EP3257996B1 - Method for operating a laundry treatment appliance and laundry treatment appliance - Google Patents
Method for operating a laundry treatment appliance and laundry treatment appliance Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3257996B1 EP3257996B1 EP16174134.3A EP16174134A EP3257996B1 EP 3257996 B1 EP3257996 B1 EP 3257996B1 EP 16174134 A EP16174134 A EP 16174134A EP 3257996 B1 EP3257996 B1 EP 3257996B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- laundry
- drum
- appliance
- laundry treatment
- amount
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers
- D06F33/50—Control of washer-dryers characterised by the purpose or target of the control
- D06F33/74—Responding to irregular working conditions, e.g. malfunctioning of pumps
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2101/00—User input for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2101/00—User input for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2101/20—Operation modes, e.g. delicate laundry washing programs, service modes or refreshment cycles
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2103/02—Characteristics of laundry or load
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2103/02—Characteristics of laundry or load
- D06F2103/04—Quantity, e.g. weight or variation of weight
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2103/38—Time, e.g. duration
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2105/44—Opening, closing or locking of doors
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2105/52—Changing sequence of operational steps; Carrying out additional operational steps; Modifying operational steps, e.g. by extending duration of steps
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2105/58—Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F25/00—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry and having further drying means, e.g. using hot air
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers
- D06F33/30—Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control
- D06F33/47—Responding to irregular working conditions, e.g. malfunctioning of pumps
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
- D06F58/32—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers
- D06F58/34—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers characterised by the purpose or target of the control
- D06F58/50—Responding to irregular working conditions, e.g. malfunctioning of blowers
Description
- The present invention concerns the field of laundry treating techniques. In particular, the present invention refers to a method for operating a laundry treatment appliance and to a laundry treating appliance operating according to such method.
- Nowadays the use of laundry treatment machines, both "simple" laundry washing machines (i.e. laundry washing machines which can only wash and rinse laundry) and laundry washing-drying machines (i.e. laundry washing machines which can also dry laundry), as well as laundry dryers (i.e. laundry machines which can only dry laundry without washing it), is widespread.
- In the present description the term "laundry treatment appliance" will refer to both simple laundry washing machines and laundry washing-drying machines. Laundry treatment appliances adapted for washing laundry generally comprise an external casing provided with a washing tub which contains a rotatable perforated drum where the laundry is placed. A loading/unloading door ensures access to the drum. Laundry treatment appliances typically comprise a water supply unit and a products supply unit, preferably a drawer, for the introduction of water and washing/rinsing products (i.e. detergent, softener, rinse conditioner, etc.) into the tub. Known laundry treatment appliances are also provided with water draining devices that may operate during different phases of the washing program to drain the dirty water.
- According to the known technique, a complete laundry treating program or progress typically includes different phases during which the laundry to be washed is subjected to adequate treatments. A treating cycle usually comprises a main washing phase during which the laundry is treated by means of water and a detergent. The water is typically heated to a predetermined temperature based on the washing program selected by the user. It is also possible that hot water is introduced into the tub from the hot water mains. During the main washing phase the drum is rotated, so as to apply also a mechanical cleaning action on the laundry. At the end of the main washing phase the drum is typically rotated at high rotational speed, so in such a way that dirty washing liquid (i.e. water mixed with detergent) is extracted from the laundry, and this dirty washing liquid is drained to the outside by the water draining devices.
- A successive step of the cycle typically comprises a rinsing phase which usually comprises one or more rinsing cycles/steps. In a rinsing cycle, clean rinse water may be first added to the laundry. The rinse water is absorbed by the laundry and the rinse water removes from the laundry detergent and/or dirty water not previously removed by washing liquid in the main washing cycle. The drum is then rotated to extract water and dirty water/detergent from the laundry: the dirty water extracted is drained from the tub to the outside by the water draining devices.
- After a rinsing phase, one or more final spinning phases may be provided for the extraction of the residual water contained in the wet laundry. The water extracted during the spinning phase is drained towards the outside by means of the water draining devices (during or after the spinning phase).
- Laundry dryers are household appliances built for drying clothes and comprise a drying chamber or drum into which the clothes to be dried are introduced. The drying chamber is rotatable supported within a cabinet and made to rotate by means of a driving motor, typically consisting of an electric motor connected to the drying chamber via a belt.
- In a combined washer/dryer, the drying chamber is the drum which is arranged inside a tub, and one or more drying phases are added which typically commence after the rinsing phases. The drying phase usually involves spinning the drum and applying hot air to the laundry.
- The quality of the washing and/or drying process depends on several factors. One important factor is the amount of laundry loaded into the drum. If the drum is overloaded, the various laundry pieces can not perform a tumbling motion and their mutual contact can prevent detergent to homogeneously reach all surfaces. On the other hand, the drum can be underloaded without the user noticing, allowing for more laundry to be treated in the desired laundry treatment process.
- The document
WO 01/71085 A1 EP 2 458 058 A1 - The aim of the invention is to provide a method for operating a laundry treatment appliance which optimizes the quality of the laundry treatment process.
- It is a further aim of the invention to provide a laundry treatment appliance which allows performing an optimized laundry treatment process.
- In a first aspect, the invention relates to a method for operating a laundry treatment appliance, comprising a casing within which a drum rotated by a motor is arranged, an opening provided in the casing for loading the laundry into the drum and a door adapted to open or to close the opening, whereby the door gives access to the drum and is lockable by means of a door lock, and whereby the appliance performs a laundry treatment cycle, comprising the steps of:
- a) selecting a laundry treatment process;
- b) loading laundry into the drum;
- c) starting the laundry treatment process;
- d) locking the door by actuating the door lock;
- e) estimating the amount of laundry load;
- f) issuing a notification if the amount of laundry lies outside a laundry load threshold range;
- g) if the amount of laundry lies outside this laundry load threshold range, checking whether safety/security conditions for unlocking the door lock are met; if these conditions are met, providing an unlocking enablement of the door lock;
- h) maintaining the unlocking enablement of the door lock for a prescribed waiting amount of time, thereby allowing the user to change the amount of laundry load;
- i) determining if an interaction occurred which is linked to a possible access of laundry in the drum;
- j) if this interaction did not occur, prosecuting the laundry treatment process with one set of operational parameters;
- k) if this interaction has occurred, performing step d) and one of the following:
- prosecuting the laundry treatment process with the one set of operational parameters, or
- prosecuting the laundry treatment process with another set of operational parameters different from the one set of operational parameters, or
- l) performing steps e) to k) up to a prescribed number of times.
- Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in relation to the dependent claims and the description of the enclosed drawings.
- The invention is based on the consideration that the performance of a laundry treatment appliance can be improved if the amount of laundry to be treated is adequately chosen. The effectiveness of a laundry treatment cycle depends on the ratios of water, detergent and laundry in the tub, the freedom of laundry to move in the drum and other factors. These factors can depend on the specific laundry treatment cycle chosen. Especially an overload of the laundry can prevent the laundry from getting in contact with water and detergent in a homogenous way. In the case of a drying operation, an overload can prevent hot air to reach all surfaces of the laundry in a homogeneous way.
- Applicant has found that an overloading of laundry into the drum or a small amount of laundry with respect to those ideal for the selected program and performing the treatment cycle with this overload/underload condition can be prevented by communicating to the user an overload or underload condition and to allow the user to change the amount of laundry essentially before the laundry treatment phases in which the laundry is treated by water and/or air is being started. A change of laundry after the laundry treatment process has started involves accessing the door of the appliance. This access should granted only if certain safety and/or security conditions are met in order to prevent possible harm and damage to user and machine. The door lock is thus in a specific and controlled way only enabled for unlocking if these conditions are met.
- The steps a) and b) can be performed in the order a), b), so that first the laundry treatment process is selected and then laundry is loaded into the drum. These two steps can also be performed in the reverse order, where first laundry is loaded into the drum and then the process is selected. It is also possible that, in both orders, these two steps overlap at least partially in time.
- The term "conditions" comprises at least one condition. It comprises only one condition or two or more conditions.
- Preferably, the conditions comprise the condition of the tub being filled with essentially no water or filled with water which is below a predetermined threshold water level. Preferably, this threshold water level is below the lowest point of the opening for the laundry door in the appliance.
- Preferably, the conditions comprise the condition of the drum not rotating. The conditions can also comprise the condition that the drum is not driven by the motor and its rotating speed is below a rotation speed threshold value. The condition can also be realized such that the laundry treatment process is currently not in a spinning phase.
- Preferably, the method further comprises the step of:
m) if the laundry treatment process is prosecuted with the laundry load being outside the laundry load threshold range, maintaining the notification during the laundry treatment process and or/issuing this and/or another notification at the end of the laundry treatment process. - In this way, the user is informed about the non-optimal condition, in which the laundry load is either too large or too small for an optimized laundry treatment. The user can recognize the link between the non-optimal load condition and the treatment result. The user is therefore prevented from linking the deficiency in the treatment result to the malfunctioning or overall quality of the laundry treatment appliance.
- Preferably, providing the unlocking enablement comprises unlocking the door lock. The lock is thereby unlocked actively by the appliance, and the user can open the door and adjust the amount of laundry.
- Alternatively, the unlocking enablement comprises enabling a user interaction, whereby performing this user interaction unlocks the door lock. The enabled user interaction is preferably an actuation or operation of a user interface element, preferably a button. As a preferred example, the operation of a user interface element is touching and/or pressing a button, especially a pause button, i.e. a button that will pause the current laundry treatment phase. In a further preferred variant, the user interaction is operating a door handle. When the door handle is operated, the lock is unlocked, and the door can be opened.
- Providing the unlocking enablement advantageously comprises issuing a signal and/or message. In this way, the user is notified about the new condition of the appliance. The signal can be an acoustic and/or visual signal, preferably on a display of the appliance. A message is preferably a symbol or text message on a display of the appliance, indicating that the door lock is unlocked or can be unlocked. Preferably, it is indicated that the amount of laundry load is not within an optimal range and should be changed.
- The laundry treatment process is preferably prosecuted and the door lock is locked if the door has been closed after the waiting amount of time. Since the door has been closed again, spinning of the drum and, in the case of a washing process, introducing water into the tub can be performed.
- The prosecution of the laundry treatment process is advantageously performed after a prescribed time interval has passed and/or if a prescribed user interaction has occurred. Since the door unlocking has been enabled, the appliance is configured and/or prepared for allowing the opening of the door. If the user actually interacts with the appliance by, for instance, pressing a button or opening the door, a further input or user interaction is needed as a trigger for the appliance to continue or prosecute the laundry treatment process. Such an input can be a further touching or pressing of a user interface element, especially a button, or the expiration of a time interval after the door has been closed after it has been opened before after the notification.
- When the laundry treatment process is prosecuted, the door lock is locked and/or the appliance checks of the door lock is locked and, if it is not locked, locks the door lock.
- The amount of laundry load is preferably indicated on a display of the appliance. Alternatively or combination thereto, the amount of laundry can be indicated by at least one light element on a control panel and/or user interface of the appliance. For instance, a group, especially a row, of light elements can be provided, whereby the number of lighted or blinking light elements is related the laundry load. Preferably, the respective light element is an LED.
- The indication of the amount of loaded laundry is preferably indicated on a dedicated area of the display, which facilitates finding this information for the user on the display. In a first preferred variant, the amount of laundry is indicated. In a second preferred embodiment, a load range of the laundry is visually indicated. For example, the load range can be indicated by using the terms "small load", "medium load", and "large load", whereby each term refers to weight range of the laundry.
- The laundry load threshold range comprises preferably a lower bound and/or an upper bound. The upper bound of the laundry load threshold range preferably corresponds to the maximum amount of laundry expected to be treated for the selected laundry treatment process.
- Advantageously, on the display it is signaled that laundry amount loaded / contained in the drum can be changed. In this way, the user receives an explicit indication on the possibility to access the drum and alter the amount of loaded laundry. Preferably, during the time interval during which the user can change the laundry in the drum, a message is displayed indicating that a change of laundry is possible and/or advantageous. The message can, for instance, be "Drum overload, please remove laundry".
- Preferably, the appliance comprises a tub in which the drum is rotated and step e) is performed without supplying water to the tub and/or before supplying water to the tub. In this way uncertainties in the determination of the loaded amount of laundry due to the amount of water introduced into the tub are reduced. Moreover, it is inconvenient for the user to access the drum if drum and laundry in the drum are already wet.
- In step e) the laundry load amount is preferably determined by rotating the drum and measuring electrical and/or mechanical parameters related to the motor. These parameters are preferably electrical parameters, preferably from the group current, power, power voltage, and/or mechanical parameters, preferably from the group rotation speed or rotor position.
- The waiting amount of time is advantageously between 10 and 60 seconds.
- The waiting amount of time is preferably 30 seconds.
- The laundry treatment appliance preferably is a washing machine, a dryer or a combined washer/dryer.
- Advantageously, the laundry load threshold range value depends on the selected laundry treatment process and/or type or kind of laundry communicated to the appliance by the user or estimated by the appliance. The appliance can, for instance, be configured such that the kind or type of laundry can be inputted as additional and separate information. The appliance can also be configured to recognize or assess the kind of laundry.
- The laundry load threshold range can in a preferred variant be selected as a range from a zero amount to an upper or maximum threshold amount or value. This selection maps an overload condition of the laundry. In this case, in steps f) and g), it can be determined if the amount of laundry load is below this threshold value.
- The laundry treatment appliance is preferably a combined washer/dryer, whereby the laundry treatment process is a combined washing and drying cycle, and whereby the upper bound if the laundry load threshold range of step g) is an upper value based on the maximum laundry load that can be dried in the combined washing and drying cycle. The amount of laundry that can be dried in a combined washing-drying process is usually lower compared to the amount of laundry that can be washed with a desired quality. By choosing the threshold value in the described way, it can be assured that in both washing and drying phases, the desired quality of the treatment process can be achieved.
- In a second aspect, the invention relates to a laundry treatment appliance, comprising a casing within which a drum rotated by a motor is arranged, an opening provided in the casing for loading the laundry into the drum and a door adapted to open or to close said opening, whereby the door gives access to the drum and is lockable by means of a door lock, with a control unit configured for performing a method described above.
- In a preferred embodiment, the appliance is built as a, preferably front-loading, washing machine or combined washer/dryer.
- Preferably, the appliance comprises a display, whereby preferably the display is arranged on a user interface.
- The advantages of the invention are as follows. The method according to the invention improves the quality of the treatment of laundry by allowing optimizing the amount of laundry in the drum, thereby preventing insufficient or inhomogeneous contact of detergent with the laundry or, in the case of a drying cycle, insufficient or inhomogeneous contact with hot air. By determining again the amount of laundry after it has changed, it is possible to further optimize the loaded amount. The issuing of a warning or notification allows the user to take action and change the amount of laundry accordingly. The enabling of an unlocking condition under specific conditions provides save and secure access to the drum for accessing laundry and adjusting the amount of laundry. The displaying of a warning or notification on a display makes it convenient for the user to recognize the overload or underload condition.
- Further features and advantages of the present invention shall become clearer from the following detailed description of some of its preferred embodiments, made with reference to the attached schematic drawings and given as an indication and not for limiting purposes.
- In particular, the attached drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings together with the description explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings, corresponding characteristics and/or components are identified by the same reference numbers. In these drawings:
- FIG. 1
- shows a front loading washing machine in a preferred embodiment;
- FIG. 2
- shows the front loading washing machine of
FIG. 1 in a frontal perspective view with the casing removed; - FIG. 3
- shows the front loading washing machine of
FIG. 1 in a perspective rear view; - FIG. 4
- shows a flow chart of a method for operating a laundry treatment appliance in a first preferred embodiment; and
- FIG. 5
- shows a flow chart of a method for operating a laundry treatment appliance in a second preferred embodiment.
- In
FIGs. 1-3 , alaundry treatment appliance 2 is shown which is built as a front-loading washing machine and comprises housing orcasing 6 with a preferable parallelepiped shape, thecasing 6 comprising afront wall 10, twoside walls 14, acover plate 20 and a rear wall (not shown).Front wall 10 andside walls 14 are preferably part of a cabinet. Afront door 24 is provided which can be opened for loading or unloading laundry through anopening 28 into a washing drum and which can be closed.Door 24 can be preferably operated, especially opened and closed, by ahandle 26.Door 24 is locked and/or lockable by adoor lock 58 indicated schematically inFIG. 1 . - Advantageously a
washing tub 30 is contained withincasing 6, whereby a rotatable and perforated (perforation is not shown)drum 36 is contained by thewashing tub 30. Both washingtub 30 and drum 36 have a substantially cylindrical shape. Advantageously thetub 30 is suspended in a floating manner insidecasing 6 by means of a number ofcoil springs 44 andshock absorbers 46. Thedrum 36 is rotated by anelectric motor 68, which transmits the rotating motion of a motor shaft to the drum by a belt/pulley system 70. In a different embodiment of the invention, the motor can be directly associated with the shaft of thedrum 36. Thetub 30 is preferable connected tocasing 6 by means of an elastic bellows 52 or gasket.Tub 30 preferably comprises two complementary hemi-shells tub 30. - Alternatively, the laundry appliance can be a combined washer and dryer or a dryer, in latter case the tub is not provided.
- The preferred washing machine shown in
FIG.1 on afront panel 40 comprises adrawer 42 with afront plate 34 and ahandle 37 for pulling out and pushing back indrawer 42.Drawer 42 comprises at least one compartment for detergent or washing additives. Adjacent todrawer 42, preferably a rotatable orrotary knob 38 is arranged for selecting a laundry treatment program and/or at least one parameter of a laundry treatment program. Preferably,knob 38 has also a push-functionality and can be pressed for selected and/or confirmation of selected options.Knob 38 is provided on auser interface 62 which can provide further indicating and/or control elements (not shown).Knob 38 is preferably arranged onfront panel 40 adjacent todrawer 42. - On
front panel 40, adisplay 50 is arranged onuser interface 62.Display 50 comprises adedicated area 54. Acontrol unit 56 is indicated schematically which is configured to conduct a method which will be described below.Control unit 56 especially controlsdoor lock 58 and can havedoor lock 58 on demand assume a locked or unlocked state. - In
FIG. 4 , a method according to the invention in a first preferred embodiment is shown as a flow chart and is discussed in connection with theappliance 2 shown inFIGs. 1-3 . In astep 100, a laundry treatment process is selected. In astep 106, laundry is loaded into the drum. Both steps can be performed in the order described or in reverse order. They can also at least partially overlap in time in any of the described orders. In astep 112, the selected laundry treatment process is started. This is preferably done when a user interaction with theappliance 2 is performed. Especially preferred is the user pressing a dedicated button such as a start button. - In a
step 118, thedoor 24 ofappliance 2 is locked by actuating thedoor lock 58. - In a
step 124, the amount of laundry in the drum is estimated. In the current embodiment, this laundry load estimation is performed by rotating thedrum 36 and measuring electrical and/or mechanical parameters ofmotor 68 such as current, power, power voltage, rotation speed or rotor position. In another preferred embodiment, the laundry load estimation can be performed by a weight sensor which measures the weight of the laundry which is arranged in thedrum 36. In this case, thestep 118 can at least partially overlap with thestep 106. - In a
step 130, a notification is issued if the amount of laundry lies without a predetermined laundry load threshold range. This threshold range depends preferably on the laundry treatment process selected instep 100 and/or on the estimated amount of laundry instep 124. It can also depend on the kind or type of laundry loaded in the drum which can be determined by theappliance 2 or which can be inputted by the user as a separate option. The notification is issued on thededicated area 56 of thedisplay 50 ofappliance 2. - A
step 136 is performed afterstep 130. Instep 136, if the amount of loaded laundry lies without the laundry load threshold range, theappliance 2 checks whether conditions for unlocking thedoor lock 58 are met. These conditions or safety/security conditions can be one or more conditions. They preferably encompass the condition that thedrum 36 is not spinning and/or temperature inside the drum is not at a level dangerous for the user, and/or that the water level is below the lowest point of the lower door opening, thereby preventing water from spilling out of thetub 30 when thedoor 24 is opened. - In a
decision 142, if these conditions are met, the method branches to astep 148. Instep 148, theappliance 2 provides an unlocking enablement of thedoor lock 58. Theappliance 2 does not continue with the laundry treatment process but maintains the unlocking condition ofdoor lock 58 for a waiting amount of time which allows the user to access thedrum 6 and adjust the amount of laundry by removing laundry from thedrum 36 or by putting additional laundry into thedrum 36 or by replacing laundry pieces. The waiting amount of time is preferably between 10 and 60 seconds. - If the conditions are not met, the method branches from
decision 142 to adecision 150. Indecision 150, theappliance 2 checks whether it can go into or assume a state in which the conditions for unlocking thedoor lock 58 can be met. For example, theappliance 2 may check if themotor 68 is stopped or can be stopped. If these conditions can be met, the method branches to step 148. If these conditions can not be met, the method branches to step 170 in which the selected laundry treatment process is prosecuted with a laundry load which lies outside the laundry load threshold range. The notification ofstep 130 is preferably maintained or repeated. - In a
step 154 followingstep 148, it is determined if before the end of the waiting amount of time, a user interaction with theappliance 2 has occurred which is linked to a possible adjustment of the laundry load. In the current embodiment, this interaction is the process of opening thedoor 24 and subsequent closing again thedoor 24. Both the opening and the closing ofdoor 24 are detected by a door sensor ofappliance 2. If theappliance 2 has a weight sensor, changes in the measured weight are alternatively or in addition to the sensing of the door status the described interaction linked to a possible change of the laundry. - In a
decision 160, the method branches depending on the result ofstep 154. If the user interaction did not occur, the method continues with astep 170 in which the selected laundry treatment process is prosecuted. Theappliance 2 checks if thedoor lock 58 is locked andlocks door lock 58 if it is not locked. The laundry treatment can be performed as known in the art. Water is introduced into thetub 30 and one or more washing, rinsing spinning phases are performed. The appliance performsstep 170 with one set of operational parameters. This set of operational parameters depends on the amount of laundry in thedrum 36. The parameters can also depend on the selected laundry treatment process. Operational parameters preferably comprise at least one parameter from the group: spinning speed, duration of respective phase, heating temperature, number of washing phases, number of rinsing phases, number of spinning phases. - After the washing operations, preferably comprising rinsing and spinning phases in
step 170 have finished, the method reaches astep 180 in which the user may open thedoor 24 again to remove the washed laundry from thedrum 36. - In
decision 160, if the user interaction did occur, the method does one of three actions. In one option, it branches back tostep 124. Instep 124, the amount of laundry indrum 36 is again determined. In a second option, it prosecutes the laundry treatment process with the one set if operational parameters described above. In a third option, the method prosecutes the laundry treatment process with a set of operational parameters different from the one set of parameters described above. - In a preferred variant, in
decision 160 it is decided if it is probable that a change of laundry has occurred. Preferably, it is assumed that laundry has not changed if the time interval between opening thedoor 24 and closing thedoor 24 is smaller than a predefined minimum time interval. In this case, the time span is assumed to be too short of a laundry change at all or a considerable change of laundry that would make an accurate determination of the current laundry necessary again. In this case, the method is continued with thestep 170. - In a further preferred variant, the notification given in
step 130 is maintained duringsteps decision 142. If the method branches again to step 124 fromdecision 160, the notification is maintained if after estimating the amount of laundry instep 124 the estimated amount is still outside the laundry load threshold range. If the new estimated laundry load value is within the laundry load threshold range, the notification is removed or deleted. If the estimated laundry load value is outside the laundry load threshold range when the method reachesstep 124, the notification is maintained untilstep 180. Preferably, the notification is maintained until a user interaction with theappliance 2 is detected such as interaction with a control element ofappliance 2 onuser interface 62 and/or the opening of thedoor 24. In this way, the user is informed about the overload condition when she or he is again interacting with the machine; hence it is very probably that she or he can recognize the notification. In this way, it is communicated to the user that a reduced quality of the laundry treatment cycle is related to the overload or underload condition. - In a further preferred variant, the notification is removed again before the method reaches
step 170. The notification is then given again instep 180, i.e. after the laundry treatment cycle has finished. Also in this way, with a large probability the user will recognize the notification. - In both variants, the notification of the overload or underload condition is in two stages of the method made visible on the
display 50. It is issued instep 130 after the estimation of the current laundry load and - if an overload condition still persists - is either maintained untilstep step 180. - In
FIG. 5 , a method according to the invention in a further preferred embodiment is shown as a flow chart. This embodiment is performed in the control unit of a combined washer/dryer. In astep 200, a laundry treatment process is selected. In astep 206, laundry is loaded into the drum. Both steps can be performed in the order described or in reverse order. They can also at least partially overlap in time in any of the described orders. In astep 212, the selected laundry treatment process is started. This is preferably done when a user interaction with the appliance is performed. Especially preferred is the user pressing a dedicated button such as a start button. - In a
step 218, the door of the appliance is locked by actuating the door lock of the appliance. - In a
step 224, the amount of laundry in the drum is estimated. In the current embodiment, this laundry load estimation is performed by rotating the drum and measuring electrical and/or mechanical parameters such as current, power, power voltage, rotation speed or rotor position. In another preferred embodiment, the laundry load estimation can be performed by a weight sensor which measures the weight of the laundry which is arranged in the drum. In this case, thestep 218 can at least partially overlap with thestep 206. - In a
step 230, a notification is issued if the amount of laundry lies without a predetermined laundry load threshold range. The upper bound of the laundry load threshold range in this preferred embodiment for a combined washer/dryer is set as the maximum amount of laundry which can be dried in the combined washing and drying process. This upper bound or upper threshold value is usually smaller than the value of an amount of laundry that can be washed. By choosing this value in the combined process, it is reliably assured that both the washing phases and the drying phases can be effectively performed. - This threshold range depends preferably on the laundry treatment process selected in
step 200 and/or on the estimated amount of laundry instep 224. It can also depend on the kind or type of laundry loaded in the drum which can be determined by the appliance or which can be inputted by the user as a separate option. The notification is preferably issued on the dedicated area of a display of the appliance. - A
step 236 is performed afterstep 230. Instep 236, if the amount of loaded laundry lies without the laundry load threshold range, the appliance checks whether conditions for unlocking said door are met. These conditions or safety/security conditions can be one or more conditions. They preferably encompass the condition that the drum is not spinning and/or temperature inside the drum is not at a level dangerous for the user, and/or that the water level is below the lowest point of the door opening, thereby preventing water from spilling out of the tub when the door is opened. - In a
decision 242, if the conditions are met, the method branches to astep 248. Instep 248, the appliance provides an unlocking enablement of the door lock of the appliance. The appliance does not continue with the laundry treatment process but maintains the unlocking condition for a waiting amount of time which allows the user to access the drum and adjust the amount of laundry by removing laundry from the drum or by putting additional laundry into the drum or by replacing laundry pieces. The waiting amount of time is preferably between 10 and 60 seconds - If the conditions are not met, the method branches from
decision 242 to adecision 250. Indecision 250, theappliance 2 checks whether it can go into or assume a state in which the conditions for unlocking thedoor lock 58 can be met. For example, theappliance 2 may check if themotor 68 is stopped or can be stopped. If these conditions can be met, the method branches to step 248. If these conditions can not be met, the method branches to step 270 in which the selected laundry treatment process is prosecuted with a laundry load which lies outside the laundry load threshold range. The notification ofstep 230 is preferably maintained or repeated. - In a
step 254 followingstep 248, it is determined if before the end of the waiting amount of time, a user interaction with the appliance has occurred which is linked to a possible adjustment of the laundry load. In the current embodiment, this interaction is the process of opening the door and subsequent closing again the door. Both the opening and the closing of door are detected by a door sensor of appliance. If the appliance has a weight sensor, changes in the measured weight are alternatively or in addition to the sensing of the door status the described interaction linked to a possible change of the laundry. - In a
decision 260, the method branches depending on the result ofstep 254. If the user interaction did not occur, the method continues with astep 270 in which the selected laundry treatment process is prosecuted with a set of operational parameters. Theappliance 2 for prosecutionlocks door lock 58 if it has been in an unlocked state before. The laundry treatment can be performed as known in the art. Water is introduced into the tub and one or more washing, rinsing, spinning and drying phases are performed. The appliance performsstep 270 with the operational parameters which have been set instep 224. After the washing operations, preferably comprising rinsing and spinning phases instep 270 have finished, the method reaches astep 280 in which the user may open the door again to remove the washed laundry from the drum. - In
decision 260, if the user interaction did occur, the method does one of three actions. In one option, it branches back tostep 224. Instep 224, the amount of laundry is again determined. In a second option, it prosecutes the laundry treatment process with the one set if operational parameters described above. In a third option, the method prosecutes the laundry treatment process with a set of operational parameters different from the one set of parameters described above. - In a preferred variant, in
decision 260 it is decided if it is probable that a change of laundry has occurred. Preferably, it is assumed that laundry has not changed if the time interval between opening the door and closing the door is smaller than a predefined minimum time interval. In this case, the time span is assumed to be too short of a laundry change at all or a considerable change of laundry that would make an accurate determination of the current laundry necessary again. In this case, the method is continued with thestep 270. - In a further preferred variant, the notification given in
step 230 is maintained duringsteps decision 242. If the method branches again to step 224 fromdecision 260, the notification is maintained if after estimating the amount of laundry instep 224 the estimated amount is still outside the laundry load threshold range. If the new estimated laundry load value is within the laundry load threshold range, the notification is removed or deleted. If the estimated laundry load value is outside the laundry load threshold range when the method reachesstep 224, the notification is maintained untilstep 230. Preferably, the notification is maintained until a user interaction with the appliance is detected such as interaction with a control element of appliance on user interface and/or the opening of the door. In this way, the user is informed about the overload condition when she or he is again interacting with the machine; hence it is very probably that she or he can recognize the notification. In this way, it is communicated to the user that a reduced quality of the laundry treatment cycle is related to the overload condition. - In a further preferred variant, the notification is removed again before the method reaches
step 270. The notification is then given again instep 280, i.e. after the laundry treatment cycle has finished. Also in this way, with a large probability the user will recognize the notification. - In both variants, the notification of the underload/overload condition is in two stages of the method made visible on the display. It is issued in
step 230 after the estimation of the current laundry load and - if an overload condition still persists - is either maintained untilstep step 280. - The invention thus conceived can be subjected to numerous modifications and variants all falling within the scope of the inventive concept. In addition, all details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements. In practice, all the materials used, as well as the shapes and contingent dimensions, may vary depending on the requirements without departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.
Claims (15)
- Method for operating a laundry treatment appliance (2), comprising a casing (6) within which a drum (36) rotated by a motor (68) is arranged, an opening (28) provided in the casing (6) for loading the laundry into said drum (36) and a door (24) adapted to open or to close said opening (28), whereby said door (24) gives access to said drum (36) and is lockable by means of a door lock (58), and whereby said appliance (2) performs a laundry treatment cycle, comprising the steps of:a) selecting a laundry treatment process;b) loading laundry into said drum (36);c) starting said laundry treatment process;d) locking said door (24) by actuating said door lock (58);e) estimating the amount of laundry load;
characterized in the steps off) issuing a notification if the amount of laundry lies outside a laundry load threshold range;g) if the amount of laundry lies outside said laundry load threshold range, checking whether safety/security conditions for unlocking said door lock (58) are met; if said conditions are met, providing an unlocking enablement of said door lock (58);h) maintaining said unlocking enablement of said door lock (58) for a prescribed waiting amount of time, thereby allowing the user to change the amount of laundry load;i) determining if an interaction occurred which is linked to a possible access of laundry in said drum (36);j) if said interaction did not occur, prosecuting the laundry treatment process with one set of operational parameters;k) if said interaction has occurred, performing step d) and one of the following:- prosecuting said laundry treatment process with said one set of operational parameters, or- prosecuting said laundry treatment process with another set of operational parameters different from said one set of operational parameters, orl) performing steps e) to k) up to a prescribed number of times. - Method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of:
m) if the laundry treatment process is prosecuted with the laundry load being outside said laundry load threshold range, maintaining said notification during said laundry treatment process and or/issuing said and/or another notification at the end of said laundry treatment process. - Method according to claim 1or 2, whereby providing said unlocking enablement comprises unlocking said door lock (58).
- Method according to claim 1 or 2, whereby providing said unlocking enablement comprises enabling a user interaction, whereby performing said user interaction unlocks said door lock (58).
- Method according to claim 4, whereby providing said unlocking enablement comprises issuing a signal/message.
- Method according to claim 4 or 5, whereby said user interaction comprises actuating an input device.
- Method according to one of the claims 1 to 6, whereby said amount of loaded laundry is indicated on a display (50) of said appliance (2).
- Method according to claim 7, whereby the indication of said amount of loaded laundry is indicated on a dedicated area (56) of said display (50).
- Method according to claim 7 or 8, whereby on said display (50), it is signaled that the laundry amount contained in said drum (36) can be changed.
- Method according to one of the claims 1 to 9, whereby said appliance (2) comprises a tub (30) and whereby step e) is performed without supplying water to said tub (30) and/or before supplying water to said tub (30).
- Method according to one of the claims 1 to 10, whereby in step e) the laundry load amount is determined by rotating said drum (36) and measuring electrical and/or mechanical parameters related to said motor (68).
- Method according to one of the claims 1 to 11, whereby said laundry treatment appliance (2) is a washing machine, a dryer or a combined washer/dryer.
- Method according to one of the claims 1 to 12, whereby said laundry load threshold range depends on said selected laundry treatment process and/or type of laundry communicated to said appliance (2) by the user or estimated by said appliance (2).
- Method according to claims 1 to 13, whereby said laundry treatment appliance (2) is a combined washer/dryer, whereby said laundry treatment process is a combined washing and drying cycle, and whereby said laundry load threshold range of step g) is a threshold range based on the maximum laundry load that can be dried in said combined washing and drying cycle.
- Laundry treatment appliance (2), comprising a casing (6) within which a drum (36) rotated by a motor (68) is arranged, an opening (28) provided in the casing (6) for loading the laundry into said drum (36) and a door (24) adapted to open or to close said opening (28), whereby said door (24) gives access to said drum (36) and is lockable by means of a door lock (58),
characterized by
a control unit (56) configured to perform a method according to one of the previous claims.
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PL16174134T PL3257996T3 (en) | 2016-06-13 | 2016-06-13 | Method for operating a laundry treatment appliance and laundry treatment appliance |
EP16174134.3A EP3257996B1 (en) | 2016-06-13 | 2016-06-13 | Method for operating a laundry treatment appliance and laundry treatment appliance |
AU2017203732A AU2017203732B2 (en) | 2016-06-13 | 2017-06-02 | Method for operating a laundry treatment appliance and laundry treatment appliance |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP16174134.3A EP3257996B1 (en) | 2016-06-13 | 2016-06-13 | Method for operating a laundry treatment appliance and laundry treatment appliance |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3257996A1 EP3257996A1 (en) | 2017-12-20 |
EP3257996B1 true EP3257996B1 (en) | 2019-08-07 |
Family
ID=56119410
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP16174134.3A Active EP3257996B1 (en) | 2016-06-13 | 2016-06-13 | Method for operating a laundry treatment appliance and laundry treatment appliance |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3257996B1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2017203732B2 (en) |
PL (1) | PL3257996T3 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN110735301B (en) * | 2018-07-18 | 2022-03-18 | 青岛海尔洗涤电器有限公司 | Door lock control method of clothes treatment device and clothes treatment device |
WO2020214082A1 (en) * | 2019-04-16 | 2020-10-22 | Electrolux Laundry Systems Sweden Ab | Laundry processing machine, and method of starting a laundry processing machine |
CN113550114A (en) * | 2020-04-24 | 2021-10-26 | 青岛海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 | Control method of clothes treatment equipment |
CN113944039B (en) * | 2020-07-15 | 2023-05-02 | 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 | Clothes dryer door lock control method and clothes dryer |
CN114717823A (en) * | 2021-01-04 | 2022-07-08 | 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 | Clothes dryer control method and device, electronic equipment and intelligent clothes dryer |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2844755A1 (en) * | 1978-10-13 | 1980-04-24 | Bauknecht Gmbh G | Program controlled domestic washing machine - with load cells to adjust program to washing weight |
DE3436786A1 (en) * | 1984-10-06 | 1986-04-17 | Miele & Cie GmbH & Co, 4830 Gütersloh | Process for controlling the washing program of a drum-type washing machine and washing machine for carrying out the process |
GB0006502D0 (en) | 2000-03-18 | 2000-05-10 | Notetry Ltd | Laundry appliance |
KR100519329B1 (en) * | 2002-11-26 | 2005-10-07 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Method for sensing a laundry weight |
EP2458058B1 (en) * | 2010-11-26 | 2016-08-10 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Washing machine |
EP2716811A1 (en) * | 2012-10-05 | 2014-04-09 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | A method for controlling the rotation speed of a laundry drum in a laundry dryer and a corresponding laundry dryer |
KR20160004533A (en) * | 2014-07-03 | 2016-01-13 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Method for controlling washing machine |
KR20170019052A (en) * | 2015-08-11 | 2017-02-21 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Washing machine and control method thereof |
-
2016
- 2016-06-13 PL PL16174134T patent/PL3257996T3/en unknown
- 2016-06-13 EP EP16174134.3A patent/EP3257996B1/en active Active
-
2017
- 2017-06-02 AU AU2017203732A patent/AU2017203732B2/en active Active
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
None * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2017203732B2 (en) | 2023-03-09 |
AU2017203732A1 (en) | 2018-01-04 |
PL3257996T3 (en) | 2020-03-31 |
EP3257996A1 (en) | 2017-12-20 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP3257996B1 (en) | Method for operating a laundry treatment appliance and laundry treatment appliance | |
EP1995369A2 (en) | Fabric treatment appliance control panel and associated steam operations | |
US10745841B2 (en) | Systems and methods for controlling an appliance using another appliance communicatively coupled thereto | |
AU2017284906B2 (en) | Method for operating a laundry treatment appliance and laundry treatment appliance | |
CN107385769B (en) | Method for detecting bubbles in washing machine | |
US10435833B2 (en) | Laundry washing machine and method for controlling a laundry washing machine | |
EP3649284B1 (en) | Method to control operation of a washing machine | |
CN107385768B (en) | Method for detecting bubbles in washing machine, method for washing laundry, and washing machine | |
EP3257995B1 (en) | Method for operating a laundry treatment appliance and laundry treatment appliance | |
EP2503048B1 (en) | Method for washing laundry in a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine | |
EP3931388B1 (en) | A method for washing laundry in a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine implementig the method | |
EP3645779B1 (en) | Method for operating a laundry treatment machine and a laundry treatment machine | |
EP3339490B1 (en) | Method for treating textile articles in a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine configured to implement the method | |
EP2503046B1 (en) | Method for washing laundry in a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine | |
EP2837724B1 (en) | Laundry machine equipped with a user interface with a start-up procedure | |
US20230134144A1 (en) | Systems and methods for adjusting a washing operation based on feedback from a drying operation | |
US20220145510A1 (en) | Washing machine appliance and method of determining the remaining moisture content of a load of clothes | |
EP2578737B1 (en) | Method for washing laundry in a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine | |
US20240133099A1 (en) | Systems and methods for calculating drying cycle times in a dryer appliance | |
EP3467181B1 (en) | Method for washing laundry in a laundry washing machine | |
EP3090089B1 (en) | Laundry washing machine | |
EP2666904A1 (en) | Method of operating a machine for treating laundry and machine for treating laundry | |
KR101154969B1 (en) | method for controlling course of the washing machine | |
KR101154968B1 (en) | method for controlling course of the washing machine | |
RU2022119441A (en) | WASHING MACHINE WITH INDUCTION HEATER AND METHOD OF CONTROL OF THE MACHINE |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20180620 |
|
RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: D06F 33/02 20060101AFI20180718BHEP Ipc: D06F 58/28 20060101ALI20180718BHEP |
|
GRAJ | Information related to disapproval of communication of intention to grant by the applicant or resumption of examination proceedings by the epo deleted |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSDIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20180905 |
|
GRAJ | Information related to disapproval of communication of intention to grant by the applicant or resumption of examination proceedings by the epo deleted |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSDIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED |
|
INTC | Intention to grant announced (deleted) | ||
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20190115 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 1164042 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20190815 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602016017977 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R079 Ref document number: 602016017977 Country of ref document: DE Free format text: PREVIOUS MAIN CLASS: D06F0033020000 Ipc: D06F0033300000 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MP Effective date: 20190807 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG4D |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190807 Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20191209 Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190807 Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190807 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190807 Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190807 Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20191107 Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20191107 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 1164042 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20190807 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190807 Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190807 Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20191207 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20191108 Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190807 Ref country code: RS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190807 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: TR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190807 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190807 Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190807 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190807 Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190807 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190807 Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200224 Ref country code: SM Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190807 Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190807 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602016017977 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
PG2D | Information on lapse in contracting state deleted |
Ref country code: IS |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20200603 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190807 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190807 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20200613 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20200613 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: BE Ref legal event code: MM Effective date: 20200630 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20200613 Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20200613 Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20200630 Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20200630 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20200630 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20200630 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190807 Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190807 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190807 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20230627 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
P01 | Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered |
Effective date: 20230625 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PL Payment date: 20230518 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20230620 Year of fee payment: 8 |