WO2012048911A1

WO2012048911A1 - Method for controlling a washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2012048911A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/057449
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erik BRÜCKNER; Karl-Heinz Hohenadel; Mario Zeibig; Slavoljub Barackov; Peter Schmiedel; Christian Nitsch
Original assignee: Henkel Ag & Co. Kgaa
Priority date: 2010-10-15
Filing date: 2011-05-10
Publication date: 2012-04-19
Also published as: DE102010042514A1

Abstract

The invention related to a method for controlling a washing machine (1), wherein the washing machine comprises a suds container (2) and a drum (3) which is attached within the suds container (2) and in which the laundry (7) can be treated, wherein the drum can be rotatingly driven; a spray device (4) which is suitable for delivering a liquid (10, 11, 12) into an inner space of the drum (3); and a pump device (8) which is suitable for pumping liquid out of a suds sump (9) of the suds container (2), comprising the following method steps: - carrying out a cleaning process in which the laundry (7) is treated with a cleaning solution (10), carrying out a rinsing process which removes the cleaning solution at least mostly from the laundry, wherein the rinsing process comprises the following sub-steps: - driving the drum (3) to an abutting rotational speed at which the laundry (7) abuts the drum (3) due to centrifugal force; spraying the laundry (7) with a rinsing solution (11) by means of the spraying device (4) while simultaneously pumping out free rinsing solution (11), such that no free rinsing solution (11) accumulates within the drum (3).

Description

Method for controlling a washing machine

The invention relates to a method for controlling a washing machine.

A corresponding washing machine comprises a lye container and a drum arranged inside the lye container, in which laundry can be treated. The drum is rotatable drivable. Furthermore, the washing machine comprises a spray device, which is suitable for dispensing liquid into an interior of the drum, as well as a

Pump-down device, which is suitable for pumping liquid from a Laugen swamp of the tub. As liquids are understood in particular solutions that contain cleaning, care or other laundry treatment substances, in particular cleaning solutions, rinsing solutions, bleaching solutions or care solutions.

Such a washing machine is shown in WO2005 / 003268 A1. This washing machine can perform a cleaning process in which substantially the entire

Cleaning solution is in close contact with the laundry. In this case, only a minimal proportion of free washing liquid is present, which is located substantially in the tub. This free amount of washing liquid can be used to heat the tub in conjunction with a heating element. This is intended to substantially reduce the water consumption during the cleaning process substantially. This can also lead to lower energy consumption, since less washing liquid is to be heated. For rinsing the cleaning solution from the laundry, a large amount of rinsing liquid is used, essentially 5 to 20 liters per kilogram dry weight of the laundry.

On this basis, it is an object of the present invention an improved

To provide washing process, in which preferably the required amount of water can be reduced and / or energy can be saved. The object underlying the invention is achieved by a method for controlling a washing machine of the aforementioned type, comprising the following

Procedural steps: Performing a cleaning process, in which the laundry is treated with a small amount of cleaning solution, and performing a rinsing process in which cleaning solution can be at least largely removed from the laundry. The washing process according to the invention is characterized in that the rinsing process comprises the following sub-steps: driving the drum to an application speed at which the laundry rests on the drum as a result of centrifugal force; Spray the wash with a rinse solution through the sprayer while simultaneously pumping free rinse solution so that no free rinse solution will accumulate inside the drum. The drum is spinning

preferably substantially during the entire flushing operation with application speed. Optionally, the rinsing process prior to the actual spraying of the rinsing solution may also include the pumping of free cleaning solution from the previous cleaning process, if free cleaning solution is present at all.

The method according to the invention is based on the aim that, in particular, the large amounts of water previously required during the flushing process should be reduced. It has been found that the rinsing solution can push the substances to be rinsed out of the laundry, namely in particular cleaning agents and dirt particles, through the laundry fabric, as it were, when the rinse solution mechanically penetrates the fabric of the laundry. As soon as the rinse solution has completely passed through the tissue, the rinse solution has essentially also removed the substances to be removed from the laundry. It has been found that this is sufficient for a relatively small amount of rinse solution. This can result in a significant saving of water, which is needed for the rinse solution, compared to conventional rinses. The use of small amounts of water during the cleaning as well as the rinsing process leads in addition to the water savings also directly to an energy savings, as for

Temperature washing programs, especially during the cleaning operations a smaller amount of heat energy must be supplied. Basically, the washing machine suitable for carrying out the washing machine has a corresponding heating device, for. B. arranged in the tub heating element to the laundry, and / or the

To bring the drum interior to the desired temperature. In addition, results from the use of small amounts of water, especially during the cleaning operations, a lower mechanical load on the laundry and thus a laundry-saving total washing process

Under an over the spray device into the interior of the drum to be sprayed

Cleaning solution is to be understood in the context of the invention, a liquid which is suitable for cleaning, especially the chemical release of dirt from the laundry, care and / or other treatment of the laundry. The cleaning solution thus preferably comprises water and laundry treatment and / or cleaning agents dissolved therein, such as heavy-duty liquid, color detergent, light-duty liquid or special detergent. In particular, one for carrying out the

Washing method according to the invention suitable washing machine, a corresponding mixing device for mixing the cleaning solution of water and

Having laundry treatment or cleaning agent. Furthermore, the cleaning solution may also contain laundry pre-treatment agents, solvent formulations and emulsions. The proportion of water can vary, so that also mentioned laundry treatment agent in

Pure form or almost pure form can be understood as a cleaning solution. In particular, when repeating the spraying process during a washing process, it may be useful to spray in each case different spraying process different laundry treatment. For example, in this way different laundry treatment agents be sprayed, which are chemically incompatible with each other and therefore need to be stored separately. In particular, cleaning solutions with different pH values can be sprayed in the case of several successive spraying operations. This opens up the possibility of the targeted setting of a desired pH during a

Cleaning process. For each individual cleaning process can thus be adjusted depending on the detergent used in each case optimally chemical reactivity for the effectiveness of this detergent. In the end, this leads to an improvement in the cleaning performance of each cleaning process.

Under rinsing solution according to the invention, a liquid is meant, which is used for rinsing laundry, in particular after a cleaning process. The rinse solution is used primarily for the mechanical removal of detergent and dissolved dirt particles from the laundry. The rinse solution can be made completely of water. However, the rinsing solution may also be added with suitable laundry treatment agents or with rinse aid-supporting agents. The sprayed liquids, d. H. In addition, the cleaning solution and / or the rinse solution may also contain deionized water, which positively affects the washing performance. For this purpose, a suitable water-softening system is preferably used within the associated washing machine, for example an ion exchanger, which provides the desired deionized water. Furthermore, the sprayed liquids, i. H. the

Cleaning solution and / or the rinse solution, laundry treatment containing the

It is also believed that this laundry washing step may be carried out during the final spraying operation of the laundry process the last-to-last spraying of the washing process, provided that the final spraying does not lead to an undesirably high rinsing of the laundry detergent out of the laundry Vapor permeability, color content, hygiene, the scenting of the laundry and other laundry equipment, including, among others, substances with soil repellent or soil release effects, as well as microencapsulated substances for H care or for long-term fragrance delivery and optical brighteners.

Under laundry are to be cleaned in addition to be cleaned, especially textile, garments other objects to be cleaned, which do not fall under the category clothing but can still be cleaned by means of a washing machine according to the invention.

A particularly high water saving can result if the cleaning process comprises the following sub-steps: moving the drum at a speed below the

Applying speed and spraying the laundry inside the drum with the cleaning solution, wherein the amount of cleaning solution used is chosen so small that no free cleaning solution forms within the drum, possibly within the tub below the drum.

It has been found that such a cleaning process, which can be carried out with very little water, although it can bring about a good cleaning performance. Due to the small amount of water present in the washing machine during the

Cleaning process is indeed solved dirt and the like from the laundry, but not removed from the laundry. By repeatedly performing the

Cleaning operations of the aforementioned type, however, the cleaning performance can be increased. Due to the large amounts of water, however, for intermediate flushing at

conventional flushing operations were needed, the water saving effect was not particularly high.

However, the cleaning performance can be significantly improved with simultaneous water savings, if after a first flushing of the type described the

Cleaning process is repeated and then the rinsing process of the type described is carried out again. While in conventional rinsing operations by the repeated rinsing a high total water consumption was created in the inventive method due to the low water consumption at each rinse a variety of rinses can be performed, optionally interposed by several cleaning operations without the total water consumption increases too much. In the first rinsing process, the dirt particles dissolved during the first cleaning process can already be largely removed. The second cleaning process then allows a new release of previously undissolved dirt particles. At the second time

Rinsing process then the newly dissolved as well as the already dissolved during the first cleaning process but not yet rinsed dirt particles are removed from the laundry. The combination of a low-water cleaning process and a low-water rinsing process allows both processes to be repeated without the total water consumption rising sharply due to the high individual consumption of one of the processes.

Alternatively or in combination with a plurality of cleaning operations or rinsing operations, a further treatment process can also be carried out, in particular a

Treatment with a bleaching solution or other nourishing substances.

Subsequently, in turn, the rinsing process can be carried out, whereby the introduced in this treatment step solution can be rinsed from the laundry. Since this rinsing process can also be carried out with a small amount of rinsing solution, the additional rinsing process does not significantly increase the total water consumption.

Preferably, 5 to 25 liters, preferably 7.5 to 10 liters of rinse solution are used per rinse. The weight of the laundry refers to their dry state. The conventional rinsing operations, in which essentially a free rinsing liquor within the Lye container is provided, exceeds the required amount of water usually many times.

Preferably, between 0.5 and 3, preferably between 1 and 2 liters of cleaning solution per kilogram of laundry is used per cleaning operation. The weight of the laundry refers to the dry state of the laundry.

The invention further relates to a washing machine of the type mentioned, which has a control device for controlling a washing process. The washing machine according to the invention is characterized in that the control device controls the method of the aforementioned type. This results in the advantages mentioned with respect to the method and further design options.

The invention further relates to a washing machine of the type mentioned. The

Washing machine according to the invention is characterized in that the spraying device is particularly suitable for introducing into the drum liquids such as

To atomize cleaning solution and rinse solution, d. spray in the form of fine droplets into the interior of the drum. For this purpose, the spraying device either has at least one spray unit with a variable spraying characteristic or at least a first one

Spray unit for introducing the cleaning solution and a second spray unit for

Introduction of a rinse solution. The solutions are each preferably introduced into an interior of the drum. Preferably, the first spray unit and the second spray unit differ by the specific volume flow and possibly the other spray characteristics. That's the way it is

For example, provided that the second spray unit can bring in more rinse solution per unit time, as the first spray unit can bring in cleaning solution per unit time. In addition, the respective spray jet differs in spray characteristics for the cleaning solution and the rinsing solution. Therefore, in particular, the second spray unit is designed for a larger volume throughput of solutions than the first spray unit. The

Spray units can each be designed as spray nozzles. Alternatively or in combination, a spray unit can also be provided which can introduce different, in particular adjustable, different volume flow rates into the tub. According to a further advantageous variant of a corresponding washing machine, the spraying device is provided with a pumping device for liquid in the tub

Fluid communication. Thus, the pumping device already present in the washing machine can also be used for conveying liquid to be sprayed via the spraying device. This would result depending on the control of the pumping device during the

Spraying under certain circumstances, a circulation system, in which liquid present in the tub via the pumping device and the spray device is re-introduced into the drum or the tub. The invention is explained below with reference to the figures. Hereby shows:

1 shows a washing machine according to the invention in a schematic representation;

FIG. 2 shows a section of a drum of the washing machine according to the invention with a laundry item when carrying out the rinsing process of the method according to the invention; FIG.

a) in the initial stage of the rinsing process;

b) at a later stage of the flushing process.

Figure 1 shows a washing machine 1. The washing machine comprises a tub 2, within which a drum 3 is arranged. The drum 3 is rotatably mounted within the tub 2 and driven by means not shown drive means. The drum 3 has perforations about its circumference, which allow a passage of liquid through the wall of the drum 3.

Furthermore, a spray device 4 is provided which has a first spray nozzle 5 and a second spray nozzle 6. It can be seen that the second spray nozzle 6 is shown larger than the first spray nozzle 5. The second spray nozzle 6 can pass through a larger volume flow of liquid than the first spray nozzle 5 and also has a

different spray characteristics. Through the spray nozzles 5, 6 in the drum. 3

introduced liquids are brought into contact with laundry 7, which is located in the drum 3. In a lower region of the tub 2 a Laugensumpf is arranged. This can accumulate liquid that is not absorbed or bound by the laundry. In Laugensumpf 9 a pumping device 8 is also provided, can be pumped through the liquid located there.

Through the first spray nozzle 5, a cleaning solution 10 is introduced in a first process step to the cleaning process, which is provided in particular to solve dirt particles from the laundry 7. In this case, the drum 3 is rotated at a speed below the application speed, whereby the laundry 7 is mixed or turned, without being caused by the centrifugal force on the wall of the drum 3. This ensures that the cleaning solution is largely uniformly distributed on the laundry 7. During the cleaning process, essentially the laundry is completely removed from the

Cleaning solution 10 soaked. In this case, only so much cleaning solution 10 is introduced into the drum that there is no or only a small amount of cleaning solution in the suction sump 9. A small amount of cleaning solution 10 in Laugensumpf 9 opens up the possibility by a heating coil, not shown in Laugensumpf 9 to ensure heating of the interior of the drum 3, the tub 2 and the laundry 7. However, other methods for corresponding heating of the laundry 7 and / or the interior of the drum 3 are conceivable that require no liquid in the Laugensumpf 9. A rinsing process will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 2, which follows the cleaning process. In FIG. 2 a, by way of example, a laundry article 7 is shown, which is at the application speed due to the centrifugal force F in contact with the drum 3. It is a wall portion of the drum 3 for the sake of simplicity shown in a straight line. Within the laundry item 7 units of the cleaning solution 10 and dirt particles 13 are included at the beginning of the rinsing process. The units of the cleaning solution 10 and the dirt particles 13 are distributed over the entire cross section of the laundry item 7. By the second spray nozzle 6 spray solution 1 1 is introduced into the interior of the drum 3, which initially applies to the laundry 7. At first, the side of the laundry 7 comes into contact with the rinse solution, which faces the interior of the drum 3.

Due to the centrifugal force F and the rinse solution 1 1 is applied in the direction of the wall of the drum 3. However, so that rinse solution 1 1 can reach the wall of the drum 3, the rinse solution must first 1 1 cross the cross section of the laundry item 7. As the cross section of the item of laundry 7 moves through, the rinsing solution 1 1 drives the units of the cleaning solution 10 and the dirt particles 13 remaining in the item of laundry 7 outwards in the direction of the wall of the drum 3. This results in the cleaning solution 10 and the dirt particles 13 can be substantially completely removed from the laundry. In one embodiment of the invention, the described cleaning process and the flushing process described can be repeated in order to improve the cleaning result. Since each individual flushing process is water-saving, it may possibly be repeated several times without greatly increasing the total water consumption. In combination, further operations can be carried out in which other substances, such as bleach, care products or other treatment agents are applied to the laundry 7 and optionally rinsed again by the rinsing process.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 washing machine

2 tubs

3 drum

4 spray device

5 first spray nozzle

6 second spray nozzle

7 laundry / laundry

8 pumping device

9 Laugensumpf

10 cleaning solution

1 1 rinse solution

12 bleach solution

13 dirt particles

Claims

claims

A method of controlling a washing machine (1), the washing machine comprising: a tub (2) and a drum (3) mounted inside the tub (2) in which laundry (7) can be treated, the drum being rotatably driven is

a spray device (4) which is suitable for dispensing liquid (10, 11, 12) into an interior of the drum (3),

a pumping device (8) suitable for pumping out liquid (10, 11, 12) from a liquid sump (9) of the tub (2), comprising the following process steps:

Performing a cleaning process in which laundry (7) is treated with a cleaning solution (10, 12),

Performing a rinsing process in which the cleaning solution (10, 12) is at least substantially removed from the laundry (7), characterized

the rinsing process comprises the following sub-steps:

Driving the drum (3) to an application speed at which the laundry (7)

centrifugal force applied to the drum (3),

Spraying the laundry (7) with a rinsing solution (1 1) through the spray device (4) with simultaneous pumping of free liquid (10, 1 1, 12), so that no free liquid (10, 1 1, 12) within the Drum (3) accumulates.

2. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the

Cleaning process comprises the following sub-steps:

Moving the drum (3) at a speed below the application speed, and spraying the laundry (7) within the drum (3) with the cleaning solution (10, 12), wherein the amount of used cleaning solution (10, 12) is chosen so small in that substantially no free cleaning solution (10, 12) forms within the drum (3).

3. The method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that due to the movement of the drum (3) at a speed below the application speed, the laundry (7) within the drum (3) is moved so that the laundry (7) in

Basically moisten evenly with cleaning solution (10, 12).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after a rinsing process at least once the cleaning process is repeated with a subsequent rinsing process.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after a rinsing process, a further treatment step, in particular using the spray device, a treatment step with a bleach solution (12) is performed, and that subsequently the rinsing process is repeated.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the last spraying of the spraying device (4) a liquid (10, 1 1, 12) is sprayed, which contains a substance for equipping the laundry (7).

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that per

Rinsing process 5 to 25 liters, preferably 7.5 to 10 liters of rinsing solution in the drum (3) are sprayed.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that per

Cleaning process between 0.5 and 3, preferably between 1 and 2 liters

Cleaning solution (10, 12) per kilogram of laundry (7) is sprayed, wherein the weight of the laundry (7) refers to the dry state of the laundry (7).

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by the spray device (4) sprayed liquid (10, 1 1, 12) contains deionized water.

10. Washing machine (1), comprising a tub (2) and one within the

Lye container (2) mounted drum (3), can be treated in the laundry (7) and which is rotatably driven, a spray device (4), for the discharge of liquid

(10, 1 1, 12) in an interior of the drum (3) is suitable, a pump-down device (8), which is suitable for pumping liquid from a Laugensumpf (9) of the tub (2), and a control device for controlling a Washing method, characterized in that the control device controls the method according to one of the preceding claims.

1 1. washing machine (1), comprising a tub (2) and one within the

Drum (3), in which laundry (7) can be treated and which is rotatably drivable, a spray device (4), which is for dispensing liquid (10, 1 1, 12) into an interior of the drum ( 3) is suitable, and a pumping device (8) for pumping liquid from a Laugensumpf (9) of the tub

(2), characterized in that the spray device (4) has a first spray unit (5) for introducing cleaning solution (10), and a second spray unit (6) for introducing rinse solution (1 1).