EP3034668A1 - Washing machine and method for operating a washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A washing machine (1) according to the invention comprises a housing (2) and a drum unit (3) which has a cup-like tub (4) and a cylinder-like drum (5) rotatably mounted in the tub (4) about its cylinder axis (6) , having. The tub (4) and the drum (5) open at the end in a loading and unloading opening (9) of the drum unit (3). The drum unit (3) is in the housing (2) about a perpendicular to the cylinder axis (6) of the drum (5) standing tilting axis (10) between a loading and unloading position (40), in which the loading and unloading ( 9) obliquely upwards, and a washing position associated with a washing position (42,44) mounted tiltably. The housing (2) comprises a displaceable front wall (20) which is coupled to the drum unit (3). In addition, the front wall (20) has an opening (21) which always covers the loading and unloading opening (9) of the drum unit (3). Furthermore, a door (71) for joint closure of the opening (21) and the loading and unloading opening (9) is articulated on the front wall (20). According to the method, the drum unit (3) is tilted towards the start of a washing program sequence from the loading and unloading position (40) into the washing position (42, 44).

Description

The invention relates to a washing machine, in particular a washing machine for a private household. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such a washing machine.

Washing machines usually have a cylindrical drum, which is mounted rotatably about its drum axis in a usually cup-like tub formed. During operation of the washing machine laundry items to be cleaned are arranged in this drum. The tub surrounds the drum except for a (usually arranged on one end side of the drum) loading and unloading. This is closed during operation of the washing machine by means of a door.

In operation, the washing machine runs a washing program sequence with usually several program steps (also referred to as "aisles"). Thus, in a program step called washing, the tub and the drum are partially flooded with the so-called "wash liquor", a mixture of water and one or more additives (detergent, softener and the like). The drum rotates in the wash usually at low speed, often with multiple reversal of the direction of rotation, so that the laundry items are sufficiently moved through the wash liquor and wetted. Due to inwardly projecting ribs of the drum, the laundry items are also raised from the wash liquor until they fall back due to gravity and thereby changed in their own storage state (ie loosened ball and / or folds changed). As a result, the items of laundry are moved very intensively and impurities are effectively washed out. In most cases the wash cycle is followed by a change of the wash liquor by clear water (also called "rinse") to rinse the detergent residue from the laundry and thus avoid (after drying) detergent stains. In the rinse, the drum often rotates similar to the wash cycle. Regularly then a spin cycle is provided, in which the drum rotated at high speed, the water is driven by centrifugal force from the laundry.

In conventional washing machines - mainly used on the European market - the tub and the drum are arranged with horizontally oriented drum axis. The drum usually has an end loading and unloading opening arranged on it (so-called "front loader" - washing machine), so that a person who loads or unloads the drum often has to kneel in front of the washing machine. Furthermore, in such an orientation of the drum in the spin cycle due to irregular distribution of the laundry items along the drum inner wall often imbalances and thus vibrations of the drum transversely and longitudinally to the drum axis. These must be cushioned by a sufficiently flexible storage and damping of the drum and the tub, so that they are not transferred to a surrounding the tub and the drum (outer) housing. Otherwise it can come to a wandering of the entire washing machine.

On the Asian and American markets, on the other hand, washing machines are widely used whose drum axis is vertical and where the loading and unloading takes place from above (often referred to as "top loader" washing machines). These top-loading washing machines are advantageous in terms of vibrations in the spin cycle, since usually lower vibrations occur in the direction of the drum axis compared to front-loading washing machines. However, in the wash cycle, a comparatively high water level in the tub has to be set so that the laundry items can float up and be moved at all. In addition, often within the drum, a so-called impeller, arranged on the lower end face of the drum plate with wings for transmitting the rotation of the drum on the laundry (and the wash liquor), or an agitator arranged. The latter is an axis-centered bar with wings, which rotates with the drum and literally beats the items of laundry that have floated in the wash liquor, thus causing them to move in confusion. Thus, such Toplader washing machines compared to front-loading washing machines on an increased water demand and often also a higher mechanical load for the laundry. In addition, unloading the top-loading washing machines for small people is usually difficult because they often can not reach to the bottom of the drum.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved washing machine.

With regard to a washing machine, this object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. With regard to a method for operating a washing machine, the object is achieved by the features of claim 8. Advantageous and partly inventive embodiments and further developments of the invention are in the dependent claims set out in the description below.

The washing machine according to the invention comprises a housing and a drum unit tiltably mounted in the housing. The drum unit in this case has a cup-like tub and a cylinder-like (washing) drum, wherein the drum about its cylinder axis (hereinafter referred to as drum axis) rotatably mounted in the tub. The drum unit further has a loading and unloading, in which open the tub and the drum each end face. That is, the tub and the drum each have a front (a tub or drum) opening, which together form the loading and unloading of the drum unit. According to the invention, the drum unit is arranged in a loading and unloading position such that its loading and unloading opening points obliquely upwards. This means that in the loading and unloading position, the drum axis is aligned obliquely (to the horizontal). In a wash cycle, however, the drum unit is tilted in the housing relative to the loading and unloading in a washing position. The tilting axis, about which the drum unit is tilted, is perpendicular to the drum axis. Preferably, the tilt axis is also in a horizontal plane, so that the tilting movement of the drum unit extends in a vertical plane.

Although the drum is rotatable about its drum axis in the tub, it is preferably articulated otherwise immovably. In the operation of the washing machine - d. H. during a course of a wash program sequence - the drum thus rotates in the tub (which is held stationary in the housing). By contrast, movements in other directions, that is to say in particular the tilting movements between the washing position and the loading and unloading position, take place in one unit with the tub.

The tub serves in particular as a vessel for the so-called wash liquor or for clear water, which are used in the wash cycle or in a rinse cycle for washing or rinsing the laundry items. The drum itself is preferably made liquid-permeable by means of a multiplicity of wall openings, so that the washing liquor (or the water) also reaches the interior of the drum during operation with a rotating drum and thus the items of laundry are moved in the liquid standing in the tub.

Accordingly, during operation of the washing machine, according to the method, the drum unit is tilted from the loading and unloading position into the washing position at the start of a (preferably user-specifically selected) wash program sequence. Conveniently, at the end of the entire wash program sequence, the drum unit is tilted back into the loading and unloading position (back) - and then finished the wash program sequence.

The fact that the drum unit is aligned obliquely in the loading and unloading position, the handling of the washing machine for a person using the washing machine (the user) is facilitated. The user needs when loading or unloading the drum neither (as in a front-loader washing machine) to kneel or stoop in front of this, nor does the user when unloading like a top-loading washing machine on this bend to the ground the drum located laundry items to be able to access. Preferably, the drum unit in the loading and unloading position is aligned with the drum axis between about 30 and 70 degrees to the horizontal, in particular at an angle of about 45 degrees. Thus, both large and Even small people in a simple way look into the drum and reach into the drum so deep that they reach lying on the drum floor laundry.

In a preferred embodiment, the drum unit in the washing position is preferably tilted in the washing cycle in such a way that the drum axis is aligned horizontally. The washing position is also referred to below as the horizontal position of the drum unit.

In a particularly expedient embodiment of the washing machine, it passes through a further operating state, referred to as a spin cycle, during operation after the wash cycle. In the spin cycle, the drum unit is arranged in a spin position and is preferably tilted relative to the loading and unloading position and the washing position such that the drum axis is vertically aligned. The spin position of the drum unit is also referred to below as the vertical position. In the washing position in particular the wash cycle and / or the rinse are processed. In the spin position, however, (preferably only) the spin cycle is processed. In the spin cycle, the drum rotates at high speed to expel due to the centrifugal force, the wash liquor and or water at least partially from the laundry. The advantage here is that in the vertical position of the drum unit (including the drum) in the spin cycle unbalanced vibrations of the drum mainly affect radially to the drum axis. Thus, a vibration damping for the drum unit (over which the drum is also damped due to their storage in the tub) can be made relatively simple and inexpensive. In addition, the water consumption in the washing and / or rinsing with a horizontal position of the drum axis is comparatively low.

According to the method, the drum unit thus after the end of the wash cycle (and / or the rinse cycle) for the subsequent spin cycle in particular automatically from the washing position to the spinning position - ie in the vertical position - tilted. After the end of the spin cycle, the drum unit is tilted back into the loading and unloading position.

In an alternative embodiment, the drum unit is tilted both in the wash cycle and in the spin cycle in the vertical position. In other words, in this embodiment, the washing and the centrifugal position correspond. In this case, the drum unit is preferably tiltable only between the loading and unloading position and the vertical position.

In an inventive version of itself, the housing has a fixed front wall with an opening which covers the loading and unloading of the drum unit when it is arranged in the loading and unloading. The front wall is preferably arched like a circular arc and in particular adapted to the tilting radius of the drum unit. The aperture is preferably circular in shape with a radius corresponding to the radius of the drum or slightly larger (i.e., by a few centimeters).

In the context of the invention, it is conceivable that the breakthrough of the (fixed) front wall remains free (ie open). However, in order to achieve a particularly high level of operating safety, in particular for a private household, the housing has, in an advantageous embodiment, a flat sliding door by means of which the breakthrough during operation of the washing machine (ie with a moving drum and / or drum unit) is locked so as to be secure. The sliding door is guided, in particular sliding on the outside to the front wall. In a preferred variant, the sliding door is set up for manual displacement between its open position (opening the opening) and its closed position (covering the opening). In an alternative variant, the sliding door is coupled to a door drive and is thus automatically adjusted between the open position and the closed position. Preferably, the washing machine also comprises in both variants a closing signal generator, which is actuated (triggered) by the sliding door in its closed position, so that a wash program sequence can be started only when the sliding door is closed. Optionally, the washing machine also includes a door lock for the sliding door that is set to keep the sliding door during its washing program sequence in its closed position to prevent access to the interior of the housing.

In an expedient embodiment, the sliding door is adapted and adapted to be moved from the closed position to the open position down. That is, the sliding door is shifted in the open position toward the bottom of the housing.

In a further preferred embodiment, the sliding door is designed at least partially transparent, so that even when the sliding door is closed a view into the housing and on the drum unit is possible. The sliding door preferably has a window pane which is inserted into a window of the sliding door. Alternatively, the sliding door is made entirely of transparent material (eg made of glass, but in particular of a plastic), with an optional (in particular circumferential, window-frame-like) edge region of the sliding door being opaque (for example painted or back-injected).

In an advantageous embodiment, the washing machine has a bellows, which is arranged between the drum unit and the front wall. The bellows in particular adapted to liquid-tightly close the distance between the front wall and the drum unit - when the drum unit is arranged in the loading and unloading position. For this purpose, the bellows is preferably at least over a portion of its length, in particular actively, that is automatically formed, adjustable in length. In this embodiment, the bellows (comparable to a passenger bridge of an airport) on the front wall (or on the drum unit) struck fixed and docked only in the extended state with arranged in the loading and unloading drum unit on the drum unit (or the front wall) ""(ie extended and liquid-tight with the drum unit or the front wall in contact). During operation of the washing machine (that is, during a washing, rinsing or spin cycle), however, the bellows is retracted in a rest position (shortened in length), so that the drum unit is free relative to the Front wall can move. Particularly preferably, the bellows is attached to the front wall and actively extendable and retractable in the direction of the drum unit. By bellows is particularly effectively prevented that during loading and unloading of the drum laundry and / or liquid can get into the gap between the front wall and the drum unit and thus into the interior of the housing.

In an expedient development of the bellows described above is coupled to a drain line. This is designed in such a way that liquid dripping onto the bellows is passed directly or indirectly out of the housing of the washing machine. In a simple variant, the drain line is formed only by a pipe or hose, which is led out of the housing and in a proper installation state of the washing machine (eg. In a serving as a laundry room) leads to a building-side drain. In an expedient variant, however, the drain line is coupled to a drainage system of the washing machine, so that optionally accumulated on the bellows liquid is pumped out of the washing machine together with the wash liquor and / or the water from the rinse cycle.

In an expedient embodiment, the washing machine comprises a closure, referred to as a drum cover, for the loading and unloading opening of the drum unit. This drum cover is placed on the drum unit during operation of the washing machine in such a way that the loading and unloading is closed liquid-tight. Advantageously, the drum cover is designed such that a separating gap, which is formed for free rotation of the drum in the tub between the edges of the front openings of the drum and the tub, is covered. In particular, the drum cover is provided with a projection pointing to the drum, which protrudes partially into the drum in the closed position of the drum cover and thus covers the separating gap. This prevents a simple and effective way that during operation of the washing machine pieces of laundry get into the separating gap and thereby damaged or go in the space between the tub and drum "lost" go. In addition, the drum lid prevents leakage of the wash liquor or the water from the tub when the drum unit is arranged in the horizontal position. In the event that a horizontal position of the drum unit is not provided, the drum lid is not available in an optional version.

Conveniently, the drum lid is pivotally hinged to the drum unit. In particular, the drum lid is set up to be operated manually - at least manually closed - to be. In an optional and preferred embodiment, however, an automatically opening lock for the drum cover is arranged on the drum unit. This lock is in particular adapted to automatically release the drum cover after the sliding door has been opened in response to the triggering of an operating element (for example, upon actuation of a limit switch by the sliding door in its open position or at the push of a button by the user), so that the drum lid - in particular pivoted under the action of a (damped) spring mechanism - in its open position.

In order to enable a particularly high operating comfort, the drum cover is in an alternative, advantageous embodiment completely separate from the drum unit. The drum cover is in this case in the loading and unloading completely removed from the drum unit (mechanically separated) and preferably arranged in a housing disposed within the receptacle, so that the drum unit can be moved independently of the drum cover. The washing machine in this embodiment preferably comprises a device called "parking device" for removing and placing the drum cover from or onto the drum unit and for arranging the drum cover in the receptacle. In this case, preference is given to placing and removing the drum cover when arranged in the vertical position drum unit. In an optional embodiment variant, the parking device is, for example, a gripping arm, by means of which the drum cover is lifted off and guided into a parking position. In this case, the gripping arm preferably also simultaneously forms the receptacle which holds the drum cover in the parking position. In an alternative embodiment, the parking device comprises For example, arranged on the inside of the housing slotted guide, along which the drum cover (preferably also with vertically standing drum unit) moved into the parking position and thereby in particular on at least one (the recording forming) stop is discontinued. The execution of the washing machine with the completely removable drum lid offers - especially in combination with the sliding door to close the front wall - the advantage that when loading or unloading the washing machine no door (or no lid) over the outer contour of the housing and thus in the range of motion of the user protrudes. In addition, the user only needs one door, namely the sliding door to operate.

According to the method, in the case of the removable drum lid, the drum unit is tilted to the vertical position at the start of the washing program sequence and the drum lid is placed on the drum unit and preferably locked. Thereafter, the wash cycle is started and the drum unit optionally tilted in the horizontal position. Finally (i.e., if appropriate after the spin cycle has been carried out), the drum cover is removed from the drum unit in the vertical position of the drum unit and the drum unit is tilted back into the loading and unloading position.

In an expedient development of the above-described embodiments of the drum unit with pivotable or removable drum cover, the loading and unloading opening is substantially (ie approximately) designed as a circular segment with a center angle greater than 180 degrees. Preferably, the loading and unloading is formed here as a circle segment something of a three-quarter circle. By "circle segment" is meant here the area bounded by a circular arc and a circular chord. The opening of the drum itself is suitably designed circular in this development. On the other hand, the tub has on its front side a circular segment-like end wall section complementary to the circular segment of the loading and unloading opening (in particular approximately a quarter circle), by means of which the drum opening is partially covered in the final assembly state. This is particularly advantageous since for loading and unloading the drum is not completely circular Opening is required. In addition, due to the reduced (compared to the diameter of the drum) loading and unloading the drum lid can be advantageously reduced. As a result, its handling is simplified in particular with regard to the automatic parking device described above.

In particular, in the event that the sliding door is at least partially transparent, the washing machine in an expedient embodiment, a display device for the operating state (wash cycle, spin cycle, etc.) of the washing machine. In this case, the display device is designed in such a way that, for a user, the display (indicating the operating state) is visible through the transparent part of the sliding door (eg its window pane) from the outside of the housing. In a simple embodiment, the display device by on the drum unit (for example, on the lateral surface of the tub) attached (display) signs (preferably with fixed text) formed due to the tilting of the drum unit in the respective operating position in the field of view of the user through the Sliding door to be pivoted. In an alternative embodiment, the display device comprises a display, which is in particular coupled to the transparent part of the sliding door or is adapted to project the respective information onto the sliding door.

According to the invention the front wall is designed to be displaceable and coupled to the drum unit, so that the front wall moves with the tilting of the drum unit between the or optionally each operating position and the loading and unloading accordingly. The front wall also has a breakthrough in this embodiment, which due to the coupling with the drum unit always covers the loading and unloading opening of the drum unit (ie in any position). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the washing machine comprises (only) a (loading) door for jointly closing the opening and the loading and unloading opening. This door is preferably designed in the manner of a conventional (front loader) washing machine door, so that the door in the closed state covers the gap between the front wall and the drum unit and the separating gap between the tub and the drum. Of the The gap between the front wall and the drum unit is preferably closed in a liquid-tight manner (eg by means of a bellows) so that no liquid can enter the interior of the housing, in particular when the loading door is open. The front wall is designed in particular as a (venetian blind) roller wall, which is wound at its two ends on a respective roll. Alternatively, the front wall in itself rigid (ie plate-like) running and slidably guided along a substantially circular path on the housing.

In a further expedient embodiment, the displaceable front wall is formed by a plurality of slats coupled to one another. These lamellae preferably extend transversely to the direction of displacement of the front wall (i.e., transversely to the direction of tilting of the drum unit). In addition, the lamellae are in particular adapted to slide over one another when tilting the drum unit at the upper or lower end of the front wall in a "scale-like manner" (to form a kind of stack). At the corresponding other end of the front wall, the individual slats are deducted from the local stack.

The bellows are connected in a preferred embodiment in any position of the drum unit (i.e., constantly) to the drum unit and the front wall.

Regardless of the design of its front wall, the washing machine in a further expedient embodiment comprises an automatic metering unit for additives for mixing the respective wash liquor. These additives are therefore in particular detergents and / or softeners or the like. The dosing unit preferably has one or more storage containers for receiving an amount of (powdery and / or liquid) additives sufficient for a plurality of wash program sequences. From this reservoir or possibly the multiple reservoirs a required amount of the respective additive is automatically metered during the wash program sequence (eg. By means of a feed screw, a dosing scale or the like). Thus, the user of the washing machine does not need to separately and independently dosed the respective additives for each wash program sequence. In the event that the washing machine is the fixed one Front wall, the metering unit is arranged in particular in a base region of the housing.

In order nevertheless to permit a user-specific metering of additives, for example depending on the laundry to be cleaned, the washing machine expediently comprises, in addition to or in addition to the metering unit described above, a receiving and dispensing device for such user-specifically added additives (eg for special tabs) Powder).

In a preferred embodiment, the above-described receiving and dispensing device for user-specific additives to be added to the circular segment-like end wall portion of the tub is arranged and thus immediately upstream of the drum opening. Due to the preferably circular design of the opening in the front wall access to the end wall portion of the tub and arranged thereon receiving and dispensing device is easily accessible.

The receiving and dispensing device is expediently adapted to deliver the absorbed aggregate automatically into the drum. For this purpose, the receiving and dispensing device is designed, for example, as a storage space with a first flap into which a powder or a tab is filled from the outside of the drum unit. This first flap is on the inside to the end wall portion associated with a second flap, which limits the storage space inside, and automatically opens in a corresponding program step inward towards the drum and thus releases the powder or the tab into the drum. Alternatively, the storage space of the receiving and dispensing device is coupled to a (liquid) supply line, being supplied in the corresponding program step via the supply line liquid and the constituents of the powder or the tab (gradually) flushed out into the drum.

For automatic tilting of the drum unit, the washing machine in an expedient embodiment comprises a tilting device. The tilting device preferably has an electric motor (tilting drive) and a traction mechanism drive - in particular a chain drive or a toothed belt drive - for transmission-technical coupling with the drum unit. As a result, a particularly rigid articulation of the drum unit, in particular in the loading and unloading position and in the other positions is possible. Advantageously, by means of such a traction mechanism when loading the drum unit, a deflection of these in the interior of the housing and thus away from the user are prevented, so that the operation of the washing machine is further facilitated. In an alternative embodiment of the tilting device, this comprises a hydraulic or pneumatic power transmission to the drum unit.

Position sensors (eg limit switches or other switching contacts) or stops are preferably arranged in the housing for the washing position and optionally for the spin position and / or for the loading and unloading position, so that a repeatable precise adjustment of the drum unit into the respective position is possible is. The position sensors are expediently signal transmission technology coupled to a control unit of the tilting device. Alternatively, the control unit of the tilting device is adapted to tilt the drum unit via a time-dependent control of the electric motor in the respective position.

In particular, in the event that the drum unit is tilted in the operation of the washing machine for the spin cycle in the vertical position, the washing machine in an advantageous embodiment at least one support element, preferably a plurality of support elements on which the drum unit in the horizontal position with little or no Freedom of movement is present (in particular held). This means that the drum unit is relatively rigidly supported on the housing in the washing and / or rinsing operation (carried out in the horizontal position). Since only negligible unbalance induced vibrations of the drum unit occur in the washing and / or rinsing due to the regularly low speeds of the drum, these can over the respective (possibly slightly, for example, dampened by means of an elastomer attachment) support element can be easily derived. Thus, advantageously (known from conventional front-loading washing machines) complex flexible (as well as damping) suspensions of the drum unit can be dispensed with.

In a further expedient embodiment, the washing machine comprises a central control unit which is set up and provided for the automatic control of a washing program sequence and in particular of the movements of the drum and of the drum unit. In particular, this control unit has an interface for a touch-sensitive screen, which is used to display washing program options and information and to input operating commands (for example for selecting predetermined washing program sequences and / or for starting a washing program sequence). In an expedient variant of the control unit such a touch-sensitive screen factory assigned permanently (and thus constantly coupled via the interface). In an alternative variant, the interface for coupling with a multimedia device is set up, in particular a smartphone and / or tablet computer, on each of which a washing machine-specifically associated control software ("washing machine app") is installed. In this case, for example, the interface is designed for physical coupling with the multimedia device as a USB interface (or comparable type of connection) or for wireless communication via Bluetooth, WLAN and / or NFC (near field communication). In the latter case, in a particularly user-friendly manner, information about the course of the washing program can also be called up from a different distance to the washing machine and / or a washing program sequence can be started.

The control unit is set up and provided in particular for automatically carrying out the method according to the invention for operating the washing machine. In this case, the control unit may be formed in the context of the invention as a non-programmable electronic circuit. Preferably, however, the control unit is formed by a microcontroller in which the functionality for implementing the method according to the invention for operating the washing machine in the form of a software module is implemented.

In an expedient variant of the method for operating the washing machine, the washing and / or rinsing operation is first carried out in the horizontal position of the drum unit, and the drum unit is then tilted into the vertical position for the spin cycle. In this case, before or during the tilting into the vertical position, a characteristic variable that is characteristic of the imbalance of the rotating drum is detected. In addition, the rotational speed of the drum is expediently varied (reduced or increased) as a function of this measured variable. Due to the speed variation, the laundry items resting on the drum wall are stored, so that a (successive) reduction of the imbalance is achieved. As soon as a sufficiently small imbalance is determined on the basis of the measured variable - for example based on a threshold value exceeded - closes the control unit on a (nearly) uniform distribution of laundry over the circumference of the drum wall and sets the speed of the drum jump high. As a result of the increased centrifugal force, the items of laundry are "fixed" in their position on the inner wall of the drum. Subsequently, the drum unit is tilted (while maintaining the speed) in the vertical position. Alternatively, the drum unit is tilted to the vertical position while further increasing (i.e., further increasing) the speed. The spin cycle can then be carried out with particularly low unbalanced vibration.

Characteristic means here and below that the measured quantity contains a quantitative information about the size of the unbalance, so that the imbalance can be clearly read from the measured variable. The measured variable can specify the size of the unbalance directly. However, the measured variable may also be a quantity that is directly or indirectly proportional to the imbalance to be displayed. Furthermore, the measured variable with the imbalance to be displayed can also be in a non-linear, for example a logarithmic, exponential or polynomial (ie square, cubic, etc.) relationship. Preferably, the measured variable is an engine characteristic of a the drum driving electric motor (referred to as "drum motor"), for example, its motor current, voltage or its speed. Alternatively, the washing machine comprises one or more unbalance sensors, whose or their signals are used as a measured variable.

The term "threshold exceeded" is here and below always direction-independent in the sense that the difference of the measured variable (or its temporal change) and the threshold changes the sign. Depending on the definition of the measured variable, exceeding the threshold value may be positive (in the sense of a true overshoot, where the measured variable becomes greater than the threshold value) or negative (in the sense of undershooting, in which the measured variable becomes smaller than the threshold or limit value) ,

In a further expedient embodiment, the washing machine (in particular the control unit) is set up to carry out additional laundry-specific processes (that is to say that are coordinated with the nature of the laundry items to be washed). Thus, especially in the execution of the washing machine, in which the washing cycle is carried out in a horizontal position of the drum unit, optionally a specific (wool) washing program sequence for garments made of wool (or other sensitive materials) deposited, in which after the start of the drum unit for the wash cycle is not tilted to the horizontal position, but in the vertical position. Furthermore, a shoe wash program sequence is optionally deposited, in which the wash cycle takes place in the vertical or inclined position of the drum unit. In the latter case, therefore, the drum unit for the wash cycle in the loading and unloading position or, if appropriate, is tilted back after the automatic placement of the drum cover in the loading and unloading position. In a further optional wash program sequence, the drum unit is tilted about the tilting axis during the wash cycle, so that a particularly intensive movement of the laundry items takes place within the drum.

Fig. 1:

in Seitenansicht eine Waschmaschine in schematischer Schnittdarstellung, wobei die Waschmaschine ein Gehäuse und ein darin angeordnete Trommeleinheit aufweist, die in einer Be- und Entladestellung angeordnet ist,

Fig. 2:

in Ansicht gemäß Fig. 1 die Waschmaschine, wobei das Gehäuse und die Trommeleinheit zum Be- und Entladen geöffnet sind,

Fig. 3:

in Ansicht gemäß Fig. 1 die Waschmaschine, wobei die Trommeleinheit in einer Waschstellung angeordnet ist,

Fig. 4:

in Ansicht gemäß Fig. 1 die Waschmaschine, wobei die Trommeleinheit in einer Schleuderstellung angeordnet ist,

Fig. 5:

in Ansicht gemäß Fig. 3 ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel der Waschmaschine,

Fig. 6:

in Ansicht gemäß Fig. 4 wiederum ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel der Waschmaschine,

Fig. 7:

in Ansicht gemäß Fig. 2 die Waschmaschine gemäß Fig. 6,

Fig. 8:

in Ansicht gemäß Fig. 2 ein alternatives Ausführungsbeispiel der Waschmaschine,

Fig. 9:

in Ansicht gemäß Fig. 3 die Waschmaschine gemäß Fig. 8,

Fig. 10:

in Ansicht gemäß Fig. 4 die Waschmaschine gemäß Fig. 8,

Fig. 11:

in Ansicht gemäß Fig. 3 ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel der Waschmaschine, und

Fig. 12:

in Ansicht gemäß Fig. 3 wiederum ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel der Waschmaschine.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. Show:

Fig. 1:

a side view of a washing machine in a schematic sectional view, wherein the washing machine has a housing and a drum unit arranged therein, which is arranged in a loading and unloading,

Fig. 2:

in view according to Fig. 1 the washing machine, wherein the housing and the drum unit are open for loading and unloading,

3:

in view according to Fig. 1 the washing machine, wherein the drum unit is arranged in a washing position,

4:

in view according to Fig. 1 the washing machine, wherein the drum unit is arranged in a spin position,

Fig. 5:

in view according to Fig. 3 another embodiment of the washing machine,

Fig. 6:

in view according to Fig. 4 again another embodiment of the washing machine,

Fig. 7:

in view according to Fig. 2 the washing machine according to Fig. 6 .

Fig. 8:

in view according to Fig. 2 an alternative embodiment of the washing machine,

Fig. 9:

in view according to Fig. 3 the washing machine according to Fig. 8 .

Fig. 10:

in view according to Fig. 4 the washing machine according to Fig. 8 .

Fig. 11:

in view according to Fig. 3 another embodiment of the washing machine, and

Fig. 12:

in view according to Fig. 3 in turn another embodiment of the washing machine.

Corresponding parts are always provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

In Fig. 1 a washing machine 1 is shown in a schematic sectional view. The washing machine 1 comprises a housing 2 and a drum unit 3. The drum unit 3 has a cup-like tub 4 and a cylinder-like drum 5. The drum 5 is rotatably mounted in the tub 4 about a cylinder axis (hereinafter referred to as drum axis 6). At one of their faces For example, the tub 4 has a tub opening 7 and the drum 5 has a drum opening 8. The tub opening 7 and the drum opening 8 overlap at least partially, forming a loading and unloading 9 of the drum unit 3. This is used for loading and unloading of laundry in or out of the drum 5. The drum unit 3 is also in the housing 2 articulated about a tilting axis 10 tiltable.

The tub 4 takes in the operation of the washing machine 1 water or the so-called "wash liquor" (a mixture of water and additives, usually detergent). The drum 5 has not shown in its lateral surface breakthroughs through which passes the wash liquor or water into the interior of the drum 5 and wets the laundry arranged there. The drum 5 rotates in operation driven by a drum motor 11 about the drum axis 6 and thereby moves the on the drum wall - in particular on the drum wall inwardly projecting ribs 12 - laundry through the wash liquor or water.

In order to prevent the wash liquor or the water from passing out of the tub 4 into the interior 13 of the housing 2 when the drum 5 rotates, the drum unit 3 is closed in a liquid-tight manner during operation by means of a drum cover 14. The drum cover 14 is designed such that in addition to the sealing of the tub opening 7, it also covers a separating gap 15 formed between the edges of the tub opening 7 and the drum opening 8. This separation gap 15 is required to allow free rotation of the drum 5 in the tub 4. The drum lid 14 thus also prevents items of laundry from entering the separating gap 15 and being damaged or lost.

The drum lid 14 is as out Fig. 2 can be seen, pivotally hinged to an end wall portion 16 of the tub 4. The end wall portion 16 covers the drum opening 8 from the top of the housing forth in the form of a circle segment of a quarter circle, so that the loading and unloading. 9 has the shape of a flattened circle, in particular a circle segment of a three-quarter circle.

The housing 2 has on the front side a rounded front wall 20, which is adapted to the tilting radius of the drum unit 3. The front wall 20 comprises a circular opening 21 which, in the illustrated position of the drum unit 3, covers the loading and unloading opening 9 of the drum unit 3. To open and close the opening 21, the housing 2 comprises a sliding door 22, which in a guide rail not shown in detail of the in Fig. 1 illustrated closed position 23 in the direction of the bottom of the housing 2 in an in Fig. 2 shown open position 24 is displaceable. The sliding door 22 has a transparent window pane, not shown, through which the user can look into the interior 13, in particular on the drum unit 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the sliding door 22 is manually displaceable and has a handle 25 for this purpose. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the washing machine 1 has a door drive for automatically opening and closing the sliding door 22.

The washing machine 1 also comprises a control unit 30, which is designed as a sequence controller for various predetermined and user-specific programmable wash program sequences. For displaying and selecting predetermined washing program sequences and for inputting (programming) the user-specific washing program sequences, the control unit 30 comprises a touch-sensitive screen 31. In an embodiment not shown, the screen 31 is not designed as part of the control unit 30, but the control unit 30 comprises an interface to physical or wireless coupling with a smartphone and / or a tablet computer or other computer, on each of which a specific to the washing machine 1 tuned operating software (for example, an application) is installed.

For metering the additives (in particular detergents and / or softeners) to the wash liquor, the washing machine 1 comprises a (main) metering unit 35. This is arranged in a base region 36 of the housing 2 and has one or more reservoirs for receiving a supply of solid, powdery and / or liquid additives. Under specification of the control unit 30 (ie, depending on the selected wash program sequence), the metering unit 35 doses a specific predetermined amount of additives to the wash liquor from the respective storage container. This is discharged via a pump 37 into the tub 4.

In addition, the washing machine 1 comprises a receiving and dispensing device 38 for user-specific additives, which are to be metered and / or added by the user independently (for example, for certain laundry materials such as silk, etc.). This receiving and dispensing device 38 is disposed in the end wall portion 16 of the tub 4. The receiving and dispensing device 38 comprises two flaps opening on both sides of the end wall section 16, which close a storage space. In this storage room, the additives are filled by the user from the outside. The inner flap is adapted, during operation of the washing machine 1 in response to a signal from the control unit 30, to release the additives inward into the drum 5.

If the washing machine 1 is out of operation, the drum unit 3 is arranged in a loading and unloading position 40. In this loading and unloading position 40, the drum unit 3 is tilted about its tilting axis 10 in such a way that the drum axis 6 points obliquely upwards, in this case at a 45 degree angle. As a result, the loading and unloading opening 9 of the drum unit 3 obliquely upward and the loading and unloading of the drum 5 is particularly facilitated for the user. In order to prevent items of laundry or dripping from the items of laundry when loading and unloading pass into the interior 13, the washing machine 1 comprises a bellows 41. This bellows 41 is arranged on the inside of the front wall 20 around the opening 21 circumferentially and between the front wall 20 and the drum unit 3 automatically adjustable by means of a drive, not shown in its length. In the loading and unloading position 40 of the bellows 41 is extended and liquid-tight on the front side of the drum unit 3 (ie on the tub 4) "docked" (s. Fig. 1 and 2 ). The bellows 41 is also provided with a (not shown) drain line coupled, via the dripping on the bellows 41 liquid supplied to the sewer system of the washing machine 1 and thus discharged from the housing 2.

To load the drum 5, the user pushes the sliding door 22 in its open position 24 and opens by a push of a button the drum cover 14, which then automatically (for example, driven by a spring mechanism) in his in Fig. 2 open position shown pivots open. After loading, the user closes the drum cover 14 manually, optionally fills an additive in the receiving and dispensing device 38 and closes the sliding door 22. Then selects the user on the screen 31, the desired wash program sequence and starts it.

After the start of the wash program sequence, in a first operating state, the drum unit 3 is moved from the loading and unloading position 40 into a (in Fig. 3 shown) washing position tilted, in which the drum axis 6 is aligned horizontally. This washing position is hereinafter referred to as horizontal position 42. The tilting of the drum unit 3 by means of a in Fig. 5 shown and described below tilting device 43. In the horizontal position 42 of the drum unit 3, the wash cycle and optionally a rinse take place. Washing liquor (clear water in the rinse) is introduced into the tub 4 via the pump 37. The drum 5 rotates meanwhile with comparatively low speed with repeated reversal of direction. As a result, the laundry items are wetted with the wash liquor and in this intensively to wash out the impurities and moved. In optionally subsequent rinse the wash liquor is replaced by clear water and thus rinsed detergent residues from the laundry.

In order to reduce the amount of liquid taken up in the laundry items subsequent to the wash and / or rinse cycle, the second operating state is followed by the first operating state in which the drum 5 rotates at high speed and the liquid is expelled from the laundry items by centrifugal force ( hereinafter referred to as spin cycle). For the spin cycle the drum unit 3 is tilted to a spinning position in which the drum axis 6 is vertically aligned (hereinafter referred to as vertical position 44). The vertical position 44 of the drum unit 3 is in Fig. 4 shown. The advantage here is that when vertically standing drum 5 in the spin cycle unbalanced vibrations mainly affect radially to the drum axis 6 and only in a negligible manner along the direction of the drum axis. 6

In order to allow the most uniform possible distribution of the laundry items on the inner wall of the drum 5 and thus the smallest possible imbalance of the drum 5 in the spin cycle, between the wash or rinse cycle and the spin cycle (ie before the drum unit 3 from the horizontal position 42 in the vertical position 44 is tilted) with rotating drum 5 by the control unit 30 a characteristic of the imbalance of the drum 5 measured variable, for example. The motor current of the drum motor 11 detected. In addition, the speed of the drum 5 is varied (depending on the measured variable). Due to the variation of the rotational speed, the laundry items resting on the inner wall can be rearranged. If a sufficiently low imbalance of the drum 5 is determined, in particular on the basis of a threshold exceeding by the measured variable, the control unit 30 increases the rotational speed of the drum 5 abruptly. As a result, the laundry items are pressed against the inner wall of the drum 5 due to the centrifugal force and thus fixed in position. Subsequently, the drum unit 3 is tilted in the vertical position 44 and the rotational speed of the drum 5 is further increased to the intended for the spin cycle spin speed.

After completion of the spin cycle, the drum unit 3 is automatically tilted back into the loading and unloading position 40.

In an alternative wash program sequence, for example for shoes, it may be provided within the scope of the invention for the drum unit 3 to remain in the loading and unloading position 40 for the wash cycle. In another wash program sequence for sensitive textiles (eg wool, silk or the like) Furthermore, it can also be provided that the washing cycle takes place in the vertical position 44 of the drum unit 3.

In Fig. 5 an optional embodiment of the washing machine 1 is shown. The washing machine 1 in this case comprises two display panels 50 fastened to the outer wall of the tub. These are part of a display device which serves to provide the user with information about the operating state of the washing machine 1. The display panels 50 are mounted such that one of the display panels 50 in the horizontal position 42 and in the vertical position 44 the other display panel 50 through the window pane of the sliding door 22 are visible. For example, these signs wear labels such as "spin" or "wash" or are alternatively designed as electronic displays (eg LCDs) that indicate the remaining time of each washing, rinsing or spin cycle.

In Fig. 5 In addition, the tilting device 43 is shown, which comprises an electric motor 55 and a chain drive 56 for transmitting power to the drum unit 3. As a result, the tilting device 43 is designed comparatively rigid, so that a swing or springs of the drum unit 3 is reduced, in particular in the loading and unloading position 40. In addition, the washing machine 1 also includes support members 60, against which the drum unit 3 is tilted and supported in the horizontal position 42. These support elements 60 have a damping layer made of elastomer. Thus, the freedom of movement of the drum unit 3 in the horizontal position 42 is largely limited. Since the spin cycle with high drum speed in the vertical position 44 of the drum 5, occur in the horizontal position 42 only negligible vibrations of the drum unit 3, which need hardly be cushioned. Thus, a comparatively complex suspension and damping can be omitted and instead the simple designed support members 60 are used.

In Fig. 6 and 7 a further alternative embodiment of the washing machine 1 is shown. In this embodiment, the drum cover 14 is not pivotally hinged to the end wall portion 16 but completely separable from the drum unit 3. For this purpose, the washing machine 1 comprises a device referred to as parking device 62, which has a slotted guide 63, by means of which the drum cover 14 is lifted off at this arranged in the vertical position 44 drum unit 3 and placed in a receptacle 64. In this recording 64, the drum lid is in an in Fig. 6 Parking position 65 shown arranged. Subsequently, the (opened) drum unit 3 is tilted in the loading and unloading position 40.

Correspondingly, conversely, the drum unit 3 is initially tilted into the vertical position 44 at the start of a wash program sequence, and the drum cover 14 is placed on the parking device 62 and locked. Thereafter, the drum unit 3 is tilted to the corresponding position (i.e., the horizontal position 42, in particular).

In Fig. 8 to 10 a further alternative embodiment of the washing machine 1 is shown. For the purpose of a simplified representation here, the metering unit 35 and the pump 37 is not shown. The dosing unit 35 is optionally arranged on the upper side of the housing 2 in this exemplary embodiment.

The front wall 20 is in the embodiment according to Fig. 8 to 10 movably configured in the manner of a blind (or roll wall) and coupled to the drum unit 3 for uniform movement therewith. Thus, the opening 21 of the front wall 20 always remains in register with the loading and unloading opening 9 of the drum unit 3. The front wall 20 is rolled up, depending on the direction of movement, to a respective roller 70 arranged on the upper side of the housing 2 and in the base area 36 of the housing 2 from this unrolled. For jointly closing the opening 21 of the front wall 20 and the loading and unloading opening 9 of the drum unit 3, the washing machine 1 has a loading door 71. This is designed such that it bridges both the distance between the front wall 20 and the drum unit 3, as well as the separating gap 15 between drum 5 and tub 4 covers (s. FIGS. 9 and 10 ). The loading and unloading 9 is circular in this embodiment educated. The bellows 41 is not made adjustable in length but constantly coupled to the front wall 20 and the drum unit 3.

In Fig. 11 another embodiment of the washing machine 1 is shown. Also in this embodiment, the front wall 20 is designed to be movable and coupled for movement with the drum unit 3 with this. The front wall 20 is formed from a plurality of fins 72, which are transverse to the direction of movement of the drum unit 3 and which slide when tilting the drum unit 3 at the top or in the base portion 36 of the housing 2 above each other.

In Fig. 12 In turn, another embodiment of the washing machine 1 is shown. The displaceable (movable) front wall 20 is substantially rigid in itself. Ie. the front wall 20 is designed as a kind of curved front panel, which slides into the housing 2 during tilting of the drum unit 3 in the washing position 42 along a guide in the base portion 36 and accordingly emerges from the top of the housing 2 from this. In order to minimize the extent of the front wall 20 in relation to the tilting axis 10 and thus to achieve the shortest possible immersion path of the front wall 20 in the base region 36 of the housing 2, a diaphragm 73 (a housing projection) is provided on the housing 2 in the base region 36 ) (in Fig. 12 shown in sectional view). This aperture 73 partially covers the loading door 71 when the drum unit 3 is arranged in the washing position 42. A comparable aperture 74 is arranged on the upper side of the housing 2. As a result, the front wall 20 above and below the opening 21 can cover less than a quarter circle, so that only little space for receiving the dipping portion of the front wall 20 needs to be kept free in the housing 2. As anti-trap protection, an access protection 75, for example a comparatively stiff brush seal or a rubber lip, is arranged on the housing 2 on both panels 72 and 74.

The object of the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Rather, further embodiments of the invention can be derived from the person skilled in the art from the above description. In particular, the individual features of the invention described with reference to the various exemplary embodiments and their design variants can also be combined with one another in a different manner.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Washing machine

2

casing

3

drum unit

4

vat

5

drum

6

drum axis

7

vat opening

8th

drum opening

9

Loading and unloading

10

tilt axis

11

drum motor

12

rib

13

inner space

14

drum lid

15

separating gap

16

End wall section

20

front wall

21

breakthrough

22

sliding door

23

closed position

24

open position

30

control unit

31

screen

35

dosing

36

plinth

37

pump

38

Receiving and dispensing device

40

Loading and unloading

41

bellow

42

horizontal position

43

tipping

44

vertical position

50

display sign

55

electric motor

56

chain drive

60

supporting

62

parking device

63

link guide

64

admission

65

parking position

70

role

71

loading door

72

lamella

73

cover

74

cover

75

access protection

Claims (9)

A washing machine (1) having a housing (2) and a drum unit (3) mounted in the housing (2), the drum unit (3) having a cup-like tub (4) and a cylinder-like drum (5), and wherein the drum (5) is rotatably mounted in the tub (4) about its cylinder axis (6), - Wherein the tub (4) and the drum (5) open at the end in a loading and unloading opening (9) of the drum unit (3), - wherein the drum unit (3) in a loading and unloading position (40) is arranged such that the loading and unloading opening (9) obliquely upwards, - Wherein the drum unit (3) in a wash cycle relative to the loading and unloading position (40) about a perpendicular to the cylinder axis (6) of the drum (5) standing tilting axis (10) in the housing (2) in a washing position (42,44) tilts is and - wherein the housing (2) has a displaceable front wall (20) which is coupled to the drum unit (3) and which has an opening (21) which always covers the loading and unloading opening (9) of the drum unit (3), and wherein on the front wall (20) is hinged a door (71) for jointly closing the opening (21) and the loading and unloading opening (9). Washing machine (1) according to claim 1,
wherein the drum unit (3) in the washing position (42) is tilted such that the cylinder axis (6) of the drum (5) is aligned horizontally. Washing machine (1) according to claim 2,
wherein the drum unit (3) is tilted in a spin cycle into a spin position (44) in which the cylinder axis (6) of the drum (5) is vertically aligned. Washing machine (1) according to claim 2 or 3,
wherein the drum unit (3) is tilted in an additional washing position such that the cylinder axis (6) of the drum (5) is aligned vertically or obliquely. Washing machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4,
with a bellows (41) arranged between the drum unit (3) and the front wall (20), which is arranged to bridge the gap between the front wall (20) and the drum unit (3) and to close them in a liquid-tight manner. Washing machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5,
with at least one support element (60), wherein the drum unit (3) rests with horizontally aligned cylinder axis (6) of the drum (5) on the at least one support element (60) with little or no degree of freedom of movement. Washing machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6,
with a control unit (30) for automatic sequence control of a wash program sequence, wherein the control unit (30) is adapted to - to tilt the drum unit (3) from the washing position (42) with horizontally oriented cylinder axis (6) of the drum (5) for a spin cycle into the spin position (44) with vertically oriented cylinder axis (6), - before or during tilting to detect a characteristic of an unbalance of the rotating drum (5) measured variable - To vary the speed of the drum (5), so that in the drum (5) located laundry items rearrange and the imbalance is reduced, and - Increase the speed abruptly at sufficiently low imbalance and tilt the drum unit (3) while maintaining or further increasing the speed in the spin position (44). Method for operating a washing machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7,
wherein, at the start of a washing program sequence, the drum unit (3) is tilted from the loading and unloading position (40) into the washing position (42, 44), and at the end of the washing program sequence the drum unit (3) is inserted into the washing unit and unloading position (40) is tilted. Method according to claim 8,
wherein the drum unit (3) is tilted from the washing position (42) with horizontally aligned cylinder axis (6) of the drum (5) for a spin cycle in a spin position (44) with vertically aligned cylinder axis (6), wherein before or during the tilting for an imbalance of the rotating drum (5) characteristic measured variable is detected, wherein the rotational speed of the drum (5) is varied, so that in the drum (5) located laundry items rearrange and the imbalance is reduced, and wherein at sufficiently low unbalance the Speed is suddenly increased and the drum unit (3) while maintaining or further increasing the speed in the spin position (44) is tilted.

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