted efficiently.

This means that according to one embodiment, if the detected temperature value is greater than or equal to the temperature threshold value, the control device switches the level sensor from the first to the second operating mode.

Because a falsification of the detection of the filling level of the liquid contained in the tub can be efficiently counteracted, an optimization of wetting of the laundry received in the washing drum can be achieved, for example, insofar as the filling level can be set more precisely.

In one embodiment it is provided that the laundry care device is designed to execute or implement the method for operating a laundry care device.

In one embodiment it is provided that the method for operating a laundry care device is carried out or carried out by means of the laundry care device.

Technical functionalities of the laundry care device result analogously from corresponding technical functionalities of the method and vice versa.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Ansicht eines Wäschepflegegerätes;

Fig. 2

eine Querschnittsansicht eines Wäschepflegegerätes gemäß einer Ausführungsform; und

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung eines Verfahrens zum Betreiben des Wäschepflegegerätes.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic view of a laundry care device;

Fig. 2

a cross-sectional view of a laundry care device according to an embodiment; and

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of a method for operating the laundry care device.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a laundry care device 100. The laundry care device 100 comprises a display element 101, a plurality of actuating elements 103 and a laundry care device door 105 with a door handle 107.

A laundry care program can be set by a user of the laundry care device 100 by means of the plurality of actuating elements 103. Furthermore, the set laundry care program and / or operating information of the laundry care device 100 can be displayed by means of the display element 101.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a laundry care device 100 according to an embodiment. The laundry care device 100 comprises a housing 201, a tub 203 in which a liquid 205 is received, a Temperature sensor 207, which is arranged in the tub 203, and a cavity 209 in which a memory 211 and a control device 213 are accommodated. The control device 213 is connected to the temperature sensor 207 and the memory 211.

The laundry care device 100 for carrying out a laundry care program can be designed with the memory 211, in which a program parameter of the laundry care program is pre-stored, the tub 203 and the temperature sensor 207 for detecting a temperature value of the liquid 205 received in the tub 203, the laundry care device 100 also having the Control device 213 comprises which is designed to determine an updated program parameter when a temperature threshold value is reached by the detected temperature value and to replace the pre-stored program parameter with the updated program parameter in order to change the laundry care program.

The laundry care appliance 100 can be a household appliance. For example, the laundry care device 100 is a washing machine.

A household appliance is understood to mean a device that is used for housekeeping. This can be a large household appliance, such as a washing machine, a tumble dryer, a dishwasher, a cooking appliance, an extractor hood or a refrigeration device, such as a refrigerator, a freezer or a fridge-freezer. But it can also be a small household appliance, such as a water heater, a fully automatic coffee machine, a food processor or a vacuum cleaner.

The laundry care program can be a washing program, for example for whites, coloreds or delicates, which comprises a wash wetting phase, a washing phase, a rinsing phase and / or a spin phase. Furthermore, the laundry care program can be set or changed by means of the program parameter. For example, the program parameter includes a duration of a sequence of the laundry care program, in particular a heating duration, a laundry wetting duration or a soaking duration, a heating power, a fill level in the tub 203 absorbed liquid 205, an amount of water, an amount of detergent or a speed of a washing drum of the laundry care device 100.

A washing drum for holding laundry can also be accommodated in the tub 203. The laundry care device 100 can furthermore comprise an electric motor for driving the washing drum. The liquid 205 received in the tub 203 can also be water or washing liquor.

The temperature sensor 207 may comprise a thermistor or a thermocouple. Furthermore, the temperature sensor 207 can be arranged in the tub 203. For example, the temperature sensor 207 is arranged below the washing drum on a wall of the tub 203.

The memory 211 may comprise an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) storage element.

The control device 213 can be formed by a microcontroller or a processor or comprise a microcontroller or a processor. Furthermore, the control device 213 can be connected to the memory 211 and the temperature sensor 207 or can be connected to the memory 211 and / or the temperature sensor 207, in particular can be connected by means of a switching element such as a transistor.

Furthermore, the control device 213 can be designed to determine the updated program parameter in response to falling below, reaching and / or exceeding the temperature threshold value by the detected temperature value and to replace the previously stored program parameter with the updated program parameter in order to change the laundry care program. Furthermore, the temperature threshold value can be a predetermined temperature threshold value. For example, the predetermined temperature threshold value is 5 ° C., 10 ° C., 15 ° C., 20 ° C., 25 ° C., 30 ° C., 35 ° C., 40 ° C., 45 ° C., 50 ° C., 55 ° C., 60 ° C, 65 ° C, 70 ° C, 75 ° C, 80 ° C, 85 ° C, 90 ° C or 95 ° C.

The control device 213 can furthermore be designed to use a program parameter assigned to the detected temperature value from a lookup table to determine the updated program parameter. Furthermore, the control device 213 can be designed to calculate the updated program parameter as a function of the detected temperature value in order to determine the updated program parameter. For example, the updated program parameter includes a heating power and / or a heating duration which is required to increase the temperature of the liquid 205 received in the tub 203 to a temperature setpoint.

Furthermore, the control device 213 can be designed to overwrite the program parameter pre-stored in the memory 211 with the updated program parameter in order to replace the pre-stored program parameter with the updated program parameter. For example, the program parameter is stored in the memory 211 in the form of a bit, which is set to 0 at the beginning of the laundry care program, and the control device 213 is designed to set the bit to 1 when the temperature value is reached by the detected temperature value in order to use the pre-stored program parameter to be replaced by the updated program parameter. Here, the bit stored in the memory 211 can be an internal bit.

According to one embodiment, the laundry care device 100 can be a hot water variant of a washing machine, such as a hot water washing machine. Such a washing machine can comprise a first water inlet for the inlet of cold water into the tub 203 and a second water inlet for the inlet of hot water into the tub 203.

For example, the temperature of the cold water is 1 ° C, 2 ° C, 3 ° C, 4 ° C, 5 ° C, 7.5 ° C, 10 ° C, 12.5 ° C, 15 ° C, 17.5 ° C or 19 ° C and / or the temperature of the hot water 20 ° C, 25 ° C, 30 ° C, 40 ° C, 45 ° C, 50 ° C, 55 ° C, 60 ° C, 65 ° C, 70 ° C, 75 ° C, 80 ° C, 85 ° C, 90 ° C, 95 ° C or 99 ° C.

According to a further embodiment, the respective water inlet can each comprise a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature value of the respective incoming water.

According to a further embodiment, by detecting the temperature value of a liquid 205 received in the tub 203, it can be determined whether cold water or hot water is or has been fed into the tub 203 via the first water inlet and / or via the second water inlet. As a result, an optimization, such as a change, of an operation of the laundry care device 100, such as a further sequence of the laundry care program, can be carried out.

According to a further embodiment, when the temperature threshold value is reached, the detected temperature value can be used to differentiate between cases. The case distinction can be made in the wetting phase during or after hot water has been filled into the tub 203. Filling the hot water into the tub 203 can lead to an increase in temperature of the liquid 205 accommodated in the tub 203. At a predetermined point in time, the temperature value of the liquid 205 received in the tub 203, such as a tub temperature, can be detected. For example, the predetermined point in time is 1min, 2min, 3min, 4min, 5min, 6min, 7min, 8min, 9min, 10min, 15min or 20min after starting a laundry care program. In the further course of the process, the recorded temperature value can be compared with the temperature threshold value, such as a defined limit temperature. For example, the defined limit temperature is less than 30 ° C. Two cases can be distinguished from the comparison. In a first case, the recorded temperature value falls below the temperature threshold value. From this it can be concluded that the second water inlet, or a second valve, is not connected to the inlet of hot water or that cold water or slightly heated water flows in via the second water inlet. In a second case, the recorded temperature value exceeds the temperature threshold value or the recorded temperature value is equal to the temperature threshold value. From this it can be concluded that hot water is flowing into the tub 203. On the basis of this case distinction, an internal bit, which is stored, for example, in the memory 211, can be set. On the basis of the value of the bit, a change in the laundry care program, such as a deviation in a program sequence of the laundry care program, which is provided for the second case, can be carried out. Furthermore, the information "hot water is actually on" can be represented by means of the bit.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a method 300 for operating the laundry care device 100. The method 300 comprises the method steps of a detection 301, a determination 303 and a replacement 305.

The method 300 for operating the laundry care device 100, which is provided for carrying out a laundry care program, wherein the laundry care device 100 includes the memory 211 in which a program parameter of the laundry care program is pre-stored, the tub 203, the temperature sensor 207 and the control device 213, can be as follows Steps include: detecting 301 a temperature value of the liquid 205 received in the tub 203 by means of the temperature sensor 207; Determining 303 an updated program parameter when a temperature threshold value is reached by the detected temperature value by means of the control device 213; and replacing 305 the pre-stored program parameter by the updated program parameter by means of the control device 213 in order to change the laundry care program.

According to a further embodiment, the laundry care device 100 can furthermore be designed to compensate for a too low fill level of the liquid 205 received in the tub 203. For example, a fill level that is too low is compensated for by means of a so-called fill swallow.

According to a further embodiment, the fill level sensor can be designed to detect a pressure, in particular a liquid column pressure, in the tub 203 in order to detect the fill level of the liquid 205 received in the tub 203. Here, when the tub 203 is filled with an amount of warm water, the detected pressure can be higher than when the tub 203 is filled with the same amount of cold water. This can falsify the detection of the level. For example, when it is filled with hot water, the level is too low or when the level is too high when it is filled with cold water. This can be influenced by means of the case distinction. To this end, the control device 213 can be designed to switch the level sensor from a first operating mode, such as an operating mode for an inflow of cold water, to one when the temperature threshold is reached by the detected temperature value to switch over a second operating mode, such as an operating mode for an inlet of hot water, in order to counteract the falsification of the detection of the filling level.

According to a further embodiment, the tub 203 can comprise a washing drum for holding laundry. By adjusting the fill level of the liquid 205 received in the tub 203, an optimization of the wetting of the laundry received in the washing drum can be achieved.

All the features explained and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention can be provided in different combinations in the subject matter of the invention in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects.

REFERENCE LIST

100

Laundry care device

101

Display element

103

Actuator

105

Laundry care appliance door

107

Door handle

201

casing

203

Suds container

205

liquid

207

Temperature sensor

209

cavity

211

Storage

213

Control device

300

Procedure

301

Capture

303

Determine

305

Replace

Claims (15)

1. Laundry care appliance (100) for performing a laundry care program, with a memory (211), in which a program parameter of the laundry care program is prestored, an outer tub (203) and a temperature sensor (207) for capturing a temperature value of a liquid (205) accommodated in the outer tub (203), characterised in that the laundry care appliance (100) further comprises a control facility (213), which, when the captured temperature value reaches a temperature threshold value, is embodied to determine an updated program parameter allocated to the temperature threshold value and to replace the prestored program parameter with the updated program parameter, in order to change the laundry care program.
2. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the control facility (213) is embodied to determine the updated program parameter on the basis of a lookup table, in which at least one program parameter is allocated to the temperature threshold value.
3. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the program parameter comprises at least one of the following program parameters: a duration of a sequence of the laundry care program, in particular a heating duration, a laundry wetting duration or a soaking duration, a heating power, a fill level of the liquid (205) accommodated in the outer tub (203), a quantity of water, a quantity of detergent or a rotational speed of a laundry drum of the laundry care appliance (100).
4. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the laundry care appliance (100) is further embodied to continue the laundry care program on the basis of the updated parameter, as soon as the captured temperature value reaches the temperature threshold value.
5. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the laundry care appliance (100) is further embodied to continue the laundry care program on the basis of the prestored parameter, as long as the captured temperature value is lower than the temperature threshold value.
6. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the laundry care appliance (100) further comprises a water inlet for the intake of cold water into the outer tub (203) or a water inlet for the intake of warm water into the outer tub (203).
7. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the laundry care appliance (100) further comprises a heat generating facility for heating the liquid (205) accommodated in the outer tub (203).
8. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the temperature sensor (207) comprises a thermistor or a thermoelement.
9. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the temperature sensor (207) is arranged in the outer tub (203) or on a wall, in particular on a lower side, of the outer tub (203).
10. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the temperature sensor (207) is embodied to capture the temperature value of the liquid (205) accommodated in the outer tub (203) during a laundry wetting phase or a soaking phase of the laundry care program.
11. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the laundry care appliance (100) further comprises an actuation element (103) for selecting the laundry care program from a plurality of laundry care programs.
12. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the laundry care appliance (100) further comprises an adjustable fill level sensor for capturing a fill level value of the liquid (205) accommodated in the outer tub (203), wherein the control facility (213) is embodied, when the captured temperature value reaches a temperature threshold value, to adjust or to update a parameter of the adjustable fill level sensor in order to change the laundry care program.
13. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 12, characterised in that the adjustable fill level sensor comprises a pressure sensor for capturing a liquid column pressure in the outer tub (203).
14. Method (300) for operating a laundry care appliance (100), which is provided for performing a laundry care program, wherein the laundry care appliance (100) comprises a memory (211), in which a program parameter of the laundry care program is prestored, an outer tub (203), a temperature sensor (207) and a control facility (213), characterised by the following steps:

    capturing (301) a temperature value of a liquid (205) accommodated in the outer tub (203) by means of the temperature sensor (207);

    determining (303) an updated program parameter allocated to the temperature threshold value when the captured temperature value reaches a temperature threshold value by means of the control facility (213); and

    replacing (305) the prestored program parameter with the updated program parameter by means of the control facility (213), in order to change the laundry care program.
15. Method (300) according to claim 14, characterised in that the updated program parameter is determined on the basis of a lookup table, in which at least one program parameter is allocated to the temperature threshold value.

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