METHOD FOR OPERATING A LAUNDRY TREATMENT APPLIANCE AND LAUNDRY TREATMENT APPLIANCE

Abstract

A method for operating a laundry treatment appliance having a casing within which a drum rotated by a motor is arranged, an opening provided in the casing for loading the laundry into the drum and a door adapted to open or to close the opening. The method includes performing a treatment cycle that includes: a) determining the amount of laundry load in the drum; and b) if the determined amount of laundry is outside a laundry load threshold range, issuing a warning to the user and waiting for a prescribed waiting time before starting the cycle, whereby during the waiting time the laundry treatment appliance switches to an operating mode in which the user to is allowed to change the amount of laundry load in the drum.

Claims

1. A method for operating a laundry treatment appliance, comprising a casing within which a drum rotated by a motor is arranged, an opening provided in the casing for loading the laundry into the drum and a door adapted to selectively open and close the opening, the method comprising performing a laundry cycle comprising: a) determining the amount of laundry load in the drum; b) if the determined amount of laundry is outside a laundry load threshold range, issuing a warning to the user and waiting for a prescribed waiting time before starting the cycle; and during the prescribed waiting time, switching the laundry treatment appliance to an operating mode in which the user to is allowed to change the amount of laundry load in the drum.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: c) determining if the amount of loaded laundry has been changed after the warning has been issued; d) upon determining that the amount of laundry load in the drum has not changed, starting the at least one laundry treatment cycle; and e) upon determining that the amount of laundry load has changed, re-performing steps a) to e).

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the treatment cycle further comprises the step of indicating if and/or how much the amount of laundry load lies outside the laundry load threshold range.

4. The method according to claim 1, said wherein the warning comprises an acoustic signal and/or message.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laundry treatment appliance comprises a display, and the warning comprises displaying an indication on the display.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the prescribed waiting time is between 10 and 120 seconds.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the prescribed waiting time is 30 seconds.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the appliance comprises a tub, and step a) is performed without and/or before supplying water to the tub.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein in step a) the laundry load amount is determined by rotating the drum and measuring parameters related to the motor.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting the laundry load threshold range based on a selected washing program of the appliance and/or on the kind of laundry.

11. The method according to claim 1, whereby a changing of the amount of laundry loaded into the drum by the user is detected by the opening and the closure of the door during the waiting time.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laundry treatment appliance is a combined washer/dryer, and wherein the laundry treatment cycle is a combined washing and drying cycle, and wherein an upper bound of the laundry load threshold range of step b) is a threshold value based on the maximum laundry load that can be dried in the combined washing and drying cycle.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein in the combined washing and drying cycle, the drying operations are performed after all washing operations.

14. A laundry treatment appliance, comprising: a casing; a rotatable drum inside the casing; a motor configured to rotate the rotatable drum; an opening provided in the casing for loading laundry into the drum; a door adapted to selectively open and close the opening; and a control unit configured to operate the laundry treatment appliance by: a) determining the amount of a laundry load in the drum; b) if the determined amount of laundry is outside a laundry load threshold range, issuing a warning to the user and waiting for a prescribed waiting time before starting the cycle; and during the prescribed waiting time, switching the laundry treatment appliance to an operating mode in which the user to is allowed to change the amount of laundry load in the drum.

15. The laundry treatment appliance according to claim 14, wherein the laundry treatment appliance is configured as a front-loading washing machine or a combined washer/dryer.

16. The laundry treatment appliance according to claim 14, wherein the control unit is further configured to operate the laundry treatment appliance by: c) determining if the amount of loaded laundry has been changed after the warning has been issued; d) upon determining that the amount of laundry load in the drum has not changed, starting the at least one laundry treatment cycle; and e) upon determining that the amount of laundry load has changed, re-performing steps a) to e).

Description

[0048] In particular, the attached drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings together with the description explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings, corresponding characteristics and/or components are identified by the same reference numbers. In these drawings:

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a front loading washing machine in a preferred embodiment;

[0050] FIG. 2 shows the front loading washing machine of FIG. 1 in a frontal perspective view with the casing removed;

[0051] FIG. 3 shows the front loading washing machine of FIG. 1 in a perspective rear view with the casing removed;

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of a method for operating a laundry treatment appliance in a first preferred embodiment;

[0053] FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of a method for operating a laundry treatment appliance in a second preferred embodiment; and

[0054] FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of a method for operating a laundry treatment appliance in a third preferred embodiment.

[0055] In FIGS. 1-3, a laundry treatment appliance 2 is shown which is built as a front-loading washing machine and comprises housing or casing 6 with a preferable parallelepiped shape, the casing 6 comprising a front wall 10, two side walls 14, a cover plate 20 and a rear wall (not shown). Front wall 10 and side walls 14 are preferably part of a cabinet. A front door 24 is provided which can be opened for loading or unloading laundry through an opening 28 into a washing drum and which can be closed. Door 24 can be preferably operated, especially opened and closed, by a handle 26.

[0056] Advantageously a washing tub 30 is contained within casing 6, whereby a rotatable and perforated drum 36 is contained by the washing tub 30. Both washing tub 30 and drum 36 have a substantially cylindrical shape. Advantageously the tub 30 is suspended in a floating manner inside casing 6 by means of a number of coil springs 44 and shock absorbers 46. The drum 36 is rotated by an electric motor 68, which transmits the rotating motion of a motor shaft to the drum by a belt/pulley system 70. In a different embodiment of the invention, the motor can be directly associated with the shaft of the drum. The tub 30 is preferable connected to casing 6 by means of an elastic bellows 52 or gasket. Tub 30 preferably comprises two complementary hemi-shells 64, 66 structured for being reciprocally coupled to form tub 30.

[0057] Alternatively, the laundry appliance can be a combined washer and dryer or a dryer, in latter case the tub is not provided.

[0058] The preferred washing machine shown in FIG. 1 on a front panel 40 comprises a drawer 42 with a front plate 34 and a handle 36 for pulling out and pushing back in drawer 42. Drawer 42 comprises at least one compartment for detergent or washing additives. Adjacent to drawer 42, preferably a rotatable or rotary knob 38 is arranged for selecting a laundry treatment program and/or at least one parameter of a laundry treatment program. Preferably, knob 38 has also a push-functionality and can be pressed for selected and/or confirmation of selected options. Knob 38 is provided on a user interface 62 which can provide further indicating and/or control elements (not shown). Knob 38 is preferably arranged on front panel 40 adjacent to drawer 42.

[0059] On front panel 40, a display 50 is arranged on user interface 62. Display 50 comprises a dedicated area 54. A control unit 56 is indicated schematically which is configured to conduct a method which will be described below.

[0060] In FIG. 4, a method according to the invention in a first preferred embodiment is shown as a flow chart. In a first step 78, laundry is loaded into the drum through opening 28. After door 24 has been closed and a user interaction with the machine has happened, preferably pressing a start button on user interface 62, in a step 84 the amount of laundry in the drum is being detected. The opening and closing of door 24 are preferably detected by a door sensor. The detection of the amount of laundry is preferably performed by rotating the drum by the motor and measuring parameters related to the motor such as current, angular velocity, motor torque. In combination or alternatively, the amount of loaded laundry can be determined by means of a weight sensor.

[0061] In a decision 80, if the detected weight falls on the laundry load threshold range, the step 100 or the step 106 below described is preferably directly performed.

[0062] In the preferred/optional step 90, it is indicated to the user, preferably on dedicated area 54 of display 50, if the detected amount of laundry/is outside a laundry load threshold range. The laundry load threshold range has an upper bound and a lower bound. By choosing the lower bound as zero, the condition is equal to the condition that a threshold value, which corresponds to the upper bound, is not exceeded. This is especially useful if the appliance only checks an overload condition and not an underload condition.

[0063] This indication can be performed in a variety of ways. For instance, a red symbol can occur on area 54 if the detected laundry amount does not lie within the threshold range. If the detected amount lies within the threshold range, in a first variant, no visual indication is made at all. In a second variant, a green visual indication is made which shows the user that the detected amount of laundry does not lie within the threshold range. The threshold range is preferably chosen in such a way that a laundry amount below its lower bound is not optimal and that a laundry amount exceeding its upper bound is not optimal, whereby the condition not optimal refers to criteria such as, for instance, the resulting treatment effectiveness or energy consumption.

[0064] In a step 96, a warning is issued, preferably on the display 50. In addition or alternatively, also an acoustic signal/alarm can be issued, which can draw the attention of the user to the appliance 2 and especially to the display 50. Preferably, the warning comprises a message that the amount of loaded laundry should be changed, which can be indicated by a symbol and/or by a text message.

[0065] In a step 100, the laundry treatment appliance waits for a prescribed time before starting operations of the laundry treatment cycle. During this time interval, the user can open the door and change the amount of laundry, especially reduce the amount of laundry which is residing in the drum.

[0066] In a step 106, it is checked if the door is closed, and water is preferably loaded into the tub. A step 110 summarizes at least one, i.e. one or more, laundry treatment phase of the group: washing, rinsing, and spinning. Preferably, during at least one of these phases, detergent/additive is transported from the at least one compartment of the drawer into the tub. Preferably, water is flushed into the compartment and guided together with the detergent/additive into the tub. The laundry treatment phases of step 110 can be performed as known in the art. The described embodiment of the method allows the user to adjust the laundry load once.

[0067] At the beginning of the laundry treatment cycle, the user selects a laundry treatment program. The main selection of the program is preferably made by turning knob 38. The user interface 62 preferably comprises further user interface elements such as buttons, switches, knobs by which the user can select certain parameters of the laundry treatment program such as water temperature, spinning speed, duration.

[0068] The detection of the amount of loaded laundry results preferably in the change/adjustment of at least one parameter related to the selected laundry treatment program. These parameters which are also called operational parameters comprise parameters related to the operation of the appliance, such as drum spinning speeds and/or time, or physical parameters such as heating temperature, heating duration. This adjustment of parameters is preferably performed in all three embodiments of the method discussed in relation to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6.

[0069] A method in a second preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 5. Steps 78, 84, 90, 96, and 100 are performed as described in connection with FIG. 4. In a first step 78, laundry is loaded into the drum through opening 28. After door 24 has been closed and a user interaction with the machine has happened, preferably pressing a start button on user interface 62, in a step 84 the amount of laundry in the drum is being detected. The opening and closing of door 24 are preferably detected by a door sensor. The detection of the amount of laundry is preferably performed by rotating the drum by the motor and measuring parameters related to the motor such as current, angular velocity, motor torque. In combination or alternatively, the amount of loaded laundry can be determined by means of a weight sensor.

[0070] In a decision 80, if the detected weight falls on the laundry load threshold range, the step 100 or the step 106 below described is preferably directly performed.

[0071] In the preferred/optional step 90, it is indicated to the user, preferably on dedicated area 54 of display 50, if the detected amount of laundry/is outside a laundry load threshold range. The laundry load threshold range has an upper bound and a lower bound. By choosing the lower bound as zero, the condition is equal to the condition that a threshold value, which corresponds to the upper bound, is not exceeded. This is especially useful the appliance only checks an overload condition and not an underload condition.

[0072] This indication can be performed in a variety of ways. For instance, a red symbol can occur on area 54 if the detected laundry amount lies not within the threshold range. If the detected amount lies within the threshold range, in a first variant, no visual indication is made at all. In a second variant, a green visual indication is made which shows the user that the detected amount of laundry does not lie within the threshold range. The threshold range is preferably chosen in such a way that a laundry amount below its lower bound is not optimal and that a laundry amount exceeding its upper bound is not optimal, whereby the condition not optimal refers to criteria such as, for instance, the resulting treatment effectiveness or energy consumption.

[0073] In a step 96, a warning is issued, preferably on the display 50. In addition or alternatively, also an acoustic signal/alarm can be issued, which can draw the attention of the user to the appliance 2 and especially to the display 50. Preferably, the warning comprises a message that the amount of loaded laundry should be changed, which can be indicated by a symbol and/or by a text message.

[0074] In a step 100, the laundry treatment appliance waits for a prescribed time before starting operations of the laundry treatment cycle. During this time interval, the user can open the door and change the amount of laundry, especially reduce the amount of laundry which is residing in the drum.

[0075] In a decision 102, it is determined if the amount of laundry in the drum has been changed. This preferably means that an interaction occurred with the appliance which is linked to a possible access of the drum and/or a change of laundry. This user action or interaction is preferably detected by the control unit of the appliance. The interaction is preferably an opening/closing procedure of the door and/or the interaction with a dedicated button, especially a pause button. In these cases, it is considered that a laundry change has occurred.

[0076] In a first preferred variant, it is checked if during step 100, the door 24 has been opened and closed again, which is an indication that the amount of laundry in the drum has changed. If these opening/closing actions have not been detected, the method branches to step 106, after which step 110 is performed. Steps 106 and 110 are performed as described in connection with FIG. 2. If the door has been opened and closed and/or if the user has actuated a dedicated button such as a pause button, the method branches to step 84 and performs again the determination of the amount of laundry in the drum.

[0077] A method in a further preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 6 in a flow chart. This method is performed in the control unit of a laundry treatment appliance which is built as a combined washer/dryer or a dryer and in which a laundry treatment program is selected which is designed as a combined washing and drying routine or a drying routine in the case of a dryer.

[0078] In a first step 78, laundry is loaded into the drum through opening 28. After door 24 has been closed and a user interaction with the machine has happened, preferably pressing a start button on user interface 62, in a step 84 the amount of laundry in the drum is being detected/determined. The opening and closing of door 24 are preferably detected by a door sensor. The detection of the amount of laundry is preferably performed by rotating the drum by the motor and measuring parameters related to the motor such as current, angular velocity, motor torque.

[0079] In a decision 80, if the detected weight falls on the laundry load threshold range, the step 100 or the step 106 below described is preferably directly performed.

[0080] In the preferred/optional step 90, it is indicated to the user, preferably on dedicated area 54 of display 50, if the detected amount of laundry exceeds a specified laundry amount threshold. This indication can be performed in a variety of ways. For instance, a red symbol can occur on area 54 if the threshold is exceeded. If the threshold value is not exceeded, in a first variant, no visual indication is made at all. In a second variant, a green visual indication is made which shows the user that the loaded amount of laundry is not exceeding a threshold value.

[0081] The upper bound of the laundry load threshold range in the present embodiment is chosen as the maximum amount of laundry which can be dried in the selected washing/drying routine. The laundry amount threshold for a drying routine is typically smaller than a laundry amount threshold for a washing process as discussed above.

[0082] In a step 96, a warning is issued, preferably on said display 50, to the user as described in connection with the previous embodiments. In addition, also an acoustic signal/alarm can be issued, which can draw the attention of the user to the appliance 2 and especially to the display 50.

[0083] In a step 100, the laundry treatment appliance waits for a prescribed time before continuing operations of the laundry treatment cycle. During this time interval, the user can open the door and change the amount of laundry, especially reduce the amount of laundry which is residing in the drum.

[0084] In a decision 102, it is determined if the amount of laundry in the drum has been changed. This preferably means that an interaction occurred with the appliance which is linked to a possible access of the drum and/or a change of laundry. This user action or interaction is preferably detected by the control unit of the appliance. The interaction is preferably an opening/closing procedure of the door and/or the interaction with a dedicated button, especially a pause button. In these cases, it is considered that a laundry change has occurred.

[0085] In a first preferred variant, it is checked if during step 100, the door 24 has been opened and closed again, which is an indication that the amount of laundry in the drum has changed. If these opening/closing actions have not been detected, the method branches to step 106, after which step 110 is performed. Steps 106 and 110 are performed as described in connection with FIG. 2. If the door has been opened and closed and/or if the user has pressed a button, especially a pause button, which suspends or pauses and or continue the laundry treatment process, the method branches to step 84 and performs again the determination of the amount of laundry in the drum.

[0086] In a step 106, water is loaded into the tub if the appliance is a combined washer/dryer. A step 110 summarizes at least one, i.e. one or more, laundry treatment phase of the group: washing, rinsing, and spinning. Preferably, in a combined washing and drying process, during at least one of these phases, detergent/additive is transported from the at least one compartment of the drawer into the tub. Preferably, water is flushed into the compartment and guided together with the detergent/additive in the tub. The laundry treatment phases of step 110 can be performed as known in the art.

[0087] The invention thus conceived can be subjected to numerous modifications and variants all falling within the scope of the inventive concept. In addition, all details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements. In practice, all the materials used, as well as the shapes and contingent dimensions, may vary depending on the requirements without departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.