WO2011029763A1

WO2011029763A1 - Water-conducting household appliance comprising a dosing device and an input device

Info

Publication number: WO2011029763A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/062837
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thoralf Greger; Ingo Schulze
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2009-09-14
Filing date: 2010-09-02
Publication date: 2011-03-17
Also published as: EA201270415A1; CN102482831B; CN102482831A; EP2478145B1; DE102009029442A1; PL2478145T3; EP2478145A1; EA021169B1

Abstract

A water-conducting household appliance (1), which is used in particular as a laundry treatment appliance for washing laundry, comprises a dosing device (11), a receptacle (6) that is used for storing at least one treatment substance, a treatment zone (16), a controller (14), and an input device (26). The input device (26) allows a basic dosed amount of the treatment substance that is stored in the receptacle (6) to be adjusted. Furthermore, the controller (14) controls the dosing device (11) during the program cycle in order to dose the treatment substance for the treatment zone (16) on the basis of at least the basic dosed amount of treatment substance. The input device (26) allows the receptacle (6) in which the treatment substance is stored to be directly selected in order to adjust the basic dosed amount of treatment substance, thus making it possible for a user to comfortably operate the water-conducting household appliance (1).

Description

Water-conducting household appliance with a metering device and an input device

The invention relates to a water-conducting household appliance, in particular a laundry treatment appliance for washing laundry. Specifically, the invention relates to the field of washing machines and washer-dryers.

From EP 1 884 584 A2 a washing machine is known in which a plurality of containers filled with laundry treatment agents are provided. The amount of laundry treatment agent is sufficient for several washing cycles. Furthermore, metering units are provided which introduce certain quantities of laundry treatment agents into the washing drum. The containers are arranged on a movable support, wherein the containers are accessible in an extended position and in a retracted position are not accessible. The washing machine known from EP 1 884 584 A2 has the disadvantage that, depending on the laundry treatment agent used, the predetermined quantities, which are metered by the metering units, more or less coincide with the quantities required to achieve an optimum washing result. Thus, an over or under dosage can take place.

The object of the invention is to provide a water-conducting domestic appliance, which allows optimized metering at least one treatment agent and ease of use for a user. Specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a water-bearing domestic appliance in which a user can easily make an adjustment in relation to a filled-in treatment agent in order to achieve the most optimal dosage for a treatment of laundry or the like.

The object is achieved by a water-conducting domestic appliance, in particular a laundry treatment appliance for washing laundry, with a metering device, a treatment agent container which serves for storing at least one treatment agent, a treatment area, a controller and an input device via the input device, a basic dosage amount for the treatment agent stored in the treatment agent container is adjustable, wherein the controller controls the metering device for metering the treatment agent for the treatment area based on at least the base dosage amount for the treatment agent during a program run, and wherein the input device selects the treatment agent container directly in which the treating agent is stored, for adjusting the basic dosage amount for the treating agent, and a method for a water-conducting domestic appliance, in particular a laundry washing laundry washing machine, wherein a basic dosage amount for the treating agent stored in a treating agent tank is adjustable, wherein during a Program procedure, the treatment agent for a treatment area based on at least the basic dosage amount for the treatment agent we measured and wherein direct selection of the treating agent container in which the treating agent is stored is enabled to adjust the base dosage amount of the treating agent.

The measures listed in the dependent claims advantageous refinements of the inventive water-conducting household appliance and the method of the invention for a water-bearing domestic appliance are possible. It is advantageous that the input device has a feeler element which is assigned to the treatment agent container in which the treatment agent is stored, and that the adjustment of the basic dosage amount for the treatment agent is made possible by actuating the probe element associated with the treatment agent container. In this case, it is also advantageous that, by holding the probe element associated with the treatment agent container, the setting of the basic dosage amount for the treatment agent is made possible for a certain minimum duration. For example, the certain minimum duration may be set to about three seconds. One or more sensing elements associated with one or more treating agent containers may be provided on the input device. For example, a heavy-duty detergent may be charged in one treating agent container, while a fine detergent is charged in another treating agent container. By pressing the probe element for the container of the heavy duty detergent, in particular by holding the probe element for example Three seconds, the user goes directly to a setting option for the associated basic dosage. The user can, for example, a product label or a packaging label remove the base dosing amount corresponding to the treatment agent and set them via the input device. By direct selection, this results intuitively for the user. In addition, this can be described in the description of the water-bearing household appliance quickly and easily, so that it is easy to understand for the user and easy to remember. Due to the user-friendly design can also be achieved that the user actually makes an adjustment of the basic dosage and thus a desired treatment result is achieved with an optimized treatment agent use. An over or under dosage can be avoided.

It is also advantageous that the setting of the basic dosage amount for the treatment agent is made possible starting from a currently stored basic dosage amount for the treatment agent by changing the currently stored basic dosage amount for the treatment agent. On the one hand, this prevents a user from having to set the basic dosage amount, even though this may not have changed at all. On the other hand, the effort to change the basic dosage amount can be reduced as a rule. In this case, it is further advantageous that an increase pushbutton and a lowering pushbutton are provided, and that the change of the currently stored base dosage amount for the treatment agent is effected by actuating the increase pushbutton or the pushbutton, whereby upon actuation of the increase pushbutton, the currently stored base dose rate increases and upon actuation of the increase pushbutton Absenkungstastelements the currently stored Basisdosiermenge is lowered. In this case, an automatic repetition function can be provided, which allows a quick setting of even larger changes. Thus, a comfortable operation for the user is given. It is advantageous that a non-actuation duration is predetermined and that the adjustment of the basic dosage amount for the treatment agent is terminated if no actuation of the input device by a user takes place during the non-actuation period. As a result, a manual operation by the user can be omitted. Furthermore Inadvertent adjustment of the basic dosage amount is prevented because an automatic return to a basic state or the like occurs after the non-operation period. The non-actuation duration may be set to, for example, about five seconds. Thus, after a certain waiting period, a user can optionally set the basic dosage amount for a further treatment agent or also select further functions, in particular a program start.

It is advantageous that a display device is provided and that the display device displays a graphical and / or symbolic representation corresponding to a packaging labeling in the direct selection of the treatment agent container for setting the basic dosage. As a result, a user guidance is made possible, which further simplifies the operation. In this case, it is also advantageous that the display device indicates a water hardness for the direct selection of the treatment agent container, for which the basic metering amount is to be set according to the packaging labeling. The displayed water hardness can be set here as average water hardness, so that the user enters the basic dosage amount with respect to an average water hardness. Depending on an actual water hardness, the water-bearing domestic appliance can then adjust the metered amount of treatment agent up or down. On the other hand, it is also possible that the actual water hardness is displayed. The user may then take the appropriate base dosage from a table or the like indicated on the packaging label. Optionally, the controller may enable switching between these two modes of operation.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1 is a water-conducting household appliance in a partial, schematic

Representation according to an embodiment. Fig. 1 shows a water-conducting domestic appliance 1 in a partial, schematic representation according to an embodiment. The water-bearing domestic appliance 1 can be configured in particular as a laundry treatment appliance and serve for washing laundry. Specifically, the water-bearing domestic appliance 1 as a washing machine or washer-dryer designed. The water-bearing domestic appliance 1 is suitable in accordance with adapted modification, however, also for other applications.

The water-bearing domestic appliance 1 has a fresh water line 2, in which a check valve 3 is arranged. The fresh water line 2 is in this case on the one hand connected to a connection 4 with a water pipe of a domestic installation. On the other hand, the fresh water line 2 opens into a Einspülbehälter 5. The water-bearing domestic appliance 1 also has a treatment agent container 6, which is divided into chambers 7, 8 in this embodiment. The chambers 7, 8 are used for receiving treatment agents, in particular laundry treatment agents. For example, in the chamber 7, a heavy duty detergent can be filled and in the chamber 8, a mild detergent can be filled. In the chambers 7, 8 project lines 9, 10. The water-bearing domestic appliance 1 also has a metering device 1 1 with metering pumps 12, 13. In this case, a controller 14 is provided, which controls the metering device 1 1, in particular the metering pumps 12, 13. As a result, the laundry treatment agent stored in the chamber 7 and / or the laundry treatment agent stored in the chamber 8 can be guided into the dispensing container 5 via the metering device 11 in accordance with the washing program executed by the controller 14. In this case, the controller 14 at the same time actuate the check valve 3 to lead the laundry treatment agent with the supplied via the fresh water line 2 fresh water from the dispenser 5 via a pipe section 15 in a treatment area 16. The treatment area 16 is surrounded by a tub 17 or other container 17. At an outlet of the tub 17, a line 18 is connected. The line 18 is in this case connected to an outlet 19 of the water-conducting domestic appliance 1 with a drain or the like of a domestic installation. For pumping out an alkali or another liquid from the treatment area 16, a drain pump 20 is actuated by the controller 14.

The chambers 7, 8 of the treatment agent container 6 each serve to receive a larger amount of a laundry treatment agent, which is sufficient for several washing cycles. In accordance with a program sequence, the controller 14 controls the metering device 1 1 in order to meter the treatment agent from the chambers 7, 8. In this case, the controller 14, the metering of the treatment agent in dependence control several sizes. An essential quantity here is a basic dosage amount for the respective treatment agent. The basic dosage depends on the treatment agent used, so it is product specific. On the one hand, the basic dosage amounts generally differ with the intended use of the laundry treatment agent. For example, the basic dosage amounts of heavy-duty detergents, light-duty detergents, fabric softeners, impregnating agents and the like generally differ. In addition, the basic dosage amounts for the treatment agents may also differ within a specific application. For example, the basic dosage amount depends on a concentration of the treating agent and a composition of the treating agent.

The water-bearing domestic appliance 1 has a display device 25 and an input device 26 with a plurality of probe elements 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34. In this embodiment, the display device 25 and the input device 26 are integrated together in a display and input unit 35. The display and input unit 35 is connected to the controller 14. The display device 25 can be designed as a full graphic, symbol or text display. Here, an at least two-digit 7-segment display can serve as a display device 25. Preferably, however, the display device 25 is designed as a full graphic display. Depending on the programming, information intended for the user can then be displayed in the display device 25. For example, a speed, a wash temperature, a selected program, a remaining time and other washing program specific data can be displayed. In addition, via the display device 25, an input via the input device 26 can be supported, for example by a user guide.

The sensing elements 27 to 34 can be configured in different ways. On the one hand, the feeler elements 27 to 34 can be realized by mechanical buttons. However, it is also possible that these are realized via touch-sensitive elements of a display.

The controller 14 is connected to a memory 40. Among other things, the basic dosage amounts for the chambers 7, 8 of the treatment agent container 6 are stored in the memory 40. In this case, initial values for the basic metering quantities can be permanently set in the memory 40 deposited. The number of stored Basisdosiermengen depends on the number of chambers 7, 8.

The design of the input device 26 enables an ergonomic setting of different values as well as an ergonomic query of these and other values of the water-conducting domestic appliance 1. For example, it is possible to scroll through the feeler elements 29, 30 in a menu. Via the probe element 31, a temperature can be selected. After selecting the temperature on the probe element 31, this can be increased and lowered in certain steps on the sensing elements 27, 28. The feeler element 27 serves as an increase feeler element 27, and the feeler element 28 serves as a depression feeler element 28. This is intuitively detectable for the user, since a plus sign "+" is provided on the increase gesture element 27 and a minus sign "-" is placed on the feeler element 28.

For example, a spin speed can be selected via the feeler element 34. After selecting the spin speed on the probe element 34, this can also be increased or decreased via the sensing elements 27, 28.

The sensing elements 31, 34 may be labeled for this purpose in a suitable manner or it may be associated with this label. For example, the probe element 31 may be labeled with "temperature" and the probe element 34 may be labeled with "spin". The feeler elements 32, 33 of the display and input unit 35 may be assigned to the chambers 7, 8 of the treatment agent container 6. For this purpose, the scanning elements 32, 33 may be labeled in a suitable manner. For example, the probe element 32 may be labeled "chamber 1", "container 1", "detergent" or "heavy-duty detergent". The probe element 33 may be labeled, for example, with "chamber 2", "container 2", "fabric conditioner" or "mild detergent". It is also possible that in this respect text elements are displayed in areas 41, 42, which indicate the occupancy of the feeler elements 32, 33. For example, a user may load a laundry treating agent into the chamber 7 of the treating agent container 6. The user can obtain information about the basic dosage amount of this treatment agent from the packaging or a bottle of the purchased treatment agent. For example, this may be product labeling, packaging labeling or other information provided by the manufacturer. After filling the treatment agent in the chamber 7, the user actuates the probe element 32, whereby the user directly selects the chamber 7 of the treatment agent container 6, in which the treatment agent is stored. Thus, the user can adjust the basic dosage amount for this treatment agent. In this case, after actuation of the feeler element 32, the currently stored base dosage amount is displayed in the display device 25. By operating the increase key element 27 or the lowering key element 28, the value for the basic metering amount displayed by the display device 25 can be changed, that is to say increased or lowered. In this case, by a longer pressing of the increase push-button 27 or the Absenkungstastelements 28 also a faster setting can be made possible by larger change steps. When pressing the sensing elements 32, 33, a certain minimum duration may be provided. If the user holds one of the feeler elements 32, 33 for this certain minimum duration, then he arrives directly at the menu location, which allows the adjustment of the basic dosage for the treatment agent container 6, in particular the chambers 7, 8. To exit this menu again, the user can either press another probe element, for example, the probe element 31 or the probe element 34, or for a Nichtbetätigungsdauer no probe element 27 to 34 of the input device 26 actuate. After expiration of the non-actuation period, which is for example given to about five seconds, the setting of the basic dosage for the treatment agent container 6 then stops. The display device 25 can then display, for example, the currently set program, the currently set temperature and the currently set speed. In order to make it easier for the user to set the basic dosage amount, the display device 25 can also display graphical and / or symbolic elements. Specifically, a graphical and / or symbolic representation corresponding to a packaging label as used by manufacturers may be displayed. For example, a measuring cup can be displayed. In addition, when setting the basic dosage amount, a water hardness can be additionally displayed by the display device 25. In this way, the user can, for example, the packaging labeling remove the basic dosage required for the displayed water hardness. Thus, the treating agent container 6 can store one or more treating agents. In this exemplary embodiment, the treatment agent container 6 can store two treatment agents, namely in the chambers 7, 8. For the treatment agent stored in the treatment agent container 6, the corresponding basic dosage amount can then be stored in a simple manner. If several treatment agents are stored in the treatment agent container 6, then for each of the treatment agents, the storage of a separate Basisdosiermenge can be made possible. In this embodiment, the controller 14 may allow the storage of two basic dosage amounts, one for the processing agent stored in the chamber 7 of the processing agent container 6 and the other for the processing agent stored in the chamber 8 of the processing agent container 6.

Thus, in a simple and user-understandable way, the menu item for setting the basic dosage amount can be achieved and the change in the basic dosage amount can also be made simple and ergonomic. Here are the metered treatment agents that are metered by the metering device 1 1, unique sensing elements 32, 33 of the input device 26 assigned. In this case, the feeler elements 32, 33 can also be used for selecting and deselecting the automatic dosing function. This can be achieved, for example, by briefly tapping one of the feeler elements 32, 33, while a longer holding of one of the feeler elements 32, 33 makes it possible to adjust the base dosage amount. In this case, in addition to an optical display of the display device 25, an acoustic confirmation can be made. The lettering or another identification of the directly assigned feeler elements 32, 33 can be effected via a clear symbolism, via a container numbering, via an illustration of the treatment substances to be dispensed or in another way.

By holding for a long time, for example three seconds, of the respective associated probe element 32, 33, the user can change directly into the change mode of the detergent base dosage amount. This can be done by directly entering a designated menu. The increase or decrease of the values to be changed can be effected in a simple manner via the feeler elements 27, 28. In this case, the value displayed by the display device 25 can change continuously in accordance with the increase or decrease. The entered values are then active immediately and do not need to be confirmed additionally. It can be done after the predefined Nichtbetätigungsdauer without further keystroke or by briefly pressing any other key a return to the ground state. For devices with at least two-digit 7-segment displays, the selection of the basic dosage amount can also be done via at least one button with an automatic repeat function.

In addition, the respective local water hardness can be set at the installation of the water-bearing household appliance 1 via a suitable operator input function when setting up the water-bearing domestic appliance 1. It is also possible to determine the water hardness via a direct or indirect measurement in the water-bearing household appliance 1. If the user has set the basic dosage for a medium water hardness, then the local or determined by measuring water hardness to convert the set by the user Basisdosiermenge when driving the metering device 1 1 can be considered. It is also possible for the user to be shown the local or measured water hardness in setting the basic dosage amount in the display device 25. The user may then take the base dosage amount suggested by the manufacturer for the displayed water hardness from the packaging label or the like. Thus, a simple adjustment of the basic dosage is possible. Furthermore, a high-quality appearance can be achieved.

The invention is not limited to the described embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Water-conducting household appliance

Fresh water pipe

check valve

connection

Induction bowl

Treatment agent container, 8 chamber

, 10 line

metering

, 13 Dosing pump

control

pipe section

treatment area

tub

management

output

Drain pump

display

input device

up to 34 probe element

Display and input unit

Storage

, 42 area

Claims

1. Water-conducting household appliance (1), in particular laundry treatment appliance for washing laundry, with a metering device (1 1), a treatment agent container

(6), which serves to store at least one treatment agent, a treatment area (16), a controller (14) and an input device (26), via the input device (26) adjustable a Basisdosiermenge for in the treatment agent container (6) stored treatment agent wherein the controller (14) controls the metering means (11) for metering the treating agent treatment agent (16) based on at least the basic metering amount for the treating agent during a program run, and wherein the input means (26) selects the treating agent container (6 ) in which the treating agent is stored allows for adjusting the basic dosage amount of the treating agent.

2. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the input device (26) has at least one probe element (32, 33) which is the treatment agent container (6), in which the treatment agent is stored, assigned, and that by pressing the Treatment agent container (6) associated with the probe element (32, 33) directly the setting of the basic dosage for the treatment agent is made possible.

3. Water-conducting household appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that by holding the treatment agent container (6) associated probe element (32,

33) for a certain minimum period immediately setting the basic dosage for the treatment agent is possible.

4. Water-conducting household appliance according to claim 3, characterized in that the certain minimum duration is set to about three seconds.

5. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the adjustment of the basic dosage amount for the treatment agent is made possible from a currently stored Basisdosiermenge for the treatment agent by changing the currently stored Basisdosiermenge for the treatment agent.

6. Water-conducting household appliance according to claim 5, characterized in that an increase push-button (27) and a Absenkungstastelement (28) are provided and that the change of the currently stored Basisdosiermenge for the treatment agent by pressing the increase push-button (27) or the Abenkungstastelements (28) takes place, wherein upon actuation of the increase push-button (27) increases the currently stored Basisdosiermenge and upon actuation of the Absenkungstastelements (28) the currently stored Basisdosiermenge is lowered.

7. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a Nichtbetätigungsdauer is predetermined and that the adjustment of the basic dosage for the treatment agent is completed when during the Nichtbetätigungsdauer no actuation of the input device (26) by a user.

8. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 7, characterized in that the Nichtbetätigungsdauer is set to about five seconds.

9. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the display device in the direct selection of

Treatment medium container (6) for setting the Basisdosiermenge indicating a graphical and / or symbolic representation corresponding to a Verpackungsetikettierung.

10. Water-conducting household appliance according to claim 9, characterized in that the display device (25) in the direct selection of the treatment agent container (6) a

Indicates water hardness for which the basic dosage amount is to be set according to the packaging label.

1 1. A method for a water-conducting domestic appliance (1), in particular a laundry treatment appliance for washing laundry, wherein at least one Basisdosiermenge for at least one in a treatment agent container (6) stored treatment agent is adjustable, wherein during a program flow, the treatment agent for a treatment area (16) based on at least the base dosage amount for the treating agent and wherein direct selection of the treating agent container (6) in which the treating agent is stored is enabled for adjusting the basic dosage amount of the treating agent.