WO2000032864A2

WO2000032864A2 - Washing machine control

Info

Publication number: WO2000032864A2
Application number: PCT/DE1999/003798
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andreas Mourad
Original assignee: BIENEMANN, Hans, Günter
Priority date: 1998-12-01
Filing date: 1999-12-01
Publication date: 2000-06-08
Also published as: AU1964300A; WO2000032864A3; WO2000032864B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a washing machine, to a control unit for carrying out said method, and to a washing machine containing this control unit, whereby at least one portion of the washing program is controlled according to information which is read by at least one external data carrier.

Description

Washing machine control

The present invention relates to a method for controlling a washing machine, a control unit for carrying out this method and a washing machine which contains this control unit.

Washing machines with a controller for running a washing program are well known. Attempts are made to optimize the washing result by means of specific specifications.

From an environmental point of view in particular, it has recently become increasingly important to better control the amount of detergent added in order to effectively avoid overdosing.

In this context, washing machines with automatic dosing devices for detergents in powder or liquid form have been developed. For this purpose, these washing machines need, in addition to the known pre-selections such as program selection (hot, easy-care or colored laundry) and temperature selection (30 ° C, 40 ° C, 60 ° C or 90 ° C), further parameters (specification of the degree of soiling of the laundry to be washed, such as light, medium or strong and hardness of the water) in order to be able to calculate the amount of detergent to be added. Even if an attempt is made in this way to take better account of the properties of the laundry to be washed, these washing machines have the disadvantage that, despite these additional, adjustable parameters, an overdosing of detergent cannot be effectively prevented, since the different properties of different detergents are not taken into account find in the dosage.

Another proposal for simple operation of a washing machine with good use of the detergent is that the essential constituents of a detergent - as in a modular system - be metered individually into the laundry, the type and quantity of the respective components being based on the specifications set on the control panel of the machine, in particular on the choice of program.

However, this method has the disadvantage that conventional detergents cannot be used with such machines, which can possibly explain the lack of acceptance by customers of this system.

These two developments mentioned above are representative of the two different approaches that the industry can take to develop more environmentally friendly washing machines.

However, it has so far not been possible to achieve a synergism between the detergent and the washing machine.

As test results from well-known independent organizations have shown, different washing machines lead to completely different washing results, even though the same type and amount of laundry were washed with the same detergent. This fact illustrates the difficulties of comparing the washing machine and the detergent.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method for an individual control of a washing program which also works with conventional detergents, shows significantly improved washing results and can effectively prevent possible overdoses in a simple manner.

This object is achieved by a method for controlling a washing machine, at least part of the washing program being controlled as a function of information which is read from at least one external data carrier.

Here and below, the term “washing program” is understood to mean a sequence of individual washing processes (prewash, main wash, rinsing, spinning, etc.) according to previously performed specifications by the user, such as a program, textile and / or temperature preselection.

The term “external data carrier” describes here and below an exchangeable information medium, the information of which is read via a suitable device can be used to influence the program control in a targeted manner

To take washing machine.

As a result, no tools are required to change such an external data carrier, and no screws or other fasteners have to be loosened or removed.

This influence can affect all or part of an existing wash program; In this case, the data necessary for the program sequence of a washing machine, if available, can be changed or - in the form of reprogramming - can be transferred to the program control for the first time.

The essential information that can be read from a corresponding external data carrier depending on the detergent used is primarily detergent-dependent information, such as the reversals, heating processes and the dosage of the detergent to be added.

For example, detergent-dependent reversals can be carried out for the first time in accordance with the method according to the invention. This means that information about which individual reversing should be selected at which point in the washing program sequence is to be fed to the program control via the external data carrier.

The data for a certain reversal can be determined depending on the temperature of the wash liquor. In this way, a gentler mechanical action on particularly delicate laundry can be ensured. The same applies in the event of a possible dependency of the data for a reversing, a heating process and / or a detergent dosing on a temperature specification and / or a program selection. In this way, a particularly needs-oriented laundry care can be guaranteed.

This has the decisive advantage that not only does a manual program selection (wash, easy-care, delicates) result in a selection of known reversing options that are permanently stored in the program control, but that a reversal can be influenced in a targeted manner according to a specific, individual detergent . This method according to the invention makes it possible for the first time for a detergent manufacturer to add an external data carrier to his detergent and in this way, for example, influence the exposure times according to his ideas, which leads to a significantly improved washing effect.

According to a further variant of the present invention, the information received from the external data carrier is dependent on preset and / or measured parameters, in particular on a program, textile and / or temperature preselection, on the degree of soiling, on the water hardness determined and / or on the amount of water or laundry in the drum. In general, the temperature specification contains the temperatures 30 ° C, 40 ° C, 60 ° C and / or 90 ° C and the program selection information on the type of laundry to be washed, in particular information on whether the laundry to be washed is a cook - Easy-care or delicate laundry deals.

The information received from the external data carrier can, however, also depend on at least one washing machine-specific property. In this way it is achieved that the program sequence of the washing machine can be influenced for the first time by both the washing machine manufacturer and the detergent producer. This influencing takes place by simply feeding the respective external data carrier without the user having to set additional properties of the detergent or other parameters by hand. This makes it possible for the first time to specifically take into account the dependencies of a detergent on an individual washing machine and thus to achieve a synergism between detergent and washing machine. In this way, the washing program can be controlled in a more targeted manner in accordance with the requirements of the detergent and the possibilities of the washing machine, which is shown in an improved washing result with a reduced amount of detergent in comparison with conventional washing machines of the prior art.

The parts of the washing program that are independent of the detergent to be added, however, can be programmed by the washing machine manufacturer alone. The first thing to think about is rinsing or spinning.

Because it should be noted that a large number of processes of a preselected washing program both from the washing machine and from the one used Detergent are dependent. In these cases, it makes sense to store the information in such a way that information is stored on the external data carrier that relates purely to the properties or specifications of the detergent to be added - regardless of machine-dependent parameters; The program control contains information that enables a concrete implementation of the specifications according to the data or specifications on the external data carrier.

Detergent dosing represents a simple case of such a program influencing by washing machine manufacturers and detergent producers. Using the external data carrier, the detergent producer has to inform the program control at what time and how much detergent has to be added to the drum. For this, in addition to information about the program, textiles and / or temperature preselection and the degree of soiling, information about water hardness, the amount of water drawn and the amount of laundry are required. The user communicates the specifications to the program control using suitable devices (e.g. switches on a control panel). The additional information, such as the amount of water and laundry in the washing machine, is determined in a manner known per se using suitable devices or measures. The water hardness can either be determined by a sensor or preset by the installer when the machine is set up.

On the basis of these preset or measured parameters, the respective amount of detergent to be added can be determined from the external data carrier. This determination can either be carried out using an algorithm stored on the data carrier, but it is equally possible to read this value using a correspondingly multidimensional table.

The washing machine manufacturer only has to ensure in the fixed part of the washing program that the amount of detergent read is metered into the drum at the requested time.

This "division of tasks" means that the washing machine manufacturer does not have to deal with the properties of the detergent, and conversely the detergent manufacturer does not have to deal with the properties of metering devices.

The following procedure is expediently used when influencing a heating process: The program control requests, based on the measured temperature of the

Wash liquor, information from the external data carrier about the upcoming heating process. The final temperature to be reached and the duration of the heating process are returned.

Dwell times at a certain temperature can also be specified in this way; in this case the end temperature is equal to the measured start temperature. This option is particularly important for detergents containing enzymes.

Thus, the detergent manufacturer can determine the most suitable temperature profiles for a particular detergent during a washing program depending on the user-defined specifications (program, textiles and / or temperature selection).

The washing machine manufacturer only has to ensure that the specifications can be implemented in accordance with the information from the external data carrier. All machine-dependent parameters that influence this implementation, such as the size of the laundry drum, the fill level of the wash liquor and the output of the heating elements only need to be taken into account by him (and not by the detergent producer).

In this case, too, there is a possibility of how both detergent- and washing machine-dependent program steps can be influenced in a meaningful manner by different manufacturers in order to ensure optimal control of a washing program.

A sensible data sharing is also possible when influencing reversing in a targeted manner.

On the external data carrier, the detergent manufacturer specifies which reversal has to be carried out at which point in the washing program sequence, in addition depending on the measured temperature of the detergent solution, according to the set specifications (in particular the choice of textiles and / or program). However, these specifications of the detergent producer should disregard all washing machine-dependent parameters. In the event of a pause between the clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation of a reversing, this can be done using a time specification that describes the contact time of the entire laundry with the wash liquor. The washing machine manufacturer must therefore ensure that the entire amount of laundry is in contact with the alkali for the prescribed time in accordance with the determined degree of filling comes, although the level of the wash liquor wets only part of the laundry at a standstill.

The same applies to the part of the reversing in which the laundry is mechanically mixed with the wash liquor (i.e. right or left rotation of a reversal). In this case it makes sense for the detergent manufacturer to determine on the external data carrier how often the wash liquor on the textile surface has to be replaced. The detergent producer also expediently specifies the period within which this exchange must take place. In this way, it is up to him to influence the degree of mechanical impact on the laundry. The washing machine manufacturer must take into account the washing machine-dependent parameters - such as the relationship between drum radius and drum depth, arrangement and size of the drum ribs - ensure that, depending on the amount of wash liquor and laundry, these requirements of the detergent producer, if necessary in the appropriate time, are implemented.

According to further embodiments of the invention, the data of the program steps described above (detergent dosing, heating process and reversing) should be independent of one another. This has the advantage that the washing program can be influenced more individually and thus the detergent can be metered more appropriately.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the program control calls up the entire part of the detergent-dependent washing program depending on the set specifications (program, textile and / or temperature selection and / or degree of soiling), i.e. Data about the pre. Main and / or after wash.

The information originating from the external data carrier represents a sequence of the detergent-dependent program steps described above in detail, such as reversing, heating processes and detergent dosing, which are synchronized over time.

In this case, in addition to the detergent-dependent program steps, detergent-independent program steps, such as adding water or pumping out the wash liquor, must also be specified by the external data carrier in order to ensure that the corresponding part of the wash program runs completely. Subsequently, it is sufficient to follow the procedure that is fixed in the program control

To effect rinsing and spinning programs.

This embodiment particularly illustrates the various possibilities of influencing the program control, starting from influencing individual program steps in a special area of a washing program to completely controlling an entire washing program by the external data carrier.

According to the embodiment of the invention, it is possible for the first time that the washing machine can "adjust" to individual characteristics of an individual detergent; the times when a "universal" detergent has to adapt to different washing machines from various manufacturers are finally over.

In a special embodiment, the external data carrier is an electronically readable storage medium, in particular a chip card, a magnetic card or a CD.

The external data carrier can either be added to each package; However, there are also conceivable options for distributing the external data media to the customer at a central location (e.g. at the checkout) on request. It would also be possible to design this data carrier in such a way that the customers associated it with the corresponding detergent from the manufacturer. This means free advertising space for the detergent producers.

The latter variant would still have the advantage for detergent manufacturers that increased brand awareness and no-name products might not be sold, although they can also be used with a universal, external data carrier in accordance with the method according to the invention.

The present invention further relates to a control unit for carrying out the methods described above, this control unit having at least one suitable device by means of which the information stored on the external data carrier can be read.

In addition to the known card readers or CD-ROM drives, the term “suitable device” also includes transponder systems that use a contactless system Allow reading of information. These systems are preferably used where malfunctions due to contamination are to be excluded.

The present invention also relates to a washing machine which contains one of the control units described above.

This washing machine can have at least one dosing device for detergents, the dosing being carried out on the basis of information stored on an external data carrier

In order to enable the use of different detergents - independently of one another - the washing machine according to the invention can have three dosing devices for detergents, the dosing being carried out on the basis of information stored on three different external data carriers.

A suitable interface can be provided for each data carrier. These three dosing devices allow the inclusion of a full detergent, a color detergent and a mild detergent.

Claims

Patent claims

1.) Method for controlling a washing machine, characterized in that at least part of the washing program is controlled as a function of information read from at least one external data carrier.

2.) Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the information received from the external data carrier is dependent on the detergent used.

3.) Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the information received from the external data carrier is dependent on preset and / or measured parameters, in particular on a program, textiles and / or temperature preselection, on the degree of contamination, on the determined Water hardness and / or the amount of water or laundry in the drum.

4.) Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information received from the external data carrier is dependent on at least one washing machine-specific property.

5.) Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information is used in whole or in part for controlling at least one reversal.

6.) Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the information describes the individual sections of a reversal (clockwise rotation, pause and counter-clockwise rotation) and in particular contains data about the exchange of the wash liquor on the textile surface and / or the contact time of the laundry with the wash liquor.

7.) Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information is used in whole or in part for controlling at least one heating process.

8.) Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the information relates to data about a final temperature as a function of a determined starting temperature and about the duration of the heating process.

9.) Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the data for a heating process are independent of the data for a reversal.

10.) Method according to one or more of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the data are intended for reversal as a function of the temperature of the wash liquor.

11.) Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information is used in whole or in part for controlling at least one detergent dosage.

12.) Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the information relates to data on the amount of detergent to be added, in particular depending on the hardness and / or the amount of tap water to be fed to the washing machine and / or a specification of the degree of soiling of the laundry.

13.) Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data carrier is an electronically readable storage medium, in particular a chip card, a magnetic card or a CD.

14.) Control unit for performing a method according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, characterized by a suitable device for reading the information stored on the external data carrier.

15.) Washing machine with a control unit according to claim 14.

16.) Washing machine according to claim 15, characterized in that it has at least one dosing device for detergent, the dosing being carried out on the basis of information stored on an external data carrier.

17.) Washing machine according to claim 16, characterized in that it has three metering devices for detergents, the metering taking place on the basis of information stored on three different external data carriers.

18.) Washing machine according to claim 17, characterized in that a suitable interface is provided for each data carrier.

19.) Washing machine according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the three metering devices are provided for each receiving a full, a color and a mild detergent.