EP3995617B1 - Washing machine and method for operating a washing machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a washing machine and a washing machine.

From the EP 2559803 A1 A washing machine is known that has a so-called reflow system. This involves applying water to laundry in a drum from above to soak the laundry and applying detergent dissolved in the water so that it can work. Unlike conventional washing machines, a water level at the bottom of the drum or in a drum receptacle surrounding the drum, i.e. the so-called sump, is not simply regulated. This requires a lot of water, and this amount should be reduced by such a flooding system.

From the DE 102019205919 A1 A washing machine with a special water supply is known, which contains a water reservoir. In this water reservoir, water from the washing process, which does not necessarily have to be completely clean, can be temporarily stored, so to speak, for later use in the washing process.

From the DE 102018122474 A1 is a washing machine known with a rotatable drum in a drum receptacle. An outlet leads from the drum receptacle, which leads to a drain pump via a valve. This can be used to pump water out of the washing machine. Furthermore, a second pump (recirculation pump) is provided, with which water can be reintroduced into the drum.

From the DE 43 13 539 A1 a washing machine is known with a usual structure and a water supply, which includes a drum with a drum receptacle and several water pipes. A pump in the water supply can pump water from an outlet from the drum receptacle into a usual receptacle for dishwashing liquid including detergent. This detergent can then reach the drum receptacle via a controllable valve and thus reach the laundry in it. Alternatively, the pump can also pump water out of a drain in the washing machine.

From the DE 10 2014 214 353 A1 Another similar washing machine is known. This is additionally designed to process the amount of water used as washing liquid based on the suction properties of laundry to be treated in the drum.

From the EP 2 764 814 A1 Another washing machine is known which has a wastewater pump and a circulation pump. The wastewater pump is used to pump water out of the washing machine. The circulation pump is used to heat water in circulation mode, i.e. as circulation, for a cleaning process.

From the DE 10 2016 200 602 A1 A washing machine is known which can also have two pumps and a container for additives, which can support a washing process. In particular, this can be a container that is present in addition to another usual dispenser bowl for manually dosed detergent.

Task and solution

The invention is based on the object of creating a method for operating a washing machine and a washing machine mentioned above, with which an improvement in pump integration into a water supply of a washing machine and improved pumping for heating water is achieved.

This object is achieved by a method with the features of claim 1 and by a washing machine with the features of claim 9. Advantageous and preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the further claims and are explained in more detail below. Some of the features are only for the washing machine or only for the procedure for their operation described. However, they should be able to apply independently and independently of each other to both such a washing machine and a process. The wording of the claims is incorporated into the content of the description by express reference.

The washing machine has a rotating drum to hold laundry. The rotatable drum advantageously has a horizontal axis of rotation and can have several or a large number of holes, small or large, on the shell side, as is known in particular from the aforementioned prior art. A drum receptacle is provided around the drum and has an outlet. A sump can be formed at this outlet or together with this outlet, but this can be operated with a considerably lower water level when washing than is usual. Advantageously, in a washing method according to the invention there is no water level at the bottom of the drum and/or in the drum receptacle; the water collected here runs out of the drum receptacle to the outlet. The washing machine has a pump to pump liquid, particularly water used for washing. The pump has a heating device integrated into it and can advantageously be used according to DE 102011003467 A1 be trained.

An injection nozzle is provided on the drum receptacle, which introduces or sprays water into the drum onto laundry located therein. The injection nozzle is located higher in the vertical direction than the pump; it is advantageously located relatively high up on the drum receptacle, while the pump can be arranged lower or below the drum receptacle. The injection of water into the drum receptacle and into the drum does not have to be done at particularly high pressure. The cleaning effect is not created or improved by the water hitting the laundry at high speed, the water only needs to enter the drum on the laundry. For this purpose, the at least one injection nozzle can advantageously be provided in the drum wall in a known manner and in overlap with one of the holes in the drum for injecting water, as mentioned above. This is easily possible using simple sensor technology. Additionally or alternatively, at least one injection nozzle can be provided in the door opening on the door seal for the drum or in the vicinity or on its circumference in order to inject water from the front through the usual front drum opening, but advantageously still from above onto the laundry therein.

The washing machine has a water supply with several water pipes. At least one water line extends from the outlet from the drum receptacle to the pump. At least one other water line runs from the pump to the injector. This makes it possible to circulate the water, so to speak, so that it can be repeatedly applied to the laundry from above using the pump in order to moisten it or to apply detergent to it. This means that there is no need for the sump at the bottom of the drum with standing water, for which a larger amount of water is absolutely necessary.

A water reservoir, which is basically known from the prior art, is provided or connected between the outlet and the pump, which is connected to the water pipe from the outlet from the drum receptacle to the pump or is arranged in this water pipe. The water reservoir can therefore be a kind of passage for water from the outlet, alternatively it can be connected to a branching water pipe which can be closed by means of a valve in order to fill or empty the water reservoir as required.

According to the invention it is provided that an outlet valve is provided in the water pipe from the outlet from the drum receptacle to the pump. This outlet valve can advantageously be provided in a water path between the outlet and the water reservoir, regardless of the design or connection of the water reservoir to the water supply. Water can advantageously be released from the drum or the drum receptacle as needed and/or introduced into the water reservoir. Alternatively, water can also be introduced into the water reservoir from the pump, either directly using the aforementioned water pipe or via additional water pipes including valves.

Furthermore, according to the invention, a pump valve is provided which is connected to a water pipe with a pump outlet from the pump, in particular to the only pump outlet of the pump. This pump valve has an outlet that leads to a water outlet from the washing machine, in particular to a waste water connection for the washing machine. This allows the pump to completely remove used water from the washing machine. This makes it possible, for example, for the entire washing machine to only have this one pump and no other pump, in particular no drain pump, which is otherwise required to pump water out of the washing machine to a water drain.

In particular, it is therefore possible with a washing machine according to the invention to bring water back onto the laundry using the injection nozzle, not just from the outlet, which previously ran out of the laundry downwards. It can also draw water from the water reservoir be applied to the laundry; water can also have been previously introduced into the water reservoir. Further advantageous options for the method according to the invention will be explained in detail later; first, the possible structural design of the washing machine will be described.

In a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the water reservoir is arranged closer to the pump than to the outlet from the drum receptacle. In this way, a short path can be achieved between the water reservoir and the pump, which is, for example, 5 cm to 30 cm, advantageously 8 cm to 20 cm. This is particularly advantageous for quickly and directly pumping out water from the water reservoir using the pump.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the water reservoir can have pressure compensation means, in particular a pressure relief valve in an upper area. As an alternative to a pressure relief valve, a simple opening can be provided here or a pressure compensation container which is fluidly connected to the water reservoir and has a flexible wall. This is intended to simplify pumping water in and out, since the water reservoir can only have a single water pipe as a connection, so to speak. Due to air in the water reservoir, neither a strong negative pressure nor a strong positive pressure should arise, so that the air can escape or flow in through a pressure relief valve or an opening, as required.

The pump valve is arranged in the water line from the pump to the injector, with an outlet to the injector. It can be arranged higher than half the height in the vertical direction between the pump and the injection nozzle, preferably closer to the injection nozzle than to the pump when viewed in the vertical direction. Particularly advantageously, a distance between the pump valve and the injection nozzle can be 5 cm to 30 cm, preferably 10 cm to 20 cm. The water pipe between the pump and the pump valve therefore has a greater length, advantageously 20 cm to 100 cm, particularly advantageously 30 cm to 70 cm. This will be explained in more detail below for a very advantageous function of the washing process.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pump valve is a three-way valve and has one inlet and two outlets. An outlet of the pump valve runs to the water outlet from the washing machine, as explained at the beginning. The access runs to the pump or a water pipe from the pump leads to the access. Another outlet of the pump valve leads to the injection nozzle, as explained above.

It is advantageously provided for the injection nozzle to be arranged relatively high up on the drum receptacle or on the drum. It should be arranged at the level of at least the upper third of the drum, particularly advantageously at least the upper tenth of the drum. A preferred arrangement of the injection nozzle is at a height above the drum, in particular at the highest point of the drum receptacle. From this point, the injector also has the best spray angle for water on laundry that is at different locations or with different distribution in the drum. A single injection nozzle can be provided for the entire washing machine, i.e. with only a single opening. Alternatively, a plurality of injection nozzles can be provided, for example distributed in a horizontal direction from a rear region of the drum over a middle region to a front region of the drum. Then an injection nozzle does not have to be movable in any direction, but can only be movable along an axis or can spray water in a distributed manner onto laundry in the drum.

It is possible to direct the water specifically to one or more of the plurality of injection nozzles by means of several valves, in particular behind the pump valve. This can be advantageous if precise localization of laundry in the drum is possible and has occurred.

In an embodiment of the invention, the water reservoir can have a volume that is larger than the volume of the water pipes including the pump between the water reservoir and a valve arranged in the water pipe between the pump and the injection nozzle, in particular the pump valve. Thus, at least all of the water contained between the water reservoir and the pump valve can be introduced into the water reservoir or arranged therein. The volume can advantageously be 50% to 200% larger. The water reservoir can, under certain circumstances, have a volume of 0.5 l to 3 l, in particular 0.8 l to 1.5 l. It is therefore possible for the pump to bring a certain amount of water, in particular all of the water in the water pipe between the pump and the pump valve or injection nozzle, up through the injection nozzle onto the laundry. To do this, the pump must be able to draw water, which can then come from the water reservoir. This is particularly advantageous when applying water heated by the heating device to the laundry. It cannot necessarily be assumed that at the same time enough water will flow to the outlet from the drum receptacle to the pump so that it can pump the water in a continuous cycle, so to speak.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a water outlet from the washing machine can originate directly from the water reservoir and without the interposition of the pump or in general be a pump. Such a water outlet can also lead to a drain, i.e. out of the washing machine. For this purpose, a water pipe with a valve device can be provided on the water reservoir. This makes it possible, for example, to completely empty the water reservoir, for example even if it is arranged at a lower point in the washing machine than the pump itself. For example, a pump can be emptied into the water reservoir, advantageously simply by letting the water run out. This residual water can then be drained out of the water reservoir and the entire washing machine using the water outlet. This also means there is no need for an additional drain pump.

In a method according to the invention for operating a washing machine described above, the first step is to pump a certain amount of water in the water supply from the pump from the water reservoir into the water pipe between the pump and the injection nozzle, up to a predefined limit amount of water. The water is heated using the pump's heating device. Even if such a heating device can be powerful, in practice this is not sufficient to heat freshly introduced water with a temperature of usually 12 ° C to 18 ° C to a desired washing temperature of, for example, 40 ° C to 60 ° C. Then the previously pumped amount of water is released or pumped back into the water reservoir by the pump, depending on the design of the pump. This return of the water from the water pipe back into the water reservoir can be supported by pumping, but this is not necessary. This would require a pump with a reversible running direction or a reversible pumping direction. However, this does not have to be the case because the water pipe connecting to the pump outlet is located higher. So if the pump stops working, it can be assumed that the water from the water pipe simply flows downwards in the opposite direction through the pump so that it can be let back into the water reservoir. It is possible that the water flows back again, i.e. when the pump has stopped its pumping operation, and is heated further again by operating the heating device. Advantageously, the heating device is operated somewhat weaker than in pump operation, but this can be optimized by temperature control. These pumping steps, including heating and leaving, are repeated for a certain period of time or for a certain number of times, in particular until a desired preset temperature for the water is reached. The water is, so to speak, rocked back and forth from the water reservoir through the pump into the water pipe, preferably with as much heating power as possible in order to heat it up to the desired specified temperature as quickly as possible. In practice this can range from five repetitions to twenty or even thirty repetitions, which depends mainly on the The level of the desired default temperature depends. The sufficiently heated water can then be pumped to the injection nozzle using the water pipe and thus introduced into the drum, in particular onto the laundry inside. If the water is heated for the first time with repeated rocking and is then applied to the laundry at the desired default temperature, after a short time it runs out of the bottom of the laundry and out of the drum receptacle at the outlet. The water has generally cooled down, although not quite as much as the original temperature. This water can then be collected back into the water reservoir for a while, alternatively additional fresh water can be let in. This water is then heated again using the steps mentioned at the beginning by pumping or rocking back and forth several times to the desired default temperature. It can then either be applied again to the laundry in exactly the same position as before, alternatively the drum can be rotated slightly with partial revolutions or full revolutions to distribute the laundry in it so that further laundry can now be moistened.

It is foreseeable that with this method using a re-flooding system for the washing machine, the need for fresh water will be significantly lower because you do not have to work with a large amount of standing water in the sump of the washing machine. The time required may be slightly increased, but this can be at least partially compensated for by a corresponding heating output of the heating device of the pump and its pumping power.

During the repeated implementation of the pumping step, in particular while heated water is being brought into the drum and onto the laundry, a water supply can advantageously be stopped, especially if there is enough water in the washing machine. A so-called closed amount of water should be pumped back and forth or rocked or moved back and forth between the water pipe and the water reservoir and heated up in the process. This can be monitored precisely by constantly measuring the temperature of this water, for example using a temperature sensor on the pump, which can measure the true water temperature by keeping a sufficient distance from the pump's heating device. Alternatively, the temperature can be recorded on the water supply behind the pump and in front of the injection nozzle. This has the advantage that the true temperature of the water can then be recorded as close as possible to the injection nozzle and thus as close as possible to the laundry. A temperature detection is advantageously provided in front of the pump valve, as this preferably forms the maximum water level when the water is rocked back and forth. Similar to what was previously described for the water reservoir, there should also be an overpressure opening or similar on this pump valve. be provided, like this that air can preferably escape and be drawn in, but if possible no water.

In a control for the pump, advantageously in the corresponding washing machine control, it can be stored how long or with what power the pump has to pump water so that it is pumped from the water reservoir so far into the water pipe that it is not quite there pump valve has reached. Then no sensors or the like will be used. needed to record when the water arrives at the pump valve.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the drum can remain stationary while repeating the pumping steps including heating and releasing the water into the water reservoir, in particular until after the heated water has been injected through the injection nozzle into the drum and onto the laundry therein. It is preferably possible for the drum to then be moved or rotated in the manner described above after the heated water has been injected.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the heated water from the water reservoir is pumped through the pump as completely as possible, especially when the sufficiently heated water is injected into the drum. In this way, as much of the heated water as possible can be introduced, although the amount should of course be tailored to the washing process, i.e. to the amount of water actually required for the amount of laundry contained. It can also be provided that additional water or fresh water is let into the water reservoir, alternatively water that is already flowing out to the outlet, and is pumped until the aforementioned temperature detection detects that the temperature has fallen below a limit. In this way, it can be avoided that water is introduced into the drum, despite using as much of the available heated water as possible, the temperature of which is below the stated limit temperature. This limit temperature can, for example, be 1°C to 5°C below the aforementioned default temperature. Particularly in a washing process in which the water for mixing with the detergent should also have a precise temperature so that the detergent works as well as possible, care should be taken to adhere to temperature specifications.

In yet another embodiment of the method described above, it can be provided that the pump operation is stopped and the water remaining in the water supply downstream behind the pump is let back into the water reservoir. It can be heated again and pumped into the water supply several times by the pump and left behind again and heated again until it is there again Has the default temperature and can then be introduced into the drum using the injection nozzle. Depending on the amount of water already introduced, the drum may or may not have been moved in between.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the water reservoir can have a filter, in particular a coarse filter for coarse particles in the used water with a diameter of several millimeters. By leaving or pumping the water back into the water reservoir, it can also be used to backwash the filter. Then, together with the above-described embodiment of the invention, it is possible to let this backwashed water together with the filtrate, i.e. unwanted coarse particles, out of the washing machine to a drain or pump it out.

The outlet valve mentioned at the beginning can advantageously be designed in such a way that it can be opened to such an extent that air can be let in or out at excess pressure, in particular in order to let air out when the water is pumped back and forth. However, no water should be allowed through, as this could otherwise partially negate the advantage of the defined or, so to speak, closed amount of water that is gradually heated.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is possible for detergents and/or other additives for washing laundry to be introduced into the water reservoir, alternatively into the water pipe in front of or behind the pump. A metering device known per se can be provided for this purpose. It is possible for the detergent or the additives not only to be introduced manually by an operator for a single washing process, as is known, but for a respective storage container to be provided in the washing machine for this purpose. The dosing device can then, so to speak, independently effect a corresponding addition controlled by the washing machine control, so that the operator does not have to do this.

Then it is also advantageously possible for the water with detergent dissolved or contained therein or the additives to be pumped several times through the pump into the water pipe to the pump valve and to be left back into the water reservoir or to be pumped back. This serves to further improve the dissolution or mixing of detergent and/or the additive with the water. In this way, problems can be avoided even with liquid detergent that the detergent does not dissolve sufficiently well in the water, for example because when mixed directly into water in a sump in the washing machine, the dissolution is not always sufficiently good in conventional processes.

This means that either the detergent has to be overdosed or the washing effect is too low. Pumping water back and forth with added detergent or additive two to five times is considered sufficient for optimal mixing, but it can also be done more often. The water can also be heated further, so that it is also ensured that the detergent or additive is brought to the known and optimal temperature. This is advantageous, for example, when relatively temperature-sensitive enzymes are used for the washing process. The specified temperature should be maintained as precisely as possible for optimal effect.

In a further possible embodiment of the invention, a flow sensor can be provided on the water pipe, for example on the water pipe just behind the pump. This allows the amount of water actually flowing or pumped through to be measured precisely, so that this does not have to be calculated from the pumping power or pumping duration.

These and other features emerge not only from the claims but also from the description and the drawings, with the individual features being implemented individually or in groups in the form of subcombinations in one embodiment of the invention and in other areas and being advantageous and protectable in their own right may represent versions for which protection is claimed here. The division of the application into individual sections and subheadings does not limit the general validity of the statements made under them.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

eine vereinfachte schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Waschmaschine mit Wasserführung aus einem Trommelaufnahmebehälter über ein Ventil, ein Wasserreservoir, eine Pumpe und ein weiteres Ventil bis hin zu einer Einspritzdüse oben am Trommelaufnahmebehälter,

Fig. 2

die Darstellung aus Fig. 1 mit Veranschaulichung von verschiedenen Volumina in der Wasserführung sowie einem Weg des Schaukelns einer bestimmten Wassermenge,

Fig. 3

eine Abwandlung der Darstellung aus Fig. 1 mit einem Ventil und einer Wasserleitung nach außen,

Fig. 4

eine nochmalige Abwandlung der Waschmaschine aus Fig. 3 mit einem weiteren Reservoir für Wasser vor dem eigentlichen Wasserreservoir und

Fig. 5

eine Darstellung für den gesamten Aufbau einer erfindungsgemäßen Waschmaschine sowie zur Veranschaulichung von Schritten des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zum Betrieb einer solchen Waschmaschine.

Embodiments of the invention are shown schematically in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. Shown in the drawings:

Fig. 1

a simplified schematic representation of a washing machine according to the invention with water supply from a drum receptacle via a valve, a water reservoir, a pump and another valve up to an injection nozzle at the top of the drum receptacle,

Fig. 2

the representation Fig. 1 with illustration of different volumes in the water flow as well as a way of rocking a certain amount of water,

Fig. 3

a modification of the representation Fig. 1 with a valve and a water pipe to the outside,

Fig. 4

another modification of the washing machine Fig. 3 with another reservoir for water in front of the actual water reservoir and

Fig. 5

a representation of the entire structure of a washing machine according to the invention and to illustrate steps of the method according to the invention for operating such a washing machine.

Detailed description of the exemplary embodiments

In the Fig. 1 is a washing machine 11 according to the invention shown with a rotatable drum 13 in which laundry W is present, shown here as individual items of laundry W. Drivers 14 can be arranged on the inside of the drum. The drum 13 is rotatably mounted in a drum receptacle 15, here with a horizontal axis of rotation. At the bottom of the drum receptacle 15, a sump line 17 goes from an outlet 16 as a water line via a valve V1 to a water reservoir 20. From this water reservoir 20, a further pump line 22a leads to a pump 24. This pump 24 is designed as in the prior art mentioned at the beginning explained, for example in accordance with the aforementioned DE 102011003467 A1 , advantageous as an impeller pump. It has an integrated heating device 25, which is shown very schematically here. The heating device 25 serves to heat water conveyed by the pump, in particular in the pump chamber, for which purpose it is advantageously arranged in the pump chamber itself or adjacent to a wall of the pump chamber.

A further pump line 22b leads from the pump 24 to a three-way valve as pump valve V2. In one valve position, water can go from the pump 24 or the pump line 22b to a water outlet 27, which leads out of the washing machine 11 and runs, for example, into a drain connection in a laundry room, advantageously by means of a usual flexible hose. Water can thus be removed or discharged from the washing machine 11 via the water outlet 27.

In another position, water goes from the pump line 22b via a supply line 29 to an injection nozzle 31. The injection nozzle 31 is arranged at the highest point of the drum receptacle 15 and is designed in such a way that it does not reach directly into the rotatable drum 13, but in a known manner and can apply or spray water F onto the laundry W arranged therein through openings attached thereto. Reference is made to the state of the art, which demonstrates this sufficiently well.

A detergent container 33 is arranged at the top left of the drum receptacle 15, from which detergent or other additives for a washing process can be introduced into the drum receptacle 15 or onto the laundry W in the drum 13 by means of a water pipe 34 and a metering valve V3, alternatively also by means of a nozzle, not shown. In yet another alternative, which follows below Fig. 4 is explained, detergent can either be introduced into the lowest area of the drum receptacle 15 just before the outlet 16 or into the sump line 17 so that it first mixes with or dissolves in the water before it is placed on the laundry W.

In the Fig. 2 The same washing machine 11 is shown again, but for the sake of clarity with significantly fewer reference numbers. For this purpose, refer to the Fig. 1 referred. What is shown for the water flow is that it is divided into a section, so to speak, in front of the pump 24 and a section behind the pump 24. A water volume WV ₁ is formed in front of the pump 24, which includes the water reservoir 20 and a pressure relief valve 21 provided thereon as a pressure compensation means and the pump line 22a. The second water volume WV ₂ is located to the right behind the pump 24 or between the pump 24 and the higher pump valve V2. The water volumes WV ₁ and WV ₂ are essentially formed by water reservoir 20 and pump line 22a on the one hand and pump line 22b on the other. This can include small volume areas in the pump 24, such as a suction port and/or a pressure port. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the water volume VVV ₁ includes the area up to the pump chamber, and the water volume WV ₂ includes the area behind or after the pump chamber up to the pump valve V2. The water volume VVV ₁ can, for example, be 2 l, and the water volume WV ₂ can be 0.75 l.

In the above-described washing method according to the invention, after closing the outlet valve V1 and the pump valve V2, the pump 24 can pump water from the largely or completely filled water volume WV ₁ , in particular when the water reservoir 20 is filled, into the water volume WV ₂ , which is empty at this point in time. During this pumping process, the water is heated by the heating device 25. If 0.75 l have been pumped from the water reservoir by the pump 24, the water volume WV ₂ is, so to speak, filled. The water column in the pump line 22b therefore extends to the pump valve V2 or just before it. Pressure equalization means or the like not shown here. The pump valve V2 allows air to escape, but not water. So if the pump 24 can no longer pump water against the closed pump valve V2, which can be detected by various sensors or, alternatively, due to the operating state of a drive motor of the pump 24, the operation of the pump 24 is stopped. The pump 24 then pumped and heated approximately 0.75 liters, which is regarded as the limit amount of water mentioned at the beginning. The pump 24 can then either go into reversing operation and pump the water from the water volume WV ₂ back to the water reservoir 20 or into the water volume WV ₁ . Alternatively, the water may simply flow back through the pump 24 due to gravity, particularly in the higher pump line 22b. The heating device 25 can be operated again, which is advantageously temperature-controlled in order to achieve neither too high a water temperature nor too high a temperature on the heating device 25 itself. The water or, above all, the limit amount of water corresponding to the water volume WV ₂ is now again in front of the pump 24 and in the larger water volume WV ₁ . Advantageously, a certain degree of mixing and thus heating of the entire water volume WV ₁ takes place, although of course at a lower overall temperature than the once or twice heated water volume WV ₂ . Then the pump 24 again pumps a limit amount of water from the water volume WV ₁ into the water volume WV ₂ , with heating again taking place through operation of the heating device 25. If the water volume WV2 is full or filled up, all of the water is left behind again. This movement back and forth caused by operating the pump 24 and leaving the water behind defines the rocking movement mentioned above or the rocking S of a certain amount of water, namely the limit amount of water. In general, this is advantageously done without a pause after a partial movement, so that no time is wasted and the heating takes place as quickly as possible.

The temperature of the water passed through can be determined by temperature sensors on the pump 24, in particular on the heating device 25, alternatively by a temperature sensor 26 on the pump line 22b just behind the pump 24, in particular in order to check whether the water now has the desired temperature to be applied to the laundry W. If this is the case, the pump valve V2 is opened and the pump 24 works in pumping mode again, advantageously again together with the heating device 25. This time water is pumped up to the injection nozzle 31 and through it onto the laundry W, namely advantageously an amount of water as determined by a washing machine control (not shown here) for the washing process. Advantageously, this is not the entire water volume WV ₁ , since this would probably be too large or too much water would be applied since the laundry W is resting and the water would therefore always hit the same places, so to speak. A predetermined amount of water of, for example, 0.5 l to 1 l can be applied, in particular approximately 0.75 l corresponding to the water volume WV ₂ . This water all has the desired temperature because it comes from the water reservoir 20 or from the heated water volume WV ₁ .

Furthermore, the volume of water WV ₁ that has been brought to the desired temperature should be so large that it essentially corresponds to the volume of WV ₂ plus the volume of the supply line 29 plus the desired amount of water to be applied. Then the pump 24 does not suck in any air from the water volume WV ₁ until the desired amount of water has been applied. Pumping would no longer be possible, and air sucked in would then have to be laboriously removed.

The water volume WV ₂ does not have to correspond to the volume of the pump line 22b between pump 24 and pump valve V2, but advantageously it corresponds to this to some extent or almost. This means that as much water as possible can be moved or rocked back and forth to increase its temperature. Furthermore, the water volume WV ₁ should be significantly larger than the water volume WV ₂ plus the volume of the supply line 29 in order to be able to apply a correspondingly desired amount of heated water F to the laundry W.

After stopping the pumping operation, the pump valve V2 advantageously remains open, the outlet valve V1 can also be open. Thus, on the one hand, water runs from the outlet 16 via the sump line 17 into the water reservoir 20 or into the water volume WV ₁ in order to be heated again as explained above. Furthermore, water runs from the supply line 29 and the pump line 22b through the pump 24 back into the water volume WV ₁ . In a further possibility, additional fresh water can be added, in particular via a fresh water supply line into the detergent container 33 and the metering valve V3, so that the water volume WV ₁ is relatively full again despite the water absorbed or absorbed by the laundry W. Then the operation of pumping and heating water begins as rocking S according to the Fig. 2 again until the water has warmed up sufficiently again. Then it is again applied to the laundry W by means of the injection nozzle 31, which has been moved slightly by slightly or repeatedly moving or rotating the drum 13 so that other areas of the laundry W are also reached by the water.

Depending on a heating output of the heating device 25, carrying out the rocking S five to ten times may be sufficient to heat the water to 30 ° C to 40 ° C. For even higher temperatures, the water must be pumped back and forth or rocked much more frequently in order to be able to bring in even more heating energy.

If detergent from the detergent container 33 is now to be applied to the laundry W for the washing process after the first rinsing process, this can be done in the aforementioned manner This detergent is introduced from the detergent container 33 and through the metering valve V3 into the drum receptacle 15 so that it reaches there by itself downwards to the outlet 16 and into the sump line 17. Alternatively and advantageously, the metering valve V3 leads directly to the outlet 16 or into the sump line 17, for which purpose the detergent container 33 and metering valve V3 are of course arranged as close as possible there. The detergent container 33 can be designed for manual dosing in individual doses per washing process, alternatively it can be a storage container with a larger amount of detergent and additives, from which a washing machine control automatically doses in accordance with the required or calculated amount. It could also be introduced directly into the water reservoir 20 or the pump line 22a.

Since the detergent should usually be applied to the laundry W with warmed water, the temperature depending on the detergent, the water mixed with the detergent or water in which the detergent or the additives are dissolved or at least contained is now used by the Pump 24 moves back and forth again. This is used to heat the water with detergent or additive, i.e. the washing liquor. Furthermore, this also serves to mix or dissolve the detergent or additive in the water as well as possible, which should be completely successful with multiple pumping processes.

Similar to what was described above, after the desired temperature for the washing liquor has been reached, it can also be applied to the laundry W again by the pump 24 via the feed line 29 and the injection nozzle 31. This is advantageously done several times, in particular when the laundry W is moving slightly, by partially rotating the drum 13. New washing liquor can be generated either with new water and added detergent or additive, part of which advantageously comes from the outlet 16 from the drum receptacle 15 below , and is then filled with detergent or additive and water so that the water volume WV ₁ is full again.

In the Fig. 3 a washing machine 11 is shown with an alternative design of the detergent container. A detergent line 33' is provided here, which leads directly into the water reservoir 20 via a metering valve V3'. This corresponds to what was described previously. The detergent line 33' could also be replaced by a detergent container or a detergent supply for automatic dosing.

Alternatively, the Fig. 3 the line 33` can be another or main water outlet from the washing machine 11. The valve V3` would then be an exhaust valve, so could Water runs from the washing machine 11 directly to the wastewater in a relatively low area, possibly without the aid of the pump 24.

In the Fig. 4 a washing machine 111 is shown with a drum 113 in a drum receptacle 115, at the bottom of which an outlet 116 including sump line 117 and outlet valve V1 are provided. A short water line leads from valve V1 to a water reservoir 120 including a pressure relief valve 121. To the right of the water reservoir 120, a pump line 122a leads to a pump 124, which is designed like that Fig. 1 to 3 described. Behind the pump 124, another pump line 122b leads to a three-way valve V2 as a pump valve. From this to the right there is a water outlet 127 and upwards a supply line 129 to the injection nozzle 131. In this respect, the washing machine 111 corresponds to the Fig. 4 the one from the Fig. 1 . In addition, another container is provided here as an additional reservoir 135 for water, which is fed by an additional line 136 coming from the left. An additional valve V4 is provided at the upper left end. A connecting valve V5 is provided in a connecting line 138 to the water reservoir 120 in order to be able to control a water flow between the additional reservoir 135 and the water reservoir 120.

The container or additional reservoir 135 is an option that can take on additional functions for the washing machine or for a washing process. This can, for example, be the aforementioned addition of detergent or additives; alternatively, filters can be provided for water that is added to the circuit as fresh water via the additional valve V4 and the additional line 136. Likewise, a water outlet to a waste water connection of the washing machine 111 could also be provided to the left of the additional valve V4. A filter could be provided in the additional reservoir 135, which filters water again before it is pumped out of the washing machine 111 and leads into a wastewater pipe. For example, filters for microfiber components can also be provided here; see below WO 2019/081013 A1 referred.

In a further possible advantageous use of rocking the water by means of the pump 24, it can be provided that this water is heated by means of the heating device 24 to a higher temperature than is necessary for a washing process, for example to over 80 ° C or even 90 ° C. The pump 24 can, so to speak, be cleaned with hot water or clean itself, in particular when leaving the water behind with the flow direction reversed than during pumping operation, with some areas in the pump 24 or in a pump chamber, pressure port and/or suction port being better reached can. This water then does not have to be used for a washing process and can then be used since it probably contains impurities from the cleaning process, be pumped out of the washing machine 11.

In the Fig. 5 The functional sequence of a washing process and the possibilities that arise from the invention are shown again in detail. A washing machine control 39 is shown, which is connected to the functional units already described via dash-dotted signal lines. The washing machine control 39 is therefore connected to the pump 24 or its heating device 25 and to a possibly provided drain pump 44, which is connected on the one hand to the water reservoir 120 and which on the other hand is connected upstream of a water outlet 27' for pumping out water. Furthermore, it is connected to a valve V3 and a flow sensor 42, which is advantageously provided in the water pipe 22a, 22b and/or 34. It is also connected to an actuator 46, which acts on a water switch 47, which can advantageously supply fresh water differently to a detergent container 33. These different supply options are shown by the three horizontal dashed arrows between the water diverter 47 and the detergent container 33. The washing machine control 39 is also connected to a door lock 40 and a drum drive motor 13 'in a signal-transmitting manner. The washing machine control 39 thus receives information about a pumped water volume ① from the flow sensor 42 as well as information about a position ② of the water switch 47. Information ③ about a locking state or closing state of a door to the drum 13 comes from the door lock 40. Information comes from the pump 24 or its pump motor ⑧on the operating state of the pump with regard to a pumping operation of the pump 24, advantageously with regard to a pumping capacity or the like, in a similar form possibly also from the drain pump 44, if applicable. Information comes from the heating device 25 ⑤on the operating state of the heating device 25 or the heating operation, if necessary .also the temperature of the water in it, regardless of the pumping operation. This can also be from the temperature sensor 26 Fig. 1 come. Information can come from the drum receptacle 15, in particular regarding the supply line 29, and information ⑦ can come from the drum drive motor 13 'regarding movement and/or a rotational position of the drum 13, possibly also regarding load or type of laundry, see the EP 3608466 A1 . Alternatively, this information ⑦ can also come from a corresponding sensor.

The washing machine control 39 processes this information ① to ⑦ in accordance with the washing process described above. The signals from the door lock 40, for example, ensure that the door cannot be opened in a known manner during the washing process. The other information is used directly to carry out the Washing process used, especially with regard to the addition of detergent or additives and temperature.

Claims (14)

1. Method for operating a washing machine (11, 111), the washing machine (11, 111) comprising

   - a rotatable drum (13, 113) for holding laundry (W),

   - a drum receptacle (15, 115) around the drum (13, 113) having an outlet (16, 116) from the drum receptacle (15, 115),

   - a pump (24, 124) for pumping liquid,

   - an injection nozzle (21, 121) on the drum receptacle (15, 115), which injects water (F) into the drum (13, 113) onto laundry (VV) arranged therein, the injection nozzle (21, 121) being higher in the vertical direction than the pump (24, 124),

   - a water conduit with several water lines, at least one water line (17, 22a, 117, 122a) running from the outlet (16, 116) from the drum receptacle (15, 115) to the pump (24, 124) and at least one water line (22b, 29, 122b, 129) running from the pump (24, 124) to the injection nozzle (21, 121),

   - a water reservoir (20, 120),

   - an outlet valve (V1) in the water line (17, 22a, 117, 122a) from the outlet (16, 116) from the drum receptacle (15, 115) to the pump (24, 124), and

   - a pump valve (V2) which is connected to a water line (22b, 122b) with a pump outlet, wherein the pump valve (V2) has an outlet to a water outlet (27, 127) from the washing machine (11, 111),

   characterised in that

   the pump (24, 124) has a heating device (25, 125) integrated therein,

   the water reservoir (20, 120) is arranged between the outlet (16, 116) and the pump (24, 124), the water reservoir (20, 120) being connected to the water line (17, 22a, 117, 122a) from the outlet (16, 116) from the drum receptacle (15, 115) to the pump (24, 124) or being arranged in this water line (17, 22a, 117, 122a), and

   the method further comprises the following steps:

   - a quantity of water is pumped in the water line from the pump (24, 124) from the water reservoir (20, 120) into the water line (22b, 29, 122b, 129) between the pump (24, 124) and the injection nozzle (21, 121) up to a predefined limit water quantity and is heated in the process,

   - then the previously pumped quantity of water is let back through the pump (24, 124) into the water reservoir (20, 120), in particular without pump operation of the pump (24, 124), preferably with operation of the heating device (25, 125) of the pump (24, 124) with reduced heating power,

   - repeating the steps of pumping together with heating and leaving for a certain period of time, for a certain number of repetitions or until a desired preset temperature for the water (F) is reached,

   - subsequently pumping the heated water (F) by means of the water pipe (22b, 29, 122b, 129) to the injection nozzle (21, 121) and injecting the heated water (F) through the injection nozzle (21, 121) into the drum (13, 113), in particular onto laundry (W) located therein.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that during the multiple execution of the pumping step, in particular also during the introduction of the heated water (F) into the drum (13, 113), no water (F) is let into the water reservoir (20, 120) from the outside, in particular from the drum (13, 113) or from the drum receptacle (15, 115) or from a water supply line to the washing machine (11, 111).
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a temperature measurement of the water (F) is carried out at the pump (24, 124) and/or at the water supply, in particular at the pump (24, 124) and at the water supply, wherein preferably a temperature measurement takes place at the water guide downstream of the pump (24, 124) and upstream of the injection nozzle (21, 121), preferably downstream of the pump (24, 124) and upstream of the pump valve (V2) in the water line (22b, 29, 122b, 129) between the pump (24, 124) and the injection nozzle (21, 121).
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that during the repetition of the steps of pumping together with heating and leaving the water (F) until after the heated water (F) has been injected through the injection nozzle (21, 121) into the drum (13, 113), the drum (13, 113) is not moved, in particular onto laundry (W) located therein, the drum (13, 113) preferably being rotated after the injection of the heated water (F) through the injection nozzle (21, 121), in particular by a maximum of half a revolution or by at least two revolutions.
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the heated water (F) is pumped out of the water reservoir (20, 120) as completely as possible through the pump (24, 124), preferably with further water (F) being admitted into the water reservoir (20, 120), in particular pumping being carried out until the temperature detection detects that the temperature has fallen below a limit temperature, in order to prevent water (F) below the limit temperature from being injected into the drum (13, 113).
6. Method according to claim 5, characterised in that the water (F) remaining in the water duct downstream of the pump (24, 124) is let back into the water reservoir (20, 120) by stopping the pump operation and is then pumped several times into the water duct by the pump (24, 124) into the water supply and thereby heated, wherein preferably the water reservoir (20, 120) comprises a filter and the heated water (F) let back into the water reservoir (20, 120) is let through the filter, in particular for backwashing the filter.
7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outlet valve (V1) is designed in such a way that it can be opened to let air with excess pressure through or out, but no water (F).
8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that detergents and/or other additives for washing laundry (W) are introduced into the water reservoir (20, 120), preferably by means of a dosing device (V2), in particular from a respective storage container (33) within the washing machine (11, 111), wherein preferably water (F) with detergent and/or other additives dissolved therein is pumped several times through the pump (24, 124) into the water line (22b, 122b) to the pump valve (V2) and returned to the water reservoir (20, 120) for mixing or dissolving detergent and/or other additives. for dissolving detergent and/or other additive with water (F).
9. Washing machine (11, 111) with:

   - a rotatable drum (13, 113) for holding laundry (W),

   - a drum receptacle (15, 115) around the drum (13, 113), which has an outlet (16, 116) from the drum receptacle (15, 115),

   - a pump (24, 124) for pumping liquid,

   - an injection nozzle (21, 121) on the drum receptacle (15, 115), which injects water (F) into the drum (13, 113) onto laundry (W) arranged therein, the injection nozzle (21, 121) being higher in the vertical direction than the pump (24, 124),

   - a water conduit with several water lines, at least one water line (17, 22a, 117, 122a) running from the outlet (16, 116) from the drum receptacle (15, 115) to the pump (24, 124) and at least one water line (22b, 29, 122b, 129) running from the pump (24, 124) to the injection nozzle (21, 121),

   - an outlet valve (V1) is provided in the water line (17, 22a, 117, 122a) from the outlet (16, 116) from the drum receptacle (15, 115) to the pump (24, 124),

   - a pump valve (V2) which is connected to a water line (22b, 122b) with a pump outlet, the pump valve (V2) having an outlet to a water outlet (27, 127) from the washing machine (11, 111),

   characterised in that

   - the pump (24, 124) has a heating device (25, 125) integrated therein,

   - a water reservoir (20, 120) is provided between the outlet (16, 116) and the pump (24, 124), the water reservoir (20, 120) being connected to the water line (17, 22a, 117, 122a) from the outlet (16, 116) from the drum receptacle (15, 115) to the pump (24, 124) or being arranged in this water line (17, 22a, 117, 122a),

   - a washing machine control (39) is provided, which is designed to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims,

   - the pump valve (V2) is arranged in the water line (22b, 29, 122b, 129) leading from the pump (24, 124) to the injection nozzle (21, 121) and has an outlet to the injection nozzle (21, 121).
10. Washing machine according to claim 9, characterised in that the water reservoir (20, 120) is arranged closer to the pump (24, 124) than to the outlet (16, 116) from the drum receptacle (15, 115).
11. Washing machine according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the pump valve (V2) is arranged at a height level in the vertical direction which is higher than half the height in the vertical direction between the pump (24, 124) and the injection nozzle (21, 121).
12. Washing machine according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterised in that the pump valve (V2) is a three-way valve with one inlet and two outlets, one outlet leading to the injection nozzle (21, 121) and another outlet of the three-way valve leading to the water outlet (27, 127) from the washing machine (11, 111) and the inlet of the three-way valve leading to the pump (24, 124).
13. Washing machine according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterised in that the injection nozzle (21, 121) is arranged at the height of at least the upper third of the drum (13, 113), preferably at least the upper tenth, in particular above the drum (13, 113).
14. Washing machine according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterised in that the water reservoir (20, 120) has a volume which is greater than the volume of the water lines together with the pump (24, 124) between the water reservoir (20, 120) and a valve (V2) arranged in the water line (22b, 29, 122b, 129) between the pump (24, 124) and the injection nozzle (21, 121), this valve preferably being the pump valve (V2).

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