WO2017211412A1

WO2017211412A1 - Washer with an improved cleaning performance and an improved energy efficiency

Info

Publication number: WO2017211412A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/063046
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yusuf Koc; Bekir Ozyurt; Mert PATKAVAK
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2016-06-08
Filing date: 2016-06-08
Publication date: 2017-12-14

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washer (1) which comprises: a tub (2) for receiving the water (2a) and the articles to be cleaned; a heater (3) for heating the water (2a); a user interface (4) for setting a temperature T_set for heating the water (2a); a control unit (5) which comprises a cold washing/rinsing mode for washing the articles without using the heater (3) and/or a main washing mode for washing the articles while using the heater (3).

Description

WASHER WITH AN IMPROVED CLEANING PERFORMANCE AND AN IMPROVED ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The present invention relates to a washer, in particular to a dishwasher or to a laundry treatment appliance such as a laundry washer or a laundry washer-and-dryer.

Washers such as dishwashers and laundry washers are commonly known in the art. A washer generally comprises: a tub for receiving the water and the articles to be cleaned; a heater for heating the water; a user interface for setting a temperature T_set for heating the water; and a control unit which comprises a cold washing/rinsing mode for washing the articles without using the heater and a main washing mode for washing the articles while using the heater. The user preforms the settings through the user interface, and subsequently takes the washer into operation. In the cold washing/rinsing mode the articles are washed with relatively cold water from the mains without heating. Thereby, at least some types of dirt can be more effectively dissolved. In the subsequent main washing mode the water is heated up to the set temperature T_set, and the articles are thoroughly washed with a cleaning agent. Subsequently, the articles are rinsed in the warm rinsing mode, and dried in the drying mode.

WO2009132949 (A1) discloses a prior art dishwasher.

In the prior art washer during the main washing program the temperature of the water inside the tub decreases due to thermal losses into the environment. Such thermal losses are significantly higher when the ambient temperature is relatively low. In general the ambient conditions may vary depending on the geography, the season, and the time of the day. Thus, a problem with the prior art washer is that the cleaning performance decreases due to the thermal losses. In the prior art washer during the cold washing/rinsing mode the electromechanical energy consumption of the circulation pump or the drum motor increases when the cold washing/rinsing mode is prolonged, for instance, for improving the cleaning performance. Thus, another problem with the prior art washer is that the cleaning performance can easily decrease due to the energy-saving requirements.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a washer that solves the aforementioned problems of the prior art in a cost effective way and which has a constant cleaning performance regardless of the ambient conditions and an improved energy efficiency.

This objective has been achieved by the washer as defined in claim 1. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.

The washer of the present invention further comprises a first sensor for detecting the ambient temperature and/or a second sensor for detecting the temperature of the water inside the tub; and the control unit is adapted to monitor the ambient temperature or the rate of the temperature change of the water inside the tub during the cold washing/rinsing mode or during the main washing mode, and to adaptively control the cold washing/rinsing mode and/or the main washing mode based on the monitoring result.

A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that washer of the present invention can adapt itself to the changing ambient conditions, and adaptively conduct the main washing mode and/or the cold washing/rinsing energy efficiently and with a constant cleaning performance. In particular, the duration of the cold washing/rinsing mode can be optimally adjusted at different ambient conditions in order to maximize the net energy gain resulting from the electromechanical energy consumption and the thermal energy gain through the water inside the tub from the environment. Thereby, the cold washing/rinsing mode can be prevented from unnecessary prolonging, and thus the user satisfaction can be increased. In addition, the cleaning performance in the main washing mode can be kept constant at different ambient conditions by means of the adaptive control, and thus any unnecessary energy consumption can be prevented especially when the ambient conditions are favorable.

In an embodiment, the duration of the cold washing/rinsing mode is determined by optimizing the net energy gain resulting from the electromechanical energy that is consumed through the washer, in particular through the circulation pump, the drum motor and the like, and the thermal energy that is gained through the water inside the tub from the environment and the component parts of the washer. Herein, the thermal energy gained through the water allows saving energy in the subsequent main washing mode when the water is heated up to the set Temperature T_set. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the duration of the cold washing/rinsing mode can be optimally adjusted at different ambient conditions and the net energy gain can be maximized, and thus the energy efficiency can be improved. Thereby also the cold washing/rinsing mode can be prevented from unnecessarily prolonging which is not desired by the users.

In another embodiment the duration of the cold washing/rinsing mode is not allowed to be shorter than a predetermined duration so as to effectively remove at least some particular types of dirt from the articles which need to be handled in the cold washing/rinsing mode. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the cleaning performance can be prevented from decreasing.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the temperature T_set which has been set by the user is changed to a new target temperature T_new for heating the water in accordance with the ambient conditions such that the average temperature of the water inside the tub remains the same at different ambient conditions. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the cleaning performance can be kept constant regardless of the ambient conditions and any unnecessary energy consumption can be prevented.

In other alternative embodiments, the washer is provided as a dishwasher or a laundry washer or a laundry-washer-and-dryer.

Additional features and additional advantageous effects of the washer according to the present invention will become more apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 – is a schematic partial view of a washer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 – is a flow chart showing the steps of a method for controlling the washer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 – is a diagram showing the temporal evolution of the temperature of the water inside the tub during the cold washing/rinsing mode according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 – is a diagram showing: the thermal energy (curve “a”) which is gained from the environment during the cold washing/rinsing mode and which can be, in turn, saved during the main washing mode when heating the water; the electromechanical energy (curve “b”) that is consumed during the cold washing/rinsing mode through the operation of the circulation pump or the drum motor and the like; and the net energy gain (curve “c”) which results from thermal energy gain (curve “a”) and the electromechanical energy consumption (curve “b”) according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein “d” shows the energetically optimum moment for starting of the main washing mode;

Figure 5 – is a diagram showing the temporal evolution of the temperature of the water inside the tub during the main washing mode respectively for a relatively high ambient temperature (e), a normal ambient temperature (g), and a relatively low ambient temperature (f) according to an embodiment of the present invention, prior to adaptively changing the T_set;

Figure 6 – is another diagram showing the temporal evolution of the temperature of the water inside the tub during the main washing mode for the relatively high ambient temperature (e), the normal ambient temperature (g), and the relatively low ambient temperature (f) according to another embodiment of the present invention, after T_set have been adaptively changed.

The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

Washer
Tub

2a. Water

2b. Side wall
3. Heater
4. User interface
5. Control unit
6. First sensor
7. Second sensor

T_set: Temperature set by the user for heating the water (2a)

t1: Predetermined duration

∆T: Rate of the temperature change of the water inside the tub (2)

∆T _TH: Threshold rate

T_new: New target temperature for heating the water (2a)

∆T_R: Reference rate

t2: Predetermined duration

t_R: Reference duration

The washer (1) comprises: a tub (2) for receiving the water (2a) and the articles to be cleaned; a heater (3) for heating the water (2a); a user interface (4) for setting a temperature T_set for heating the water (2a); a control unit (5) which comprises a cold washing/rinsing mode for washing the articles without using the heater (3) and/or a main washing mode for washing the articles while using the heater (3) (Fig. 1).

The washer (1) of the present invention further comprises: a first sensor (6) for detecting the ambient temperature and/or a second sensor (7) for detecting the temperature of the water (2a) inside the tub (2), wherein the control unit (5) is adapted to monitor the ambient temperature and/or the rate of the temperature change ∆T of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) during the cold washing/rinsing mode or during the main washing mode, and to adaptively control the cold washing/rinsing mode and/or the main washing mode based on the monitoring result (Fig. 1).

In an embodiment, the washer (1) is provided as a dishwasher.

In other alternative embodiments, the washer (1) is provided as laundry washer or a laundry washer-and-dryer. In these embodiments, the tub (2) comprises a rotating drum (not shown) for receiving the articles.

The water (2a) in the mains is relatively colder in comparison to the ambient temperature. Therefore, the temperature of the water (2a) that has been taken into the tub (2) starts to increase during the cold washing/rinsing mode, and gains thermal energy from the environment and the component parts of the washer (1) as shown in Fig. 3. This increase is advantageous in view of the energy efficiency of the washer (1) since in the subsequent main washing mode, the water (2a) inside the tub (2) can be heated up to the temperature T_set with comparatively less energy due to the thermal energy gain during the cold washing/rinsing mode. Thereby a corresponding amount of energy can be saved. Curve “a” in Fig. 4 shows the temporal evolution of thermal energy that is gained through the water (2a) inside the tub (2) during the cold washing/rinsing mode. In the present invention it is desirable to prolong the cold washing/rinsing mode in order to save more energy in the main washing mode. On the other hand, during the cold washing/rinsing mode the electromechanical energy consumption of the circulation pump (not shown) of the dishwasher or the drum motor (not shown) of the laundry washer continually increases as the cold washing/rinsing mode is prolonged. Curve “b” in Fig. 4 shows the temporal evolution of the electromechanical energy consumed during the cold washing/rinsing mode. Curve “c” in Fig. 4 shows the temporal evolution of the net energy gain which results from the curve “a” and the curve “b”. Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the net energy gain as shown with curve “c” in Fig. 4 is optimized as follows: The control unit (5) is adapted to continue the cold washing/rinsing mode if the rate of the temperature change ∆T of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) that is obtained during the cold washing/rinsing mode exceeds a threshold rate ∆T _TH (Step S4 in Fig. 2). In this embodiment, the control unit (5) is adapted to end the cold washing/rinsing mode and to start the main washing mode at the optimum moment “d” as shown in Fig. 4, where the rate of the temperature change ∆T of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) that is obtained during the cold washing/rinsing mode drops below the threshold rate ∆T_TH (Step S4 in Fig. 2). This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the duration of the cold washing/rinsing mode can be optimally adjusted in order to maximize the net energy gain in accordance with the ambient conditions such as the temperature of the water (2a) from the mains and the ambient temperature. Thereby, the cold washing/rinsing mode can also be prevented from unnecessarily prolonging which is not desired by the users.

Some types of dirt on the articles can only be removed during the cold washing/rinsing mode. Therefore, in another embodiment of the present invention, the duration of the cold washing/rinsing mode is not allowed to be shorter than a predetermined duration t1 as follows: The control unit (5) is adapted to dispense with starting the main washing mode, and to continue with the cold washing/rinsing mode if a predetermined duration t1 has not been elapsed yet from the start of the cold washing/rinsing mode (Step S2 in Fig. 2). This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the cleaning performance of the washer (1) can be prevented from decreasing.

After the water (2a) inside the tub (2) has been heated through the heater (3) up to the set temperature T_set, the temperature of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) decreases due to thermal losses as shown in Fig. 5. The curve “e” in Fig. 5 shows the temporal evolution of the temperature of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) during the main washing mode when the ambient temperature is relatively high. The curve “f” in Fig. 5 shows the temporal evolution of the temperature of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) during the main washing mode when the ambient temperature is relatively low. The curve “g” in Fig. 5 shows the temporal evolution of the temperature of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) during the main washing mode when the ambient temperature is relatively normal. The cleaning performance significantly depends on the average temperature of the water (2a) throughout the main washing mode. Therefore, in another embodiment of the present invention, in order to achieve a substantially constant cleaning performance at different the ambient conditions, the control unit (5) is adapted to adaptively change the temperature Tset which has been set by the user to a new target temperature T_new for heating the water (2a) based on the ambient temperature or the rate of the temperature change ∆T of the water (2a) inside the tub (2a) that is obtained during the cold washing/rinsing mode such that the average temperature of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) remains the same at different ambient conditions (Step S3 and Step S7 in Fig.2). In a version of this of this embodiment, as shown with curve “f” in Fig. 6, the control unit (5) is adapted to increase the T_set to a new target temperature T_ new which is higher than T_set, if the rate of the temperature change ∆T of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) that is obtained during the cold washing/rinsing mode is less than a reference rate ∆T_R or the ambient temperature is relatively low i.e., less than a reference value (Step S3 and Step S7 in Fig.2). In this embodiment, as shown with curve “g” in Fig. 6, the control unit (5) is adapted to maintain T_set as the new the target temperature T_ new if the rate of the temperature change ∆T of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) that is obtained during the cold washing/rinsing mode is equal to the reference rate ∆T_R or the ambient temperature is normal i.e., equal to the reference value (Step S3 and Step S7 in Fig.2). In this embodiment, as shown with curve “e” in Fig. 6, the control unit (5) is adapted to reduce the T_set to a new target temperature T_ new which is lower than T_set if the rate of the temperature change ∆T of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) that is obtained during the cold washing/rinsing mode is higher than the reference rate ∆T_R or the ambient temperature is relatively high i.e., higher than the reference value (Step S3 and Step S7 in Fig.2). This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the cleaning performance can be kept substantially constant regardless of the ambient conditions and any unnecessary energy consumption can be prevented.

In another embodiment, the control unit (5) is further adapted to turn the heater (3) ON for a predetermined duration t2 based on a reference duration t_R and the ambient temperature or the rate of the temperature change ∆T of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) that is obtained during the cold washing/rinsing mode (Step S3 and Step S6 in Fig.2). This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the cleaning performance can be kept substantially constant regardless of the ambient conditions and any unnecessary energy consumption can be prevented.

In another embodiment, the control unit (5) is further adapted to monitor the acceleration of the temperature change of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) during the main washing mode while the heater (3) is ON. In this embodiment, the control unit (5) is further adapted to change the temperature T_set set by the user to a new target temperature T_new for heating the water (2a) as described above based on the monitoring result which is obtained during the main washing mode (Step S7 in Fig.2). This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the cleaning performance can be kept substantially constant regardless of the ambient conditions, and any unnecessary energy consumption can be prevented even when the cold washing/rinsing mode has been omitted for one reason or another.

In another embodiment, the control unit (5) has a warm rinsing mode for washing the articles while using the heater (3) (Fig. 1). In this embodiment, the control unit (5) is further adapted to monitor the deceleration of the temperature change of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) during the main washing mode while the heater (3) is OFF. In this embodiment, the control unit (5) is further adapted to determine a rinsing temperature similarly as described above based on the monitoring result which is obtained during the main washing mode. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the warm rinsing performance can be kept constant regardless of the ambient conditions, and any unnecessary energy consumption can be prevented.

In another embodiment, the second sensor (7) is disposed onto the bottom of the tub (2), and adapted to detect the temperature of the water (2a) at the bottom of the tub (2) (Fig. 1). The second sensor (7) may be inside the tub (2) or outside the tub (2). This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the level of the water (2a) is low. Thereby the temperature of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) can be more accurately detected, in particular in the dishwasher.

In another embodiment, the second sensor (7) is disposed onto the side walls (2b) of the tub (2) that encloses the rotating drum. This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the level of the water (2a) is high. Thereby the temperature of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) can be more accurately detected, in particular in the laundry washer.

In another embodiment, the washer (1) further comprises: a channel (not shown) which is adapted to admit the ambient air into tub (2). In this embodiment, the first sensor (6) is disposed into the channel. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the first sensor (6) inside the channel can be used for sensing the ambient temperature.

In another embodiment, the washer (1) is provided without a first sensor (6) for detecting the ambient temperature. The effects of the present invention can also be achieved with the second sensor (7) for detecting the temperature of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) as described above. Thereby, the production costs can be reduced both in terms of material and labor.

The control method of the present invention comprises: a step (S1) of taking water (2a) from the mains into the tub (2); a step (S3) of monitoring the ambient temperature or the rate of the temperature change ∆T of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) during the cold washing/rinsing mode or during the main washing mode; and a step (S2,S4, S5, S6, S7) of adaptively controlling the main washing mode and/or the cold washing/rinsing mode based on the monitoring result in the monitoring step (S3) (Fig. 2).

A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that washer (1) of the present invention adapts itself to the changing ambient conditions, and adaptively conducts the main washing mode and/or the cold washing/rinsing energy efficiently and with a constant cleaning performance. In particular, the duration of the cold washing/rinsing mode can be optimally adjusted at different ambient conditions in order to maximize the net energy gain resulting from the electromechanical energy consumption and the thermal energy gain through the water inside the tub from the environment. Thereby, the cold washing/rinsing mode can be prevented from unnecessary prolonging, and thus the user satisfaction can be increased. In addition, the cleaning performance in the main washing mode can be kept constant at different ambient conditions by means of the adaptive control, and thus any unnecessary energy consumption can be prevented especially when the ambient conditions are favorable. Other advantageous effects of the present invention can be taken from the above-described embodiments.

Claims

A washer (1) comprising: a tub (2) for receiving the water (2a) and the articles to be cleaned; a heater (3) for heating the water (2a); a user interface (4) for setting a temperature T_set for heating the water (2a); a control unit (5) which comprises a cold washing/rinsing mode for washing the articles without using the heater (3) and/or a main washing mode for washing the articles while using the heater (3), characterized by further comprising: a first sensor (6) for detecting the ambient temperature and/or a second sensor (7) for detecting the temperature of the water (2a) inside the tub (2); and the control unit (5) is adapted to monitor the ambient temperature and/or the rate of the temperature change ∆T of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) during the cold washing/rinsing mode or during the main washing mode, and to adaptively control the cold washing/rinsing mode and/or the main washing mode based on the monitoring result.
The washer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (5) is further adapted to continue the cold washing/rinsing mode if the rate of the temperature change ∆T of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) that is obtained during the cold washing/rinsing mode exceeds a threshold rate ∆T _TH, and to start the main washing mode if the rate of the temperature change ∆T of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) that is obtained during the cold washing/rinsing mode drops below the threshold rate ∆T _TH.
The washer (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the control unit (5) is further adapted to dispense with starting the main washing mode and to continue with the cold washing/rinsing mode if a predetermined duration t1 has not been elapsed yet from the start of the cold washing/rinsing mode.
The washer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control unit (5) is further adapted to change the temperature Tset set by the user to a new target temperature T_new for heating the water (2a) based on the ambient temperature or the rate of the temperature change ∆T of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) that is obtained during the cold washing/rinsing mode.
The washer (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the control unit (5) is further adapted to increase the Tset to a new target temperature T_ new which is higher than Tset if the rate of the temperature change ∆T of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) that is obtained during the cold washing/rinsing mode is less than a reference rate ∆T_R or the ambient temperature is less than a reference value, to maintain Tset as the new the target temperature T_ new if the rate of the temperature change ∆T of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) that is obtained during the cold washing/rinsing mode is equal to the reference rate ∆T_R or the ambient temperature is equal to the reference value, to reduce the Tset to a new target temperature T_ new which is lower than Tset if the rate of the temperature change ∆T of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) that is obtained during the cold washing/rinsing mode is higher than the reference rate ∆T_R or the ambient temperature is higher than the reference value.
The washer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the control unit (5) is further adapted to turn the heater (3) ON for a predetermined duration t2 based on a reference duration t_R and the ambient temperature or the rate of the temperature change ∆T of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) that is obtained during the cold washing/rinsing mode.
The washer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the control unit (5) is further adapted to monitor the acceleration of the temperature change of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) during the main washing mode while the heater (3) is ON, and wherein the control unit (5) is further adapted to change the temperature Tset set by the user to a new target temperature T_new for heating the water (2a) based on the monitoring result which is obtained during the main washing mode.
The washer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the control unit (5) has a warm rinsing mode for washing the articles while using the heater (3), wherein the control unit (5) is further adapted to monitor the deceleration of the temperature change of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) during the main washing mode while the heater (3) is OFF, and wherein the control unit (5) is further adapted to set a rinsing temperature based on the monitoring result which is obtained during the main washing mode.
The washer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the second sensor (7) is disposed onto the bottom of the tub (2), and adapted to detect the temperature of the water (2a) at the bottom of the tub (2).
The washer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by further comprising: a channel adapted to admit the ambient air into tub (2), wherein the first sensor (6) is disposed into the channel.
The washer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the washer (1) is provided as a dishwasher.
The washer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the washer (1) is provided as laundry washer or a laundry washer-and-dryer, wherein the tub (2) comprises a rotating drum for receiving the articles.
The washer (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the second sensor (7) is disposed onto the side walls (2b) of the tub (2) that encloses the rotating drum.
A method for controlling the washer (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by comprising: a step (S1) of taking water (2a) from the mains into the tub (2); a step (S3) of monitoring the ambient temperature or the rate of the temperature change ∆T of the water (2a) inside the tub (2) during the cold washing/rinsing mode or during the main washing mode, and a step (S2,S4, S5, S6, S7) of adaptively controlling the main washing mode and/or the cold washing/rinsing mode based on the monitoring result in the monitoring step (S3).