EP3170934B1 - Water supply control - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a water supply control. In particular, the invention relates to a water supply control for a washing machine.

A washing machine usually has a tub for receiving washing liquid, a rotatably mounted in the tub drum for receiving laundry and a heating element for heating the washing liquid in the tub on. The washing liquid is water which optionally contains detergent, conditioner or the like. Washing machines can have different heating programs. The heating programs depend on a washing liquid level or water level in the tub. In a classic washing program with a classic heating program, the water or the washing liquid is added to a water level in the tub, which is above a lower edge of the drum, so there is a constant exchange between free and tied to the laundry fleet.

Other washing programs with a heating program such as contact heating, in which the water level at the lower edge of the drum, or steam heating, in which the water level at the top of the heating element, need a residual moisture of the laundry below saturation, because the washing liquid in the washing process completely in the Laundry is bound and expelled in a variety of Umflutschleudergängen and sprayed back into the laundry. In order to control the water level at or below the lower edge of the drum according to the specification, the washing machine on a water supply control, in which initially a basic amount of water is supplied to a certain water level in the tub and in the period of at least one for setting the desired humidity in At a certain speed conducted Umwutschleudergang measured at regular intervals, the water level and refilled to achieve a desired by the desired humidity of the laundry, not contacting the lower edge of the drum target height of the water level for the washing process is dependent on the respective measured filling level amount of water.

The washing machine requires for this water supply control a circulating device that promotes water from a first area in a second area of the tub. Their installation makes the washing machine more expensive. There is a need for a washing machine with which all the above heating programs can be carried out, even when no flooding device is provided.

The WO 03/021027 A1 and EP 2 871 274 A1 describe heating systems without flooding.

The invention thus raises the problem of providing a water supply control with which different water levels in the tub and / or residual moisture in the laundry can be adjusted.

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

The achievable with the present invention consist in addition to the possibility of providing each water level or any residual moisture in the laundry is that the washing machine has a single water supply control for all the required heating programs such as the classic heating program, the contact heating and Dampfheizprogramm.

The invention relates to a water supply control for a washing machine, which has a tub, a drum and a heating element. The water supply control has a charge amount detection process and a subsequent supply control operation. The load amount detection process includes detecting an amount of laundry in the drum, that is, the amount of laundry in the drum. the load on. The feed control operation comprises feeding water into the tub during rotation of the drum in an amount dependent on the detected amount of laundry in the drum, detecting a water level in the tub, and refilling water into the tub as determined Water level and a predetermined water level.

With the water supply control residual moisture values of 140% can be set to complete saturation. That is, water levels below the lower edge of the drum can also be set. This makes it possible to use the various heating programs, such as the classic heating program, the contact heating program and the steam heating program in the washing machine, regardless of whether the washing machine has a Umfluteinrichtung or not. A Umwuteinrichtung that promotes water from a first area in a second area of the tub, is not required for the water supply control.

The load amount detection process is preferably performed by the known inertia method. The load amount detection process may alternatively include other load amount detection methods such as weight measurement.

The determination of a water level in the tub preferably has a pressure check. The determination of the water level in the tub is preferably terminated when after a predetermined period of time, for example 2 min. No refueling is performed or after a maximum period of time, for example 10 min.

The load quantity detection process allows the feed control operation to be set to the loading amount, the target residual moisture and the heating program preset by the washing program. Therefore, the feed control process can be concentrated on processing the laundry type. With the start of the feed control process, an amount of water to be supplied is preferably calculated as a function of the detected amount of laundry in the drum, the initial moisture content of the laundry and the required amount of water up to the lower edge of the drum. The refueling of water into the tub as a function of the determined water level and the predetermined water level is performed above a level that is required for the heating program. A comparatively low starting moisture content preferably means a comparatively low amount of water during refueling.

In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined water level is dependent on a heating program of the heating element predetermined by means of a washing program set on the washing machine. The default heating program can be the classic heating program, contact heating program or steam heating program. The predetermined water level preferably depends on an end water level to be reached, which is predetermined by the respective heating program. In the classical heating program, the final water level to be reached is above a lower edge of the drum, so there is a constant exchange between free and laundry-bonded liquor, and the predetermined water level is preferably equal to or higher than the final water level.

In the contact heating program, the final water level to be reached is at the lower edge of the drum and the predetermined water level is preferably higher than the lower edge of the drum but lower than the predetermined water level in the classical heating program. In the steam heating program, the end water level to be reached is at the upper edge of the heating element and the predetermined water level is preferably at the lower edge of the drum. Each wash program is preferably coupled to one of the above heating programs. All position and directional information refer to the operational installation position of the washing machine.

Preferably, the washing program set on the washing machine determines a by the feeding and / or refueling of water in the tub to be reached End water level in the tub. The final water level preferably varies depending on whether the washing program includes a classical washing process or a wet washing process. The classic washing process is coupled with the classic heating program, while the wet washing process is coupled with the contact heating program or the steam heating program.

In a preferred embodiment, the feeding and / or the refilling of water into the tub is carried out in an amount such that the final water level is lower than a water level reached at the completion of a feed operation and / or refueling operation. Preferably, the determination of a water level in the tub and the refueling of water in the tub are repeated until the determined water level is equal to or possibly higher than the predetermined water level.

Preferably, the refueling of water is carried out in the tub when the determined water level is lower than the predetermined water level and the final water level is above a lower edge of the drum, based on the operational installation position of the washing machine. Preferably, following refueling, the water level in the tub is again determined, and if the determined water level is lower than the predetermined level, the refilling of water into the tub is repeated and the above steps are repeated until the predetermined level of water is reached.

In a preferred embodiment, after the supply of water and / or a refueling a speed change preferably speed increase is performed when the determined water level is lower than the predetermined water level. By changing the speed of the washing rhythm before refueling, residual moisture values below saturation can be approached. This embodiment is therefore preferred when the final water level is at or below the lower edge of the drum. Changing the speed changes the ratio of out- (centrifugal force) and incoming (suction) flow rates. By multiple changes in the speed different residual moisture can be made possible. If one or more speed changes do not result in reaching the predetermined water level, a very absorbent batch of laundry must be in the drum. In this case, refueling is preferably performed. Preferably, with the beginning of the rotation of the drum at the changed speed, a determination of the water level in the tub is suspended and after a predetermined period of time, for example, 30 sec. Again performed. That is, the determination of the water level is preferably not carried out permanently but rather at regular intervals after a speed change.

If the determined water level is lower than the predetermined water level and the final water level is at a lower edge of the drum, based on the operating installation position of the washing machine, preferably between the determination of the water level in the tub and the refilling of water in the tub a speed of Drum increases, again after a predetermined period of time, the water level is determined and, if the redetermined water level is lower than the predetermined water level, the refueling of water is carried out in the tub. Preferably, following refueling, the water level in the tub is again determined, and if the redetermined water level is lower than the predetermined water level, the above steps, i. Increasing the speed of the drum, determining the water level in the tub and refueling of water depending on the detected water level repeatedly until the predetermined water level is reached.

If the determined water level is lower than the predetermined water level and the final water level is at or below an upper edge of the heating element, based on the operational installation position of the washing machine, is preferably between the determination of the water level in the tub and the refilling of water in the tub a Increased speed of the drum, again determined after a predetermined period of time, the water level and, if the redetermined water level is lower than the predetermined water level, again increases the speed of the drum, once the predetermined time period again determines the water level and, if again again determined water level is lower than the predetermined water level refueling of water carried out in the tub.

Preferably, following refueling, the water level in the tub is again determined, and if the redetermined water level is lower than the predetermined water level, the above steps, i. i.e. Increasing the rotational speed of the drum, determining the water level in the tub, increasing the speed of the drum when the determined water level is lower than the predetermined water level, re-determining the water level in the tub and refueling of water depending on the detected water level repeatedly until the predetermined water level is reached.

The residual moisture changes used and the amounts of nachzutankendem water in the tub are preferably reduced depending on the number of refueling operations. Preferably, a comparatively low starting moisture content means a comparatively low amount of water during refueling.

Thus, an optimal residual moisture can be set exactly. With the total amount of water minus the amount of water up to the lower edge of the drum, the residual moisture in the laundry can be calculated. If the residual moisture is above a certain value depending on the heating program, absorbent laundry has been used.

According to the invention, an amount of water which is supplied into the tub during a rotation of the drum, further dependent on a start-residual moisture content of the laundry and / or a predetermined amount of base water. More preferably, the amount of water supplied into the tub during rotation of the drum is dependent on the detected amount of laundry in the drum, the starting residual moisture of the laundry and the predetermined amount of base water.

The predetermined base water amount is preferably the amount of water needed to reach a water level in the tub to the bottom of the drum. An amount of water that is refueled during refueling of water into the tub is preferably dependent upon the detected amount of laundry in the drum, the start-up residual moisture of the laundry, a wash program-dependent correction factor, and / or a number of refueling events , More preferably, the amount of water that is refilled during refueling of water into the tub depends on the detected amount of laundry in the drum, the start-up residual moisture of the laundry, the wash program-dependent correction factor, and the number of refueling events. The correction factor depends on the washing or heating program and is used for fine tuning.

Preferably, a speed of the drum during the feeding or refueling of water in the tub is a maximum of 150 min ^-1 . An increase in the rotational speed of the drum between the steps of determining the water level and the refueling is preferably dependent on the set wash program. The increase in the rotational speed of the drum is preferably in the range of 10 to 30 min ^-1 , ie, the increased rotational speed of the drum is preferably at most in the range of 160 to 180 min ^-1 .

In a preferred embodiment, an amount of water that is refilled into the tub decreases as the number of refueling operations increases. Thereby, the predetermined water level can be set accurately.

Preferably, detecting an amount of laundry in the drum in the load detecting step comprises determining a moment of inertia of the amount of laundry in the drum.

Fig. 1

schematisch eine skizzierte Teil-Schnittdarstellung eines Waschautomaten; und

Fig. 2

schematisch einen Verlauf einer Restfeuchte bei Wassereinläufen in den Waschautomaten.

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

Fig. 1

schematically a sketched partial sectional view of a washing machine; and

Fig. 2

schematically a course of residual moisture at water inlets in the washing machine.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a sketched partial sectional view of a washing machine. The washing machine has a tub 2 for receiving water or washing liquid 1 and a rotatably mounted in the tub 2 drum 3 for receiving laundry 5. Below the tub 2, a drain pipe 6 is arranged, which is connected via a drain pump 7 with a drain line 8, which usually opens into a sewer (not shown). When the drain pump 7 is activated, washing liquid 1, if present, is pumped into the drain line 8 in the lower part of the wash tank 2 and in the drain pipe 6 in order to remove the washing liquid 1 from the washing machine. In the lower region of the tub 2, a heating element 4 is arranged, which can heat the water 1 and the washing liquid 1 in the tub 2.

At the washing machine various washing programs are set, which are assigned to different heating programs. In the in Fig. 1 shown washing machines are deposited three heating programs that require different final water levels a, b or c in the tub 2. A classic heating program requires the final water level a, which lies above a lower edge of the drum 3. A contact heating program requires the final water level b, which is at the lower edge of the drum. A steam heating program requires the final water level c, which is at or below the upper edge of the heating element 4.

When operating, i. after starting a washing program selected by a user, a water supply control is performed. The water supply control has a charge amount detection process and a subsequent supply control operation. The load amount detecting operation includes detecting an amount of laundry 5 in the drum 3, i. the detection of a loading amount that can be performed by an inertia method or a weight measurement. Through the load detection process, the feed control process can be set exactly to the load quantity, the target residual moisture and the heating program. The heating program is determined by the washing program selected by the user.

The feed control operation comprises feeding the water 1 into the tub 2 during rotation of the drum 3 in an amount corresponding to the detected amount Laundry 5 in the drum 3 is dependent. The amount of supplied water 1 is calculated in particular by the amount of charge or by the recognized amount of laundry 5, the starting moisture content and the amount of water that is required up to the lower edge of the drum 3. After supplying the water 1 in the tub 2, a water level in the tub 2 is determined. Subsequently, a refueling of water 1 in the tub 2 is performed depending on the detected water level and a predetermined water level. The determination of the water level and refueling are repeated until the determined water level is equal to the predetermined water level. The predetermined water level depends on the heating program predetermined by the washing program and in particular on the final water level predetermined by the heating program, which may be the final water level a, b or c.

The refueling can be done in several, for example two, portions. If the heating program requires the final water level b and if the determined water level is lower than the predetermined water level, a speed of the drum 3 is increased between the determination of the water level in the tub 2 and the refilling of water 1 in the tub 2, after a the water level is determined again for a predetermined period of time, and, if the newly determined water level is lower than the predetermined water level, the refilling of water 1 into the tub 2 is carried out. If the heating program requires the final water level c and if the determined water level is lower than the predetermined water level, a speed of the drum 3 is increased between the determination of the water level in the tub 2 and the refilling of water 1 in the tub 2, after a the water level is determined again for a predetermined period of time, and if the redetermined water level is lower than the predetermined water level, the rotational speed of the drum 3 is increased again, the water level is determined again after a predetermined period of time and if the redetermined water level is lower than the predetermined Water level refueling of water 1 in the tub 2 performed. The above steps of the water supply control required for the respective heating program are repeated until the detected water level is equal to the predetermined water level.

The water supply control is described below with reference to the three different heating programs classic heating program, contact heating program and steam heating program.

First, the water supply control with the classic heating program is described as a heating concept. The specifications are the washing program cotton set by the user; 6.0 kg; Initial moisture content (Fstart) 150% and pOffset = 20 mmWS.

After the load amount detection process, in which a load amount BM of 6.0 kg is detected, the feed control operation is started and a water inlet Water_Start is calculated, wherein waterBasis is an amount of water in the tub to the lower edge of the drum and in the present case 1.5 l is. $$\mathrm{Water}\_\mathrm{begin}=\left(\left(\mathrm{f.sub.start}/100\right)*\mathrm{BM}\right)+\mathrm{waterbasis}=\left(150\mathrm{l}/\mathrm{kg}*6\mathrm{kg}\right)+1.5\mathrm{l}=10.5\mathrm{l}$$

After supplying 10.5 l into the tub 2 while rotating the drum 3, a water level in the tub 2 is determined. This determination has a maximum duration of 120 seconds. If, during this time, the determined water level (pist) falls below the predetermined water level püberw = (lower edge of the drum 3 + poffset) is refueled. When calculating the amount of Water_i to be replenished, the number of refueling processes, the starting moisture content, the loading quantity and a correction factor (factor) are taken into account. This correction factor allows for fine tuning and is program dependent. i represents the number of refueling operations. $$\mathrm{Water}\_\mathrm{i}=1/\left(\mathrm{i}\right)*\left(\mathrm{f.sub.start}/\left(100*\mathrm{factor}\right)\right)*\mathrm{BM}$$

The amount of water Water_1 required for the first refueling process is equal to the calculation of Water_i with i = 1 3.6 I: $$\mathrm{Water}\_1=1/\left(1\right)*\left(150/\left(100*2.5\right)\mathrm{l}/\mathrm{kg}\right)*6\mathrm{kg}=3.6\mathrm{l}$$

After refueling 3.6 l, the water level in the tub 2 is again determined. The determined water level is less than the predetermined water level püberw. Therefore, a second refueling operation is performed, for which an amount of water to be replenished Water_2 is calculated according to Water_i with i = 2. $$\mathrm{Water}\_2=1/2*\left(150/\left(100*2.5\right)\mathrm{l}/\mathrm{kg}\right)*6\mathrm{kg}=1.8\mathrm{l}$$

After the second refueling process, the water level in the tub 2 is determined again. The determined water level does not fall below the predetermined water level püberw. The laundry is saturated. Moisture is complete. The total amount of water in the water inlet control is 15.9 l. A residual moisture in the laundry is 240%. The water level is set for the heating concept "classic heating", for which the final water level a is required.

Now the water supply control with the contact heating program is described as a heating concept. The specifications are the washing program cotton set by the user; 6.0 kg; Initial moisture content (Fstart) 140%, pOffset = + 5 mmWS.

After the charge amount detection process, in which a load amount BM of 6.0 kg is detected, the intake control operation is started and a water inlet Water_Start is calculated, wherein waterBasis is an amount of water in the tub to the lower edge of the drum, in the present case 1.51 , $$\mathrm{Water}\_\mathrm{begin}=\left(\left(\mathrm{f.sub.start}/100\right)*\mathrm{BM}\right)+\mathrm{waterbasis}=\left(140l/\mathrm{kg}*6\mathrm{kg}\right)+1.5\mathrm{l}=9.9\mathrm{l}$$

After supplying 9.9 l into the tub 2 while rotating the drum 3, a water level in the tub 2 is determined. This determination has a maximum duration of 120 seconds. If, during this time, the determined water level (pist) falls below the pressure value or the predetermined water level püberw = lower edge of the drum + pOffset = lower edge of the drum + 5mmWs, the maximum speed of the drum first increases Wash cycle of 150 min ^-1 around 20 min ^-1 . The determination of the water level in the tub 2 is exposed for a predetermined time, for example 30 sec., And then the water level is determined again. If it is still purged then refueling is carried out. As described above, the number of refueling processes, the starting moisture content, the loading amount and the correction factor (factor) are taken into account in the calculation of the replenishing amount of water Water_i, where i represents the number of refueling operations. $$\mathrm{Water}\_\mathrm{i}=1/\left(\mathrm{i}\right)*\left(\mathrm{f.sub.start}/\left(100*\mathrm{factor}\right)\right)*\mathrm{BM}=1/\left(1\right)*(140/\left(100*2.5\right)\mathrm{l}/\mathrm{kg}*6\mathrm{kg}=3.4\mathrm{l}$$

After Nachankvorgang the water level is again determined in the tub 2. The predetermined water level püberw is not undershot by the re-determined water level. The laundry is saturated. Moisture is complete. The total amount of water in the water supply control is 13.3 I. The residual moisture in the laundry is 196%. The water level is for the heating concept "contact heating", which requires the final water level b.

Now the water supply control with the steam heating program is described as a heating concept. The specifications are the washing program cotton set by the user; 6.0 kg; Starting moisture content (Fstart) 140%, pOffset = 0 mmWS.

After the load-quantity detection process, in which a load amount BM of 6.0 kg is detected, the feed control operation is started and a water inlet Water_Start is calculated, wherein waterBasis is an amount of water in the tub to the bottom edge of the drum and in the present case 1.5l , $$\mathrm{Water}\_\mathrm{begin}=\left(\left(\mathrm{f.sub.start}/100\right)*\mathrm{BM}\right)+\mathrm{waterbasis}=\left(140\mathrm{l}/\mathrm{kg}*6\mathrm{kg}\right)+1.5\mathrm{l}=9.9\mathrm{l}$$

After supplying 9.9 l into the tub 2 while rotating the drum 3, a water level in the tub 2 is determined. This determination has a maximum duration of 120 sec. If the determined water level (pist) falls below the predetermined water level during this time (bottom edge of the drum 3 + pOffset = lower edge of the drum 3 + 0 mmWs), the maximum speed initially increases the washing rhythm of 150 min ^-1 by 20 min ^-1 . The determination of the water level in the tub 2 is exposed for a certain time, for example 30 sec. If this is still followed by an increase in the maximum speed of the washing cycle by 20 min ^-1 , the water level in the tub 2 is then determined. If pistp is over, refueling is done. In this example, this is not the case, ie after the water inlet Water_Start the laundry is so saturated that it is no longer below püberw. Moisture is complete. The total amount of water in the water supply control is 9.9 I. The residual moisture in the laundry is 140%. The water level is set for the heating concept "steam heating", which requires the final water level c.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a profile of residual moisture at water inlets in the washing machine. The course of the change in humidity of the water inlets is shown at a starting moisture of 150%. In a water inlet 1, the residual moisture content is 150%, at a water inlet 2, the residual moisture content is 60%, at a water inlet 3, the residual moisture is 30%, at a water inlet 4, the residual moisture content is 20% and at a water inlet 5, the residual moisture content is 15%.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

a

End water level with the classic heating program

b

End water level at contact heating program

c

End water level in steam heating program

1

Water or washing liquid

2

tub

3

drum

4

heating element

5

Laundry

6

drain pipe

7

drain pump

8th

drain line

Claims (11)

1. Water supply control system for a washing machine that comprises a suds container (2), a drum (3) and a heating element (4), said system comprising a load-amount detection process and a subsequent supply control process, the load-amount detection process including detecting an amount of laundry (5) in the drum (3), and the supply control process including supplying water (1) into the suds container (2) during a rotation of the drum (3) in an amount that is dependent on the detected amount of laundry (5) in the drum (3), determining a water level in the suds container (2), and refilling water (1) into the suds container (2) depending on the determined water level in the suds container (2) and a predefined water level in the suds container (2), characterised in that an amount of water which is supplied into the suds container (2) during a rotation of the drum (3) is also dependent on a starting residual moisture of the laundry (5) and/or a predefined base amount of water, and an amount of water which is refilled during the refilling of water (1) into the suds container (2) is dependent on the detected amount of laundry (5) in the drum (3), on the starting residual moisture of the laundry (5), a washing-program-dependent correction factor and/or a number of refilling processes, the starting residual moisture of the laundry being a preset of the washing program that is set by the user.
2. Water supply control system according to claim 1, characterised in that the predefined water level is dependent on a heating program of the heating element (4) that is predefined by a washing program set on the washing machine.
3. Water supply control system according to claim 2, characterised in that the washing program set on the washing machine defines a final water level in the suds container (2) which is to be achieved by supplying and/or refilling water (1) into the suds container (2).
4. Water supply control system according to claim 3, characterised in that water (1) is supplied and/or refilled into the suds container (2) in such an amount that the final water level is lower than a water level achieved when a supply process and/or refilling process is ended.
5. Water supply control system according to either claim 3 or claim 4, characterised in that water (1) is refilled into the suds container (2) if the determined water level is lower than the predefined water level and the final water level is above a lower edge of the drum (3), based on the operational installation position of the washing machine.
6. Water supply control system according to either claim 3 or claim 4, characterised in that if the determined water level is lower than the predefined water level and the final water level is at a lower edge of the drum (3), based on the operational installation position of the washing machine, between determining the water level in the suds container (2) and refilling water (1) into the suds container (2), a rotational speed of the drum (3) is increased, the water level is redetermined once a predefined period of time has elapsed and, if the redetermined water level is lower than the predefined water level, water (1) is refilled into the suds container (2).
7. Water supply control system according to either claim 3 or claim 4, characterised in that if the determined water level is lower than the predefined water level and the final water level is on or underneath an upper edge of the heating element (4), based on the operational installation position of the washing machine, between determining the water level in the suds container (2) and refilling water (1) into the suds container (2), a rotational speed of the drum (3) is increased, the water level is redetermined once a predefined period of time has elapsed, and if the redetermined water level is lower than the predefined water level, the rotational speed of the drum (3) is increased again, the water level is redetermined again once the predefined period of time has elapsed and, if the water level that has been redetermined again is lower than the predefined water level, water (1) is refilled into the suds container (2).
8. Water supply control system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that determining a water level in the suds container (2) and refilling water (1) into the suds container (2) is repeated until the determined water level is equal to or higher than the predefined water level.
9. Water supply control system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a rotational speed of the drum (3) during supply or refilling of water (1) into the suds container (2) is at most 150 min^-1 and an increase in the rotational speed of the drum (3) is dependent on the set washing program.
10. Water supply control system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that an amount of water that is refilled into the suds container (2) reduces with an increasing number of refilling processes.
11. Water supply control system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that detecting an amount of laundry (5) in the drum (3) in the load detection step includes defining a mass moment of inertia of the amount of laundry (5) in the drum (3).

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