CN108699752A - Laundry machine and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a kind of laundry machine (1), which includes external shell (2);Washing tube (3), the washing tube are arranged in the shell (2);Rotatable roller (4), the roller are arranged in the washing tube (3) in a manner of axial-rotation and are designed to receive the clothing for needing to be washed;Softening plant (10), the softening plant are provided with:Ion-exchanger (11) and regenerating unit (12), the ion-exchanger is designed to receive the clear water for carrying out self-water-supplying main pipe (9) and the hardness for reducing the clear water, so that softened water is supplied to the washing tube (3), which is designed to execute regeneration cycle to regenerate the ion-exchanger device (11);Control panel (13), the control panel are configured to permit user to select washing procedure, which includes multiple washing stages;Electronic control unit (15), which is configured for controlling the regenerating unit (12), to execute the regeneration cycle.The control panel (13) is further configured to allow operator to input the second data of the first data for indicating the clear water hardness and/or input, and by softened water or alternatively clear water is supplied to the washing tube (3) during one or more washing stages of the washing procedure of selection for second data instruction.The electronic control unit (15) is further configured to be used for:Being changed based on the described first and/or second data has the total amount of the softened water used during the washing procedure for staying in selection, the total amount of the softened water provided via the ion-exchanger (11) is provided, and the regenerating unit (12) is controlled, so that the softened water based on determined by activates the regeneration cycle.

Description

Clothes processing machine and control method thereof

The invention relates to the technical field of laundry washing. In particular, the present invention relates to a washing machine performing a water softening process.

Background technique

Today, laundry machines are widely used, including both "simple" washing machines (ie, washing machines that can only wash and rinse laundry) and wash-dryers (ie, washing machines that are also capable of drying laundry).

In this regard, the term 'laundry machine' may indiscriminately refer to a washing machine, or a laundry washing and drying machine, or a laundry drying machine in this specification, which is not explained differently.

As is well known, a laundry machine generally comprises a detergent dispenser located within a box-like housing directly above the wash tub and structured for use with a washing cycle manually selected by the user with water from a water supply A given total amount of detergent, softener and/or other cleaning agents, suitably mixed with clean water from the dry pipe, is selectively supplied into the wash tub.

A domestic washing machine of this type further comprises a fresh water supply circuit structured to selectively draw fresh water from the water supply mains and direct said fresh water to a detergent dispenser or directly to a washing tub; and an appliance A control panel, the appliance control panel is typically located on the front wall of the housing, above the laundry loading/unloading opening, and is structured to allow the user to manually select the desired washing program/cycle.

In addition to the above, some types of washing machines have an internal water softening device positioned along the clean water supply circuit and structured to reduce on command the fresh water directed to the detergent dispenser and wash tub. hardness. In fact, using demineralized water during the wash cycle significantly improves cleaning performance.

The water softening unit includes an ion exchanger inside which is provided a given amount of ion exchange resins capable of retaining calcium ions and magnesium ions (Ca++ and Mg++) in order to reduce the hardness of the clean water directed to the detergent dispenser and wash tub.

Since the water softening capacity of ion exchange resins drops rapidly after multiple wash programs/cycles, water softening devices typically include a resin regeneration device designed to perform a regeneration cycle to regenerate the ion exchange resins. More specifically, the regeneration unit typically includes an internal reservoir of salt (NaCl) used to selectively generate some brine (i.e., saline water) that is directed into the ion exchanger during the regeneration cycle to regenerate the ion exchange resin located therein. In fact, the saline water is able to remove from these ion exchange resins calcium and magnesium ions that were previously combined/fixed to the resin during the regeneration cycle.

During the regeneration cycle, the salt is consumed resulting in a reduction and eventual complete consumption of the salt. Therefore, the user must refill the internal reservoir of salt from time to time. The consumption of salt depends on the frequency of the regeneration cycles, so filling has to be done, the more often the filling, the more regeneration cycles are activated; ie the more often the ion exchange resin has to be regenerated.

However, regeneration cycles need to be kept to a minimum while ensuring softening effectiveness throughout the wash cycle.

For this purpose, some washing machines are provided with electrical sensors for determining the effectiveness of the softening process and/or the state of the ion exchange resins.

In this regard, DE 19 841 568 discloses a washing machine comprising a conductivity sensor which measures the conductivity of the water before and after it has passed through an ion exchanger. The conductivity sensor cooperates with an electronic system that compares the difference to previous conductivity values detected by the sensor from earlier processing cycles and performs regeneration based on the comparison.

Furthermore, EP 1 252 855 discloses a washing machine comprising a conductivity sensor which measures the conductivity of the ion exchanger and determines when to perform a regeneration cycle based on the measured value.

Although effective, the use of a conductivity sensor in a washing machine increases the manufacturing cost of the washing machine.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple and cheap sensorless system capable of correctly performing the regeneration cycle while guaranteeing the softening effect.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a solution that allows the above indicated goals to be achieved.

Contents of the invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a laundry processing machine comprising: an external housing; a washing tub arranged in the housing; a rotatable drum arranged in an axially rotating manner in the washing machine; Inside the bucket and designed to receive laundry to be washed; softening device, the softening device is provided with: ion exchanger device and regeneration device, the ion exchanger device is designed to receive clean water from the water supply mains and reduce the hardness of the clean water to supply demineralized water to the washing tub, the regenerating device is designed to perform a regeneration cycle to regenerate the ion exchanger device; a control panel configured to allow the user to select the washing program, the washing program includes a plurality of washing stages; electronic control device, the electronic control device is configured to control the regeneration device, so as to perform the regeneration cycle, the laundry machine is characterized by: the control panel is further configured to allow an operator to: enter first data indicative of said fresh water hardness and/or enter second data associated with softener configurations indicating that the water will be softened during one or more wash stages Or alternatively fresh water is supplied to the washing tub, said electronic control device being further configured for: changing the total amount of demineralized water to be used during a washing program based on said first and/or second data, determining The total amount of softened water that has been produced by the ion exchanger means, the regeneration means is controlled so as to activate the regeneration cycle based on the determined total amount of softened water.

Preferably, said first and/or second data cause said electronic control means to vary the instant of activation of said regeneration cycle.

Preferably, the electronic control unit is further configured to: store a fresh water hardness value associated with the moment of activation of the regeneration cycle; when the hardness of the fresh water selected by the user is lower than the stored hardness value, delay The activation instant of the regeneration cycle.

Preferably, the electronic control device is further configured to: store the hardness value of the clean water associated with the instant of activation of the regeneration cycle; when the hardness of the clean water selected by the user is higher than the stored hardness value, make The activation of the regeneration cycle is instantaneously advanced.

Preferably, said electronic control means is further configured to: store a threshold value indicating the maximum amount of softened water that the ion exchanger means can produce before being unable to soften clear water of said predetermined hardness; based on said said first data to change said predetermined threshold; determine the total amount of softened water produced by said ion exchanger device during execution of one or more washing programs; compare said determined total amount of softened water with said The changed amount threshold is compared; an activation instant of the regeneration cycle is determined based on the comparison.

Preferably, said electronic control unit is further configured for: changing the softener configuration based on said second data; and changing the regeneration frequency of the regeneration cycle and/or the frequency of the regeneration cycle based on said changed softener configuration. Scheduled to activate instantly.

Preferably, said electronic control means is further configured to increase the regeneration frequency of the regeneration cycle and/or to advance said activation moment of the regeneration cycle based on an increase in the wash phase using the softened water.

Preferably, said electronic control means is further configured for reducing the frequency of regeneration and/or delaying the moment of activation of the regeneration cycle in dependence on the reduction of the wash phases using the softened water.

Preferably, the electronic control device is further configured to: compare the predetermined regeneration interval of the regeneration cycle with the remaining time of the washing program being executed by the laundry machine; The regeneration cycle is activated during the cycle, or the activation of the regeneration cycle is postponed momentarily until the next wash program.

Preferably, the control panel includes at least two switch devices, and these switch devices are used to allow the user to input the first data and/or the second data; the electronic control device is configured to: when the user simultaneously When the two switch devices are switched, enter the water conditioner setting mode state; based on the command executed by the user through the first switch device, set the hardness level of the clean water; based on the command executed by the user through the second switch device, The kind of water to be supplied to the washing tub, among fresh water or demineralized water, is set during the washing stages of the washing program.

Preferably, one of said switching means is configured for causing said electronic control means to set a state in which said ion exchange means is disabled during the washing programme.

Preferably, the laundry machine includes a third switch device configured to cause the electronic control device to start executing the washing program.

The invention further relates to a method for controlling a laundry machine comprising: an outer housing; a washing tub arranged within the housing; a rotatable drum arranged in axial rotation Within the wash tub and designed to receive laundry to be washed; softening means provided with: ion exchanger means and regeneration means designed to receive water from the water mains clean water and reduce the hardness of the clean water so as to supply demineralized water to the wash tub, the regeneration device is designed to perform a regeneration cycle to regenerate the ion exchanger device; a control panel configured to allow the use of or select a washing program comprising a plurality of washing stages, the method controls the regeneration device so as to perform the regeneration cycle, and is characterized in that a first value indicative of the hardness of the clean water is input through the control panel data and/or input second data associated with a softener configuration indicating that demineralized water or alternatively clean water is supplied to the wash tub during one or more wash stages, based on said first and / or second data change the total amount of softened water to be used during the washing program, determine the total amount of softened water that has been produced by the ion exchanger device, and control the regeneration device so that based on the determined softened The total amount of water activates the regeneration cycle.

Preferably, said first data and/or said second data cause an instantaneous change in the activation of said regeneration cycle.

Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of: storing a fresh water hardness value associated with the moment of activation of the regeneration cycle; delaying the start of the regeneration cycle when the hardness of the fresh water selected by the user is lower than the stored hardness value. The activation moment: when the hardness of the water selected by the user is higher than the stored hardness value, the activation moment of the regeneration cycle is advanced.

Description of drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will be highlighted in more detail in the following detailed description of some of the preferred embodiments of the invention given by reference to the accompanying drawings. In the figures, corresponding features and/or components are identified with the same reference numerals.

specifically:

- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a laundry machine manufactured according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the control panel, water softening device, electronic control unit and some other components/parts of the laundry machine shown in Figure 1;

- Figures 3 to 10 schematically illustrate some options that the user can perform to set the first and second data through the control panel of the laundry machine.

Detailed ways

The invention has proven to be particularly advantageous, since it allows to keep the regeneration cycle to a minimum, so that the salt consumption is reduced, while guaranteeing the softening and the effectiveness of the entire washing process, without using additional instruments in the machine for measuring the hardness of the water. expensive sensor.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, numeral 1 designates the entire laundry machine, which includes: an outer box shell 2, preferably (but not necessarily) in the shape of a parallelepiped, resting on the floor; a laundry set, placed Within said housing 2 and further preferably comprising a substantially bell-shaped laundry tub 3 suspended inside the housing 2 in a floating manner via a suspension system comprising: a plurality of helical springs (not shown), preferably (but not necessarily) in combination with one or more shock absorbers (not shown); and a substantially bell-shaped laundry washing drum 4 for containing laundry to be washed and/or to be dried, and the laundry The washing drum is axially rotatably fixed within the washing tub 3 for rotation about the longitudinal axis. It will be appreciated that the present invention may be suitably applied to any kind of laundry treating machine, such as for example a washing machine (washing machine) and a laundry washing-drying machine (also known as a washer-dryer) or a laundry drying machine (also known as a dryer), Among them, one or more steps of introducing water and/or steam and/or hot/cold air into the laundry tub are required.

In the example shown in Fig. 1, the laundry machine 1 is a front loading washing machine. The invention has proven particularly successful when applied to front loading laundry machines. In any case it should be understood that the invention is not limited to this type of application. On the contrary, the present invention can be usefully applied to different types of laundry machines, such as top-loading washing machines or top-loading laundry washing and drying machines.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the laundry tub 3 is suspended inside the housing 2 in a floating manner, wherein the front opening of the laundry tub 3 is opposite to the laundry loading and unloading opening formed on the front surface of the housing 2 . Furthermore, the rotary drum 4 is accommodated in the laundry tub 3 such that its longitudinal axis is preferably oriented substantially horizontally and coincides with the longitudinal axis of the laundry tub 3 . It will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments not shown, the axis of rotation may be vertical or inclined.

In an exemplary embodiment, the front opening of the washing tub 3 may be connected to the opening on the front surface of the housing 2 via a cylindrical elastically deformable bellows, and the washing machine 1 is also provided with a door preferably hinged to the front surface of the housing 2 5 to be rotated to and from a rest position (shown in FIG. 1 ) in which the door 5 closes the opening of the housing 2 to seal the washing tub 3 .

As shown in the schematic embodiment of Figure 2, the laundry machine 1 is further provided with: a detergent dispenser device 7 for distributing detergent to the washing tub 3 to be used when washing the clothes according to the selected washing program; A clean water supply circuit 8 , which is directly connectable to the water supply mains 9 and is structured to direct a fresh water flow from the water supply mains 9 to the washing tub 3 . Preferably, the main clean water supply circuit 8 may be structured to selectively direct the fresh water flow from the water supply mains 9 to the detergent dispensing device 7 and/or directly to the wash tub 3 according to a wash cycle manually selected by the user .

According to a preferred embodiment, the detergent dispensing device 7 may comprise a dispenser, which may be a single use dispenser, a bulk dispenser or a combination of single and bulk dispensers. Regardless of the type of dispenser used, the dispenser may be configured to dispense detergent directly to the laundry tub 3 or to mix with water from the detergent dispensing device 7 via a dispense outlet duct (not shown).

Referring to Fig. 2, the laundry machine 1 is further provided with an internal water softening device 10, which is located inside the box-like housing 2, along the clean water supply circuit 8, and is structured for use during a washing program/cycle. The hardness of the clean water/tap water that the clean water supply circuit 8 leads to the detergent dispenser device 7 or the wash tub 3 is lowered on command.

According to the invention, the water softening device 10 may comprise an ion exchanger device 11 structured to reduce the hardness of clean/tap water in order to provide softening to the washing tub 3 and/or detergent dispenser device 8 water; and a regeneration device 12 designed to carry out a regeneration cycle of the ion exchanger device 11 .

According to a preferred embodiment, the ion exchanger unit 11 of the water softening unit 10 may preferably comprise a closed container having a water inlet and an outlet fluidically connected to the clean water supply circuit 8 and/or to the detergent dispenser device 7 , so that clean water/tap water to wash tub 3 passes through and includes a given total amount of ion exchange resins capable of retaining calcium and magnesium ions (Ca++ and Mg++) dissolved in water flowing through the same container , so as to reduce the hardness of the tap water leading to the washing tub 3. In any case it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the ion exchanger arrangement 11 disclosed above, but that it is conceivable to use other kinds of known ion exchangers designed to reduce the hardness of water to provide softened water.

With regard to the regeneration device 12 , it may comprise a total amount of consumable salt (NaCl) (or other regenerant) and be configured for carrying out a regeneration cycle of the ion exchange resin contained in the ion exchanger device 11 . During the regeneration cycle, the water passes through the regeneration unit mixed with consumable salts and the resulting brine is supplied on command to the ion exchanger unit 11 to be combined/fixed before being removed from these ion exchange resins to these calcium and magnesium ions on the resin.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the laundry machine 1 further comprises a user control panel 13, which may preferably but not necessarily be arranged in the front wall of the housing 2 and be structured Be/configured to allow the user to input information indicating the wash program to be performed. The user control panel 13 may preferably include at least a display 14, which displays washing information (as disclosed below).

The laundry machine 1 further includes an electronic control device 15 (ie, an electronic control circuit), which is electrically connected to the control panel 13 and the display 14, and is configured to: receive information input by the user through the user control panel 13; The display 14 provides washing information to the user; and controls operations performed by the laundry machine 1 according to a washing program selected by the user.

According to the present invention, the electronic control device 15 is further configured to control the total amount of softened water supplied by the softening device 10 to the washing tub 3 during the washing program. According to an exemplary embodiment, the electronic control unit 15 may regulate the total amount of fresh water supplied to the water inlet of the closed container of the ion exchanger device 11 in order to provide the determined total amount of softened water at the water outlet. It should be understood that the total amount of softened water supplied by the softening device 10 to the washing tub 3 may depend on the washing program selected by the user and/or preferably on the weight/total amount of laundry loaded in the drum 4 .

According to an exemplary embodiment, the electronic control unit 15 may be configured to: store a predetermined total amount/amount of demineralized water associated with a washing program; and change the predetermined amount based on the weight/amount of laundry loaded in the drum 4 total amount/quantity. In this regard, the electronic control means 15 may be provided with electronics and/or sensors (not shown) configured for determining the weight/total amount of laundry loaded in the drum 4 .

According to an exemplary embodiment, the electronic control unit 15 may be further configured for determining the actual total amount of softened water supplied by the internal water softening unit 10 to the tub 3/drum 4 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the electronic control unit 15 may be provided with electronics (not shown) which sense/measure the total amount of water passing through the water outlet of the ion exchanger unit 11 and based on the sensed / The measured value determines the actual total amount of softened water supplied to tub 3 / drum 4 .

The electronic control unit 15 may further be configured for controlling the regeneration device 12 in order to perform a regeneration cycle. According to an exemplary embodiment, the electronic control unit 15 may activate the regeneration unit 12 to supply a predetermined amount of saline water to the ion exchanger unit 11 at a particular activation instant to be combined before being removed from the ion exchange resins / these calcium ions and magnesium ions immobilized on the resin.

The electronic control unit 15 is further configured for controlling the regeneration device 12 so as to complete a regeneration cycle after a predetermined regeneration interval. According to an exemplary embodiment, the electronic control unit 15 may store a quantity threshold indicating a maximum quantity of softened water that the ion exchanger unit 11 can produce before being unable to soften clean water having a predetermined hardness. More precisely, the amount threshold may correspond to the total amount/amount of demineralized water provided by the ion exchanger device 11 until the resin is exhausted, ie the resin is not able to absorb calcium and magnesium ions.

The electronic control unit 15 may be further configured to: compare the actual total amount of softened water provided by the ion exchanger device 11 with a quantity threshold; and determine an activation instant of the regeneration cycle based on said comparison. For example, the electronic control unit 15 may set the instant of activation of the regeneration cycle when the actual total amount of softened water provided by the ion exchanger unit 11 reaches a quantity threshold.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the electronic control device 15 may determine the remaining time of the washing program and check whether a regeneration cycle can be performed during the current washing program or whether it can be performed in the next washing program. For example, the electronic control unit 15 may compare the remaining wash time with the regeneration interval, and if the remaining time is below the regeneration interval, the electronic control unit schedules the activation moment in a predetermined wash phase of the next wash program. Conversely, if the remaining time is higher than the regeneration interval, the electronic control device 15 may set the activation moment in a predetermined washing phase of the current washing program.

According to the invention, the control panel 13 is further configured to allow the operator to input first data indicative of fresh water hardness and/or input second data indicating that during one or more wash stages of the selected wash program Demineralized water or alternatively clean water is supplied to the washing tub 3 .

The electronic control device 15 is further configured for: changing/altering the total amount of demineralized water to be used during the selected washing program based on the first and/or second data; determining that the ion exchanger device 11 has supplied (produced) total amount of softened water to tub 3/drum 4; and based on the determined total amount of softened water control regeneration device 12 in order to activate the regeneration cycle, or to set the moment of activation of the regeneration cycle.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit 15 may contain data, for example in a memory device (not shown), indicating a predetermined hardness level, and the amount of fresh water supplied by the water mains 9 to the fresh water supply circuit 8 threshold. Preferably, when the clean water has said stored hardness level, the quantity threshold may be approximately the maximum quantity of softened water produced by the ion exchanger means 11 before being unable to soften the clean water.

The electronic control unit 15 may further contain data relating to the softener configuration of the washing programme. The softener profile indicates the type of water that should be supplied to the wash pipe 3 during the washing phase of the washing programme, ie fresh or softened water.

It will be understood that in this specification a "washing program" will be understood as a laundry washing cycle comprising one or more "washing stages", and a "washing stage" will be understood as a laundry washing stage and a laundry rinsing stage, or alternatively Or additionally, a soaking phase, a steaming phase, etc. The laundry washing stages may include, for example: a wetting stage (the step of loading water and detergent into the wash tub), a maintenance stage (the step of tumbling the laundry to the action of the detergent), and preferably but not necessarily a spin-drying stage (the step of making the drum spin steps). The rinse phase following the laundry wash phase may consist of a water loading phase (filling the wash tub with water), with final addition of rinse agent (by a flow of water over a compartment where the agent is collected), a rinse maintenance phase (finally tumble the laundry), a drain phase , and preferably a spin-drying stage. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to selecting/setting demineralized water only during the laundry washing phase and the laundry rinsing phase, but can be extended or alternatively performed during other phases of the washing program (such as soaking phase, steaming phase, etc.) .

According to a preferred embodiment, the electronic control unit 15 may be configured to compare the firmness level selected by the user via the control panel 13 with the stored firmness level, and to vary the amount threshold based on the result of the comparison. It will be appreciated that, according to an exemplary embodiment, the electronic control unit 15 is configured to conveniently vary the activation instant of the regeneration cycle based at least on first data provided by the user. In detail, the activation moment of the regeneration cycle is determined by the electronic control device 15 based on the comparison between the quantity threshold and the actual total amount of softened water, and then the activation moment is changed according to the first data (ie hardness value) input by the user; the actual Above, when the user changes the hardness value, the electronic control unit 15 changes the amount threshold and correspondingly causes the activation of the regeneration cycle to change momentarily.

For example, the electronic control unit 15 may increase the amount threshold if the water hardness level selected by the user is lower than the stored hardness level. In this case, the electronic control unit 15 will delay the moment of activation of the regeneration cycle based on the decrease in firmness value entered by the user.

Vice versa, if the water hardness level selected by the user is higher than the stored hardness level, the electronic control unit 15 may decrease the amount threshold. In this case, the electronic control unit 15 will momentarily advance the activation of the regeneration cycle in response to an increase in the hardness value entered by the user.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 , 4 and 5 , the predetermined water hardness levels that can be selected by the user via the control panel 13 may be: soft level, medium level, hard level; it will be understood that according to alternative implementations For example, a different number of predetermined water hardness levels may be selected, ie 2 or more than 3 levels.

The predetermined water hardness level selectable by the user may be illustrated by the display 14 by a corresponding graphic icon or any other graphic. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the firmness levels selectable by the user are illustrated by a plurality of corresponding horizontal parallel lines superimposed on one another, where each line corresponds to a corresponding associated with the water hardness level.

It should be understood that a "soft level" may be associated with a hardness below about 15 FH (150 ppm CaCO3), a "medium level" may be associated with a hardness comprised between about 15 FH and about 25 FH, and a "hard level" may be associated with Hardnesses above 25FH are associated. It should be noted that "FH" is a unit of measurement of water hardness corresponding to French degrees, where 1fH=10ppm CaCO3 (calcium carbonate).

Preferably, but not necessarily, the electronic control unit 15 may be configured to store a medium level by default. For example, the intermediate level can be set during the installation of the machine 1 and/or during its manufacture. According to this embodiment, the user can change the predetermined medium level via the control panel 13 with a soft level or alternatively with a hard level.

If the user selects a soft level, the electronic control unit 15 may increase the stored amount threshold associated with the medium level. The stored amount threshold increase momentarily delays the activation of the regeneration cycle. Vice versa, if the user selects a hard level, the electronic control unit 15 may decrease the stored amount threshold. The reduction of the stored amount threshold instantaneously advances the activation of the regeneration cycle.

Regarding the second input data, they indicate the wash phase with demineralized water, hereinafter referred to as "softener profile". According to the present invention, the user can selectively set one or more washing stages using demineralized water. Preferably, the user can set the use of demineralized water during one or more wash stages in order to define a softener profile, and the electronic control unit 15 can be configured to: store the softener profile selected by the user, and preferably will automatically apply the stored softener configuration to the user selected wash program by default. The electronic control unit 15 may be further configured to allow the user to change the stored softener configuration by selecting or deselecting the use of demineralized water during any wash phase. The user can select a washing program, the electronic control unit 15 can apply the stored softener configuration to the selected washing program, and the user can change the softener configuration applied to the program before starting the washing program.

For example, the stored softener configuration may include the use of soft water during the wash phase and during the rinse phase, the user may deselect the use of soft water during the wash phase, and the electronic control unit 15 executes the wash program based on the user selection.

Thus, the electronic control unit 15 changes the stored softener configuration based on the second data selected by the user. However, a change in the softener configuration of the wash program causes the moment of activation of the regeneration device 12 and the regeneration frequency of the regeneration cycle to be modified. It should be pointed out that the total amount of demineralized water used during the washing program depends on the number of washing stages using demineralized water. It follows that the actual total amount of softened water provided by the water softening device 10 depends on the softener configuration, ie the second data.

Thus, in use, the electronic control unit 15 increases the frequency of regeneration and momentarily advances the activation of the regeneration cycle based on an increase in the number of washing stages with demineralized water.

Vice versa, the electronic control unit 15 reduces the frequency of regeneration and delays the moment of activation of the regeneration cycle in accordance with the reduction in the number of washing stages with demineralized water.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the basic softener configuration of the wash program stored in the electronic control unit 15 may include using softener water during the laundry wash phase and fresh water during the rinse phase. If in addition to using demineralized water during the wash phase, the user sets to also use demineralized water during the rinse phase, the total amount of demineralized water supplied during the wash program is increased, ie doubled. It follows from this that, if the basic softener configuration is changed as described above, the amount of softened water reaches the amount threshold earlier than in the case of the basic softener configuration, and thus also the moment of activation of the regeneration cycle earlier. Vice versa, if the user deselects the use of demineralized water during the wash phase, the total amount of demineralized water supplied during the wash program will hardly decrease (i.e. be zero), so that the moment of activation of the regeneration cycle will hardly be delayed, Thus, the regeneration frequency is conveniently reduced.

It should be noted that the first data indicating the water hardness level and the second data indicating the washing phase with demineralized water cause the electronic control unit 15 to vary the activation instant of the regeneration cycle and to vary the regeneration frequency. In fact, as mentioned above, the actual total amount of softened water produced by the water softening device 10 varies according to the hardness value of the water and the use of softened water during the washing phase.

Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 illustrate convenient examples of operations performed by the control panel 13, which may include three switching devices (preferably three buttons K1, K2, and K3), and The water hardness levels selectable by the user are soft, medium, and hard. It will be appreciated that equivalent means may be used in place of buttons; for example, the familiar "tact switch" may be provided.

Also, a soft level, a medium level, and a hard level may be illustrated by the display 14 through the use of three horizontal line segments. For example, the electronic control unit 15 may be configured to enter a "set mode" for softener configuration when it detects that the user keeps pressing the two buttons K1 and K2 simultaneously, preferably at a definite interval (ie 2 seconds) (Fig. 3).

In the setting mode, the electronic control unit 15 may be configured to command the display 14 to display the water hardness level (ie the hardness level and three line segments in Figure 3). For example, once the water conditioner setting mode is entered by pressing the buttons K1 and K2 together for a predetermined interval, the display 14 will turn off except for the LED/icon/number used to display the two icons associated with the water conditioner parameter All LEDs/Icons/Numbers.

The button K1 can be pressed to change the water hardness level in the range "hard" (shown in figure 3), "medium" (figure 4), "soft" (figure 5). In the examples shown in Figures 3 to 5, the abbreviation "CO" stands for the conductivity of water.

Regarding the second data, the user can change the softener configuration of the washing program through the control panel 13, ie the type of water to be used during the washing phase of the washing program, ie clean water in softened water, or vice versa.

According to the invention, a washing program can have a basic configuration in which demineralized water is used for predetermined stages of the programme. For example, a basic configuration of a washing program may include the use of demineralized water during the washing phase and fresh water during the rinsing phase. As illustrated in FIG. 6 , the electronic control unit 15 may be configured for presenting to the user via the display 14 the basic configuration associated with the selected washing program. In the example of Fig. 6, the basic configuration of the selected washing program is set such that demineralized water is used only during the washing phase. In this regard, the display 14 exhibits an icon 14a indicating that demineralized water will be used during the washing phase.

Via the control panel 13, the user can change the basic softener configuration and choose, for example, to use demineralized water during the rinse phase (Fig. 7), or to use demineralized water during the wash and rinse phases (Fig. 8), or he can cancel Option to use demineralized water (Figure 9).

Since the amount of water to be softened during the washing program depends on the second data selected by the user, and because according to an embodiment of the invention, the electronic control device 15 is based on the total amount of softened water supplied to the washing tub 3 during the washing program The regeneration cycle is activated by comparing the quantity with a predetermined threshold value, whereby the activation instant and the regeneration frequency of the regeneration device also depend on the second data selected by the user.

In fact, the selection of the second data affects the amount of water to be softened, allowing the consumer to use softened water, part of it, or even switch it off throughout the wash program ( FIG. 9 ). It follows that if the user deselects the use of demineralized water during the washing program, the salt consumption by the regeneration device 12 can be high, low or even not consumed at all. The display 14 may show an icon 14b when the user has programmed to use softener water during the rinse phase.

Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the buttons K1 and K2 of the control panel 13 are configured to allow the user to select the use of demineralized water during several stages of the washing program. For example, the electronic control unit 15 can be configured such that in the setting mode the user can select the use of demineralized water in the wash/rinse phase by pressing the button K2. For example, if the user presses the button K2 once, the electronic control unit 15 sets the use of demineralized water during the washing phase, changes the stored basic configuration based on the selection, and shows the first icon 14a associated with the washing phase through the display 14 (Image 6). If the user presses the button K2 twice, the electronic control unit 15 sets the use of demineralized water during the rinsing phase, changes the stored basic configuration based on the selection, and shows via the display 14 a second icon 14b associated with the washing phase ( Figure 7). Preferably, if the user presses the button K2 three times, the electronic control unit 15 sets the use of demineralized water during the washing and rinsing phases, changes the stored basic configuration based on the selection, and shows the first icon 14a and the second Icon 14b (Fig. 8).

If the user presses the button K2 again, the electronic control unit 15 disables the use of demineralized water during both the washing phase and the rinsing phase ( FIG. 9 ).

Once the desired selection is made, the electronic control unit 15 can exit the water softener setting mode and return to normal program selection when the buttons K1 and K2 are pressed together for a predetermined time (ie two seconds). Alternatively, the electronic control unit 15 may exit the water softener setting mode and return to normal program selection when button K3 is pressed (Fig. 10).

The electronic control unit 15 may be further configured to start a washing program when the button K3 is pressed.

The advantage of the washing machine object of the present invention is that the regeneration cycle is completely controlled by the electronic control means, which is conveniently "sensorless".

Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments shown and described in the drawings, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown and described herein; rather, further variations of the embodiments described herein fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

Claims (15)

1. A laundry processing machine (1), comprising: - outer housing (2), - a washing tub (3), which is arranged in the housing (2), - a rotatable drum (4) arranged in axial rotation within the washing tub (3) and designed to receive laundry to be washed, - A softening device (10) provided with: an ion exchanger device (11) and a regeneration device (12) designed to receive clean water from the water mains (9) and reduce the the hardness of fresh water in order to supply demineralized water to said wash tub (3), the regeneration device is designed to perform a regeneration cycle to regenerate said ion exchanger device (11), - a control panel (13) configured to allow the user to select a washing program comprising a number of washing stages, - electronic control means (15) configured to control said regeneration means (12) in order to carry out said regeneration cycle, The laundry machine is characterized by: - said control panel (13) is further configured to allow an operator to: enter first data indicative of said fresh water hardness and/or enter second data associated with softener Demineralized water or alternatively clean water is supplied to the washing tub (3) during each washing phase, - said electronic control unit (15) is further configured to: - varying the total amount of softened water to be used during the washing program on the basis of said first and/or second data, - determining the total amount of demineralized water that has been produced by said ion exchanger device (11), - controlling said regeneration means (12) in order to activate said regeneration cycle based on the determined total amount of softened water. 2. Laundry treating machine according to claim 1, wherein said first and/or second data cause said electronic control means (15) to vary the instant of activation of said regeneration cycle. 3. The laundry machine according to claim 1, wherein the electronic control device (15) is further configured to: - storing the hardness value of the clean water associated with the instant of activation of said regeneration cycle; - Delaying said activation instant of said regeneration cycle when the hardness of the fresh water selected by the user is lower than the stored hardness value. 4. The laundry machine according to claim 1, wherein the electronic control device (15) is further configured to: - storing the hardness value of the clean water associated with the instant of activation of said regeneration cycle; - Momentarily advancing the activation of said regeneration cycle when the hardness of the fresh water selected by the user is higher than the stored hardness value. 5. The laundry machine according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the electronic control device (15) is further configured for: - a stored quantity threshold indicating the maximum quantity of softened water that the ion exchanger device (11) can produce before being unable to soften clear water of said predetermined hardness; - changing said predetermined threshold based on said first data; - determination of the total amount of demineralized water produced by said ion exchanger device (11) during the execution of one or more washing programs; - comparing said determined total amount of softened water with said modified amount threshold; - Determining an activation instant of said regeneration cycle based on said comparison. 6. The laundry machine according to claim 2, wherein the electronic control device (15) is further configured for: changing the softener configuration based on the second data; and changing the softener configuration based on the changed Configuration changes the regeneration frequency of the regeneration cycle and/or the predetermined activation instant of the regeneration cycle. 7. The laundry machine according to claim 6, wherein the electronic control device (15) is further configured to increase the regeneration frequency of the regeneration cycle and/or The activation moment of the regeneration cycle is brought forward. 8. The laundry machine according to claim 6, wherein said electronic control device (15) is further configured for reducing the regeneration frequency and/or delaying the regeneration according to the reduction of the washing phase using the demineralized water The activation instant of the loop. 9. The laundry machine according to claim 1, wherein the electronic control device (15) is further configured to: - comparing the predetermined regeneration interval of the regeneration cycle with the remaining time of the washing program being executed by the laundry machine; and - Activating the regeneration cycle during the current wash program on the basis of said comparison result, or delaying the activation of said regeneration cycle momentarily until the next wash program. 10. The laundry machine according to claim 1, wherein the control panel (13) comprises at least two switch devices (K1, K2) for allowing the user to input the first data and/or or second data; The electronic control unit (15) is configured to: When the user switches the two switch devices (K1, K2) at the same time, it enters the water softener setting mode state; setting the hardness level of said clear water based on a command executed by the user through the first switch device (K1); The type of water to be supplied to the washing tub during the washing phases of the washing program, among fresh or demineralized water, is set based on commands executed by the user through the second switch means (K2). 11. The laundry machine according to claim 10, wherein one of the switching devices (K1, K2) is configured to make the electronic control device (15) set the The state in which the ion exchange unit (11) is disabled. 12. The laundry machine according to claim 7, comprising a third switching device (K3) configured to cause the electronic control device (15) to start executing the washing program. 13. A method for controlling a laundry machine (1), comprising: an external housing (2); a washing tub (3) arranged inside the housing (2); a rotatable a drum (4) arranged in axial rotation within the washing tub (3) and designed to receive laundry to be washed; a softening device (10) provided with: an ion exchanger device (11) and regeneration device (12), the ion exchanger device is designed to receive fresh water from the water supply main (9) and reduce the hardness of the fresh water in order to supply demineralized water to the washing tub (3 ), the regeneration device is designed to perform a regeneration cycle to regenerate the ion exchanger device (11); the control panel (13), the control panel is configured to allow the user to select a washing program, the washing program includes a plurality of washing phase, The method controls the regeneration device (12) so as to perform the regeneration cycle and is characterized by: First data indicative of the hardness of the fresh water and/or second data associated with the configuration of the softener indicating that the soft water will be softened during one or more wash stages is entered through the control panel (13). Water or alternatively clean water is supplied to the washing tub (3), varying the total amount of softened water to be used during a washing program based on said first and/or second data, determining the total amount of demineralized water that has been produced by said ion exchanger means (11), and The regeneration device (12) is controlled so as to activate the regeneration cycle based on the determined total amount of softened water. 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the first data and/or the second data cause an instantaneous change in the activation of the regeneration cycle. 15. The method of claim 13, comprising the steps of: - storing the hardness value of the clean water associated with the instant of activation of said regeneration cycle; - delaying said activation moment of said regeneration cycle when the hardness of the fresh water selected by the user is lower than the stored hardness value; - Momentarily advancing said activation of said regeneration cycle when the hardness of the fresh water selected by the user is higher than the stored hardness value.