ES2940704T3 - Procedure for operating a washing machine and washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Supplying washing liquid to the tub up to a second washing liquid level which is higher than the first washing liquid level and washing the clothes (51, 52) in a second partial washing phase (2) with a second phase duration partial wash. The invention also relates to a corresponding washing machine. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Procedure for operating a washing machine and washing machine

The invention relates to a method for operating a washing machine and to a washing machine. For the washing process, the fabrics are usually classified according to the color and the appropriate washing program and/or the appropriate treatment. Based on the different treatment of the laundry, there are various washing stages for "non-delicate" to "very delicate" fabrics, which must be divided into cotton, easy-care, shirts, delicate clothing, etc., because the laundry programs washing are coordinated with the needs of the fabrics. Thus, the temperatures, the washing rhythm, the rinse and wash level and the spin speeds in the different washing programs are adapted to the level of delicacy of the fabrics.

The various stages of washing are very time consuming. When delicate fabrics are washed together with non-delicate fabrics, either the delicate fabrics suffer in a washing program intended for non-delicate fabrics, or the non-delicate fabrics have worse washing performance in a washing program intended for delicate fabrics.

In addition, a high consumption of energy and water is required in different stages of washing. For example, for consecutive washing steps, the temperature of the washing liquid must be brought up to the selected temperature several times.

From WO 2016/020872 A1 (document according to Art. 54 (3) EPÜ) and WO 2015/078052 A1 a method of a generic type is known.

The invention thus formulates the problem of providing a method for operating a washing machine, as well as a washing machine, with which fabrics of different delicacies can be washed in a single washing program. According to the invention, this problem is solved by a method with the characteristics of claim 1 and a washing machine with the characteristics of claim 10. Advantageous configuration variants and methods of the invention result from the following dependent claims.

The advantages that can be achieved with the invention consist, in addition to the possibility of washing fabrics of different degrees of delicacy with a single washing program, that different fabrics with different degrees of delicacy can be washed with one another with optimized care and effectiveness. dirt.

The invention relates to a method for operating a washing machine with a washing tub for housing washing liquid, a drum for housing laundry, a loading opening for loading the drum with laundry and a door for closing the loading opening, which has a washing phase with the steps of supplying the washing liquid to the washing tub up to a first level of washing liquid and washing the laundry in a first partial washing phase with a duration of the partial washing phase , carrying out a first wash stop, during which the door of the washing machine that closes the loading opening is unlocked to open it during the first partial washing phase and when an introduction of laundry into the drum has been activated during the first stop washing, adding washing liquid to the washing tub up to a second level of washing liquid, which is higher than the first level of washing liquid and washing the laundry in a second partial washing phase with a second duration of the partial washing phase.

The steps indicated above are executed one after the other in the sequence set forth. With the method, the energy consumption of the washing machine can be reduced by using the energy already supplied in the first partial washing phase for the second partial washing phase. In addition, water and time are saved, because several rinsing and spinning processes do not have to be carried out for the partial washing phases.

The term "washing liquid" is to be understood as meaning water, optionally containing detergent and/or care products. The term "washing machine" is to be understood as a washing machine as an automatic washing machine and a combination appliance as a washer/dryer. The washing machine may be one used in a private home or a washing machine used industrially.

In a preferred embodiment, the first part-wash stage continues with the second duration of a part-wash phase if no laundry feed into the drum was activated during the first stop of the wash. The first partial rinsing step is preferably carried out during the first and second rinsing partial phases, followed by the first rinsing stop. Thus it is ensured that the laundry is not washed in the first partial washing stage for too short a time when no more laundry is intended to be introduced. In a preferred configuration variant, the method has the following steps: Carrying out a second washing stop once the duration of the second partial washing phase has elapsed, during which the door of the washing machine is unlocked to open it and when it is activated an introduction of laundry into the drum during the second washing stop, supply of washing liquid to the washing tub up to a third level of washing liquid which is higher than the first and/or second level of washing liquid and washing of the laundry in a third partial washing phase with a third partial washing phase duration or, if no introduction of laundry in the drum during the second washing stop, continuation of the first or second partial washing phase with the third duration of the partial washing phase. This configuration variant allows washing laundry with two or three different degrees of delicacy. For example, non-delicate, delicate and/or very delicate fabrics can be washed in one washing phase with one another. In this configuration variant of the procedure, the washing phase can have between one and three partial washing phases depending on whether the user has set before or during the start of the washing program that he wishes to introduce laundry once or twice or how many phases partial washing has been programmed by the user.

An introduction of laundry into the drum during the first or second wash stop is activated when the user has entered or programmed this into the washing machine before starting or during the start of the washing program. For example, you can indicate when you set the washing program that you want to wash two or three kinds of fabrics from the group of non-delicate, delicate and very delicate fabrics. Alternatively or additionally, the user can indicate when setting the washing program that he wants to run two or three partial washing phases at various washing temperatures, for example at 60 °C, 40 °C and 30 °C.

^{During the first or second wash stop, the spin speed is preferably relatively low, up to} 0 min-1. A duration of the first or second washing stoppage preferably depends on the washing temperatures of the first, second or third partial washing phases. During the first and/or second wash stop, the washing machine is preferably in the standby wash cycle.

Preferably, a rotational speed decreases in rotational phases in which the drum is rotated during the first, second and/or third partial washing phase, as the number of partial washing phases increases, a duration of the rotating phase decreases. corresponding to the spin phases as the number of partial wash phases increases and a duration of spin pauses corresponding to spin pauses that are performed between the spin phases increases as the number of partial wash phases increases. The first, second and third partial washing phases are executed in the sequence shown, when they are activated.

The first partial washing phase is used to wash non-delicate fabrics and therefore preferably has a strong mechanics, characterized by relatively high maximum spin speeds, relatively short spin pauses and relatively long spin phases, while the second partial washing phase The washing phase is used to wash delicate fabrics and therefore preferably has a normal washing mechanics, characterized by medium spin speeds, the same duration of spin pauses and spin phases, while the third partial wash phase is used to wash fabrics. very delicate and therefore preferably has low washing mechanics, characterized by low spin speeds, relatively long spin pauses, and relatively short spin phases. Furthermore, preferably the level of washing liquid in the first partial washing phase is low, in the second partial washing phase it is medium and in the third partial washing phase it is high, considered in relation to each other. This ensures that non-delicate fabrics are washed for the maximum time and very delicate fabrics for the shortest time and in the most careful way.

According to the invention, the washing temperature drops during the first, second and/or third washing partial phases as the number of partial washing phases increases. In the first partial washing phase there is preferably no temperature limitation, while the maximum washing temperature in the second partial washing phase is preferably less than or equal to the maximum washing temperature of the first partial washing phase. Preferably, the washing temperature in the third partial washing phase is less than or equal to the maximum washing temperature in the second partial washing phase. In this way it is guaranteed that delicate or very delicate fabrics, which need a low washing temperature, are not washed at high temperatures.

In a preferred embodiment, wash liquid is pumped out of the wash tub during the first and/or second wash stop. Preferably, the door is only unlocked after pumping out. Thus it is ensured that no washing liquid flows out of the washing tub through the loading opening into an area outside the washing machine when the user opens the door of the washing machine, in particular of a front loading one, to insert more laundry

Preferably, the washing liquid is pumped out to a washing liquid level pist which is less than a ^{washing liquid level p™ -} 10 ^{mm ca where pTür is the washing liquid level in the washing tank at} the lower level of the door, referred to the functional location position of the washing machine. This ensures that no washing liquid flows out of the washing machine when the door is opened.

In a preferred embodiment, the duration of the first, second and/or third partial washing phase depends on the degree of soiling of the laundry associated with the partial washing phase. The degree of soiling preferably modifies the duration of the partial washing phase corresponding to the respective first, second and/or third partial washing phase by a factor in the range from 0.5 to 1.5. For example, selectable degrees of soiling such as "light", "normal" and "heavy" are stored in the washing machine, the user being able to associate them with the partial washing phases to be carried out during the washing phase.

Preferably, the washing phase is followed by at least one rinsing and/or spinning phase, depending on a level of washing liquid in the wash tub during the at least one rinsing phase and a speed of rotation of the drum during the at least one phase of spinning the level of washing liquid and of the speed of rotation of the drum during the last partial phase of washing carried out. The wash phase is preferably the only wash phase of the wash program. The washing program preferably has an optional capture phase, to capture the laundry load, the wash phase, at least one rinse phase and a spin phase. Preferably the phases mean, in the sequence stated, the entire course of the washing program. The washing phase has the first, second and/or third partial washing phase. Each partial washing phase has an optional collection part to capture the laundry load, a supply part to supply the washing liquid to the washing tank, a heating part to heat the washing liquid up to the required washing temperature for the partial wash phase and a wash part to wash the laundry and an optional wash stop part to unlock the door.

The invention further relates to a washing machine with a washing tub for holding washing liquid, a drum for holding laundry, a heating element for heating washing liquid, a loading opening for loading the drum with laundry, a door for closing the loading opening and control or regulation equipment, configured and/or designed to carry out a procedure according to one or more of the embodiments described above.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is represented merely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. Shown in

^Figure 1 ^{a sequence diagram of a method according to the invention for operating a washing machine.}

Figure 1 shows a sequence diagram of a method according to the invention for operating a washing machine. The washing machine has a wash tub (not shown) for holding washing liquid (not shown), a drum (not shown) for holding laundry 51, 52, 53, a loading opening (not shown) for loading the drum with the runner 51, 52, 53 and a door (not shown) to close the loading opening.

The procedure has the following stages, stage 0 meaning the start of the washing program and not being part of the procedure according to the invention: In stage 0 the user of the washing machine enters the following data into the washing machine: A laundry 51 in the form of non-delicate fabrics with a degree of normal soiling must be washed at a washing temperature of 60 °C, in addition 52 in the form of delicate fabrics with a degree of soiling must be washed at a washing temperature of 40 °C and in addition, laundry 53 in the form of very delicate fabrics with a light degree of soiling must be washed at a washing temperature of 30 °C and a washing program starts with a washing phase that includes a first, second and third partial washing phase.

At the beginning of the first partial washing phase 1, the user has filled the drum of the washing machine with laundry 51. In step 11, the washing liquid is supplied to the washing tub up to a first washing liquid level. In step 12, the washing liquid is heated to a washing temperature of 60°C and the laundry 51 is washed with a first duration of the partial washing phase and the first level of washing liquid in the washing tub. In the next stage 13, a first washing stop is carried out, during which the door of the washing machine that closes the loading opening during the first partial washing phase 1 is unlocked for opening. Furthermore, it is evacuated by pumping, at least partially , the wash liquid from the wash tub in step 13.

By entering the data in step 0, the user has activated an introduction of laundry 52 into the drum during the first wash stop 13. The user can then introduce the laundry 52 during the first wash stop. In a following step 41, a control or regulation unit (not shown) is consulted if the user has activated the second partial washing phase 2 in step 0. If the control unit detects in step 41 that the user has not ^{activated in step} 0 ^{no second partial washing phase} 2 ^{, which is not the case here, then step 42 would follow} directly to step 41.

When, as in the present case, the user has activated the second partial washing phase 2 in step 0, the ^{second partial washing phase} 2 starts ^{and the procedure continues with step} 21 ^{, in which washing liquid is supplied to the} wash tub to a second wash liquid level, which is higher than the first wash liquid level. In the step 22 that follows, the wash liquor is heated to the wash temperature of 40°C and the laundry 51, 52 is washed during a second partial wash period. In the next stage 23 a second washing stop is performed, during which the door of the washing machine is unlocked for opening, which closes the ^{loading opening during the second partial washing phase} 2 ^.

In addition, the washing liquid is pumped out at least partially from the washing tub in step 23. The user can then load the laundry 53. In a step 42, the control unit queries whether the user has activated the third partial phase of washing 3. When the user has activated the third partial washing phase in step 0, as is the case here, the third partial washing phase 3 starts and the procedure continues with step 31, in which liquid is supplied to the wash tub up to a third level of wash liquid, which is higher than the second level of wash liquid. In the next step 32, the washing liquid is heated up to the washing temperature of 30°C and the laundry 51, 52, 53 is washed within a third partial washing phase period.

^{Step 32 is followed by a step} 6 ^{, in which at least one rinsing and spinning phase is executed. If the control or regulation equipment} had detected in step 42 that the user has not activated any third ^{partial washing phase 3 in step 0, which is not the case here, then step 6 would proceed directly to step 42. In the at} least one rinsing phase, the washing liquid is first pumped out of the washing trough, then washing liquid in the form of water is introduced into the washing trough and the laundry is moved there 51, 52, 53 and finally, the washing liquid is again pumped out, carrying out an intermediate centrifugation if necessary. In the spinning phase, the drum is rotated at a speed in which the laundry 51, 52, 53 rests on a drum cover while washing liquid is pumped out of the washing tub.

Reference list

1 ^{first partial washing phase}

11 ^{washing liquid supply}

12 ^{heating and washing}

13 first wash stop

2 ^{second partial washing phase}

21 ^{washing liquid supply}

22 ^{heating and washing}

23 second wash stop

3 third partial washing phase

31 washing liquid supply

32 heating and washing

41 it is possible to introduce laundry

42 it is possible to introduce laundry

51 non-delicate laundry

52 delicate laundry

53 very delicate laundry

6 ^{rinse and spin phases}

Claims (9)

1. Procedure for operating a washing machine with a washing tub for housing washing liquid, a drum for housing laundry (51, 52, 53), a loading opening for loading the drum with laundry (51, 52, 53) and a door to close the loading opening, which has a washing phase with the stages - supplying the washing liquid to the washing tank up to a first level of washing liquid and washing the laundry (51) in a first partial washing phase (1) with a duration of the partial washing phase, - Carrying out a first wash stop (13), during which the door of the ^{washing machine that closes the loading opening is unlocked to open it during the first partial washing phase (} 1 ^{) and} - when an introduction of laundry (52) into the drum has been activated during the first wash stop (13), supply of washing liquid to the washing tub up to a second level of washing liquid, which is higher than the first level of washing liquid and washing the laundry (51, 52) in a second partial washing phase ⁽ 2 ^{) with a second duration of the partial washing phase,} characterized in that the washing phase includes a third partial washing phase (3) and ^{- in that a washing temperature drops during the first, second and/or third partial washing phase (} 1 ^, 2, 3) as the number of partial washing phases (1, 2, 3) increases. 2. Method according to claim 1, ^{characterized in that the first partial wash stage (} 1 ^{) continues with the second duration of a partial wash phase} when no introduction of laundry (52) into the drum has been activated during the first stoppage of the wash (13). Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by stages - carrying out a second washing stop (23) once the duration of the second partial washing phase has elapsed, during which the door of the washing machine is unlocked to open it and - when an introduction of laundry (53) into the drum is activated during the second wash stop (23), supply of washing liquid to the washing tub up to a third level of washing liquid that is higher than the first and / or second level of washing liquid and washing the laundry (51, 52, 53) in the third partial washing phase (3) with a third duration of the partial washing phase or, - when no introduction of laundry (53) into the drum is activated during the second washing stop (23), continuation of the first or second partial washing phase (1, 2) with the third duration of the partial washing phase . Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a rotation speed decreases in rotation phases in which the drum is rotated during the first, second and/or third partial washing phase (1, 2, 3) with increasing number of partial washing phases (1 , 2, 3), a spin phase duration corresponding to the spin phases decreases with increasing number of partial flushing phases (1, 2, 3) and a spin pause duration increases corresponding to spin pauses that they are carried out between the spinning phases, by increasing the number of partial washing phases (1,2, 3). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during the first and/or second washing stop (13, 23) washing liquid is pumped out of the washing tub. 6 ^{. Procedure according to claim 5,} characterized in that the washing liquid is pumped out to a level of washing liquid pist that is ^{less than a level of washing liquid pm -} 10 ^{mm ca where pm is the level of washing liquid that exists in the} washing basin in the lower level of the door, referred to the functional installation position of the washing machine. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the duration of the first, second and/or third partial washing phase depends on a degree of soiling of the laundry associated with the partial washing phase (1, 2, 3). 8 ^{. Method according to one of the preceding claims,} characterized in that , following the washing phase, at least one rinsing and/or spinning phase is carried out, a level of washing liquid in the wash tub during the at least one rinsing phase depending on a speed of rotation of the drum during the at least one spin phase, the level of washing liquid and the speed of rotation of the drum during the last partial washing phase carried out. 9. Washing machine with a washing tub for holding washing liquid, a drum for holding laundry, a heating element for heating washing liquid, a loading opening for loading the drum with laundry (51, 52, 53) and a door for closing the loading opening, characterized by control or regulation equipment, configured and/or designed to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims.