EP3538704A1

EP3538704A1 - A partial cleaning device, a washing machine using the partial cleaning device, and a laundry cleaning system

Info

Publication number: EP3538704A1
Application number: EP17791690.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sedat TOKGOZ; Yusuf Koc; Egemen TINAR; Koray ERDOGAN; Hanife Eda BUDAK
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2016-11-08
Filing date: 2017-10-31
Publication date: 2019-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 2037-10-31
Also published as: WO2018086956A1; EP3538704B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a partial cleaning device (5) comprising a body (6) moved over the laundry by being grasped through hand by the user, enabling the laundry to be treated with a pre-cleaning process by at least partially removing stains and dirt before washing, and a washing machine (1) wherein the partial cleaning device is used, comprising a case (2), a panel (3) provided on the case (2), enabling monitoring and controlling of washing by the user, and a control unit (4) enabling control according to user preferences determined by means of the panel (3). The present invention also relates to a laundry cleaning system (10) wherein the partial cleaning device (5) and the washing machine (1) are provided.

Description

A PARTIAL CLEANING DEVICE, A WASHING MACHINE USING THE PARTIAL CLEANING DEVICE, AND A LAUNDRY CLEANING SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a partial cleaning device treating the laundry with a pre-cleaning process, a washing machine using the partial cleaning device, and a laundry cleaning system in which the partial cleaning device and the washing machine are advantageously used together.
In washing machines, generally several washing programs are provided enabling obtaining effective cleaning by removal of dirt and stains. The users tend to wash relatively less dirty laundry together with laundry having stains which are difficult to clean, in order to decrease energy and detergent consumption and save time. In such cases, dirt and stains may not be removed and the users may have to repeat the washing process when economic or normal washing programs are selected. When intensive washing programs providing effective cleaning are selected to wash the slightly dirty laundry together with heavily dirty/stained laundry, the washing duration of the washing machine is prolonged, thereby increasing energy/water consumption. Therefore, the regional dirt and stains on the laundry which are difficult to clean, require being treated with a pre-cleaning process before washing.
State of the art European patent document no. EP3014007 describes a washing machine suitable to be used together with a supplementary cleaning device enabling treating the laundry with a pre-cleaning process before washing.
State of the art United States patent no. US6886371 discloses a partial cleaning device provided on a washing machine, enabling removal of the dirt on the laundry by means of supersonic vibrations.
The aim of the present invention is to realize a pre-cleaning device enabling performing the cleaning process efficiently and effectively, a washing machine using the pre-cleaning device, and a laundry cleaning system in which the pre-cleaning device and the washing machine are provided together.
The said aims are achieved by the partial cleaning device of the invention disclosed in claim 1, the washing machine of the invention disclosed in claim 5, and the laundry cleaning system disclosed in claim 9. Further improvements are achieved by the help of the invention respectively disclosed in the dependent claims.
The partial cleaning device of the invention comprises at least one communication circuit suitable for communicating with the control unit enabling control of the washing machine, enabling interactive operation of the partial cleaning device with the washing machine by communicating with the control unit upon the user starting a pre-cleaning process. The communication circuit enables monitoring and controlling the partial cleaning device through the control panel by allowing data communication between the control unit and the partial cleaning device. Thus, the users can execute the pre-cleaning process utilizing the control and feedback members already provided on the washing machine such as a button, display or warning means. By this, the functionality of the partial cleaning device is enhanced and its use is facilitated.
The washing machine of the invention comprises a control unit enabling modification of at least one washing program parameter so as to provide saving in the washing program started right after the pre-cleaning process, upon determining the user executing a pre-cleaning process, by means of the data received from the communication unit. Thus, in the washing program following the pre-cleaning process, the control unit enables implementing at least one of the adjustments such as reducing the duration of the washing program, reducing the temperature of the washing water and reducing the amount of detergent to be used during washing. Thus, wasting resources such as energy, water and detergent is prevented during washing the laundry which has already been treated with a pre-cleaning process, providing saving.
The cleaning system of the invention comprises the partial cleaning device of the invention and the washing machine of the invention operating interactively with each other. With the laundry cleaning system, efficiency is improved and effective cleaning is obtained by enabling execution of the laundry washing process as the extension of the pre-cleaning process, thanks to the communication enabled between the partial cleaning device and the washing machine. Customer satisfaction is thus improved.
With the invention, limitation of user control resulting from not being able to place adequate monitoring and control members on the body due to the small and portable structure of the partial cleaning device, is resolved, and efficiency of the washing program started in the washing machine after the pre-cleaning process, is increased. With the invention, a laundry cleaning system is also realized through which the laundry are ideally cleaned.
The partial cleaning device, washing machine and the laundry cleaning system realized to achieve the aims of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a view of the laundry cleaning system according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 is a schematic view of the partial cleaning device according to another embodiment of the invention.
The elements in the figures are numbered individually and the correspondence of these numbers are given hereinafter.

Washing machine
Case
Panel
Control unit
Partial cleaning device
Body
Communication circuit
Button
Cable
Laundry cleaning system
Signal receiver
Signal transmitter
Control card

The partial cleaning device (5) is suitable for use with a washing machine (1) comprising a case (2), a panel (3) provided on the case (2), enabling monitoring and controlling of washing process by the user, and a control unit (4) enabling control according to user preferences determined by means of the panel (3), and comprises a body (6) moved over the laundry by being grasped through hand by the user so as to enable the laundry to be treated with a pre-cleaning process by at least partially removing stains and dirt before washing. The washing machine (1) can be washing machine or a washer dryer.
The partial cleaning device (5) further comprises at least one communication circuit (7) provided in the body (6), enabling information transmission between itself and the control unit (4) by communicating with the control unit (4), and thus enabling the pre-cleaning process to be performed in a manner monitorable and/or controllable by the control unit (4). The communication circuit (7) can execute simplex or duplex communication with the control unit (4). The communication circuit (7) receives the data sent by the control unit (4) and transmits them to the control card (13) enabling controlling of the partial cleaning device (5), and enables sending data such as the operation state and the operational parameters of the partial cleaning device (5) received from the control card (13) to the control unit (4). The user selects a pre-cleaning program suitable for the laundry to be treated with pre-cleaning process, through the panel (3), and the control unit (4) enables operating the partial cleaning device (5) with the suitable parameters by communicating with the communication circuit (7). For example, when a pre-cleaning program suitable for fine laundry is selected, the control unit (4) enables operating the pre-cleaning device (5) with low power. After actuation of the pre-cleaning process, the communication circuit (7) transmits data such as operating conditions and operation duration received from the sensors provided on the partial cleaning device (5), to the control unit (4), and thus the user is able to monitor the pre-cleaning process by means of the audible and visual alerters on the panel (3). By this, the users can perform the pre-cleaning process in a controlled and effective manner.
In another embodiment of the invention, the communication circuit (7) communicates with the control unit (4) by means of wireless communication. In this embodiment, a signal receiver (11) and a signal transmitter (12) is provided on the control unit (4) and the communication circuit (7), and communication is performed by means of wireless communication methods such as RF or IR. The users are provided a freedom of movement by means of the partial cleaning device (5) being wireless.
In another embodiment of the invention, the communication circuit (7) communicates with the control unit (4) via cable (9). The partial cleaning device (5) is connected to the case (2) by means of a cable (9), and the data transmission between the communication circuit (7) and the control unit (4) is executed by means of the cable (9). By means of the partial cleaning device (5) being connected to the case by the cable (9), operational defects likely to occur due to cutting of communication between the control unit (4) and the communication circuit (7), are avoided.
In another embodiment of the invention, the partial cleaning device (5) is a portable ultrasonic cleaner.
The washing machine (1) of the invention comprises a control unit (4) operating in communication with the partial cleaning device (5) described above, enabling modification of at least one washing parameter of a selected washing program upon determining the user selecting the washing program by means of the panel (3) after initiating a pre-cleaning process. Upon the user initiating a pre-cleaning process, the communication circuit (7) begins communicating with the control unit (4), and the control unit (4) detects the laundry being subjected to a pre-cleaning process. In case the user activates a washing program after the pre-cleaning process, the control unit (4) modifies the washing parameters by assigning to at least one washing parameter of the washing program a new value predetermined by the producer. In another version of this embodiment, the new value predetermined by the producer is displayed to the user by means of the panel (3), and is modified upon user approval. By this, spending excessive energy and resources for washing the laundry treated with pre-cleaning process, is avoided, preventing wasting resources.
In another embodiment of the invention, the control unit (4) enables reducing the duration of the selected washing program upon determining the user selecting a washing program by means of the panel (3) after initiating a pre-cleaning process. The control unit (4) enables reducing the duration of the washing program activated right after the pre-cleaning process, for a period of time predetermined by the producer. By this, the laundry which have already been treated with pre-cleaning process, are enabled to be washed more quickly, and the efficiency of the washing machine (1) is increased without compromising cleaning effectivity.
In another embodiment of the invention, the control unit (4) enables reducing of the washing temperature of the selected washing program upon determining the user selecting a washing program by means of the panel (3) after initiating a pre-cleaning process. The control unit (4) enables reducing the temperature of the washing water used in the washing program activated right after the pre-cleaning process. Thus, water is prevented from being redundantly heated during washing the laundry whose dirt and stains have been removed by pre-cleaning process, saving energy.
In another embodiment of the invention, the control unit (4) enables reducing the amount of detergent used in the selected washing program upon determining the user selecting a washing program by means of the panel (3) after initiating a pre-cleaning process. When the control unit (4) determines that a pre-cleaning process have been executed prior to washing, it enables consuming a less amount of detergent for washing the laundry. Washing and drying can be performed using less water due to the decrease in detergent use.
The laundry cleaning system (10) of the invention comprises the above-described pre-cleaning device (5) and the washing machine (1). With the laundry cleaning system (10), effective communication is provided between the partial cleaning device and the washing machine, enabling functional use of the partial cleaning device and the washing machine in accordance with each other.
In another embodiment of the invention, the laundry cleaning system (10) comprises a button (8) provided on the panel (3) or the body (6), enabling communication of the control unit (4) with the communication circuit (7) and starting the operation of the partial cleaning device (5), upon being triggered by the user. The button (8) can be of on/off button (8) type triggered by pressing, or a rotary knob (8) type provided on the panel (3), enabling the user to select a washing program or a pre-cleaning program by being rotated. When the pre-cleaning process is started by triggering the button (8), the communication circuit (7) in passive state shifts to active state and begins communicating with the control unit (4). When the button (8) is pressed again, or when the selection of the pre-cleaning program is terminated by rotating the button (8), the partial cleaning device (5) stops operating and the communication circuit (7) shifts back to passive state again.
In another embodiment of the invention, the method suitable for controlling the above-disclosed laundry cleaning system (10) comprises the steps of, triggering the button (8), initiating a pre-cleaning process by actuating the partial cleaning device (5), selecting a washing program by means of the panel (3), and modification of at least one parameter of the selected washing program by the control unit (4).
In another embodiment of the invention, the method suitable for controlling the laundry cleaning system (10) further comprises after the step of triggering the button (8), the step of standing by for a duration predetermined by the producer before actuation of the partial cleaning device (5). The control unit (4) enables actuation of the partial cleaning device (5) a few seconds after selection of the pre-cleaning program by the rotary knob (8) being brought to the position of a pre-cleaning program. Thus, the partial cleaning device (5) is prevented from suddenly actuating during the rotary knob (8) being passed from a pre-cleaning program while selecting a washing program.
With the present invention, a partial cleaning device (5) enabling controlling and monitoring of the pre-cleaning process through the panel (3) by being operated under control of the control unit (4), and an energy-efficient washing machine (1) suitable for use with the partial cleaning device (5), preventing wasting of energy during washing of the laundry treated with pre-cleaning process. Also with the present invention, a laundry cleaning system (10) is realized through which effective cleaning is provided by executing pre-cleaning and washing processes in accordance with each other. Thus, ideal cleaning is obtained by saving energy and time, and customer satisfaction is improved.

Claims

A partial cleaning device (5) suitable for use with a washing machine (1) comprising a case (2), a panel (3) provided on the case (2), enabling monitoring and controlling of washing process by the user, and a control unit (4) enabling control according to user preferences determined by means of the panel (3), the partial cleaning device comprising a body (6) moved over the laundry by being grasped through hand by the user, and enabling the laundry to be treated with a pre-cleaning process by at least partially removing stains and dirt before washing, characterized by at least one communication circuit (7) provided in the body (6), enabling information transmission between itself and the control unit (4) by communicating with the control unit (4), and thus enabling the pre-cleaning process to be performed in a manner monitorable and/or controllable by the control unit (4).
A partial cleaning device (5) according to claim 1, characterized by the communication circuit (7) communicating with the control unit (4) by means of wireless communication.
A partial cleaning device (5) according to claim 1, characterized by the communication circuit (7) communicating with the control unit (4) via cable (9).
A partial cleaning device (5) according to any one of the preceding claims which is an ultrasonic cleaner.
A washing machine (1) characterized by a control unit (4) operating in communication with a partial cleaning device (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, enabling modification of at least one washing parameter of a selected washing program upon determining the user selecting the washing program by means of the panel (3) after initiating a pre-cleaning process.
A washing machine (1) according to claim 5, characterized by the control unit (4) enabling reducing the duration of the selected washing program upon determining the user selecting a washing program by means of the panel (3) after initiating a pre-cleaning process.
A washing machine (1) according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized by the control unit (4) enabling reducing of the washing temperature upon determining the user selecting a washing program by means of the panel (3) after initiating a pre-cleaning process.
A washing machine (1) according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterized by the control unit (4) enabling reducing the amount of detergent used in the washing program upon determining the user selecting a washing program by means of the panel (3) after initiating a pre-cleaning process.
A laundry cleaning system (10) comprising a partial cleaning device according to claim 1 and a washing machine according to claim 5.
A laundry cleaning system (10) according to claim 9, characterized by a button (8) provided on the panel (3) or the body (6), enabling communication of the control unit (4) with the communication circuit (7) and starting the operation of the partial cleaning device (5), upon being triggered by the user.
A control method for operating a laundry cleaning system (10) according to claim 10, comprising the steps of,

- Triggering the button (8),

- Initiating a pre-cleaning process by actuating the partial cleaning device (5),

- Selecting a washing program by means of the panel (3),

- Modification of at least one parameter of the selected washing program by the control unit (4).
A control method according to claim 11 for operating a laundry cleaning system (10) according to claim 10, comprising the step of,

- After the step of triggering the button (8), standing by for a duration predetermined by the producer before actuation of the partial cleaning device (5).