EP3320137B1 - Laundry care apparatus and laundry care method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a laundry care device and a laundry care method.

In the context of the present invention, a laundry care device is in particular a washing machine, but can also be, for example, a machine for rinsing and / or impregnating laundry items. These additional functions can also be integrated in a washing machine.

As part of a laundry care program of a laundry care device, such as a washing machine, a detergent from a detergent receptacle together with fresh water is flushed into the laundry drum of the laundry care device during a washing-in process using a washing-in device, in order to wash the laundry items in the laundry drum with the mixture of detergent and fresh water, which is also referred to herein as lye or washing liquid, to wet. In order to wash the entire detergent contained in the detergent storage container into the laundry drum of the laundry care device, several wash cycles in succession, which together define a wash phase of the laundry care program, are generally used at the start of a laundry care program.

An important factor for achieving a good washing result is that during the washing-in phase of a laundry care program, the laundry items are wetted or moistened with the washing liquid as completely and uniformly as possible. In the washing-in phases of conventional laundry care devices, there is at least partial need for improvement in this regard.

The disclosure EP 2 246 469 A1 shows a washing machine with a circulation pump.

The disclosure DE 35 01 760 A1 shows a method and an apparatus for washing laundry in a drum washing machine.

The disclosure EP 2 348 151 A1 shows a method for operating a washing machine with a Umfluteinrichtung and a washing machine. The disclosures also show DE 10 2006 039477 A1 and EP 1 867 773 A1 Process for operating a washing machine, and corresponding washing machines.

It is the object on which the invention is based to specify a laundry care appliance and a laundry care method which, in particular in the light of the disadvantages mentioned above, enable more efficient care of laundry items. This object is achieved by objects with the features according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the figures, the description and the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a laundry care device with a rotatably mounted laundry drum for holding laundry items, a drive motor for rotating the laundry drum, a washing device for washing fresh water and detergent into the laundry drum, a pumping device for recirculating washing liquid from the washing machine Washing drum out and back into the washing drum and a control device for controlling the drive motor, the induction device and the pumping device according to a laundry care program running on the control device during operation. The control device is designed to control the drive motor of the laundry drum at the end of a first wash-in process of the laundry care program, in which fresh water and detergent are flushed into the laundry drum by means of the wash-in device, in such a way that the drive motor drives the laundry drum reversibly over a first reversing period, and after the drive motor has reversed the laundry drum at least once during the first reversing period, ie has rotated in one direction of rotation and in the opposite direction of rotation, with the pumping device deactivated, activating the pumping device and deactivating it at the end of a second pumping period.

This has, for example, the technical advantage that, by reversing, in particular the items of laundry lying on the inside of the laundry drum are wetted with washing liquid over the jacket of the washing drum, and by the pumping device bringing the washing liquid into the washing drum, in particular those lying more inside the washing drum Items of laundry, also referred to as laundry core, are well wetted with washing liquid.

This means in particular that at the end of the first washing-in process described above, the pumping device remains deactivated during the first reversing period until the laundry drum has reversed at least once, in particular several times, during the first reversing period.

Furthermore, the control device is designed to deactivate an activated pump-around device at the end of the first washing-in process and only to reactivate it when the laundry drum has reversed at least once, in particular several times, during the first reversing period.

The phrase "has reversed at least once" thus includes in particular that the laundry drum has reversed several times during the first reversing period, for example twice, three times or four times.

Repeating the reversal in particular has the technical advantage that, in particular, the laundry items lying on the inside of the laundry drum are wetted particularly efficiently with washing liquid via the jacket of the washing drum, and in particular the more inside due to the introduction of the washing liquid into the washing drum by the pumping device the laundry drum lying laundry items, also referred to as laundry core, are particularly well wetted with washing liquid.

Furthermore, the control device is designed, after the end of the first reversing period and the second pumping period, ie during the rest phase following the first reversing period and the second pumping period, to record the pressure of the washing liquid, in particular in the laundry drum or the tub, and on the Based on this pressure parameters of the on the control device adapting the running laundry care program. This has the technical advantage, for example, that parameters of the laundry care program can be adapted to the actual load, for example in order to reduce energy consumption.

In an advantageous embodiment, the control device is designed to activate the wash-in device as part of the first wash-in process of the laundry care program and to deactivate it at the end of the first wash-in period and, at the same time, to activate the pump-over device within a tolerance period when the wash-in device is activated and to close it at the end of a first pumping-over period deactivate.

This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that detergent residues which have not been dissolved so far are actively mixed with the washing liquid and less detergent residues which have not been dissolved so far are deposited in parts of the laundry care appliance.

In an advantageous embodiment, the first wash-in process of the laundry care program is the first time wash-in process of the laundry care program. In this way, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that a better dissolving of the detergent in the washing liquid is provided for the first time a laundry care program is rinsed in, in which the majority of the detergent is usually rinsed into the laundry drum.

In an advantageous embodiment, the control device is designed to control the drive motor of the laundry drum in such a way that the laundry drum is at least temporarily rotated at the application speed during the second pumping-over period. This has the technical advantage, in particular, that all laundry items (even when fully loaded) are evenly wetted or moistened, since when the laundry drum rotates at the application speed, the laundry items are in contact with the inside of the laundry drum due to the centrifugal forces and are introduced into the laundry drum by the pumping device Washing liquid directly hits the jacket of laundry items lying against the inside of the laundry drum. Due to the centrifugal forces that occur during rotation at the contact speed, the washing liquid is also removed from the Items of laundry are pressed out and can be returned to the laundry drum via the pumping device for further wetting of the items of laundry.

In an advantageous embodiment, the end of the second pumping period coincides with the end of the first reversing period within a tolerance period. This has the technical advantage, for example, that the wetting phase by reversing and pumping around can be followed by a rest phase.

In an advantageous embodiment, the control device is designed to operate the pumping device during the second pumping period in such a way that the volume flow conveyed by the pumping device is greater than or equal to a dripping speed or dripping rate of the laundry items. This has the technical advantage, for example, that the loading of the laundry care appliance by the laundry items can be estimated from the pressure of the washing liquid even at the beginning of the rest phase initiated by the deactivation of the drive motor and the pumping device.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a laundry care method for a laundry care device with a rotatably mounted laundry drum for holding laundry items, a drive motor for rotating the laundry drum, a washing device for washing fresh water and detergent into the laundry drum, and a pumping device for recirculating Washing liquid out of the laundry drum and back into the laundry drum and a control device for controlling the drive motor, the washing-in device and the pumping device according to a laundry care program running on the control device during operation. The laundry care method comprises the steps of controlling the drive motor of the laundry drum by means of the control device at the end of a first washing-in process of the laundry care program, in which fresh water and detergent are flushed into the laundry drum by means of the washing device, such that the drive motor reverses the laundry drum over a first reversing period drives, and after the drive motor has reversed the laundry drum at least once during the first reversing period, to activate the pumping device and to deactivate it at the end of a second pumping period.

This has, for example, the technical advantage that, by reversing, in particular the items of laundry lying on the inside of the laundry drum are wetted with washing liquid over the jacket of the washing drum, and by the pumping device bringing the washing liquid into the washing drum, in particular those lying more inside the washing drum Items of laundry, also referred to as laundry core, are well wetted with washing liquid.

Furthermore, the control device deactivates an activated pump-around device at the end of the first washing-in process and only activates it again when the laundry drum has reversed at least once, in particular several times, during the first reversing period.

The phrase "has reversed at least once" thus includes in particular that the laundry drum has reversed several times during the first reversing period, for example twice, three times or four times.

Repeating the reversal in particular has the technical advantage that, in particular, the laundry items lying on the inside of the laundry drum are wetted particularly efficiently with washing liquid via the jacket of the washing drum, and in particular the more inside due to the introduction of the washing liquid into the washing drum by the pumping device the laundry drum lying laundry items, also referred to as laundry core, are particularly well wetted with washing liquid.

Furthermore, the control device detects the pressure of the washing liquid, in particular in the laundry drum or the tub, after the end of the first reversing period and the second pumping period, and adjusts parameters of the laundry care program running on the control device on the basis of this pressure. This has the technical advantage, for example, that parameters of the laundry care program can be adapted to the actual load, for example in order to reduce energy consumption.

In an advantageous embodiment, the control device activates the wash-in device as part of the first wash-in process of the laundry care program and deactivates it at the end of the first wash-in period, and simultaneously activates the pumping device within a tolerance period when the wash-in device is activated and deactivates it at the end of a first pumping-over period.

This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that detergent residues which have not been dissolved so far are actively mixed with the washing liquid and less detergent residues which have not been dissolved so far are deposited in parts of the laundry care appliance.

In an advantageous embodiment, the first wash-in process of the laundry care program is the first time wash-in process of the laundry care program. In this way, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that a better dissolving of the detergent in the washing liquid is provided for the first time a laundry care program is rinsed in, in which the majority of the detergent is usually rinsed into the laundry drum.

In an advantageous embodiment, the control device controls the drive motor of the laundry drum in such a way that the laundry drum is at least temporarily rotated at the application speed during the second pumping-over period. This has the technical advantage, in particular, that all laundry items (even when fully loaded) are evenly wetted or moistened, since when the laundry drum rotates at the application speed, the laundry items are in contact with the inside of the laundry drum due to the centrifugal forces and are introduced into the laundry drum by the pumping device Washing liquid directly hits the jacket of laundry items lying against the inside of the laundry drum. Due to the centrifugal forces that occur during rotation at the application speed, the washing liquid is also pressed out of the laundry items and can be returned to the laundry drum via the pump-over device for further wetting of the laundry items.

In an advantageous embodiment, the end of the second pumping period coincides with the end of the first reversing period within a tolerance period. This has the technical advantage, for example, that the wetting phase by reversing and pumping around can be followed by a rest phase.

In an advantageous embodiment, the control device operates the pumping device during the second pumping period such that the volume flow conveyed by the pumping device is greater than or equal to a dripping rate of the laundry items. This has the technical advantage, for example, that the loading of the laundry care appliance by the laundry items can be estimated from the pressure of the washing liquid even at the beginning of the rest phase initiated by the deactivation of the drive motor and the pumping device.

Technical functionalities of the laundry care method result directly analogously from corresponding technical functionalities of the laundry care device and vice versa.

In one embodiment it is provided that the laundry care method is carried out or carried out by means of the laundry care device.

In one embodiment, the laundry care device is designed or set up to execute or carry out the laundry care process.

Further exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Ansicht eines Wäschepflegegeräts;

Fig. 2

ein beispielhaftes schematisches Diagramm, das den zeitlichen Verlauf mehrerer Größen während einer Einspülphase eines Wäschepflegeverfahrens veranschaulicht;

Fig. 3

ein beispielhaftes schematisches Diagramm, das den zeitlichen Druckverlauf für zwei unterschiedliche Beladungen während einer Einspülphase eines Wäschepflegeverfahrens bei einem Wäschepflegegerät in Form einer Waschmaschine gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung und einer herkömmlichen Waschmaschine veranschaulicht;

Fig. 4

ein beispielhaftes schematisches Diagramm, das den zeitlichen Verlauf mehrerer Größen bei einem Wäschepflegeverfahren veranschaulicht; und

Fig. 5

eine Detailansicht eines Ausschnitts des schematischen Diagramms von Figur 4.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic view of a laundry care device;

Fig. 2

an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating the temporal course of several variables during a washing-in phase of a laundry care method;

Fig. 3

an exemplary schematic diagram showing the pressure over time for two different loads during a washing-in phase of a laundry care method in a laundry care device in the form of a Washing machine according to the present invention and a conventional washing machine illustrated;

Fig. 4

an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating the time course of several sizes in a laundry care process; and

Fig. 5

a detailed view of a section of the schematic diagram of Figure 4 .

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a washing machine representative of a general laundry care device 100. The laundry care device 100 in the form of a washing machine is used to wash items of laundry and similar laundry items with a detergent. In this case, the washing machine can optionally also be configured as a washer dryer in order to wash and dry laundry or similar laundry items. In the context of the invention, in addition to conventional detergents, the term “detergent” also includes treatment additives such as fabric softener, rinse aid or odor-improving agent in various forms (liquid, gel-like, pasty or also powder-like). The washing machine 100 from Figure 1 contains in a machine housing 102 a tub 104 fixed in the machine housing. A washing drum 106 is rotatably mounted in the tub 104 about a horizontal axis of rotation and can be set in rotation at different speeds by means of a drive motor 105 which can be controlled by an electronic control device 118. Items of laundry 108 are indicated in the laundry drum 106, which are lifted by the drivers 110 on the inside of the laundry drum 106 when the laundry drum 106 is rotated and fall down again. As a result, the laundry items 108 are constantly rearranged when the laundry drum 106 rotates.

Fresh water can be fed by means of a flushing device 114, for example in the form of an inlet valve, from a fresh water line 112 through a detergent container 116, which can be designed, for example, as a flushing bowl and, in addition to conventional detergents, also treatment additives, such as fabric softener, rinse aid, odor improvers or other laundry treatment agents in various forms (liquid , gel, paste or powder), either directly (as in the Figure 1 shown schematically) or via the tub 104 in the laundry drum 106 are introduced. The mixture of fresh water and detergent is referred to herein as washing liquid or lye. To control the fresh water supply, the induction device 114 is also connected to the electronic control device 118.

The tub 104 is provided at its lower end with a downwardly shaped depression 128 which forms a heating chamber 130. An electrical heating element 132 is arranged in the heating chamber 130, preferably a tubular heating element with which the washing liquid in the tub 104 can be heated. To control the electric heating element 132, this is also connected to the electronic control device 118, as shown in FIG Figure 1 is shown schematically.

At the bottom of the trough 128 of the tub 104, a tub drain 134 is provided, which is connected on the one hand to a pumping device 120 and on the other hand to a pumping device 144.

The pumping device 120, which serves in particular to flood the laundry items 108 several times with the washing liquid, comprises a pump 122, a suction line 124 on the suction side and a pressure line 126 on the pressure side of the pump 122 the lower end of the tub 104 can be recirculated back into the laundry drum 106 onto the laundry items 108. The washing liquid supplied to the pumping device 120 via the pressure line 126 is applied to the laundry items 108 in the laundry drum 106 via a nozzle. To control the pumping device 120, in particular the pump 122, this is also connected to the electronic control device 118, as shown in FIG Figure 1 is shown schematically.

The pumping device 144, which is used in particular to pump out washing liquid located in the tub 104 and to discharge it from the washing machine 100, comprises a pump 142 with a suction line 140 and a pressure line 146. To control the pumping device 144, in particular the pump 142, this can also be used the electronic control device 118.

An embodiment of the electronic control device 118 according to the invention and its interaction with the components of the laundry care appliance 100 described above is described in detail below in the context of an inventive laundry care method with further reference to FIG Figures 2 and 3rd described.

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram which illustrates the time course of several variables in a laundry care method according to the invention, namely the time course of the amount of water supplied via the induction device 114, the activity of the pump 122 of the pumping device 120, the speed of the laundry drum 106 and the temperature of the washing liquid. How this is recognized by the expert is shown in Figure 2 Diagram shown shows a washing-in phase of the laundry care process, in which fresh water or washing liquid is added to the washing drum 106 in several successive washing-in processes, as described above, from the fresh water line 112 via the washing-in device 114 and the detergent container 116. The individual washing-in processes are complete Periods separated in which no further fresh water is added to the washing drum 106 via the dispenser 114, ie the dispenser 114 is deactivated or closed.

According to the invention, the control device 118 is designed to, at the end of one of the in Figure 2 illustrated washing processes of the laundry care program, in which fresh water and detergent are flushed into the washing drum 106 by means of the washing device 114, to control the drive motor 105 of the washing drum 106 such that the drive motor 105 drives the washing drum 106 reversibly over a first reversing period, and after the drive motor 105 when the pumping device 120 is deactivated, the laundry drum 106 has reversed at least once during the first reversing period, ie has rotated in one direction of rotation and in the opposite direction of rotation, to activate the pumping device 120 and to deactivate it at the end of a second pumping period 120. The laundry drum 106 can first be brought up to a speed of, for example, 55 rpm in one direction of rotation and then to a speed of, for example, 55 rpm in the opposite direction of rotation. This ensures that in particular the items 108 lying on the inside of the laundry drum 106 are wetted with washing liquid via the jacket of the laundry drum 106.

In Figure 2 the reversing of the laundry drum 106 can be recognized, for example, by the two peaks and valleys of the speed curve before the rest phases identified by the numbers "1", "2", "3" or "4". In Figure 2 falls a second pumping period, in which the pumping device 120 is active, each with a part of the in Figure 2 periods marked with the letters "B", "C", "D" and "E" together.

In a preferred embodiment, the control device 118 can be designed to carry out the first wash-in process in Figure 2 shown washing operations to activate the induction device 114 and the pumping device 120 substantially simultaneously. The corresponding first pumping period over which pumping device 120 is operated by control device 118 is shown in FIG Figure 2 marked with the letter "A". The duration of the in Figure 2 The first pumping period marked with the letter "A" can only be a few seconds. The duration of the first pumping period can be shorter than the duration of the first flushing period.

The essentially simultaneous rinsing and pumping ensures that detergent residues which have not been dissolved so far are actively mixed with the washing liquid and less detergent residues which have not been dissolved so far are deposited in parts of the laundry care appliance 100, in particular on the bottom of the suds container 104 and / or in the tub-shaped suds container drain 134 . It is known from practice that the largest proportion of the detergent is flushed into the tub 104 together with the first four liters of fresh water.

The control device 118 can also be designed to control the drive motor 105 of the laundry drum 106 in such a way that the laundry drum 106 is at least temporarily rotated at the application speed during the second pumping-over period described above. Such a rotation of the laundry drum 106 at the application speed is shown in FIG Figure 2 shown in the period "D". The application speed can be, for example, in a range from approximately 80 to approximately 500 rpm. The rotation of the laundry drum 106 at this point in time, ie with pumping over at the same time The application speed causes the laundry items to lie against the inside of the laundry drum due to the centrifugal forces and the washing liquid introduced into the laundry drum 106 by the pumping device 120 directly hits the jacket of laundry items 108 lying on the inside of the laundry drum 106. This ensures uniform wetting or wetting of almost all items of laundry 108 (even when the laundry drum 106 is fully loaded). Due to the centrifugal forces that occur during rotation at the application speed, the washing liquid is also pressed out of the laundry items 108 and is returned to the laundry drum 106 via the active pumping device 120 for further wetting of the laundry items 108.

In a preferred embodiment, both the above-described first reversing period and the above-described second pumping period end essentially simultaneously, as can be seen in Figure 2 from the end of the respective periods "B", "C", "D" and "E". In a preferred embodiment, a respective rest phase begins with the simultaneous end of a first reversing period and a second pumping period. Four such periods of rest are in Figure 2 marked with the digits "1", "2", "3" and "4". In a preferred embodiment, the induction device 114 is also inactive during the respective resting phases "1" to "4".

In a preferred embodiment, the control device 118 is designed to, after the end of a first reversing period and a second pumping period, ie during a rest phase following the first reversing period and the second pumping period, for example the period in FIG Figure 2 shown rest phases "1", "2", "3" or "4", to detect the pressure of the washing liquid in the laundry drum 106 or the tub 104 and to adjust parameters of the laundry care program running on the control device 118 on the basis of this pressure. This has the technical advantage, for example, that parameters of the laundry care program can be adapted to the actual load, for example in order to reduce energy consumption. For the detection of the pressure of the washing liquid in the tub 104, for example, a pressure sensor can be provided in the depression 128 of the tub 104, which is connected to the control device 118.

Figure 3 FIG. 4 shows an exemplary schematic diagram that shows the pressure curve over time for two different loads, namely a full load and a half load, during part of the process shown in FIG Figure 2 represented washing phase in a laundry care device according to the invention in the form of a washing machine 100 (on the upper side) and a conventional washing machine (on the lower side). The uniform parts of the respective curve shape which initially rise sharply and then flatten out correspond to those in FIG Figure 2 illustrated rest phases, whereby in Figure 3 two rest phases are shown. How the Figure 3 With a laundry care device according to the invention in the form of a washing machine 100, which is operated as described above, a minimum pressure delta required for load differentiation is reached at an earlier point in time t ₀ than with a conventional washing machine in which the minimum pressure delta required for load differentiation is only reached at a later time t ₀ '. A washing machine 100 according to the invention operated as described above thus allows a faster and better estimate of the load than conventional washing machines, as a result of which the overall duration of the laundry care program can be reduced and the laundry care program can be adapted more quickly and better to the actual load, which in turn improves the washing result and energy consumption can be reduced.

Alternatively or additionally, the control device 118 can be designed to operate the pumping device 120 during the second pumping period in such a way that the volume flow conveyed by the pumping device 120 is not less than a dripping speed of the laundry items 108. This has the technical advantage, for example, that already at the beginning of the rest phase initiated by the deactivation of the drive motor 105 and the pumping device 120, for example at the start of FIG Figure 2 shown rest phases "1", "2", "3" or "4", the loading of the laundry care device 100 by the laundry items 108 can be estimated from the pressure of the washing liquid in the tub 104.

Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram which illustrates the time course of several variables in a laundry care process, namely the time course of the activity of the pump 122 of the pumping device 120 (ie pump 122 on or off), the speed of the laundry drum 106 and the temperature of the washing liquid.

As an example, the control device 118 is designed to deactivate the pumping device 120 as part of the laundry care program with the heating element 132 activated, as soon as the amount of washing liquid in the laundry drum 106 or the tub 104 falls below a minimum amount threshold. This achieves the advantage, for example, that an additional protective mechanism is provided which protects the heating element 132 against overheating.

In one embodiment, the control device 118 is designed, in the context of the laundry care program, which provides phases in which the laundry drum 106 is rotated at a speed in the range of application speeds and the pumping device 120 is to be activated, the pumping device 120 when the speed of the laundry drum is ramped up 106 should only be activated when the speed of the laundry drum 106 exceeds a first speed threshold.

In Figure 4 Two such phases are shown in which the laundry drum 106 is rotated at a speed in the range of the application speeds and the pumping device 120 is active. A detailed view of section A from Figure 4 is in Figure 5 shown. The exemplary embodiment, in which the pumping device 120 is only activated when the rotational speed of the laundry drum 106 is ramped up, when the rotational speed of the laundry drum 106 exceeds a first speed threshold value, for example the technical advantage that it can be ensured without great technical effort that Suds container 104 the amount of washing liquid is always large enough that the pump 122 of the pumping device 120 can be operated without problems, in particular that it does not draw any air. At speeds of the laundry drum 106 below the first speed threshold value, it can happen that the majority of the washing liquid is bound in the items of laundry.

In one embodiment, the control device 118 is designed to deactivate the pumping device 120 when the speed of the laundry drum 106 is reduced when the speed of the laundry drum 106 falls below a second speed threshold value. This also achieves the technical advantage, for example, that it can be ensured without great technical effort that the amount of washing liquid in the suds container 104 is always large it is enough that the pump 122 of the pump-around device 120 can be operated without problems, in particular that it does not draw any air.

The first speed threshold can be equal to the second speed threshold. Investigations have shown that the first and / or the second speed threshold value should preferably be greater than approx. 50 rpm. An application speed can be, for example, in a range from approximately 80 to approximately 500 rpm.

In one embodiment, the control device 118 is designed to continuously adapt the first and / or the second speed threshold value to the amount of washing liquid in the washing drum 106 and / or the tub 104, the first and / or the speed threshold value for a larger amount of washing liquid is lowered and the first and / or the second speed threshold value is increased for a smaller amount of the washing liquid. In this way, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the laundry care program can be better adapted to a particular wash cycle, which is essentially defined by the type and quantity of the laundry items 108.

In one embodiment, the laundry care appliance 100 further comprises a pressure sensor which is designed to detect the pressure of the washing liquid in the laundry drum 106 or in the tub 104, the control device 118 being designed to deactivate the pumping device 120 when the heating element 132 is activated, as soon as the pressure detected by the pressure sensor falls below a pressure threshold. This achieves the advantage, for example, that an additional protective mechanism is provided using technically simple means, which protects the heating element 132 against overheating.

In one embodiment, the control device 118 is configured to perform a cycle in which the rotation of the laundry drum 106 is raised to a contact speed and then lowered again, the pumping device 120 is activated above the first speed threshold value and deactivated below the second speed threshold value, and the heating element 132 is activated to perform at least twice in a row. This has the advantage, for example, that a more uniform temperature distribution in the washing liquid and the laundry items 108 is generated.

In one embodiment, the control device 118 is designed to cycle the cycle in which the rotation of the laundry drum 106 is raised to a contact speed and then lowered again, the pumping device 120 is activated above the first speed threshold value and deactivated below the second speed threshold value, and the heating element 132 is activated to repeat until an essentially uniform temperature distribution is achieved at a desired target temperature. This has the advantage, for example, that a uniform temperature distribution is generated in the washing liquid and the laundry items 108.

In one embodiment, as soon as a substantially uniform temperature distribution at the desired target temperature has been reached, the control device 118 is designed to deactivate the heating element 132 and to increase and decrease the rotation of the laundry drum 106 at least once more to a contact speed, above the first speed threshold the pumping device 120 is activated and the pumping device 120 is deactivated below the second speed threshold value. This has the advantage, for example, that a uniform temperature distribution is generated in the washing liquid and the laundry items 108.

All of the features explained and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention can be provided in different combinations in the subject matter of the invention in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects.

The scope of the present invention is given by the claims and is not limited by the features explained in the description or shown in the figures.

Reference list

100

Laundry care appliance

102

Machine housing

104

Suds container

105

Drive motor

106

Laundry drum

108

Laundry items

110

Carrier

112

Fresh water pipe

114

Induction device

116

Detergent dispenser

118

Control device

120

Pumping device

122

pump

124

Suction line

126

Pressure line

128

trough

130

Heating chamber

132

Heating element

134

Tub drain

140

Suction line

142

pump

144

Pumping device

146

Pressure line

Claims (14)

1. Laundry care appliance (100) with a laundry drum (106) mounted rotatably about a horizontal axis of rotation in a washing container (104) for receiving items of laundry (108), a drive motor (105) for rotating the laundry drum (106), a dispenser device (114) for dispensing fresh water and detergent into the laundry drum (106), a recirculation device (120) for recirculating washing liquid out of the laundry drum (106) and back into the laundry drum (106) and a control device (118) for controlling the drive motor (105), the dispenser device (114) and the recirculation device (120) according to a laundry care programme which runs on the control device (118) during operation,
   characterised in that
   the control device (118) is embodied to control the drive motor (105) of the laundry drum (106) at the end of a first dispensing process of the laundry care programme, in which fresh water and detergent are dispensed into the laundry drum (160) by means of the dispenser device (114), so that the drive motor (105) drives the laundry drum (106) in a reversing manner over a first reversing time period, and to deactivate an activated recirculation device (120) and only then to reactivate the same after the drive motor (105) has reversed the laundry drum (106) at least once during the first reversing time period, and to deactivate the same at the end of a second recirculation time period and that
   the control device (118) is also embodied to acquire a pressure of the washing liquid in the laundry drum (106) or in the washing container (104) and to adjust parameters of the laundry care programme running on the control device on the basis of this pressure after the end of the first reversing time frame and the second recirculation time frame, i.e. during a rest phase (1, 2, 3, 4) following on from the first reversing time frame and the second recirculation time frame.
2. Laundry care appliance according to claim 1, characterised in that the control device (118) is embodied to determine a load differentiation at a predetermined point in time (to) on the basis of the pressure.
3. Laundry care appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the control device (118) is embodied to activate the dispenser device (114) within the scope of the first dispensing process of the laundry care programme and to deactivate the same at the end of the first dispensing time frame and at the same time within a tolerance time frame with the activation of the dispenser device (114) to activate the recirculation device (120) and to deactivate the same at the end of a first recirculation time frame.
4. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first dispensing process of the laundry care programme is the temporally first dispensing process of the laundry care programme.
5. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the control device (118) is embodied to control the drive motor (105) of the laundry drum (106) so that during the second recirculation time frame the laundry drum (106) is rotated at least temporarily with the settling speed.
6. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the end of the second recirculation time frame within a tolerance time frame coincides with the end of the first reversing time frame.
7. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the control device (118) is embodied to operate the recirculation device (120) during the second recirculation time frame so that the volume flow delivered by the recirculation device (122) is not less than a drip rate of the items of laundry (108).
8. Laundry care method for a laundry care appliance (100) with a laundry drum (106) mounted rotatably about a horizontal axis of rotation in a washing container (104) for receiving items of laundry (108), a drive motor (105) for rotating the laundry drum (106), a dispenser device (114) for dispensing fresh water and detergent into the laundry drum (106), a recirculation device (120) for recirculating washing liquid out of the laundry drum (106) and back into the laundry drum (106) and a control device (118) for controlling the drive motor (105), the dispenser device (114) and the recirculation device (120) according to a laundry care programme which runs on the control device (118) during operation,
   characterised in that
   the laundry care method comprises the steps to control the drive motor (105) of the laundry drum (106) by means of the control device (118) at the end of a first dispensing process of the laundry care programme, in which fresh water and detergent is dispensed into the laundry drum (106) by means of the dispenser device (114), so that the drive motor (105) drives the laundry drum (106) in a reversing manner over a first reversing time frame, to deactivate an activated recirculation device (120) and only then to reactivate the same after the drive motor (105) has reversed the laundry drum (106) at least once during the first reversing time frame, and to deactivate the same at the end of a second recirculation time frame and that the control device (118), after the end of the first reversing time frame and the second recirculation time frame, i.e. during a rest phase which follows on from the first reversing time frame and the second recirculation time frame, acquires a pressure of the washing liquid in the laundry drum (106) or in the washing container (104) and adjusts parameters of the laundry care programme which runs on the control device on the basis of this pressure.
9. Laundry care method according to claim 8, characterised in that the control device (118) determines a load differentiation at a predetermined point in time (to) on the basis of the pressure.
10. Laundry care method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein within the scope of the first dispensing process of the laundry care programme the control device (118) activates the dispenser device (114) and at the end of the first dispensing time frame deactivates the same and at the same time within a tolerance time frame with the activation of the dispenser device (114) activates the recirculation device (120) and deactivates the same at the end of a first recirculation time frame.
11. Laundry care method according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterised in that the first dispensing process of the laundry care programme is the temporally first dispensing process of the laundry care programme.
12. Laundry care method according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterised in that the control device (118) controls the drive motor (105) of the laundry drum (106) so that during the second recirculation time frame the laundry drum (106) is rotated at least temporarily with the feed speed of rotation.
13. Laundry care method according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterised in that the end of the second recirculation time frame within a tolerance time frame coincides with the end of the first reversing time frame.
14. Laundry care method according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterised in that the control device (118) operates the recirculation device (120) during the second recirculation time frame so that the volume flow delivered by the recirculation device (122) is not less than a drip rate of the items of laundry (108).

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