EP3152352B1 - Domestic appliance with a visual display of method steps proceeding therein, and method for operating said domestic appliance - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a household appliance with a visualization of process steps running in the household appliance and a preferred method for its operation. The invention relates in particular to a household appliance with a control device and at least two structural units, between which a material transfer takes place, and a preferred method for its operation.

When operating household appliances, the communication between the household appliance and a user is of great importance. The term "communication" is to be interpreted comprehensively and includes not only one-sided information about an operating state that flows from the household appliance to the user, but another one-sided information direction in which a user sends the household appliance important information and instructions for its operation. In the case of laundry treatment devices, the information includes information on the type and amount of items of laundry, and in the case of dishwashers, information on the type and amount of dishes. In the case of devices that are intended to clean objects in particular, this information also includes information on the type and extent of contamination. Even with devices that process certain objects, mixers, cooking appliances, etc., a user can provide information about the type and quantity of the objects, e.g. food. The instructions include, in particular, the specification of programs to be carried out in the household appliance by a user.

It is usual here for household appliances to have a front panel which offers the possibility of setting programs to be carried out in the household appliance, as well as a display of information about the execution of a selected program. Household appliances are, for example, laundry treatment devices such as washing machines, dryers and washer-dryers, dishwashers, microwave devices, ovens and ovens, and blenders. The display of information and selected programs generally takes place via an optical display, with programs assigned to the individual display subareas Illumination of the display sub-areas highlighted and thus in particular their implementation can be displayed.

the EP 1 573 111 B1 describes a household electrical appliance with an operating device to which at least one display device with a light source for optical operator information is assigned, the operating device having at least one fluoroscopic area in an area provided for the display device, in which the material thickness of a cover material is reduced so that the fluoroscopic area can be X-rayed . Rotary knobs are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, some of which can be transilluminated.

the US 2009/0320530 A1 describes an operating device for a washing machine, comprising a first operating part for a signal for the sequential display of several washing programs, an operating part for the provision of several washing programs according to the signal of the first operating part and a display part for the sequential display of the washing program. the Figures 1 5 and 5 show a rotary knob with light-emitting diodes arranged around it.

the US 2006/0164397 A1 describes a household appliance with a console and an operating part attached to it, which can be displaced over a predetermined area so that a desired setting can be made, as well as a membrane top layer on the console, which has at least one embedded indicator light which is adapted to a desired setting.

In the case of household appliances that have a rotating working element such as a laundry drum or a mixing element, an optical display on the front panel can also be used to display / monitor the rotation of the working element.

So describes the WO 03/023117 A1 a control of a light ring, which is received in the front panel of a household appliance having a rotating working element, in particular in the front panel of a laundry care device having a laundry drum, wherein along the circumference of the light ring a plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged, which light up rotating at a speed of rotation which is proportional to an instantaneous speed of rotation of the working element.

the DE 101 17 905 A1 describes a household appliance with a display device with which information about the household appliance can be displayed, the display device comprising a material layer which can be electrically influenced pixel by pixel in such a way that information can be displayed through the material layer. In Fig. 3 a display device consisting of e-paper is shown in cross section, which is applied to a front panel which is arranged on a device door via holding means. The display device has a connection for a power and data supply on its underside.

the DE 103 45 197 A1 describes a household appliance, such as a refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, kitchen stove, microwave, washing machine, tumble dryer, etc., with an electrically powered device for displaying one or more user information and / or at least one ambient lighting, the device for supplying user information and / or of ambient lighting contains at least one electroluminescent film, which is formed, for example, by an organic polymer light-emitting diode film (polymer OLED). In Fig. 1 shows a washing machine with an electrically powered device for displaying one or more user information, the device comprising three light arrows and a light ring. The light arrows can, for example, be made to light up in a certain sequence or continuously after the washing machine has been started up, in order to indicate to the user that certain processes are to be carried out in each case. For example, an illuminated arrow indicates that laundry is to be put into a washing drum of the washing machine. As a display element, the light ring illuminates the outer edge of the washing drum or an access window that closes the washing drum, with the light ring being able to light up constantly, for example, when the washing machine is in operation. However, depending on the operating status of the washing machine, it can light up or flash in different colors. The dispenser itself can also be illuminated.

Also disclosed EP 2 455 930 A1 a display for a household appliance, the display being set up to display an operating sequence of the household appliance.

There is a need to improve the representation of the mode of operation of a household appliance, in particular in order to further improve the setting of programs to be carried out therein and the monitoring of the household appliance.

Against this background, it was the object of the present invention to provide a household appliance with an improved display of the programs and program steps running in it in order to enable improved influencing and monitoring.

This object is achieved according to this invention by a household appliance and a method for its operation with the features of the respective independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the household appliance according to the invention are listed in the corresponding dependent claims. Preferred embodiments of the household appliance here also correspond to preferred embodiments of the method, even if this is not specifically pointed out here.

The invention thus relates to a household appliance with a control device and at least two structural units between which a material transfer takes place, each of these structural units being assigned a lighting unit on an outer surface of the household appliance and an optically communicating connection being established between the assigned lighting units of two structural units can, whereby it is stored in the control device that the optically communicating connection is established when a material transfer takes place between the two structural units.

The term "material transfer" is to be interpreted broadly and includes the transfer of gaseous, liquid or solid substances or mixtures of substances. Different types of material transfers can also occur in a household appliance. In the case of a dryer, the material transfer includes, for example, the conveyance of process air that is used to dry damp laundry, as well as the conveyance of condensate that is obtained, for example, in a heat exchanger of the dryer.

An “outer surface” within the meaning of the invention is generally a surface of a housing of the household appliance that is easily visible to a user. In general, the "outer surface" is therefore the front of the household appliance.

In a preferred embodiment of the household appliance, the optically communicating connection is a lighting program that is a temporal change in the lighting factors intensity, color and / or illuminated area of the light emitted by one or both assigned lighting units and / or an intermediate lighting part arranged between the two lighting units Includes light. A change in the illuminated area here means a change in the surface area and / or the shape of the area.

In this case, the intermediate lighting part preferably comprises a plurality of light elements which, in the event of a material transfer, light up repeatedly one after the other in such a way that a direction of the material transfer can be displayed.

The intermediate lighting part and in particular its light elements can have different shapes. Suitable shapes are arrows, triangles, squares, rings or circles. Preferably, the shape of the intermediate lighting part or the multiple light elements that may form it can indicate a direction of material transfer. For this purpose it is possible, for example, to use an intermediate lighting part that consists of one or more light elements that are designed in the form of a triangle, one point of which points in the direction of the second component and one side points in the direction of the first component. A user would then assume that there is a material transfer from the first to the second component. A further possibility of the representation would be a stringing together of light elements of different sizes, with a decrease or increase in size in the direction from a first to the second component indicating the direction of a material transfer.

In a preferred embodiment of the household appliance, the lighting factors of intensity, color and / or luminous area of the two assigned lighting units change in a complementary manner to one another in such a way that a change in a lighting factor on the lighting unit assigned to the first component with a change in the lighting factor on the second Component associated lighting unit. There are various possibilities.

In a preferred embodiment of the household appliance according to the invention, when a lighting factor of the first lighting unit increases, the corresponding lighting factor of the second lighting unit decreases or vice versa. Here it is again preferred that the lighting factors intensity and / or luminous area decrease on the first component and increase on the second component when the material transfer takes place in the direction of the second component.

In addition, a household appliance is preferred in which the optically communicating connection is a lighting program in which the associated lighting units flash on the first and on the second component. The lighting units on the first and second components can flash simultaneously or alternately. In addition, the respective light durations can be different.

The household appliance according to the invention is not restricted according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment, however, the household appliance is a laundry treatment appliance. A laundry treatment device is in particular a washing machine, a washer-dryer or a dryer.

If the household appliance is a laundry treatment appliance, a relationship between a load of laundry and a lighting factor is advantageously stored in the control unit of the household appliance, and at least one lighting factor of at least one lighting unit increases with increasing load. A lighting factor, for example an illuminated area and / or color intensity, of the lighting unit associated with the drum preferably increases.

In addition, it is preferred in a laundry treatment appliance as a household appliance according to the invention that the household appliance has as a component a laundry drum which can be rotated about a horizontal axis and to which a circular lighting unit is assigned on the outer surface of the household appliance, which has light elements that can represent a rotary movement Speed of this rotary movement with an increasing Rotational speed of the laundry drum increases. It is stored in the control device of the household appliance that the lighting unit should display the rotary movement when the drum rotates. Such an animated rotary movement is particularly clear for a user of a laundry treatment appliance. This enables monitoring of the drum in particular.

Rotating working elements such as a drum above are also possible with other household appliances, e.g. a mixer or mixer.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the household appliance therefore has a rotating working element, the rotary movement of which is visualized by the flashing of various light-emitting diodes, a speed of rotation of the rotating working element, e.g. a laundry drum, being proportional to a blinking frequency of the light-emitting diodes.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the household appliance is a washing machine or a washer-dryer and the components between which a material transfer takes place include a dispensing bowl, a laundry drum, a waste water outlet and a storage container. It is again preferred that the first component is the dispenser and the second component is the laundry drum, and the material transfer includes the flushing in of detergent and / or fabric softener and / or the introduction of water, a lighting factor being that of the dispensing bowl assigned lighting unit for the flushing in of detergent, fabric softener and an introduction of water differs.

In a further preferred embodiment, the household appliance is a dryer or a washer-dryer and the components between which a material transfer takes place include a heater for process air, a laundry drum, a heat exchanger, a condensate pan and a condensate container.

In the household appliance according to the invention, it is also preferred that the first and / or the second associated lighting unit forms a closed curve, which is interrupted by a non-luminous area in the event of a material transfer between the first and the second component to create an open connection between the first and the second component. "Open connection" is a connection that enables the material transfer between the first and the second component. When the material transfer ends, this connection is preferably closed again.

Both inorganic light-emitting diodes and organic light-emitting diodes can be used as lighting units or light elements of lighting units. The light-emitting diodes can be in the form of top LEDs or side LEDs.

In addition to the known inorganic light-emitting diodes, organic light-emitting diodes can be used here. Organic light emitting diodes generally use small organic molecules (SM-OLEDs) or organic polymers (PLEDs). SM-OLEDs include, for example, organometallic chelates and conjugated dendrimers. PLEDs include electrically conductive polymers such as polythiophenes, polypyrroles, polyfluorenes and poly (p-phenylenevinylenes), which can optionally be suitably substituted. Preferred substituents are alkyl and alkoxy groups.

The advantage of PLEDs is the possibility of using them as flexible films, obtained, for example, by electropolymerization of the corresponding monomers, spincoating or printing (screen printing) of the polymers, with the power requirement for the PLEDs also being relatively low.

The lighting units used according to the invention can contain one or more light elements, for example light-emitting diodes. Light elements with different colors, e.g. light-emitting diodes that glow with different colors, can be used, for example, to display several pieces of information.

1. (a) Starten und/oder Durchführen eines Programmes, das einen stofflichen Transfer zwischen mindestens zwei Baueinheiten umfasst; und
2. (b) nach Feststellung eines beginnenden stofflichen Transfers zwischen den beiden Baueinheiten Herstellung einer Stromversorgung zu den beiden zugeordneten Beleuchtungseinheiten und Herstellung einer optisch kommunizierenden Verbindung durch Durchführung eines in der Steuereinrichtung hinterlegten Beleuchtungsprogrammes mit den beiden zugeordneten Beleuchtungseinheiten und ggf. einem Zwischenbeleuchtungsteil.

The invention also relates to a method for operating a household appliance with a control device and at least two structural units, between which a material transfer takes place, each of these structural units being assigned a lighting unit on an outer surface of the household appliance and an optical unit between the assigned lighting units of two structural units communicating connection can be established, it being stored in the control device that the optically communicating connection is established when a material transfer takes place between the two structural units, comprehensive

1. (a) Starting and / or executing a program that includes a material transfer between at least two structural units; and
2. (b) after a start of material transfer between the two structural units has been established, establish a power supply to the two assigned lighting units and establish an optically communicating connection by executing a lighting program stored in the control device with the two assigned lighting units and, if necessary, an intermediate lighting part.

The invention has several advantages. An operator can easily be shown the selection and execution of a program to be carried out or carried out in the household appliance. This enables a user to better monitor the operation of the household appliance. In this context, the invention enables an improved display of information about program selection and execution, since an improved visual display possibility is created. In this way, even if an operator is at a certain distance from the household appliance and only superficially observes its operation, an operator can immediately obtain an overview of important operating states of the household appliance. Information about the operation of a household appliance can be made available which, for example, enables a user to set, influence and monitor the operation of the household appliance. The information presented can be very easy to understand. Depending on the selected embodiments, different colors, flashing frequencies or location-dependent lighting can be used.

In the case of the present invention, it is particularly advantageous that it is possible to draw conclusions about a program taking place even with poor lighting and / or at a comparatively large distance.

Another advantage of the invention is that a user has knowledge of the functioning of the household appliance in question and the relationships between different components can be conveyed, in a washing machine, for example, with regard to the flushing of detergents into the laundry drum via a dispenser. This means that, for example, highly developed automatic dosing methods and a refined, smart way of adding detergent can be communicated to a user in a clear manner.

In the case of a dryer, for example, the flow of the water permanently withdrawn from the damp laundry can be visualized using a representation of the condensate flowing between the heat exchanger and the condensate pan and / or between the condensate pan and the condensate container.

Overall, as a further advantage of the invention, technologically advanced household appliances can thus be brought closer to a user or customer.

• Fig. 1 zeigt in einer Frontansicht eine erste Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Haushaltsgerätes, das hier eine Waschmaschine ist.
• Fig. 2 zeigt in einer Frontansicht eine zweite Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Haushaltsgerätes, das hier ebenfalls eine Waschmaschine ist.
• Fig. 3 zeigt in einer Frontansicht eine dritte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Haushaltsgerätes, das hier ein Trockner ist.

Further details of the invention emerge from the following description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments for household appliances according to the invention, with reference to FIG Figures 1 to 3 is taken, in which two washing machines and a dryer are shown as exemplary household appliances.

• Fig. 1 shows a front view of a first embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention, which here is a washing machine.
• Fig. 2 shows a front view of a second embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention, which here is also a washing machine.
• Fig. 3 shows a front view of a third embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention, which here is a dryer.

Fig. 1 shows in a front view as a first embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention a washing machine with a control device (not shown here) and the two structural units dispenser 2 and drum 3, the drum 3 serving to hold items of laundry. A rinsing in of detergent and / or fabric softener and / or an introduction of water takes place as a material transfer between the dispensing bowl 2 and the drum 3, with an illumination factor being that of the dispensing bowl 2 assigned lighting unit 5 for the flushing in of detergent, fabric softener and an introduction of water differs.

The dispenser 2 is according to Fig. 1 on an outer surface 26 of the washing machine 1 is assigned a lighting unit 5, which is designed here as a ring. The outer surface 26 is here the front side which is visible to a user of the washing machine during its operation. As long as there is no material transfer to the drum 3, the ring 5 is closed. If, on the other hand, a material transfer takes place, the ring 5 is interrupted or opened at the point opposite the lighting unit 4 assigned to the drum 3. The drum 3 is namely according to Fig. 1 A ring is also assigned as a lighting unit 4 on the outer surface 26 of the washing machine. As long as there is no material transfer between the dispensing bowl 2 and drum 3, ring 4 is closed. If, on the other hand, a material transfer takes place, the ring 4 is interrupted or opened at the point opposite the lighting unit 5 assigned to the dispensing bowl 2.

In Fig. 1 as well as those discussed below Figures 2 and 3 each shows a front view of the household appliance, ie an outer surface 26, only the parts essential to the invention being shown. The structural units between which a material transfer takes place are shown, but cannot be recognized as such on the outer surface. In addition, the technical structural units are each surrounded by an assigned lighting unit in the figures. However, this representation is mainly used for illustration. It can emerge that a structural unit in the household appliance is not located directly behind the lighting unit assigned to an outer surface of the household appliance, but rather more or less laterally offset. Such a deviation is necessary in particular when structural units are located one behind the other or are arranged in an overlapping manner when viewed from the outer surface of the household appliance. For the purposes of the invention, it is sufficient that the material transfer between the structural units can be shown and in particular visualized by the associated lighting units and, if applicable, intermediate lighting parts located on the outer surface of the household appliance.

In the washing machine 1 of Fig. 1 an intermediate lighting part 6 is also present between the two assigned lighting units 4 and 5, which here consists of two lighting units 28 which indicate a channel.

When the washing machine 1 is in operation, an optically communicating connection is established between the two associated lighting units 4 and 5 when a material transfer takes place between the dispensing bowl 2 and the drum 3. This is stored in the control device. The material transfer from the dispenser bowl 2 to the drum 3 includes the flushing in of detergent, fabric softener and / or the introduction of water, whereby a lighting factor of the lighting unit 5 assigned to the dispensing bowl 2 differs for the washing in of detergent, fabric softener and the introduction of water. At the washing machine the Fig. 1 this is realized in that the lighting unit 5 assigned to the dispensing bowl 2 lights up blue when only water is introduced into the drum 3 and lights up red when a detergent is washed into the drum 3. In contrast, when fabric softener is flushed in, the lighting unit 5 lights up green. The different colors are realized by different colored light emitting diodes.

At the in Fig. 1 The washing machine shown is the optically communicating connection of a lighting program in which the lighting factors intensity, color and / or illuminated area of the light emitted by the two associated lighting units 4 and 5 and the intermediate lighting part 6 change. The lighting factors intensity, color and / or luminous area of the two assigned lighting units 4 and 5 change in a complementary manner to one another in that the two lighting units 4 and 5 can, for example, flash alternately. In addition, both the luminous area of the ring 5 and the intensity of the light emitted per unit area decrease during the material transfer, while the area of the ring 4 of the lighting unit assigned to the drum 3 and the intensity of the light emitted per unit area of the ring 4 during the material transfer gain weight. This visualizes that the material transfer is taking place in the direction of the second component, that is to say here the drum 3.

The in Fig. 1 Household appliance shown is a relationship in the control unit between a load of laundry and the illuminated area of the Drum 3 assigned lighting unit 4 deposited, wherein the illuminated area of the lighting unit 4 increases with increasing load.

In the washing machine the Fig. 1 a method can thus be carried out which comprises: starting and / or carrying out a program which comprises a material transfer between the dispensing bowl 2 and the drum 3; and after it has been determined that material transfer has begun between the two structural units 2 and 3, a power supply is established to the two associated lighting units 4 and 5 and an optically communicating connection is established by executing a lighting program stored in the control device for the assigned lighting units 4 and 5 and the intermediate lighting part 6th

Fig. 2 shows a front view of a second embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention, which here is also a washing machine. At the in Fig. 2 The washing machine shown are also present as structural units between which a material transfer takes place and to which lighting units 4 and 5 are assigned, likewise the dispensing bowl 2 and the drum 3.

In contrast to the washing machine from Fig. 1 Here, however, the intermediate lighting part 6 consists of four light units 28 which are designed as triangles, each of which has a tip in the direction of the lighting unit 4 assigned to the drum 3. In addition, the light units 28 are arranged along a straight line in the same direction. In this embodiment of the intermediate lighting part 6, the light elements 28 can light up repeatedly one after the other during a material transfer in such a way that a direction of the material transfer can also be indicated via this effect.

As a further structural unit in the washing machine is the embodiment of FIG Fig. 2 There is also a storage container 10 for a relatively clean aqueous liquid from a rinsing phase in the washing machine 1. A lighting unit 11 is assigned to the storage container 10. Between the lighting units 4 and 11 there is an intermediate lighting part 9 consisting of several, here circular light elements 28. The production of an optically communicating connection between the lighting units 4 and 11 takes place here in the same way as between the lighting units 4 and 5. Since there are several light elements 28 here, the material transfer, here an aqueous liquid from the drum 3 to the storage container 10, can also be visualized here by repeatedly lighting up the light elements 28 one after the other.

Finally, in the washing machine 1 is the Fig. 2 A wastewater outlet 27 with a lighting unit 7 assigned to it is present as a further structural unit within the meaning of the invention. The intermediate lighting part 8 arranged between the lighting units 4 and 7 here consists of three light elements 28, so that the above explanations apply accordingly for establishing an optically communicating connection between the lighting units 4 and 7 and the possible lighting programs.

Fig. 3 shows a front view of a third embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention, which is a dryer 12 here. The components between which a material transfer takes place are here a heater 13 for process air, a laundry drum 3, a heat exchanger 16, a condensate pan 17 and a condensate container 24.

The heater 13 is assigned the lighting unit 14, the laundry drum 3 is assigned the lighting unit 4, the heat exchanger 16 is assigned the lighting unit 15, the condensate pan 17 is assigned the lighting unit 18 and the condensate container 24 is assigned the lighting unit 25. Apart from the lighting unit 18, all lighting units in the embodiment shown here are designed according to a closed curve. Between the lighting units, intermediate lighting parts 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 are arranged, which are each formed from a plurality of light elements 28. The intermediate lighting parts 19, 20, 21 and 22 each consist of three or more light elements 28, so that in these the direction of a material transfer can be visualized by lighting up the light elements 28 one behind the other in this direction.

The material transfer consists in the dryer 12 in the conveyance of process air, in particular between heater 13 and drum 3 and between drum 3 and heat exchanger 16 and finally between heat exchanger 16 and heater 13, as well as in the conveyance of condensate between heat exchanger 16 and condensate pan 17 and between condensate pan 17 and condensate container 24. The different nature of process air and condensate can be visualized by different colors of the corresponding light elements 28. For example, light elements 28 on the path of the process air, ie in the intermediate lighting parts 20, 21 and 22, light up red and light elements 28 on the path of the condensate, ie in the intermediate lighting parts 19 and 23, light up blue. The temperature of the process air could be visualized by an intensity of the red light that differs from the temperature. For this purpose, there is generally at least one corresponding temperature sensor in the dryer 12.

Otherwise, the statements on the apply Figures 2 and 3 via the establishment of an optically communicating connection and the implementation of possible lighting programs accordingly.

List of reference symbols

1

Washing machine

2

Detergent bowl

3rd

Drum, laundry drum

4th

Lighting unit assigned to the drum

5

Lighting unit assigned to the dispensing bowl

6th

Intermediate lighting between the detergent bowl and drum

7th

Lighting unit assigned to the waste water outlet

8th

Intermediate lighting part between drum and waste water outlet

9

Intermediate lighting part between drum and storage tank

10

Storage tank

11

Lighting unit assigned to the water reservoir

12th

dryer

13th

(Electric) heating (for heating the process air)

14th

Lighting unit assigned to the heater

15th

Lighting unit assigned to the heat exchanger

16

Heat exchanger

17th

Condensate pan

18th

Lighting unit assigned to the condensate pan

19th

Intermediate lighting between the condensate pan and the condensate container

20th

Intermediate lighting part between heat exchanger and condensate pan

21

Intermediate lighting part between heater and drum

22nd

Intermediate lighting part between drum and heat exchanger

23

Intermediate lighting part between heat exchanger and condensate pan

24

Condensate tank

25th

Lighting unit assigned to the condensate container

26th

Exterior surface of the home appliance

27

Waste water outlet

28

Light units

29

Horizontal axis of rotation of the drum

Claims (15)

1. Household appliance (1, 12) with a control facility as well as at least two physical units (2, 3, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24), between which a material transfer takes place, characterised in that a lighting unit (4, 5, 7, 11, 14, 15, 18, 25) is associated with each of said physical units (2, 3, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24, 27) on an outer surface (26) of the household appliance (1, 12) and an optically communicating connection can be established between the associated lighting units (4, 5, 7, 11, 14, 15, 18, 25) of two physical units (2, 3, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24, 27), wherein the control facility stores the information that the optically communicating connection is established, when a material transfer takes place between the two physical units (2, 3, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24).
2. Household appliance (1, 12) according to claim 1, characterised in that the optically communicating connection is a lighting program, which comprises a change over time in the lighting factors intensity, colour and/or illuminated surface of the light, which is emitted from one or both associated lighting units (4, 5, 7, 11, 14, 15, 18, 25) and/or an intermediate lighting part (6, 8, 9, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23) arranged between the two lighting units (4, 5, 7, 11, 14, 15, 18, 25).
3. Household appliance (1, 12) according to claim 2, characterised in that the intermediate lighting part (6, 8, 9, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23) comprises a number of light elements (28) which light up repeatedly one after the other during a material transfer such that a direction of the material transfer can be indicated.
4. Household appliance (1, 12) according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the lighting factors intensity, colour and/or illuminating surface of the two associated lighting units (4, 5, 7, 11, 14, 15, 18, 25) change in a complementary manner such that a change in a lighting factor at the lighting unit (4, 5, 7, 11, 14, 15, 18, 25) associated with the first physical unit (2, 3, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24, 27) is associated with a change in the lighting factor at the lighting unit (4, 5, 7, 11, 14, 15, 18, 25) associated with the second physical unit (2, 3, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24, 27).
5. Household appliance (1, 12) according to claim 4, characterised in that when a lighting factor of the first lighting unit (4, 5, 7, 11, 14, 15, 18, 25) increases, the corresponding lighting factor of the second lighting unit (4, 5, 7, 11, 14, 15, 18, 25) decreases or vice versa.
6. Household appliance (1, 12) according to claim 5, characterised in that the lighting factors intensity and/or illuminating surface decrease at the first physical unit (2, 3, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24) and increase at the second physical unit (2, 3, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24, 27), when the material transfer takes place in the direction of the second physical unit (2, 3, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24, 27).
7. Household appliance (1, 12) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the optically communicating connection is a lighting program, wherein the associated lighting units (4, 5, 7, 11, 14, 15, 18, 25) at the first and second physical unit (2, 3, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24, 27) flash.
8. Household appliance (1, 12) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the household appliance (1, 12) is a laundry treatment appliance.
9. Household appliance (1, 12) according to claim 8, characterised in that a link between a laundry load size and a lighting factor is stored in the control facility and at least one lighting factor of at least one lighting unit (4, 5, 7, 11, 14, 15, 18, 25) increases as the load size increases.
10. Household appliance (1, 12) according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the household appliance (1, 12) has a physical unit (2, 3, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24, 27) in the form of a laundry drum (3) that can be rotated about a horizontal axis (29), a circular lighting unit (4) being associated with said laundry drum (3) on the outer surface (26) of the household appliance (1, 2) and having light elements which can display a rotational movement, wherein the speed of said rotational movement increases as the rotation speed of the laundry drum (3) increases.
11. Household appliance (1, 12) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterised in that the household appliance (1, 12) is a washing machine or a tumble dryer and the physical units (2, 3, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24, 27), between which a material transfer takes place, comprise a detergent tray (2), a laundry drum (3), a waste water outlet (27) and a storage container (10).
12. Household appliance (1, 12) according to claim 11, characterised in that the first physical unit (2, 3, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24, 27) is the detergent tray (2) and the second physical unit (2, 3, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24, 27) is the laundry drum (3) and the material transfer comprises a flushing in of detergent and/or fabric conditioner and/or an introduction of water, wherein a lighting factor of the lighting unit (5) associated with the detergent tray (2) is different for the flushing in of detergent and fabric conditioner and the introduction of water.
13. Household appliance (1, 12) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterised in that the household appliance (1, 12) is a tumble dryer or a washer/dryer and the physical units (2, 3, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24, 27), between which a material transfer takes place, comprise a heating unit (13) for process air, a laundry drum (3), a heat exchanger (16), a condensate tray (17) and a condensate container (24).
14. Household appliance (1, 12) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the first and/or the second associated lighting unit (4, 5, 7, 11, 14, 15, 18, 25) form(s) a closed curve, which is interrupted by a non-illuminating region during a material transfer between the first and second physical unit (2, 3, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24, 27), in order to indicate an open connection between the first and second physical unit (2, 3, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24, 27).
15. Method for operating a household appliance (1, 12) with a control facility as well as at least two physical units (2, 3, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24, 27), between which a material transfer takes place, wherein a lighting unit (4, 5, 7, 11, 14, 15, 18, 25) is associated with each of said physical units (2, 3, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24, 27) on an outer surface (26) of the household appliance (1, 12) and it is possible for an optically communicating connection to be established between the associated lighting units (4, 5, 7, 11, 14, 15, 18, 25) of two physical units (2, 3, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24, 27), wherein the control facility stores the information that the optically communicating connection is established when a material transfer takes place between the two physical units (2, 3, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24, 27), comprising

    (a) starting and/or performing a program, which comprises a material transfer between at least two physical units (2, 3, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24, 27); and

    (b) after determining the start of a material transfer between the two physical units (2, 3, 10, 13, 16, 17, 24, 27), establishing a power supply to the two associated lighting units (4, 5, 7, 11, 14, 15, 18, 25) and establishing an optically communicating connection by performing a lighting program stored in the control facility with the two associated lighting units (4, 5, 7, 11, 14, 15, 18, 25) and where applicable an intermediate lighting part (6, 8, 9, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23).

Images