FR2685016A1 - METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE DRY MASS OF THE LAUNDRY, THE WATER LEVEL AND THE QUANTITY OF FIXED LAUNDRY BATH IN A DRUM WASHING MACHINE. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for determining the dry mass of laundry, the water level and the amount of fixed lye liquor in a drum washing machine and a washing machine using said method. The washing machine comprises a washing tub (1) elastically suspended and a device (9) for measuring the water level which is arranged in such a way as to allow the measurement of the level of the water in the tub (1) with respect to at the bottom of it. The measuring device (9) is further arranged to measure the water level in the washing tub (1) relative to the washing machine frame (12).

Description

Method for determining the dry mass of laundry, the water level and

  The invention relates to a method for determining the dry mass of the laundry, the water level and the amount of detergent bath attached to the associated detergent bath. in a drum washing machine comprising an elastically suspended washing tub and, coupled thereto, a measuring device which measures the water level inside said washing machine

laundry tub.

  There are known in the state of the art de-

  termination of the dry mass of the laundry introduced into drum washing machines (DE-OS 30 25 088), in which measurement sensors intended to measure the mechanical stresses are applied to parts of the machine stressed by the mass of the laundry, for example on

  the support of the washing tank These devices, constituted for example

  ple by strain gauges or by piezoelectric sensors

  ques coupled to suitable processing circuits as well as the

  on the one hand, signals are relatively complicated and, on the other hand, in the majority of cases, are not satisfactory in terms of

precision.

  The objective of the present invention is to seek a solution

  which, unlike the state of the art, makes it possible to determine

  the dry mass of the laundry, without using one of these devices

  known, with an additional cost as low as possible compared to the equi-

  machine part normally required Simultaneously, this is

  improve their reliability and increase the diversity of solutions,

  see the determination of the water level inside the washing tank

  and the quantity of detergent bath fixed The solution provided must

  additionally carry an option to perform other functions,

as shown below.

  Starting from a process described in the introduction, the problem is

  solved according to the invention by the fact that one determines as a value

  their measuring the height of the water level with respect to a fixed member

  of the washing machine, which is transmitted to a computer, the height measured a-

  after each filling of the washing tank with linen or water, which computer is controlled by a program control device, depending on the progress of the program, to store and call up stored measurement values or, the current measurement values as well as to store

  and / or display the calculation results and / or trigger a cal-

extra ass.

  Measuring the height of the water level in relation to the bottom of the washing machine body, for example, in addition to the

  known measurement of the water level in relation to the bottom of the washing tank

  ge opens, in a washing machine of the type defined in the introduction, a large number of possibilities for determining significant parameters for the washing process. The level without water is taken as zero and

  the height position is equal to the height of the bottom of the washing tub

  ve relative to the bottom of the body.

  In accordance with an advantageous arrangement of the process se-

  lon the invention, the laundry drum is rotated on at least one turn after loading the laundry in the washing machine and after starting the

  program, after which the height position is memorized

  safe The load of laundry introduced tends to lower the washing tub to

  against the force of the springs which support it and against

  frictional forces of friction dampers intended for

  dampen the movements of the washing tank.

  According to an improvement of the process in accordance with the invention

  tion a difference is made between the heights measured when the cu-

  washing ve is empty and when it is loaded and a relationship is established

  tion between this difference and the characteristics of the springs for

  calculate the mass of the load of dry laundry introduced by calculation.

  In accordance with an improvement of the process according to the

  vention, to know the quantity of water admitted, we determine the ni-

  water calf when water is admitted into the washing tank, in particular from the difference which results from the lowering of the tank under the action of the mass of water which acts on the springs and the rise in opposite direction of the water level relative to the bottom of said tank, la-

  what difference constitutes an indication on the quantity of water admitted.

  At first this difference is independent of the characteristics

  of the laundry, the latter being first of all not wet with water.

  The lowering of the laundry tub depending on the amount of water

  bet is not linear in this part because of the surfaces that

laugh with the height of the water.

  According to another improvement of the invention, after having measured the quantity of water, the linen drum is rotated for a certain time, which ensures the wetting of the linen, after which

  a new level measurement is carried out immediately after the

  end of the drum and a measurement value is obtained which is used in a calculation cycle to calculate the amount of water absorbed as a function of the drop in level resulting from the absorption of water by the laundry This

  advantageously determines the absorption capacity

  read laundry load This value can also be stored

  and kept as a parameter to fix the rest of the program.

  The absolute absorption capacity of the laundry can be obtained, in accordance with an improvement of the process according to the invention, at

  from the calculated dry mass and the calculated absorbed quantity.

  In accordance with another improvement of the process according to the invention, the specific absorption capacity constitutes a parameter

  characteristic for determining the type of laundry So the process

  lon the invention allows to automatically select the pro-

  appropriate wash gram and if applicable wash temperature

  When the washing machine has a self-dosing device

  detergents, a start signal given by the user

  launcher after loading the load of laundry into the washing machine may be sufficient to select and start the most suitable washing program, which then proceeds optimally and completely

automatic.

  According to an advantageous improvement of the process according to the invention, the water level is monitored during the rotation of the drum while the water inlet is closed and, when the value exceeds a predetermined threshold, the level increase is considered to be due to foaming This allows, as soon as foam appears in the washing tub, to take measures which aim to

  reduce foaming, prevent it or reduce it.

  These provisions concern on the one hand the frequency of rota-

  tion of the drum and on the other hand the heating of the washing bath or for rinsing, water intake and possibly intermediate spin phases.

  According to an improvement of the process in accordance with the invention

  tion, with a view to its application in a sequence of study program

  sorage during which the water intake is closed and the measured or calculated water level is zero, we observe the level value

  as well as the speed of rotation of the drive motor or the drum

  bour and, if the measured value changes at a similar rate

  or equal to the speed of rotation of the drum with an amplitude greater than

  lower than a predetermined minimum threshold, an imbalance is deduced therefrom which serves as a criterion for a program modification within the spin sequence The relationship between the measured level and the rotation speed of the drum makes it possible to determine with certainty an imbalance

  which can be used to control the spin program.

  According to another improvement of the invention, the spin program comprising between at least two spin phases at least

  a drum stop phase, the measured height is compared and memo

  after the load of laundry has been introduced into the washing machine and

  after at least one rotation of the drum with a height measured during

  during the drum stop between two spinning phases and / or immediate-

  after the penultimate spin sequence and use the

  difference calculated as an indication of the residual humidity

  naked in the wrung linen This allows, unlike fixed selections associated with coarse criteria (for example "white and color"

  at high spin speed; "synthetic" at reduced spin speed

  te), to continuously and precisely adapt the spin while running

  ction of a large number of parameters, in some cases where it is desired to obtain a determined residual humidity or in which

  some residual moisture is sufficient.

  According to one provision of the invention, the calculated value of the residual humidity is used as a criterion in order to assess whether the spin sequence can or must be prolonged or even shortened by adding an additional spin phase or by removing

  planned spinning phases and / or how fast the additional phase

to be silent must take place.

  The washing machine according to the invention comprises a

  washing suspended elastically in the washing machine frame and a

  similar measurement of the water level which is arranged so as to allow

  measuring the level of water in the tank relative to the bottom of the tank

  ci The measuring instrument is arranged so as to further measure the

  water level in the washing tank in relation to the washing machine chassis

ge.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, provision is made for

  measuring device a sensor body in the form of a hollow cylinder or hollow prism which is integral with the washing tank, has at its bottom a pipe which communicates with the region of the bottom of said washing tank and contains a float who is guided by

  a rod in the sensor body The rod cooperates with a po-

  sition fixed on the fixed part of the washing machine, which sensor delivers differentiated signals according to the height position of a point

  particularly from the end of the rod.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided as a measuring device a sensor body which is integral with the

  washing tank, has at its bottom a pipe which

  provided with the region of the bottom of said washing tank and contains a membrane which sealingly separates the lower chamber of the sensor body from the other chamber, which membrane is repelled

  by elastic means, such as a spring against the pressure

  sion in the lower chamber and is connected to a rod which passes through the sensor body and cooperates with a position sensor fixed on the fixed member of the washing machine, which delivers signals differentiated according to

  the position in height of a particular point of the end of the rod.

  According to an improvement of the invention, the rod ends at

  its free end by a core made of ferro-magnetic material, which

  and can move in a fixed coil at the terminals of which differentiated signals depending on the penetration depth

  of the core in the coil are available.

  According to an embodiment of the invention, the ti-

  ge, at its free end, is connected to an electrode which moves opposite a fixed electrode whose combined capacity forms signals

  differentiated according to the distance of the electrodes or the cover

ment of their surfaces.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, the rod, at its free end is connected to a slider of an adjustable resistance including the electrical resistance which depends on the position of the

  cursor forms differentiated signals.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the invention,

  the free end of the rod has optically different parts

  which are located in the path of the rays of a light barrier

  electric transmitted light or reflected light whose conducti-

  or digital signals form differentiated signals by

  function of the transmission or reflection properties of the rod.

  In accordance with another embodiment of the invention,

  the free end of the rod and connected to a force or pressure sensor

  piezoelectric voltage which delivers signals differentiated according to

  of the force of the rod acting on the sensor.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, the free end of the rod is connected to a reflecting surface

  acoustics, the distance from an ultra-thin transceiver

  tra-sons produces differentiated signals.

  The method according to the invention as well as washing machines used

  the said process are described in detail below using

  of embodiments shown in the drawings.

These show:

  Figure 1, a schematic view showing the arrangement of the device

  positive measurement and the sensor with respect to the washing tub and the body of the washing machine, Figure 2, a schematic view of an embodiment of the measuring device, Figure 3, a schematic view of another mode of the measuring device, Figures 4 and 5, two signal states of the measuring device

  when the washing tub is loaded with laundry and when it is replaced

  plaice of water and, Figure 6, a characteristic diagram with an example drawn

  by means of which the invention will be explained.

  Figure 1 shows schematically a tank of

  washing 1 of a washing machine with a washing drum 2 mounted horizontally-

  lying in said tank The washing tank 1 rests by means of a support 3 on spring struts 4 which include friction dampers and whose lower ends are linked by articulations to the base plate 5 of the washing machine A connecting pipe 6 connected to the bottom of the washing tank connects the inside of the tank to a sensor body 7 in the form of a hollow cylinder or hollow prism, inside which a float 8 is guided with Possibility of

  movement in the vertical direction This device constitutes an

  similar height measurement 9 which is connected to a position sensor 11 via a rod 10 of the float 8 The position sensor 11 being fixedly mounted in the appliance box 12 of the washing machine, the rod 10 and its guide 13 must be elastic.

  effect a Bowden cable The sheath of the Bowden cable, the guide 13, widens

  git at its end to form a core envelope 14 which can move longitudinally inside a coil 15 A spring 16 of limited force fixed on the housing 17 of the position sensor maintains

  the core shell 14 in a predetermined zero position.

  A core 18 secured to the end of the rod 10consti-

  killed with ferro-magnetic material is guided inside the envelope

  pe of core 14 Depending on the type of circuit in which the box is placed

  bine 15, the core 18 can be magnetized or not The ends of the wires 19 of the coil 15 are connected to a processing device

not shown.

  Figures 2, and 3 show two embodiments of height measuring devices In Figure 2, a sensor body 7 in the form of a hollow cylinder is connected to the washing tank 1 (Figure 1) via 'a rigid connection pipe 6 A pipe 20 is connected to the upper part of the hollow cylinder and allows the sweeping of the sensor body during the admission of water The float 8 is rigidly connected to the rod 10 and is guided in the cylindrical body 7

  by its outer surface which can be ribbed to avoid pheno-

  adhesion lead The rod 10 is also guided by a su-

  very narrow upper part of the body so that float 8 cannot

  cross inside the sensor body The float 8

  further carries two or more passages 21, uniformly distributed by

  which water entering the body through line 20 can flow

  1st down toward the wash tub.

  The height measuring device 9 shown in FIG. 3 essentially consists of a device operating according to the principle of the pressure capsule, which device, in accordance with FIG. 1, is connected to the washing tank by through a

  rigid connection 6 A membrane 22 mounted in leaktight manner replaces

  this the float and moves upwards when the pressure on its underside increases due to the rise in the water level in the tank

  A balance is struck between the pressure in the wash tank.

  vage and the spring 23 placed between the membrane and the upper part of the

  body 24 of the measuring device In the same way as in the

  very measuring devices shown, a rod 10 is mounted on the

  membrane and moves with it It transmits the

  ment of the diaphragm to a position sensor (11 in FIG. 1) fixedly mounted on the bodywork The pipe 25 which opens on the right side can be used for the entry of fresh water, as is the case for

  the pipe 20 in FIG. 2 This makes it possible to evacuate any deviations

  deposits in the chamber under the membrane of the height measuring device. We will now describe using FIGS. 4 and 5 the method according to the invention for determining the mass of the charge of

  linen introduced into the washing and quantity determination tank

  amount of water admitted to said washing tank Washing tank 1 on

  Figure 4 is empty of water The float 8 of the height measuring device

  sensor 9 rests on the bottom of the sensor body 7 In the unloaded position

  gée, which can be adjusted by one to two rotations of the empty drum, the washing tank occupies the position indicated in dotted lines The index 26 of the sensor rod 10 is then opposite the mark "O" of the scale 27 of measurement As soon as the laundry 28 has been loaded into the

  laundry drum 2 and rotate it at least once to

  put the laundry to be brewed and overcome, by its energy acting on the washing tank 1, the friction force of the friction dampers

  struts 4 with springs (figure 1), the washing tank and the

  height measuring eye 9 come in the position shown in

  solid line Index 26 is located opposite the 4 kg mark on the gradua-

  height measurement By experience, the displacement of the tank

  of washing for a mass of 4 kg is between 3 and 4 mm.

  A quantity of water 29 of 6 liters is admitted into the washing tank 1 of FIG. 5, by means of known devices not shown. Under the action of the weight of the water 29, the washing tank 1 passes from the position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4, position which

  results from the introduction of the laundry load 28 and in which the

  dex 26 designates the 4 kg mark, in the position drawn in solid lines Si-

  simultaneously, the water admitted filling the sensor body 7 through the

  At the end of the communication, the float 8 lifts in the posi-

  tion shown in solid lines and brings the sensor rod 10 and the associated index 26 opposite the reference "4 kg + 6 1" of the measuring scale

height 27.

  As soon as the load of laundry 28 is sufficiently wetted by rotation of the drum 2, water enters the fibers of the laundry located above the water level, so that the level drops although the

  amount of water 29 present in the washing tank 1 does not decrease.

  Index 26 then drops below the value "4 kg + 6 1" on the

height measurement scale.

  The course of a complete washing program is described

  below with reference to the characteristic diagram in FIG. 6.

  The states represented by circles constitute stages of pro-

  gram, the circles in thin lines denote stages which exist on the

  theoretical plan at least, because of the interpenetration of the programs.

  The bold line curves which join the state circles represent the corresponding state changes with, in the case of thin line circles, changes which are at least theoretical.

  In Figure 6, the abscissa axis designates the mass of the count

  bar of the washing tub, inside of the washing drum included The zero

  abscissa corresponds to the mass of the empty tank.

  The washing tank being suspended or resiliently supported-

  ment, a given reference point therefrom, for example the lowest point of its bottom, will drop accordingly upon application

  additional masses This lowering results in a displacement

  cement down the index 26 on the ordinate axis But as the index 26 is connected to the float 8, which float indicates the water level

  inside the tank relative to the lowest point of the latter

  re, the downward movement of the index corresponding to a lowering

  the wash tank is corrected upwards as soon as the level

  In the same way, the movement of the index finger is correct

  slows down when the water level drops, for example during the ab-

  sorption of water introduced into the tank by the laundry items located

  above the level The movements of the index appear in gold-

  data on the diagram of figure 6.

  Curve 30 is a theoretical curve which indicates the water level as a function of the quantity of water (kilograms) admitted into the

  washing tank in case it is mounted perfectly-

  rigid and fixed relative to the body of the washing machine (i.e.

  say with rigid struts) Given the geometry of

  the laundry tub (the hollow body filled with water is a cy-

  lindre) curve 30 as well as all the curves derived from it have a markedly regressive slope in the lower displacement zone.

  The curve 31 plotted in bold represents the displacement of the

  dex 26 (figures 4 and 5) when the washing tank is loaded

  non-rigid mounted, that is to say suspended elastically, by a quan-

  tity of water whose value (in liters or kilograms) is indicated by it smaller figures placed along the curve The points of curve 31 are distant from the points on the corresponding abscissa of curve 30 by a value which is determined by the recall constant

  (curve 32) of the spring struts 4 (figure 1) supporting the cu-

  ve The recall constant is 0.8 mm / kg in a real case of an example

full of achievement.

  The lowering of the drum along curve 32 only takes place if the introduction of masses into the washing tank does not lead to

  a float lift This is the case for example when intro

  draws a load of laundry into the tank or the drum When, for example, starting from zero point, a drum is introduced into the drum 3

  load of laundry 28 having a mass of 4 kg and that the force of rubbing

  ment of the friction dampers integrated in the spring struts 4 is overcome by at least one rotation of the drum loaded with dry laundry, the oscillating system formed by the tank reaches a state I and

  brings the index 3.2 mm lower on the measuring scale 27.

  First we measured the index position, cu-

  ve not loaded, in order to adjust the zero of the measurement system

  also improves state I after lowering the washing tub under

  laundry load Thanks to a calculation cycle carried out in a machine

  control panel of the washing machine provided with a microprocessor and which takes account of parameters such as the mass of the oscillating system, the

* constant recall and other elements influencing the os-

  blinking, the movement of the index finger indicates the mass of the laundry introduced.

  The value of this mass can be displayed on a display device.

  for the attention of the user of the machine.

  Starting from state I, water is admitted into the washing tub, namely first of all an amount of 6 liters. The float and the index 26 move along curve 33 to a height corresponding to state 11, in which the water in the tank is in contact with the drum and the linen present therein, but practically no wetting of the linen takes place in the absence of stirring with the admitted water A state II,

  index 26 reaches a height for which the measuring device

  generates a cut-off signal for the water intake The inlet valve

of water closes.

  If the drum is rotated with a lower water level

  at 6 liters, part of the water admitted already begins to wet the lin-

  ge In this case, either state II is not reached (for example in the case

  of a water inlet control as a function of time), i.e. the quantity

  amount of water admitted for a level equivalent to state II (such as for example later during state IV) is already greater than 6 liters This is the reason why we will prefer a process in which the drum

  remains fixed during the first water intake.

  The laundry drum is then driven in an alternating movement for a limited period of time, the laundry constantly plunging into the detergent bath and being sprayed from above by the water transported by the triangle-shaped coaches shown in the drum The laundry absorbs an undefined quantity of water and thus lowers the water level compared to the bottom of the tank. At the end of this time-limited sequence, the drum is stopped and an immediate

  measurement of the new water level in state III.

  The value by which the water level has dropped since there was no provision in the program which could cause a variation in the mass in the washing tank indicates the quantity

  water fixed in the linen and allows to draw a first conclusion

  provisional information on the water absorption capacity of the laundry We calculate from this, for the second part of the water intake, an additional quantity that will probably be necessary and we

  transmits to the water intake control device.

  After a second opening of the water inlet valve, the amount of water increases along curve 34 to state IV.

  then in the washing tank 6 liters of water in the form of a washing bath

  free ve and two liters in the form of bound detergent bath Float 8

  is raised again but the height position of the index finger 26 cor-

  corresponding to the mass of the added water is slightly lower Com-

  the rise in the water level generally outweighs the lowering of the system, a slight increase in the height measured compared to the HI state is obtained. This increase remains, however, less than the height position following admission. of the first 6 liters of water because two liters of water constitute an additional mass in

tank.

  The height position drops again when you turn-

  ner the drum alternately during a new time-limited sequence The laundry thus absorbs an additional undefined quantity of water, and a new state V is obtained as soon as the drum stops. The values measured in the meantime and stored allow

  calculate that the laundry has so far absorbed three liters of water and is not

  similarly better able to absorb an appreciable quantity of water The sequences described make it possible, in conjunction with a washing machine

  arranged according to the invention to determine precisely the capacity of ab-

  sorption of the laundry and assess the residual water absorption capacity.

  During the next water intake sequence we admit

  core a liter of water so that the level resulting from the different

  this between the rise in level and the drop due to mass reaches state VI If the laundry can no longer absorb water, the variation in level remains

  on curve 35 and the level in state VI.

  This new measurement value for height is also

  sent to the calculator which, from this, can calculate the quanti-

  total amount of water absorbed by the laundry From the "quantity" parameters

  of laundry introduced "and the amount of water absorbed by the laundry"

  microprocessor control can calculate the specific absorption capacity

  measure and determine by comparison with a memorized table the na-

  ture of the laundry making up the load introduced into the washing machine If the laundry, for a relatively high weight, absorbs only little water, it may be synthetic fibers which are not able to fix a lot of water If on the other hand it is woollens, a quantity of water

  relatively large can be absorbed by a mass of laundry

  laterally weak Curve 35 would then be shifted accordingly

to the right.

  In the present example, it can therefore only be a char-

  laundry of synthetic fibers, because the fixed amount of three liters of water represents a small amount of detergent bath compared to the four kilos of laundry introduced; a load of woolens of this order

  can bind more than three times more water, i.e. 10 to 12 liters.

  The water intake being finished after this last water intake cycle, the prewash can start with an alternating rotation of the drum. At the end of the prewash cycle, the free detergent bath is pumped out without further movement of the laundry. inside the drum The measured height moves downwards along the curve 35 to state VII In this state, there is no longer a free detergent bath in the tank, but there remains the load of laundry (4 kilograms) plus the mass of detergent bath fixed (3 kilograms) Therefore,

  the height is 5.6 mm below the "O".

  At the start of the water wash cycle is admitted again.

  The measured height increases by following curve 35 this time above

  beyond state VII, up to state VIII A greater quantity of water is indeed necessary for washing (13 liters in this case) The

  measured height reaches almost 35 mm above the "O" in state VII.

  At the end of the washing cycle, the detergent bath is pumped out, the water level decreasing along curve 35 passing through state V,

  up to state VII, as at the end of the prewash cycle.

  During the rinsing cycle, the level rises several times.

  its by following curve 35 and reaches state IX which corresponds by

  example at a height of 52 mm During this same rinsing cycle

  ge, the water level varies several times along curve 35 and lowers

  up to state VII, state in which there is no longer any bath in the tank

of washing.

  At the end of the rinsing cycle, the washing tank no longer contains any free bath and state VII is reached; then begins a spin sequence The drum rotates with a rotational speed

  which gradually increases and has a runout due to a ba-

  heavy undefined The wash tank oscillates with an undetermined amplitude

  corresponding finite This amplitude causes a displacement of the index 26 between a minimum height and a maximum height These heights can be recorded and compared in the microprocessor control with memorized threshold values The fact of reaching

  or exceeding these thresholds triggers a signal to interrupt the esso-

  rage After interruption and slow rotation in the opposite direction of the drum,

  rotation during which the laundry is distributed differently inside

  the drum, the spin can start again until a

  heavy acceptable for the rotation speed expected at the end of the spin

  installs during the start phase measured from mid-height

  minimum and maximum - You can measure the nutation movement of the washing tank also during the rotation of the drum at high speed

  desired final spin in order to be able to reduce the

  rotation size in the event of unacceptable unbalance.

  You can measure the residual humidity when

  the drum is stopped, during the breaks of the spin cycle,

  before reversing the direction of rotation, the height

  measured value and it is related to the associated memorized value

  dry mass, before water intake, of the load of laundry

  The difference between the two values indicates the amount of

  detergent bath still fixed in the laundry, i.e. the absolute amount

  read of residual moisture contained in the laundry This gives, in re-

  lation with the dry mass of the laundry, the residual moisture in percent

  floor. Curve 36 indicates the maximum absorption capacity for

  a load of laundry of the type taken as synthetic examples cor-

  corresponding to the maximum loading capacity 5 kg - For a load of laundry corresponding to the maximum loading capacity but with more absorbent fibers, this curve 36 is shifted to the right on the diagram For example, a load of 5 kg rubbed with cotton would have a maximum absorption capacity of 15 liters of water (= 300%) and would cause, in such a saturated state, a displacement of the height measured along the curve 37 furthest to the right represented

in dashed line -.

  The lower limit 38 (dashed) indicates the level of water in the washing tank for which there is not yet contact with the surface of the water Even if this level is exceeded during the first admission of water (61) in the washing tub, the wetting of the laundry is insignificant This is due to the fact that on the one hand only a small number of pieces of laundry actually rest on the bottom of the drum and that

  on the other hand that the linen perfectly dry, even soiled with grease-

his, wets more difficult.

  The arrangements according to the invention make it possible to automate the entire washing process with a suitable staggering after introduction of the load of laundry. As soon as the weight of laundry is displayed on the control console, the user can give dosing and pour the amount of detergent corresponding to the prewash As soon as the specific absorption capacity of the laundry is determined, the type of

  laundry can be set up and displayed on the control panel.

  can then dose and pour the required quantity of detergent

  re for washing according to dry mass and type of laundry The selection and calculation of the dose of detergent can also be carried out by the microprocessor control and can be displayed as information on the console. When the washing machine is equipped with an automatic dosing device for detergents

  stored for example in the state of liquids, the whole process of la-

  This can take place fully automatically as soon as the user has loaded the load of laundry into the washing machine and has given

  a start signal via the control panel.

Claims (15)

  1 Method for determining the dry mass of laundry,   water calf and the amount of detergent bath fixed in a drum washing machine comprising an elastically suspended washing tub and, coupled to this, a measuring device which measures the water level inside of said laundry tub, characterized in that the height (H) of the water level relative to a fixed member (5, 12) of the washing machine is determined as a measurement value, the height measured after each filling of the washing tub (1) is transmitted to a computer with linen (28) or water (29), which computer is controlled by a program control device, depending of the program sequence, to store the different measured values and to call up stored or current values and to   store and / or display the calculation results and / or trigger a cy- additional calculation key.   2 Method according to claim 1, characterized in that   after loading the laundry (28) into the washing machine and   ment of the program, the laundry drum (2) is rotated for at least one revolution and then the measured height is stored (I) 3 Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the relation between the difference between the heights measured (O, 1) when the washing tank is not loaded and when it is loaded and the characteristics of the springs and the result of the calculation   indicates the dry mass of the laundry (28).   4 Method according to claim 1, characterized in that, when water is admitted into the washing tank (1), it is determined   the height of the water level by the difference between lowering the   said tank under the action of the bodies of water (29) which urge the springs (4) and the rise in opposite directions of the level relative to the bottom of the   tank and that this constitutes an indication of the quantity of water ad- stake.   Method according to claim 4, characterized in that after having determined the quantity of water (29) the linen drum (2) is rotated for a predetermined time, the linen (28) being so wet and that the the height is again measured immediately after the laundry drum has stopped, a measurement value (H) is defined and   this is subjected to a calculation cycle by which the quantity is calculated   t of water absorbed as a function of the drop in water level resulting from water absorption by the laundry.   6 Method according to claims 3 and 5, characterized by the   that the calculated dry mass of the laundry (28) and the calculated amount of water absorbed indicate, as mutually related values, the   capacity for absorbing the load of laundry (28).   7 Method according to claim 6, characterized in that   the specific absorption capacity of the laundry load (28) is used   as characteristic data to define the type of laundry.   8 Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the measured height (H) is observed during the rotation of the drum at   laundry, the water supply being closed and, when the measured value exceeds   If a certain threshold is reached, the increase is interpreted as foaming. 9 The method of claim 1 integrated in a spin sequence, during which the water supply is cut and the water level measured or calculated is zero, characterized in that the height is observed measured (H) and the rotation speed of the   drive motor or drum and, in case of variation of the   their measured at a rate close to or equal to the speed of rotation of the drum with an amplitude greater than at least one threshold value   predetermined, an unbalance is deduced as a criterion for a modification corresponding part of the program.   Process according to claims 1 and 2 integrated in the se-   spin rate which has between at least two spin phases at least one drum stop phase, characterized by the fact that   compare the height (H = 3.2 mm) measured and saved after intro   duction of the laundry load ((28) = 4 kg) in the washing machine and after at least one rotation of the drum with a height (-5.6 mm> H> 3.2 mm) measured during the stopping of the drum between two phases   of spin and / or immediately after the penultimate sequence of   thunderstorm and use the calculated difference as an indication of   the residual moisture contained in the spun laundry.   11 Method according to claim 10, characterized in that   that the calculated residual humidity value is used as the criterion   to assess whether the spin sequence can or should be   extended or shortened by adding an additional spin phase   shutdown or by suppressing planned spinning phases and / or at what   tesse the additional phase must take place.   12 Washing machine for implementing a process according to   any one of claims 1 to 11 comprising a la-   elastically suspended in the washing machine frame and an appliance   water level measurement device which is arranged to allow   measuring the level of water in the tank relative to the bottom of the tank   ci, characterized in that the measuring apparatus (9) is arranged so as to additionally measure the water level in the washing tank (1)   relative to the washing machine frame (12).   13 Washing machine according to claim 12, characterized in that there is provided as a measuring device (9) a sensor body (7) in the form of a hollow cylinder or hollow prism which is integral with the washing tank ( 1), has at its bottom a pipe (6) which communicates with the region of the bottom of said washing tank (1) and contains a float (8) which is guided by a rod (10) in the body of   sensor (7) and by the fact that the rod (10) cooperates with position sensor   tion (11) fixed on the fixed member (12) of the washing machine, which sensor   see differentiated signals according to the height position (H)   of a particular point of the end (18) of the rod.   14 Washing machine according to claim 12, characterized in that there is provided as a measuring device (9) a sensor body (24) which is integral with the washing tank (1), present at its bottom a line (6) which communicates with the region of the bottom of said washing tank (1) and contains a membrane (22) which sealingly separates the lower chamber of the sensor body (24) from the other chamber, is pushed back by elastic means (spring 23) against the pressure in the lower chamber and is connected to a rod (10) which passes through the sensor body and cooperates with a position sensor (11) fixed on the member ( 12) fixed washing machine, which delivers differentiated signals depending on the height position (H) of a particular point of the end (18) of the rod   Washing machine according to one of claims 13 or 14, charac-   terrified by the fact that the rod (10) ends at its free end with   a core (18) made of ferro-magnetic material, which penetrates and can come off   place in a coil (15) fixed at the terminals (19) of which   differentiated according to the penetration depth of the   core (18) in the coil (15) are available.   16 Washing machine according to one of claims 13 or 14, charac-   terrified by the fact that the rod (10), at its free end, is connected to an electrode which moves opposite a fixed electrode whose combined capacity forms signals differentiated according to the distance   electrodes or covering their surfaces.   17 Washing machine according to one of claims 13 or 14 charac-   terrified by the fact that the rod (10), at its free end is connected to a   adjustable resistance slider including electrical resistance that   hangs from the cursor position forms differentiated signals.   18 Washing machine according to one of claims 13 or 14, charac-   terrified by the fact that the free end of the rod (10) has parts   optically differentiated parts which are located in the ray path   a photoelectric barrier with transmitted light or with reflected light   chie whose conductivity or digital signals form si-   differentiated according to the properties of transmission or bending of the rod.   19 Washing machine according to one of claims 13 or 14 charac-   terrified by the fact that the free end of the rod (10) and connected to a cap-   piezoelectric force or pressure sensor which delivers signals   differentiated according to the force of the rod acting on the sensor.   20 Washing machine according to one of claims 13 or 14, charac-   terrified by the fact that the free end of the rod (10) is connected to an acoustic reflecting surface whose distance from a   ultrasonic transceiver produces differentiated signals.