EP3701073B1 - Laundry treatment appliance comprising a controller - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a laundry care device with a controller.

In a laundry care device, washing liquid in a tub of the laundry care device is heated by a heating element so that the heated washing liquid of the laundry in the laundry drum is available for a washing process in order to achieve effective laundry care success. Since the laundry in the laundry drum usually has a lower temperature than the heated washing liquid in the tub of the laundry care device, the heating element often has to heat the washing liquid to a temperature which is above a desired laundry core temperature of the laundry in order to ensure that the laundry is sufficient is heated. In the case of particularly sensitive textiles, this may damage the laundry.

In the EP 2 161 365 B1 A method for operating a washing machine is disclosed, the method comprising a washing phase with the heating element switched on for heating the washing liquid and activated flooding device, which conveys the washing liquid from the lower area of the tub to the upper area, based on the operational installation position of the washing machine.

The disclosure document EP 2 348 151 A1 discloses a method of operating a washing machine.

The disclosure document EP 2 930 261 A1 discloses a method of operating a washing machine.

The object on which the invention is based is to specify a laundry care device in which a uniform heating of laundry is ensured in a laundry care device.

This object is achieved by the objects with the features according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

According to a first aspect, the object of the invention is achieved by a laundry care device with a tub for receiving washing liquid, the tub having a drain opening and an inlet opening, which are fluidically connected by a liquid line, a laundry drum for receiving of laundry, a drum drive for rotating the laundry drum, a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of washing liquid in the tub, a heating element for heating the washing liquid, a pump which is designed to pump washing liquid through the drain opening into the liquid line and the pumped out washing liquid through the Inlet opening again to supply the tub in order to wet the laundry in the laundry drum, and a control for controlling the pump, the drum drive and the heating element during a washing process, the control being designed to activate the heating element during a heating phase of the washing process until the detected temperature of the washing liquid in the tub reaches a target temperature value, the control being designed to activate the drum drive during a mixing phase of the washing process following the heating phase in order to rotate the washing drum d to activate the pump in order to circulate the washing liquid and to wet the laundry received in the washing drum with the heated and pumped washing liquid, the control being designed to set a first temperature value of the washing liquid in the tub at the beginning of a reference time segment of the mixing phase and at the end of the reference time segment the mixing phase to determine a second temperature value of the washing liquid in the tub, and wherein the controller is designed to end the mixing phase when the temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value falls below a temperature threshold value in order to ensure a uniform temperature distribution in the washing liquid and in the Ensure laundry. This has the technical advantage that a uniform temperature distribution of the washing liquid in the laundry is ensured.

According to the present disclosure, the laundry is heated up to the target temperature in the heating phase and the heating element is then deactivated by the controller. During the mixing phase that follows the heating phase, washing liquid is pumped out of the tub by the pump and fed back to the tub as part of a pumping over process. During the pumping process, the laundry drum is rotated by the drum drive so that the washing liquid introduced by the pumping process hits the laundry and, due to the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the laundry drum, penetrates the laundry and effectively wets it. This ensures effective heat transfer from the heated washing liquid is ensured on the laundry, so that the laundry is heated evenly, and at the same time the heated washing liquid cools down slightly.

The aim of evenly heating the laundry is to obtain the lowest possible temperature difference between the temperature of the laundry and the temperature of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase.

For this purpose, the control determines a first temperature value at the beginning of the reference time segment and a second temperature value at the end of the reference time segment. The controller determines a temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value, and the controller then compares the temperature difference with a temperature threshold value. As soon as the temperature difference is less than the temperature threshold value, the control ends the mixing phase, since an effective temperature equalization has been established between the laundry and the washing liquid.

The temperature threshold value is selected to be low enough that it ensures that an effective temperature equalization has been established between the laundry and the washing liquid in the laundry care device.

Uniform heating of the laundry in the laundry drum can counteract damage to the laundry, and the introduction of heat into the laundry caused by the heating element can be reduced in a targeted manner.

Furthermore, shorter washing times and advantageous hygiene requirements can be met through higher temperatures in the laundry, and reproducible and higher laundry care successes can be ensured for the laundry during a laundry treatment program.

A laundry care device is understood to mean a device that is used for laundry care, such as a washing machine or a tumble dryer. In particular, such a laundry care device is understood to mean a household laundry care device. So a laundry care device, which is used in the context of housekeeping, and with which laundry is treated in household quantities.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the control is designed to end the washing process when the specific second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase corresponds to the target temperature value, or the control is designed to end the washing process when the specific second temperature value of the washing liquid at At the end of the mixing phase lies within a variance range of the target temperature value, or the controller is designed to end the washing process when the determined temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value falls below a further temperature threshold value.

This has the technical advantage that uniform heating of the laundry in the laundry drum is ensured. If, at the end of the mixing phase, the second temperature value of the washing liquid corresponds to the target temperature value, the control can assume that the laundry in the washing drum and the washing liquid in the tub have approximately the same temperature, since the temperature of the washing liquid does not drop any further. The control can thus end the washing process.

Alternatively, the control can end the washing process when the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase lies within a variance range of the target temperature value. This ensures that the control also ends the washing process when the determined second temperature value is only slightly above or only slightly below the target temperature value.

Alternatively, the controller can end the washing process when the determined temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value falls below a further temperature threshold value. The washing process can thus also be ended if only a very flat temperature gradient is determined at the end of the mixing phase and there is no further significant temperature drop. Here, the further temperature threshold value can have a lower temperature difference, in particular of 2 ° C., than the temperature threshold value, which can in particular have a temperature difference of 5 ° C.

In the present case, the washing process is understood to mean that phase of a laundry treatment program until the temperature value of the laundry has reached a predetermined target value, whereby, due to the effective temperature equalization between the laundry and the washing liquid, the temperature value of the laundry can be inferred by measuring the temperature value of the washing liquid. After such a washing process has ended, a post-washing process can in principle follow, which preferably takes place without a further heating phase. With the post-washing process, treatment of the laundry with the predetermined temperature value of the laundry can be ensured for a predetermined treatment duration. In addition, the laundry can be moved further during the post-wash process by rotating the laundry drum. The treatment duration of the post-wash process can preferably be established or determined as a function of the duration of the previous wash process, a determined amount of laundry and / or laundry type and / or a selected laundry treatment program. With the post-wash phase, the success of the laundry care and the hygiene requirements can also be advantageously ensured.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the control is designed to deactivate the pump and the drum drive during a collection phase of the washing process that follows the mixing phase in order to collect washing liquid in the tub if the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase does not match Corresponds to the target temperature value, or if the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase is not within a range of variance of the target temperature value or if the determined temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value does not fall below the further temperature threshold value.

This has the technical advantage that the collection phase ensures that the washing liquid collects on an underside of the tub by deactivating the pump and the drum drive. If the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase does not correspond to the target temperature value, or if the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase is not within a range of variance of the target temperature value, or if the determined temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value does not fall below the further temperature threshold value, the controller cannot end the washing process because the laundry has not yet been fully heated by the washing liquid. Instead, the controller must activate another heating phase of the heating element as part of a further washing process. The washing liquid collected in the tub during the collection phase can ensure that the heating element does not run dry during the subsequent further heating phase of the further washing process.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the controller is designed to start a further washing process of the laundry care device after the mixing phase or after the collection phase if the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase does not correspond to the target temperature value or is not within a range of variance of the target temperature value or if the determined temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value does not fall below the further temperature threshold value, the controller being designed to activate the heating element during a further heating phase of the further washing process until the detected temperature of the washing liquid in the tub reaches a target temperature value, whereby the control is designed to activate the drum drive during a further mixing phase of the further washing process that follows the further heating phase ieren in order to rotate the laundry drum and to activate the pump to circulate the washing liquid and to wet the laundry received in the washing drum with the heated, circulated washing liquid, the control being designed to set a first temperature value at the beginning of a reference time segment of the further mixing phase and on To determine a second temperature value at the end of the reference time segment of the further mixing phase, and wherein the controller is designed to end the further mixing phase when the temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value falls below a temperature threshold value in order to ensure a uniform temperature distribution in the washing liquid and in the Ensure laundry.

This has the technical advantage that the control ensures that the washing process is not ended if the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase does not correspond to the target temperature value, or if the temperature gradient is not flat enough, since then the laundry has not yet been completely heated by the washing liquid. In this case the control starts another washing process. During the further heating phase of the further washing process, the heating element heats the washing liquid again to the target temperature value. During the further mixing phase following the further heating phase, the control activates the drum drive again to rotate the washing drum and the control activates the pump again to pump out the washing liquid from the tub and to pump the heated, pumped washing liquid back into the tub. The first and second temperature values and the temperature difference between the first and second temperature values are then determined again. If the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the further mixing phase corresponds to the target temperature value, or if the temperature gradient is sufficiently flat, the control ends the further washing process. If this is not the case, the controller repeats the further laundry processes until the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the corresponding further mixing phase corresponds to the target temperature value, or until the temperature gradient is sufficiently flat.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the laundry care device has a level sensor which is designed to detect a level of washing liquid in the tub, and the laundry care device has a washing liquid supply device for supplying washing liquid into the tub, the control being designed to provide the washing liquid supply device to activate in order to supply washing liquid into the tub when the detected level of washing liquid in the tub falls below a reference level value.

This has the technical advantage that the washing liquid supply device ensures that washing liquid is supplied promptly when the detected level of washing liquid in the tub falls below a reference level value, so that the heating element can be prevented from running dry.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the washing liquid supply device is fluidly connected to the tub through a supply line connected, and comprises the washing liquid supply device in particular a dispensing bowl of the laundry care device.

This has the technical advantage that the washing liquid supply device can effectively deliver washing liquid to the tub through the supply line. If the washing liquid supply device comprises a dispensing bowl, either water can be supplied as washing liquid through the dispensing bowl to the tub, or laundry care substance mixed with water can be fed to the tub as washing liquid.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the laundry care device has a level sensor, which is designed to detect a level of washing liquid in the tub, the control being designed to activate the drum drive in order to spin free washing liquid bound in the laundry and the washing liquid thrown out To supply tub when the detected level of washing liquid in the tub falls below a reference level value.

This has the technical advantage that the washing liquid thrown free ensures that the heating element can be prevented from running dry if the detected fill level of washing liquid in the tub falls below a reference fill level value.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the control is designed to activate the drum drive during the mixing phase in order to rotate the laundry drum at least in sections at a rotational speed during the mixing phase and to bring the laundry into contact with the laundry drum.

This achieves the technical advantage that by rotating the laundry drum at the attachment rotation speed it can be ensured that the laundry is effectively placed against the laundry drum and a laundry channel is thereby formed in the laundry drum. Washer fluid pumped around by the pump can especially are advantageously introduced into the laundry channel in order to wet the laundry advantageously.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the control is designed to activate the drum drive during the mixing phase in order to rotate the laundry drum at a reversing rotation speed, in particular in a reversing direction of rotation that is opposite to the main direction of rotation of the laundry drum during the mixing phase, at least in sections.

This achieves the technical advantage that by rotating the laundry drum at a reversing speed which is, in particular, lower than the attachment rotation speed, particularly effective wetting of the laundry is ensured. If the laundry drum is rotated in the reverse direction of rotation opposite to the main direction of rotation of the laundry drum, effective turning of the laundry in the laundry drum is achieved and it can be ensured that the laundry is evenly wetted.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the control is designed to rotate the laundry drum during the reference time segment at the reversing rotation speed and / or in the reversing rotation direction.

This achieves the technical advantage that, during the reference time segment, an even distribution of the laundry in the laundry drum is ensured, whereby a particularly precise determination of the first temperature value and the second temperature value can be ensured.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the laundry care device has a level sensor which is designed to detect a level of washing liquid in the tub, and the controller is designed to activate the heating element during the heating phase when the detected level of washing liquid in the tub exceeds a reference level value.

This has the technical advantage that it is ensured that the heating element is not activated if there is not enough washing liquid in the tub.

According to a second aspect, the object according to the invention is achieved by a method for caring for laundry in a laundry care device, the laundry care device having a tub for receiving washing liquid, the tub having a drain opening and an inlet opening which are fluidically connected by a liquid line, wherein the laundry care device a laundry drum for receiving laundry, a drum drive for rotating the laundry drum, a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of washing liquid in the tub, a heating element for heating the washing liquid, a pump which is designed to pump washing liquid through the drain opening into the liquid line and to supply the pumped washing liquid again through the inlet opening to the tub in order to wet the laundry in the laundry drum, and a control for controlling the pump, the drum drive and the heating element would be nd a washing process, the method comprising the following steps, activating the heating element during a heating phase of the washing process by the controller until the detected temperature of the washing liquid in the tub reaches a target temperature value, activating the drum drive to rotate the washing drum, and the Pump to circulate the washing liquid, during a mixing phase that follows the heating phase, by the controller, in order to wet the laundry received in the washing drum with the heated, pumped washing liquid, determining a first temperature value of the washing liquid in the tub at the beginning of a reference time segment of the mixing phase and a second temperature value of the washing liquid in the tub at the end of a reference time segment of the mixing phase by the controller, and ending the mixing phase by the controller when the temperature difference between the falls below a temperature threshold value in the first temperature value and the second temperature value in order to ensure a uniform temperature distribution in the washing liquid and in the laundry.

This has the technical advantage that the method ensures particularly uniform heating of the laundry and the washing liquid.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the method comprises the following step of terminating the washing process by the controller if the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase corresponds to the target temperature value, or if the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase is within a range of variance of the target temperature value, or if the determined temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value falls below a further temperature threshold value.

This has the technical advantage that the washing process can be ended after the target temperature has been reached, or in the case of a flat temperature gradient.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the method comprises the following step of deactivating the pump and the drum drive during a collection phase of the washing process that follows the mixing phase by the controller in order to collect washing liquid in the tub when the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end the mixing phase does not correspond to the target temperature value, or if the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase is not within a range of variance of the target temperature value, or if the determined temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value does not fall below a further temperature threshold value.

This has the technical advantage that the collection phase ensures that the heating element does not run dry when the mixing phase is followed by further heating phases.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the method comprises the following step, starting a further washing process of the laundry care device after the mixing phase or after the collecting phase by the controller if the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase does not correspond to the target temperature value or does not fall within a range of variance of the target temperature value or if the determined temperature difference between the does not fall below the first temperature value and the second temperature value a further temperature threshold value, the further washing process comprising a further heating phase and a further mixing phase following the further heating phase.

This has the technical advantage that the further washing processes can be repeated until the detected temperature of the washing liquid reaches the target temperature value.

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

eine schematische Ansicht eines Wäschepflegegeräts mit einer Steuerung;

Fig. 3

eine graphische Darstellung eines Abschnitts eines Wäschebehandlungsprogramms gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 4

eine graphische Darstellung eines Abschnitts eines Wäschebehandlungsprogramms gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 5

eine graphische Darstellung eines Abschnitts eines Wäschebehandlungsprogramms gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform; und

Fig. 6

eine schematische Darstellung eines Verfahrens zum Pflegen von Wäsche in einem Wäschepflegegerät.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic view of a laundry care device;

Fig. 2

a schematic view of a laundry care device with a controller;

Fig. 3

a graphic representation of a section of a laundry treatment program according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 4

a graphic representation of a section of a laundry treatment program according to a second embodiment;

Fig. 5

a graphic representation of a section of a laundry treatment program according to a third embodiment; and

Fig. 6

a schematic representation of a method for caring for laundry in a laundry care device.

Fig. 1 FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of a general laundry care device 100, such as a washing machine. The laundry care device 100 comprises a rinsing bowl 101 into which detergent or other liquid substances can be filled. The laundry care device 100 comprises a door 103 for loading the laundry care device 100 with laundry.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a laundry care device with a control. The laundry care device 100 has a tub 105 for receiving washing liquid, and has a laundry drum 107 for receiving laundry. The laundry drum 107 has an underside 109 of the drum. The tub 105 has a drain opening 111. The laundry care device 100 has an inlet opening 113. The discharge opening 111 is fluidically connected to the inlet opening 113 by a liquid line 115, a pump 117 for pumping washing liquid through the liquid line 115 being arranged in the liquid line 115. The pump 117 can dispense washing liquid through the drain opening 111 from the tub 105 during an in Fig. 2 Pump the pumping over process (not shown) into the liquid line 115 and feed the pumped out washing liquid through the liquid line 115 and through the inlet opening 113 to the tub 105 and the laundry drum 107. As a result, the fresh washing liquid can be effectively pumped around through the liquid line 115 during a laundry care process and fed back to the laundry in the laundry drum 107.

The laundry care device 100 further comprises a controller 119 which is connected to the pump 117 by a first control connection 121 and which is connected to a drum drive 123 by a second control connection 125.

The controller 119 is designed to control the pump speed of the pump 117 as a function of the detected electrical power value of the pump 117.

The laundry care device 100 further comprises an outlet line 127 which is fluidically connected to the liquid line 115. The pump 117 is formed during an in Fig. 2 The pumping process, not shown, is used to pump out washing liquid through the drain opening 111 from the tub 105, through the liquid line 115 and through the outlet line 127 from the laundry care device 100.

Even if this is in Fig. 2 is not shown, the controller 119 is with a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of washing liquid in the tub 105, a heating element for heating the washing liquid in the tub 105, and a filling level sensor for detecting a filling level of washing liquid in the tub 105.

Fig. 3 shows a graphic representation of a section of a laundry treatment program according to a first embodiment. Fig. 3 shows a temporal representation of a rotational speed of a laundry drum 107, a temperature of washing liquid in the tub 105, the level of washing liquid in the tub 105, an activation state or deactivation state of the pump 117, and the amount of washing liquid supplied to the tub 105, all along the ordinate axis 131 are plotted as a function of the time in seconds, which is indicated along the abscissa axis 133.

The first curve 135 shows the course of the rotational speed of the laundry drum 107. The second curve 137 shows the course of the temperature of washing liquid in the tub 105. The third curve 139 shows the level of washing liquid in the tub 105. The fourth curve 141 shows the activation state or the deactivation state of the pump 117. The fifth curve 143 shows the amount of washing liquid supplied to the tub 105.

A washing process 144 carried out in the laundry care device 100 is shown along the abscissa axis 133.

During a heating phase 145 of the washing process 144, there is a sufficient amount of washing liquid in the tub 105, which ensures that the heating element arranged in the tub 105 is completely surrounded by washing liquid and that there is no damage caused by the heating element running dry.

The controller 119 activates the heating element during the heating phase 145 until the temperature of the washing liquid in the tub 105 reaches a target temperature value 146. The target temperature value 146 is typically selected by the customer or by the laundry treatment program in such a way that when the target temperature value is reached 146 no temperature-related textile damage is to be feared from locally overheated laundry.

As shown in the first curve 135, the drum drive 123 rotates the laundry drum 107 during the heating phase 145.

During a mixing phase 147 of the washing process 144 that follows the heating phase 145, the controller 119 activates the drum drive 123 in order to rotate the laundry drum 107 at an attachment rotational speed 148, whereby the laundry is brought into contact with the laundry drum 107.

At the same time, the control 119 activates the pump 117 during the mixing phase 147 in order to circulate washing liquid and to supply the washing liquid which has been pumped over to the laundry in the laundry drum 107. Like in the Fig. 3 is shown, the washing liquid pumped around by the pump 117 here has a pump-around activity 149. As a result, the washing liquid heated by the heating element is supplied to the laundry in the laundry drum 107 and the supplied washing liquid is thrown out of the laundry again by the attachment rotational speed 148. As shown in the third curve 139, the washing liquid spun out during the mixing phase 147 collects in the tub 105, so that a drum fill level 151 of washing liquid is set in the tub 105.

During the mixing phase 147, the drum drive 123 does not necessarily have to rotate the laundry drum 107 at the attachment rotational speed 148, but rather the laundry drum 107 can also rotate at a lower rotational speed.

It is possible for the drum drive 123 to rotate the laundry drum 107 at least in sections in a reversing manner during the mixing phase 147, with the reversing direction of rotation being opposite to a main direction of rotation of the laundry drum 107 during the mixing phase 147, and with the laundry drum 107 being rotated in particular at a reversing rotation speed.

During the mixing phase 147, the heated washing liquid transfers part of its heat to the laundry, so that there is an effective temperature equalization between the washing liquid and the laundry. Because the cooler laundry absorbs heat from the heated washing liquid, the washing liquid in the tub 105 is slightly cooled so that, as shown in the second curve 137, the temperature of the washing liquid drops slightly during the mixing phase 147 and is thus below the Target temperature value 146 is located.

At the end of the mixing phase 147, the controller 119 determines a first temperature value at the beginning of a reference time segment 153 and the controller 119 determines a second temperature value at the end of the reference time segment 153. The controller 119 then determines the temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value. The controller 119 ends the mixing phase 147 when the temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value falls below a temperature threshold value. The temperature threshold value is chosen so low that it is ensured that a temperature difference which falls below the temperature threshold value indicates that an effective heat exchange has taken place between the laundry and the washing liquid and thus a sufficiently flat temperature gradient is present.

There in the Fig. 3 the second temperature value at the end of the mixing phase 147 does not correspond to the target temperature value 146, but is lower, the controller 119 starts a collection phase 155 following the mixing phase 147 collect pumped washing liquid in the tub 105. This ensures that there is a sufficiently high washing liquid level at the bottom of the tub 105 so that the heating element and temperature sensor are effectively covered with the washing liquid as soon as the washing liquid is heated again.

If the amount of washing liquid in the tub 105 should not be sufficient to effectively cover the heating element and the temperature sensor, the controller 119 can activate the drum drive 123 again to remove washing liquid from the To spin the laundry free, or a washing liquid supply device can be activated in order to supply washing liquid to the tub 105 again.

For this purpose, the laundry care device has an in Fig. 3 fill level sensor, not shown, which is designed to detect a fill level of washing liquid in the tub 105, and the laundry care device has a washing liquid supply device for feeding washing liquid into the tub 105. As shown in the fifth curve 143, the controller 119 activates the washing liquid supply device at a supply time 157 when the detected level of washing liquid in the tub 105 falls below a reference level value 159, so that washing liquid can be supplied until the detected level of washing liquid in the Lye container 105 exceeds the reference level value 159 again.

After the collection phase 155 has been carried out, the laundry care device 100 starts a further washing process 144-2, the further washing process 144-2 comprising a further heating phase 145-2, during which the controller 119 activates the heating element again, whereby during the further heating phase 145- 2 the detected temperature of the washing liquid corresponds to the target temperature value 146.

The controller 119 is designed to end the washing process 144 when the detected temperature of the washing liquid in the tub 105 reaches the target temperature value 146 after the further washing process 144-2.

Fig. 4 shows a graphic representation of a section of a laundry treatment program according to a second embodiment. With regard to the curves 135, 137, 139, 141 and 143 shown, reference is made to FIG Fig. 3 referenced. As shown in the fifth curve 143, the controller 119 activates the washing liquid supply device at a supply time 157 when the detected level of washing liquid in the tub 105 falls below a reference level value 159.

The heating phase 145 and the mixing phase 147 of the washing process 144 correspond to the respective corresponding phases 145, 147 of FIG Fig. 3 shown washing process 144. Here, however, the temperature of the washing liquid detected by the temperature sensor falls below the target temperature value 146 at the end of the mixing phase 147. For this reason, the controller 119 carries out a collection phase 155 in order to collect washing liquid in the tub 105, and the controller 119 then carries out further washing processes 144-2, the further washing processes 144-2 further heating phases 145-2 and others Mixing phases 147-2 include. At the end of the last mixing phase 147-2 of the last further washing process 144-2, the detected temperature lies within a variance range of the target temperature value 146 and the controller 119 ends the washing processes 144, 144-2.

Fig. 5 shows a graphic representation of a laundry care process according to a second embodiment. With regard to the curves 135, 137, 139, 141 and 143 shown, reference is made to FIG Fig. 3 referenced.

In the Fig. 5 a plurality of further washing processes 144-2 is shown only in sections. Here, each of the further washing processes 144-2 comprises a corresponding further heating phase 145-2 and a corresponding further mixing phase 147-2. Between the respective washing processes 144-2, washing liquid is collected in the tub 105 during respective collection phases 155. For details of the determination of the temperature of the washing liquid by the controller 119, please refer to the explanations in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 referenced. As shown in the fifth curve 143, the controller 119 activates the washing liquid supply device at a supply time 157 when the detected level of washing liquid in the tub 105 falls below a reference level value 159.

During the respective reference time periods 153 of the respective mixing phases 147-2, the controller 119 determines a first temperature value at the beginning of the respective reference time period 153 and a second temperature value at the end of the respective reference time period 153.

At the end of each mixing phase 147-2, the controller 119 compares the temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value and determines the respective temperature difference between the respective first temperature value and the respective second temperature value.

The criterion for the controller 119 to cancel the respective further washing process 144-2 is when the respective determined temperature difference falls below a temperature threshold value.

In the two first reference periods 153 in time, the temperature difference determined by the controller 119 is too great for the controller 119 to be able to terminate, i.e. the temperature gradient is flat enough. Only in the last reference period 153 in time is a small temperature difference determined, which falls below the temperature threshold value, so that the temperature gradient is sufficiently flat for a termination.

The controller 119 thus ends the further washing processes 144-2 after the last reference period 153 and no further washing process 144-2 follows.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of a method for caring for laundry in a laundry care device.

The method 200 comprises, as a first method step, the activation 201 of the heating element during a heating phase 145 of the washing process 144 by the controller 119 until the detected temperature of the washing liquid in the tub 105 reaches a target temperature value 146.

The method 200 comprises, as a second method step, activating 203 the drum drive 123 in order to rotate the laundry drum 107 and the pump 117 in order to circulate the washing liquid, during a mixing phase 147 that follows the heating phase 145 by the controller 119 in order to achieve the To wet laundry drum 107 received laundry with the heated pumped washing liquid.

The method 200 comprises, as a third method step, determining 205 a first temperature value at the beginning of a reference time segment 153 of the mixing phase 147 and a second temperature value at the end of a reference time segment 153 of the mixing phase 147.

The method 200 includes, as a fourth method step, the termination 207 of the mixing phase 147 by the controller 119 when the temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value falls below a temperature threshold value in order to ensure a uniform temperature distribution in the washing liquid and in the laundry.

The method 200 includes, as an optional fifth method step, the termination 209 of the washing process 144 by the controller 119 if the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase 147 corresponds to the target temperature value 146, or if the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase 147 within of a variance range of the target temperature value 146, or if the determined temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value falls below a further temperature threshold value.

The method 200 comprises, as an alternative, optional sixth method step, the deactivation 211 of the pump 117 and the drum drive 123 during a collection phase 155 of the washing process 144 that follows the mixing phase 147 by the controller 119 in order to collect washing liquid in the tub 105 when the determined second The temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase 147 does not correspond to the target temperature value 146, or if the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase 147 is not within a range of variance of the target temperature value 146, or if the determined temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value is a does not fall below another temperature threshold.

As an alternative, optional seventh method step, the method 200 includes starting 213 a further washing process 144-2 of the laundry care device 100 after the mixing phase 147 or after the collecting phase 155 if the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase 147 does not or does not correspond to the target temperature value 146 lies within a variance range of the target temperature value 146 or if the determined temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value does not fall below a further temperature threshold value, the further washing process 144-2 being a further one Heating phase 145-2 and a further mixing phase 147 following the further heating phase 145-2.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown, method step 213 can also be formed by repeating steps 201 to 207. wherein the repetition can be ended when a predetermined period of time has been reached or with step 209.

After a washing process 144 or 144-2 has ended, a post-washing process can follow, in which the laundry drum 109 can be rotated analogously to the rotation of the laundry drum 109 in the washing process 144 or 144-02. In particular, no further heating phase is provided in the post-wash cycle.

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

List of reference symbols

100

Laundry care device

101

Detergent bowl

103

door

105

Suds container

107

Laundry drum

109

Drum bottom

111

Drain hole

113

Inlet opening

115

Liquid line

117

pump

119

steering

121

First control connection

123

Drum drive

125

Second control connection

127

Outlet pipe

131

Ordinate axis

133

Abscissa axis

135

First turn

137

Second corner

139

Third corner

141

Fourth turn

143

Fifth turn

144

Washing process

144-2

Another washing process

145

Heating phase

145-2

Further heating phase

146

Target temperature value

147

Mixing phase

147-2

Further mixing phase

148

Attachment rotation speed

149

Circulation activity

151

Drum level

153

Reference period

155

Collection phase

157

Refill time

159

Reference level value

200

Method of caring for laundry

201

First process step: activate the heating element

203

Second process step: Activate the drum drive and the pump

205

Third method step: determining the first and second temperature values

207

Fourth process step: ending the mixing phase

209

Fifth process step: Ending the washing process

211

Sixth process step: Deactivating the pump

213

Seventh process step: starting another washing process

Claims (15)

1. Laundry care appliance (100) with an outer tub (105) for accommodating washing liquid, wherein the outer tub (105) has an outlet opening (111) and an inlet opening (113), which are fluidically connected by a liquid line (115), a laundry drum (107) for accommodating laundry, a drum drive (123) for rotating the laundry drum (107), a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of washing liquid in the outer tub (105), a heating element for heating the washing liquid, a pump (117), which is embodied to pump washing liquid out through the outlet opening (111) and into the liquid line (115) and to supply the pumped-out washing liquid through the inlet opening (113) and into the outer tub (105) again, in order to wet the laundry in the laundry drum (107), and a controller (119) for controlling the pump (117), the drum drive (123) and the heating element during a washing procedure (144), characterised in that

   the controller (119) is embodied, during a heating phase (145) of the washing procedure (144), to activate the heating element until the detected temperature of the washing liquid in the outer tub (105) reaches a target temperature value (146), that

   the controller (119) is embodied, during a mixing phase (147) of the washing procedure (144) which follows the heating phase (145), to activate the drum drive (123), in order to rotate the laundry drum (107), and to activate the pump (117), in order to pump the washing liquid and to wet the laundry accommodated in the laundry drum (107) with the heated, pumped washing liquid,

   wherein the controller (119) is embodied, at the start of a reference time section (153) of the mixing phase (147), to determine a first temperature value of the washing liquid in the outer tub and, at the end of the reference time section (153) of the mixing phase (147), to determine a second temperature value, and wherein the controller (119) is embodied to terminate the mixing phase (147) if the temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value falls below a temperature threshold value, in order to ensure a uniform temperature distribution in the washing liquid and in the laundry.
2. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied to terminate the washing procedure (144) if the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase (147) corresponds to the target temperature value (146), or that

   the controller (119) is embodied to terminate the washing procedure (144) if the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase (147) lies within a variance range of the target temperature value (146), or that

   the controller (119) is embodied to terminate the washing procedure (144) if the determined temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value falls below a further temperature threshold value.
3. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied, during a collecting phase (155) of the washing procedure (144) which follows the mixing phase (147), to deactivate the pump (117) and the drum drive (123), in order to collect washing liquid in the outer tub (105) if the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase (147) does not correspond to the target temperature value (146), or if the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase (147) does not lie within a variance range of the target temperature value (146), or if the determined temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value falls below the further temperature threshold value.
4. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied, after the mixing phase (147) or after the collecting phase (155), to start a further washing procedure (144-2) of the laundry care appliance (100) if the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase (147) does not correspond to the target temperature value (146) or does not lie within a variance range of the target temperature value (146) or if the determined temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value does not fall below the further temperature threshold value, wherein the controller (119) is embodied to activate the heating element during a further heating phase (145-2) of the further washing procedure (144-2) until the detected temperature of the washing liquid in the outer tub (105) reaches a target temperature value (146), wherein the controller (119) is embodied, during a further mixing phase (147-2) of the further washing procedure (144-2) which follows the further heating phase (145-2), to activate the drum drive (123), in order to rotate the laundry drum (107), and to activate the pump (117), in order to pump the washing liquid and to wet the laundry accommodated in the laundry drum (107) with the heated, pumped washing liquid, wherein the controller (119) is embodied, at the start of a reference time section (153) of the further mixing phase (147-2), to determine a first temperature value and, at the end of the reference time section (152) of the further mixing phase (147-2), to determine a second temperature value, and wherein the controller (119) is embodied to terminate the mixing phase (147-2) if the temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value falls below a temperature threshold value, in order to ensure a uniform temperature distribution in the washing liquid and in the laundry.
5. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the laundry care appliance (100) has a fill level sensor which is embodied to detect a fill level of washing liquid in the outer tub (105), and that the laundry care appliance (100) has a washing liquid supply facility for supplying washing liquid into the outer tub (105), wherein the controller (119) is embodied to activate the washing liquid supply facility, in order to supply washing liquid to the outer tub (105) if the detected fill level of washing liquid in the outer tub (105) falls below a reference fill level value.
6. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 5, characterised in that the washing liquid supply facility is fluidically connected to the outer tub (105) by way of a supply line, and that the washing liquid supply facility in particular comprises a detergent dispenser tray (101) of the laundry care appliance (100).
7. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the laundry care appliance (100) has a fill level sensor which is embodied to detect a fill level of washing liquid in the outer tub (105), wherein the controller (119) is embodied to activate the drum drive (123), in order to spin free the washing liquid bound in the laundry and to supply the spun-free washing liquid to the outer tub (105) if the detected fill level of washing liquid in the outer tub (105) falls below a reference fill level value.
8. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied, during the mixing phase (147), to activate the drum drive (123), in order to rotate the laundry drum (107) during the mixing phase (147), at least in sections, at a settling rotation speed (148) and to bring the laundry into contact with the laundry drum (107).
9. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied, during the mixing phase (147), to activate the drum drive (123), in order to rotate the laundry drum (107) at a reversing rotation speed, in particular in a reversing direction of rotation that is directed opposite to the main direction of rotation of the laundry drum (107) during the mixing phase (147), at least in sections.
10. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 9, characterised in that the controller (119) is embodied to rotate the laundry drum (107), during the reference time section (153), at the reversing rotation speed and/or in the reversing direction of rotation.
11. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the laundry care appliance (100) has a fill level sensor which is embodied to detect a fill level of washing liquid in the outer tub (105), and that the controller (119) is embodied to activate the heating element during the heating phase (145) if the detected fill level of washing liquid in the outer tub (105) exceeds a reference fill level value.
12. Method (200) for caring for laundry in a laundry care appliance (100), wherein the laundry care appliance (100) has an outer tub (105) for accommodating washing liquid, wherein the outer tub (105) has an outlet opening (111) and an inlet opening (113), which are fluidically connected by a liquid line (115), wherein the laundry care appliance (100) has a laundry drum (107) for accommodating laundry, a drum drive (123) for rotating the laundry drum (107), a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of washing liquid in the outer tub (105), a heating element for heating the washing liquid, a pump (117), which is embodied to pump washing liquid out through the outlet opening (111) and into the liquid line (115) and to supply the pumped-out washing liquid through the inlet opening (113) and into the outer tub (105) again, in order to wet the laundry in the laundry drum (107), and a controller (119) for controlling the pump (117), the drum drive (123) and the heating element during a washing procedure (144), characterised in that the method (200) comprises the following steps:

    Activation (201) of the heating element during a heating phase (145) of the washing procedure (144) by way of the controller (119), until the detected temperature of the washing liquid in the outer tub (105) reaches a target temperature value (146),

    Activation (203) of the drum drive (123), in order to rotate the laundry drum (107), and of the pump (117), in order to pump the washing liquid, during a mixing phase (147) which follows the heating phase (145), by way of the controller (119), in order to wet the laundry accommodated in the laundry drum (107) with the heated, pumped washing liquid,

    Determination (205) of a first temperature value of the washing liquid in the outer tub at the start of a reference time section (153) of the mixing phase (147), and of a second temperature value of the washing liquid in the outer tub at the end of a reference time section (153) of the mixing phase (147), by way of the controller (119), and

    Termination (207) of the mixing phase (147) by way of the controller (119) if the temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value falls below a temperature threshold value, in order to ensure a uniform temperature distribution in the washing liquid and in the laundry.
13. Method (200) according to claim 12, characterised in that the method (200) comprises the following step: termination (209) of the washing procedure (144) by way of the controller (119) if the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase (147) corresponds to the target temperature value (146), or if the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase (147) lies within a variance range of the target temperature value (146), or if the determined temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value falls below a further temperature threshold value.
14. Method (200) according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the method (200) comprises the following step: Deactivation (211) of the pump (117) and of the drum drive (123) during a collecting phase (155) of the washing procedure (144) which follows the mixing phase (147), by way of the controller (119), in order to collect washing liquid in the outer tub (105) if the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase (147) does not correspond to the target temperature value (146), or if the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase (147) does not lie within a variance range of the target temperature value (146), or if the determined temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value does not fall below a further temperature threshold value.
15. Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims 12 to 14, characterised in that the method (200) comprises the following step: starting (213) a further washing procedure (144-2) of the laundry care appliance (100) after the mixing phase (147) or after the collecting phase (155) by way of the controller (119) if the determined second temperature value of the washing liquid at the end of the mixing phase (147) does not correspond to the target temperature value (146) or does not lie within a variance range of the target temperature value (146), or if the determined temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value does not fall below a further temperature threshold value, wherein the further washing procedure (144-2) comprises a further heating phase (145-2) and a further mixing phase (147) which follows the further heating phase (145).

Images