METHOD FOR ADAPTING DRYING LEVEL OF DRYING PROGRAM FOR TEXTILE TREATMENT APPLIANCE, METHOD FOR RUNNING DRYING PROGRAM, AND TEXTILE TREATMENT APPLIANCE

Abstract

Method for adapting a drying level of a drying program for a textile treatment appliance, method for running a drying program, and textile treatment appliance. The drying level defines a level of residual moisture in textiles at the end of the drying program. The method comprises providing a question signal to an interface of an output device at the end of the drying program in order to cause an output of a question about a satisfaction of the residual moisture in the textiles, reading in a response signal via an interface to an input device, in response to the question signal, wherein the response signal represents an operator's assessment with respect to satisfaction of the residual moisture in the textiles, and adapting a residual moisture parameter of the drying level for a subsequent run of the drying program using the response signal.

Claims

1. A method for adapting a drying level of a drying program for a textile treatment appliance, wherein the drying level defines a level of residual moisture in textiles at the end of the drying program, wherein the method comprises the following steps: providing a question signal to an interface of an output device at the end of the drying program in order to cause an output of a question about a satisfaction of the level of residual moisture in the textiles addressed to an operator of the textile treatment appliance; reading in a response signal via an interface to an input device, in response to the question signal, wherein the response signal represents an operator's assessment with respect to satisfaction with the level of residual moisture in the textiles; and adapting a residual moisture parameter assigned to the drying level for a subsequent run of the drying program using the response signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, in the adapting step, the residual moisture parameter is changed by a first value if the response signal represents too damp textiles as the assessment, and wherein, in the adapting step, the residual moisture parameter of the drying level is changed by a second value if the response signal represents too dry textiles as the assessment.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, in the adapting step, the residual moisture parameter of the drying level is changed by a further first value if the response signal represents much too damp textiles as the assessment, and wherein, in the adapting step, the residual moisture parameter of the drying level is changed by a further second value if the response signal represents much too dry textiles as the assessment.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, in the adapting step, the residual moisture parameter of the drying level is not adapted if the response signal represents an expected level of residual moisture of the textiles as the assessment.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, in the adapting step, the residual moisture parameter of the drying level is only adapted if the response signal and at least one previous response signal consistently represent a too low level of residual moisture or consistently represent a too high level of residual moisture as the assessment.

6. The method according to claim 1, comprising a step of storing the assessment of the response signal.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein, in the providing step, the question signal is provided to the interface of the output device, which is designed as a display device of the textile treatment appliance, and/or to an interface of an external device.

8. The method according to claim 1, comprising a step of detecting an input by the operator using a touch-sensitive sensor or a microphone, which input indicates the assessment, wherein the response signal is determined in response to the input.

9. The method according to claim 1, comprising a step of running the drying program, wherein a door of the textile treatment appliance is unlocked at the end of the drying program, wherein the step of providing the question signal is performed in response to the unlocking.

10. A control apparatus designed to perform the steps of the method according to claim 1 in corresponding units.

11. A textile treatment appliance for running a drying program for drying textiles and comprising a control apparatus according to claim 10 for adapting the drying level of the drying program.

12. A computer program product having program code for carrying out the method according to claim 1 wherein the computer program product is executed on a control apparatus.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] An exemplary embodiment of the disclosure is shown purely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. In the drawings:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a view of a textile treatment appliance according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for adapting a drying level of a drying program for a textile treatment appliance according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a display device for adapting a drying level of a drying program for a textile treatment appliance according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0031] FIG. 4 shows a display device for adapting a drying level of a drying program for a textile treatment appliance according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0032] FIG. 5 shows a control apparatus for a textile treatment appliance according to an exemplary embodiment; and

[0033] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for adapting a drying level of a drying program for a textile treatment appliance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a textile treatment appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The textile treatment appliance 100 is suitable for drying textiles 105. The textile treatment appliance 100 is designed to run a drying program. A drying level is assigned to the drying program or different drying levels can be selected by an operator for the drying program. In this respect, the drying level defines a level of residual moisture in the textiles 105 at the end of the drying program.

[0035] The approach described makes it possible to adapt the level of residual moisture defined by the drying level or the drying levels in response to an assessment by the operator. For this purpose, depending on the exemplary embodiment, after running the drying program once or multiple times and a subsequent assessment by the operator in each case, at least one residual moisture parameter of the drying level or of the drying levels is adapted if the operator's assessment indicates that the operator is dissatisfied. For example, a length of a drying time of the drying program can be controlled by means of the residual moisture parameter.

[0036] The textile treatment appliance 100 can be called a washer-dryer or a tumble dryer. The operator wishes to have the textiles 105 dried in the textile treatment appliance 100, usually after they have been washed. To this end, the operator puts the textiles 105 into a textile treatment container 110 of the textile treatment appliance 100 and starts a drying program with a drying level which defines the level of residual moisture of the textiles 105. If the drying level has not yet been adapted by the operator, the textile treatment appliance 100 dries the textiles 105 with the factory settings, i.e., it targets a residual moisture assigned to the drying level at the factory. Once the drying program has been run, the operator is given the opportunity to assess the level of residual moisture present in the textiles 105. Such an assessment is used to adapt at least the drying level that was set during the drying program that was just run. By adapting the drying level, the level of residual moisture assigned to the drying level is adapted, for example increased or reduced, in accordance with the operator's assessment. If the operator is satisfied with the level of residual moisture, no adaptation is made. According to an exemplary embodiment, the adaptation is made only if a plurality of assessments are available, from which a tendency can be identified as to whether the textiles appear rather too dry or too damp from the operator's point of view.

[0037] According to an exemplary embodiment, a process for adapting the drying level is started as soon as the actual drying program has ended and the door of the textile treatment container 110 is unlocked. The operator is then asked to submit an assessment of the level of residual moisture of the textiles 105. To this end, the question of whether the operator is satisfied with the level of residual moisture in the textiles 105 appears on an output device 115 of the textile treatment appliance 100, which is designed for example as a display. The operator can now assess, for example via a touch display, whether the textiles 105 are too damp or too dry. Optionally, the operator can also respond by voice control. Another option is to send the question to an external device 120, such as an app on a smartphone, so that the operator does not have to respond directly after the drying program, but can also make an assessment via the app later when folding the laundry. The external device 120 constitutes, for example, a mobile device which is coupled or can be coupled to the textile treatment appliance 100 via a communication interface. The assessment is then stored temporarily, e.g., in a cloud, when the textile treatment appliance 100 is already in standby, and transmitted to the textile treatment appliance 100 when the textile treatment appliance 100 is switched back on. The approach described therefore includes various options for how the operator can assess the level of residual moisture, it being possible for the operator to be given an option or for all options to be made available in parallel. Advantageously, this gives the operator the opportunity to assess the residual moisture result after the drying program.

[0038] According to an exemplary embodiment, these assessments are stored and after frequent, for example five, poor assessments, the drying level, or alternatively the drying levels, is adapted according to the operator's perception.

[0039] According to an exemplary embodiment, the textile treatment appliance 100 offers the operator the opportunity to choose different drying levels during drying. The drying level “closet dry” is aimed, for example, at a laundry residual moisture of 0%. The laundry residual moisture is a variable that is standardized to a given indoor climate. Moreover, the load is not dried 100% evenly, which means that if the total laundry residual moisture of the load is 0% there are items of laundry that are over dried and others that are still damp. The operator's perception of whether the laundry is “dry” at a final residual moisture level of 0% is very subjective for these reasons. Often, the operator will perceive laundry with a final residual moisture level of 0% as “too damp”. However, the operator does not wish to select the drying level “closet dry” or “extra dry”, as they suggest that the laundry will be heavily stressed.

[0040] Preset drying levels are optimized, for example, to the standardized residual moisture variables, the level of residual moisture being made deliberately drier in some drying levels. Optionally, the operator is offered the opportunity to adjust the drying levels of the drying program using a programming function. The level of residual moisture can thus be made up to 3% drier or damper for each drying level. In accordance with the approach presented here, a corresponding adaptation is also carried out in an automated manner using the operator's assessments.

[0041] The approach described is aimed at automatically adapting the drying result to the operator. The operator can subsequently adapt the drying level to their demands without too much complexity, since the assessment is made, for example, via a simple touch display or simple voice control. The operator does not need to read an instruction manual to adapt the level of residual moisture assigned to a drying level. The level of residual moisture can therefore be adapted on the basis of a satisfaction inquiry. This adaptation would then be possible in the case of time drying by adapting the time or, in the case of table data, by adapting the values or, in the case of a linear model, by an offset. According to an exemplary embodiment, a residual moisture parameter assigned to the drying level is adapted for such an adaptation. The residual moisture parameter defines or influences, for example, the time of the time drying, at least one value of the table data or the offset of the linear model. For example, the residual moisture parameter is incorporated into a controller of the running of the drying program. If the level of residual moisture appears to the operator to be too low, the residual moisture parameter is adapted, for example, in such a way that the time of the time drying is shortened or a targeted residual moisture value is increased.

[0042] According to an exemplary embodiment, the textile treatment appliance 100 has a control apparatus 130 for adapting the drying level of the drying program. The control apparatus 130 is realized, for example, as part of a control unit for controlling an operation of the textile treatment appliance 100. The control apparatus 130 is designed, for example, to use the output device 115 to cause an output of a question with respect to the operator's satisfaction with the level of residual moisture and to read in a response with a corresponding assessment of satisfaction. According to an exemplary embodiment, the control apparatus 130 is designed to output a question signal 135 for controlling the output device 115 and to read in the response in the form of a response signal 140. By way of example, the question signal 135 is output to the display device 115 and the response signal 140 is read in via an interface to an input device 145 of the external device 120, which is designed as a touch display. Accordingly, the question signal 135 can also be output to the external device 120. Alternatively, the response signal 140 can also be read in via an input device of the textile treatment appliance 100.

[0043] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for adapting a drying level of a drying program for a textile treatment appliance according to an exemplary embodiment. The textile treatment appliance can be the textile treatment appliance described in FIG. 1.

[0044] At the end or after the end of the drying program, the operator is given the opportunity to assess the level of residual moisture present in the textiles. The block 200 marks a state in which a remaining time of the drying program has ended and a door opening has taken place so that the operator can remove the textiles. Subsequently, the satisfaction of the operator with respect to the level of residual moisture is queried in the block 205.

[0045] For example, a question signal is provided for this purpose to an interface to an output device for outputting a corresponding question to the operator. By way of example, the question is output using an output device in the form of a display 210 and additionally or alternatively via an app 215, which is executed, for example, on a mobile device. In both variants, i.e., using the display 210 or using the app 215, the further sequence of the method is identical.

[0046] The operator is given the opportunity to assess the level of residual moisture present in the textiles. To this end, the possible responses “too damp” 220, “ok” 225, and “too dry” 230, for example, are offered using the display 210 and/or the app.

[0047] If the operator is satisfied with the level of residual moisture present in the textiles, they select the assessment “ok” 225. This response will cause the sequence to skip to block 235 and the method is terminated without adapting the drying level.

[0048] If the operator selects the assessment “too damp” 220, the sequence will skip to block 240. In the block 240, a first counter is increased, for example by “1”, and stored. If the first counter is less than a predetermined first counter value, the method is terminated without adapting the drying level. However, if the first counter has reached the predetermined first counter value, a residual moisture parameter of the drying level is changed by a value in the block 245 in order to reduce the level of residual moisture. For example, the residual moisture parameter is changed in such a way that the level of residual moisture produced by the drying level is reduced by a predetermined percentage, for example reduced by 1%. To this end, the residual moisture parameter is changed, for example, by a predetermined first value. Subsequently, the first counter in a block 250 is set to zero, that is, reset. The first counter thus has the effect that, in the block 240, the residual moisture parameter is changed only if the assessment “too damp” 220 has been selected a predetermined number of times, for example five times.

[0049] If the operator selects the assessment “too dry” 230, the sequence will skip to block 255. In the block 255, a second counter is increased by “1” and stored. If the second counter is less than a predetermined second counter value, the method is terminated without adapting the drying level. However, if the second counter has reached the predetermined second counter value, a residual moisture parameter of the drying level is changed by a value in the block 260 in order to increase the level of residual moisture. For example, the residual moisture parameter is changed in such a way that the level of residual moisture produced by the drying level is increased by a predetermined percentage, for example increased by 1%. To this end, the residual moisture parameter is changed, for example, by a predetermined second value. Subsequently, the second counter in a block 265 is set to zero, that is, reset. The second counter has the effect that, in the block 240, the residual moisture parameter is changed only if the assessment “too dry” 230 has been selected a predetermined number of times, for example five times.

[0050] Instead of counting up, the counters can also count down in a corresponding manner or an alternative counting method can be used for counting the corresponding assessments. According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, only one counter is used which is either increased or reduced in the blocks 240, 255. In this case, the first counter value and the second counter value can be the same in terms of amount, but have different signs.

[0051] According to an exemplary embodiment, residual moisture values are determined by means of a mathematical model from various measured variables. In order to now change the drying level according to the feedback, a corresponding model equation is shifted accordingly by +1 or −1. This can be carried out in the blocks 245, 260.

[0052] The counter from the blocks 240, 255 is set according to one exemplary embodiment per drying level per program and load quantity. In this way, different counters can be provided for different drying levels and, where appropriate, for different load quantities.

[0053] If the operator has selected “too damp” multiple times in a program and/or with a load quantity, the drying level is set, for example, 1% drier or, in the case of “too dry”, 1% damper. The dryer or washer-dryer can learn the appropriate level of residual moisture for the operator via the feedback.

[0054] With this approach, the operator receives a residual moisture result of the drying that is tailored to them through simple feedback on satisfaction. The operator does not have to find out about the setting options and try out which residual moisture level is the best for them. By controlling via an external device and the voice control, the operator is provided with new opportunities to adapt the drying result to their individual needs in a simple way.

[0055] FIG. 3 shows an output device 115 for a textile treatment appliance according to an exemplary embodiment. The textile treatment appliance can be the textile treatment appliance described in FIG. 1. The output device 115 constitutes, for example, a display device in the form of a display of the textile treatment appliance or alternatively of an external device. An indicator 305 displayed by the output device 115 can thus be displayed via display or app. According to an exemplary embodiment, the indicator 305 appears controlled by a question signal after the drying program of the textile treatment appliance has been completed and after the door of the textile container is unlocked. Using the indicator 305, the operator is asked for satisfaction with the drying result, with three possible responses being proposed here by way of example. If the output device 115 is designed as a touch display, the operator responds, for example, by touching touch fields of the output device 115.

[0056] If the operator perceives that the textiles are too damp after the drying program, they choose block 220 “too damp”; if they are satisfied with the drying result, they choose block 225 “ok”, if the operator perceives that the textiles are too dry after the drying program, they choose block 230 “too dry” as the response.

[0057] According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, the response to the question about the satisfaction of the drying result is made by voice control.

[0058] FIG. 4 shows an output device 115 for a textile treatment appliance according to an exemplary embodiment. The output device 115 corresponds to the display device described with reference to FIG. 3, the indicator 305 additionally having a gauge indicator 400 in addition to the blocks 220, 225, 230. The gauge indicator 400 represents a scale or gauge that allows the operator to more accurately assess their assessment with respect to the level of residual moisture. The fields of the scale are indicated by the blocks 220, 225, 230. In this way, the operator is given three gradations for their assessment, both with regard to textiles that are too damp and with regard to textiles that are too dry.

[0059] FIG. 5 shows a control apparatus 130 for a textile treatment appliance according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, it is a control apparatus as described with reference to FIG. 1. According to an exemplary embodiment, the control apparatus 130 is designed to perform the steps of the method described with reference to FIG. 2. The control apparatus 130 has a providing device 505, a read-in device 515, and an adaptation device 525.

[0060] The providing device 505 is designed to provide a question signal 135 at the end of a drying program run with a selected drying level to an interface to an output device, for example the display described with reference to FIG. 1. Using the question signal 135, the output device is controlled in such a way that, for example, the indicator shown with reference to FIG. 3 is displayed to the operator and prompts the operator to indicate their satisfaction with the level of residual moisture of the textiles.

[0061] In response to the provision of the question signal 135, the read-in device 515 is designed to read in a response signal 140 via an interface to an input device which allows the operator to enter an input with respect to their satisfaction. For example, the input is made by touching one of the blocks of a touch-sensitive display that are indicated in FIG. 3. The response signal 140 thus represents an assessment of the operator with respect to satisfaction with the level of residual moisture.

[0062] The adaptation device 525 is designed to adapt a residual moisture parameter 530 of the drying level using the response signal 140. Adapting the drying level has the effect that a changed level of residual moisture is targeted when the drying program is run again.

[0063] For example, the adaptation device 525 is designed to change the residual moisture parameter 530 of the drying level by a first value if the response signal represents “too damp” textiles as the assessment, and to change it by a second value if the response signal represents “too dry” textiles as the assessment. The first and the second value can, for example, cause the level of residual moisture assigned to the drying level to change by a predetermined first positive percentage and a predetermined first negative percentage, respectively.

[0064] If the operator is given the opportunity to assess the level of residual moisture in a graduated manner, for example using a gauge as shown in FIG. 4, the residual moisture parameter 530 is changed in a graduated manner according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, the residual moisture parameter 530 of the drying level is changed by a further first value if the response signal represents “much too damp” textiles as the assessment, and is changed by a further second value if the response signal represents “much too dry” textiles as the assessment. The further first and the further second value can, for example, cause the level of residual moisture assigned to the drying level to change by a predetermined second positive percentage and a predetermined second negative percentage, respectively, which percentage is greater than the first percentage.

[0065] According to an exemplary embodiment, the adaptation device 525 is designed not to adapt the residual moisture parameter 530 in response to each response signal 140, but only when both the last read-in response signal 140 and at least one previous response signal from a previous run of the drying program indicate a consistent assessment, for example “too damp” or “too dry”. For this purpose, according to an exemplary embodiment, the adaptation device 525 is designed to store the assessment transmitted via the response signal 140 in a storage device 535. For example, to this end the storage device 535 comprises at least one counter which can store a number of corresponding assessments.

[0066] According to an exemplary embodiment, the adaptation device 525 is designed not to change the residual moisture parameter 530 if the response signal 140 indicates a level of residual moisture that is expected by the operator as the assessment, i.e., the operator is satisfied with the drying result.

[0067] According to an exemplary embodiment, the control apparatus 130 comprises a control device 540 which is designed to control the running of the drying program. In this case, the control device 540 is designed to control the drying program using the residual moisture parameter 530 in such a way that the level of residual moisture defined by the drying level is achieved. According to an exemplary embodiment, the control device 540 is designed to cause a door of the textile treatment appliance to unlock at the end of the drying program, and the providing device 505 is designed to provide the question signal 135 in response to the unlocking of the door.

[0068] According to an exemplary embodiment, the control apparatus 130 constitutes a control unit of the textile treatment appliance or the control apparatus 130 is integrated into such a control unit.

[0069] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method 600 for adapting a drying level of a drying program for a textile treatment appliance, wherein the drying level defines a level of residual moisture in textiles at the end of the drying program. The method can be carried out, for example, using the control apparatus described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0070] The method 600 comprises a step 605 in which, at the end of the drying program, a question signal is provided to an interface to an output device. The question signal causes a question to be output to the operator, which asks the operator about their satisfaction with the level of residual moisture in the textiles. In a step 610, a response signal is read in via an interface to an input device. The response signal indicates an assessment of the operator, input by the operator, with respect to their satisfaction with the level of residual moisture. In a step 615, a residual moisture parameter of the drying level is adapted for a subsequent run of the drying program using the response signal.

[0071] Optionally, the assessment indicated by the response signal is stored in a step 620, for example using a counter. In this case, the adapting step 615 is performed or skipped, for example depending on a value of the counter.

[0072] In order to generate the response signal, the method 600 optionally comprises a step 625 in which an input of the operator is detected and the response signal corresponding to the input is determined. Optionally, the method also comprises a step 635 in which the drying program is run, wherein a door of the textile treatment appliance is unlocked at the end of the drying program. In this case, the step 605 of providing the question signal can be performed in response to the unlocking.