EP3033451A1

EP3033451A1 - Laundry treatment device and method for controlling the operation of a laundry treatment device

Info

Publication number: EP3033451A1
Application number: EP14752561.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hartmut Wauer; Martin Rieser
Original assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung and Co KG
Current assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung and Co KG
Priority date: 2013-08-16
Filing date: 2014-08-12
Publication date: 2016-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 2034-08-12
Also published as: EP3033451B1; WO2015022070A1; DE102013013666A1; PL3033451T3; DE102013013666B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a laundry treatment device comprising a suds container (12), a laundry drum (14) arranged inside the suds container (12), a rotary drive (16-22) for the laundry drum (14), a control device (28) for controlling the operation of the laundry treatment device, and a vibration sensor system (40) rigidly coupled to the suds container (12) or the laundry drum (14). The control device (28) is connected to the vibration sensor system (40). In particular in a first phase (T1) before execution of a program sequence, the control device evaluates a structure-borne noise detected by the vibration sensor system. If a living being in the laundry drum (14) is inferred in this structure-borne noise evaluation, the control device (28) performs at least one suitable protective function.

Description

Laundry treatment appliance and

A method of controlling the operation of a laundry treating appliance

The present invention relates to a laundry treatment appliance, in particular an electronic laundry treatment appliance such as a washing machine or a tumble dryer, and a method for controlling the operation of such a laundry treatment appliance.

Laundry treatment appliances such as washing machines, clothes dryers, spin dryers and the like are increasingly available in recent years as so-called XXL devices with large filling volumes and extra-large loading hatches. Such laundry treatment appliances are also often placed in not or at least not regularly monitored rooms such as basement, bathroom or kitchen.

Such laundry treatment (large) appliances generally have sufficiently large internal spaces and correspondingly large access openings to accommodate living beings such as infants and pets (cats, dogs, rabbits, etc.) therein. The living beings can usually enter the room without serious obstacles with the appropriate laundry treatment device. Infants, for example, risk being crawled into the laundry drum of an open washing machine and then locked up by themselves or by a sibling's child. Starting the washing machine can then lead to life-threatening situations. Pets such as cats often look for unusual resting places and can be overlooked, for example when starting the laundry treatment device in it or not be distinguished from the load. Again, dangerous situations may arise. EP 2 048 274 A1 describes a household appliance which has one or more detectors for generating a detection signal for the presence of a living being in the interior of the domestic appliance and a control unit which prevents the start or continuation of the program sequence upon receipt of such a detection signal , The preferably several different and / or differently positioned detectors detect directly the presence of a living being in the interior of the household appliance.

DE 42 25 769 C2 discloses an automatically controlled laundry treatment machine having a weight of the loaded laundry drum detecting means and associated with this device evaluation circuit, which upon detection of an operating state of the laundry treating machine irregularly high weight, a blocking signal for preventing the start of a laundry treatment program emits.

JP 2004-065408 A discloses a washing machine provided with an anomaly detecting sensor. A controller prevents the execution of a washing operation when the abnormality detecting sensor detects an unusual vibration and / or gravity movement of the tub after the operation of a start key. DE 10 2004 049 647 B3 describes a further development of this technique, in which initially a predetermined amount of water is introduced to detect an unusual movement of the washing agg reg ats to wake a dormant or sleeping child and to animate to a movement. The invention has for its object to provide a laundry treatment device and a method for operating a laundry treatment appliance, with which the risk of endangering of living beings in the laundry treatment appliance can be reduced. This object is achieved by the teaching of the independent claims. advantageous

Embodiments and developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The laundry treatment appliance of the invention comprises a lye container, a laundry drum arranged inside the lye container, a rotary drive for the laundry drum, a control device for controlling the operation of the laundry treatment machine. rätes and a rigidly coupled to the tub or the laundry drum vibration sensor, which is connected to the control device, on. The control device is designed to evaluate a structure-borne noise detected by the vibration sensor system and to perform at least one protective function if, in the structure-borne noise evaluation, a living being in the laundry drum is closed.

By means of the vibration sensor, which is rigidly coupled to the tub or the laundry drum, living beings can be indirectly detected in the laundry drum in a simple and reliable manner. Both noises within the laundry drum as well as shocks, impacts, etc. from the inside against the laundry drum propagate as structure-borne noise in the laundry drum and the rigidly connected components and can ultimately be detected as vibrations or vibrations by the intended vibration sensor.

Due to the generally resilient suspension of the entire internal unit of the laundry treatment appliance in the machine housing and / or the laundry drum in the tub external noise is not or at most transferred to the inner unit or the laundry drum to a small extent, so that the vibration sensor exclusively or at least mainly by Noise, etc. recorded in the laundry drum generated structure-borne sound and thus allows a very reliable evaluation in view of the presence of a living being in the laundry drum.

The structure-borne sound measurement is also relatively sensitive and therefore enables the detection of even quiet noises and weak blows, bumps, etc. in the laundry drum, which can be produced by living things such as infants and small (domestic) animals in particular.

For the detection of living beings according to the invention, the laundry drum does not have to be rotated, whereby an additional endangerment of a living being in the laundry drum is prevented. In addition, no water must be introduced into the tub and thus into the laundry drum for this structure-borne noise measurement, which can lead to unpredictable reactions, especially in infants (eg shock rigidity). In this context, the term "laundry treatment device" refers to any type of electronic device which is suitable for the treatment of laundry in principle of any kind. Dryer, spin and combinations of these types of equipment The term "tub" should apply equally to all types of laundry treatment equipment, even if not all types contain a wash liquor.

The term "rotary drive" in this context refers to the entirety of the technical components which generate a rotation of the laundry drum within the tub around a predefined axis of rotation The (electric) motor is preferably coupled directly to the shaft of the laundry drum via an intermediate transmission or the like.

The term "internal unit" in this context refers to the entirety of the mechanical components for the laundry treatment.The internal unit has in particular the laundry drum, the tub and the rotary drive.The internal unit is preferably spring-mounted (and preferably also damped) in the machine housing.

In this context, the term "rigid coupling" designates a mechanical connection between two components with a permanently fixed relative position to one another, thus making it possible to transmit structure-borne noise between the components which are connected to one another via a rigid coupling and resilient connections, such as the resilient suspension of the internal unit in the machine housing, which can not transmit structure-borne noise., On the other hand belong to a rigid coupling in this sense, (rotary) bearings, such as the bearing of the laundry drum in the tub.

The term "vibration sensor" in this context refers to any type of sensor which is suitable for detecting vibrations, vibrations and the like of an object or component Frequency range from a few hertz up to a few kilohertz. The vibration sensor preferably has one or more sensors or detectors. In the case of a plurality of sensors / detectors, these are preferably positioned next to each other or at different locations in the laundry treatment appliance. The Schwingungssensonk is wired or wirelessly connected to the controller, ie connected to this.

The structure-borne noise is preferably detected by the vibration sensor at a standing, i. non-rotating laundry drum recorded and evaluated.

In this context, the term "protective function" designates any measure which is suitable for reducing or possibly precluding a risk to a living being in the laundry treatment appliance or its laundry drum The control device preferably performs one or more protective functions essentially simultaneously, overlapping each other in time and / or Suitable protective functions in this context include, but are not limited to, blocking the program or its continuation, blocking the rotation of the laundry drum, blocking the water inlet into the tub, disabling the heater, unlocking a loading hatch, outputting an optical and / or audible warning signal, requesting a confirmation of the continuation of the program flow from a user, the interruption of the power supply to the laundry treating appliance, and the like.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the control device is configured to evaluate in a first phase prior to execution of a program sequence detected by the Schwingungssensonk structure-borne sound and in a second phase during execution of a program flow detected by the Schwingungssensonk movement of the tub and / or the laundry drum evaluate. In this embodiment of the laundry treatment appliance, the vibration sensor, which is generally present anyway, for detecting an imbalance of the laundry drum is also used as a vibration sensor for detecting living beings in the laundry drum. This makes it possible to dispense with the use of additional sensors / detectors for detecting living beings in the laundry drum. The one Schwingungssensonk is preferably operated differently for this purpose by the control device and / or the measurement signals generated by a Schwingungssensonk are preferably evaluated differently by the control device. For the structure-borne noise evaluation, in particular greater amplifications of the measurement signals and / or the increase of the sampling rates of the measurement signals are advantageous.

The vibration sensor system which is often present anyway for the imbalance detection in conventional laundry treatment appliances is "misappropriated" in this particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, while the vibration sensor used for the imbalance detection is optimized for uniform movements with low frequencies (max is operated, the measurement signals of this vibration sensor for the detection of living things in the laundry drum during the safety test, for example, maximum increases and recorded at maximum sampling rate.

The term "program sequence" in this context refers to the predetermined time sequence of certain processes in the laundry treatment appliance for the predetermined treatment of the laundry in the laundry drum and thus only the actual time

Program Sequence. This (actual) program usually begins with the activation of a water inlet, a heater and / or the rotary actuator. In this context, this (actual) program sequence does not include the locking of the loading hatch, a positioning of the laundry drum to a predetermined angular position and the like. The respective program sequence can preferably be set or selected by a user via an operating and display device.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the control device is configured to compare a structure-borne noise detected by the vibration sensor with a reference level and / or a reference pattern and to execute the at least one protective function as a function of this comparison result. On the basis of a comparison with a reference level, it is possible to deduce the presence of a living being in the laundry drum; on the basis of a comparison with a reference pattern, it is also possible to infer the nature of the living being. In the comparison with a reference pattern, a frequency analysis is preferably carried out and compared several or even all detected signal levels with the respective reference levels.

The terms "reference level" and "reference pattern" in this context each refer to a reference measurement carried out at a reference time, in which no living being is in the laundry drum. At the reference trade fair sung the laundry drum is preferably empty or loaded with a defined amount of laundry. Preferably, the laundry drum does not rotate during the reference measurement. The duration of the reference measurement preferably coincides with the duration of the measurements in the operation of the laundry treatment appliance. The reference measurement is preferably carried out once after setting up the laundry treatment device at its operating location by the user and / or automatically at the end of a program sequence, for example, after the spinning process. The reference levels and / or the reference pattern are preferably stored in a memory, which is connected to the control device or integrated into the control device.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vibration sensor is configured and arranged to detect a structure-borne noise in different spatial directions. By this measure, the reliability can be increased when detecting living things in the laundry treatment appliance. The different spatial directions are preferably the three spatial directions of the Cartesian coordinate system, wherein one of the three spatial directions is preferably aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the laundry drum. The different spatial directions can be detected by different sensors / detectors or by a multi-axis sensor / detector.

To further increase the reliability of the detection of living beings in the laundry treatment appliance, the vibration sensor can preferably be combined with other sensors, detectors and the like for detecting the presence of a living being.

The invention also relates to a control device for controlling the operation of a laundry treatment appliance with a tub, a washing drum arranged within the tub, a rotary drive for the laundry drum and a vibration sensor coupled rigidly to the tub or the laundry drum, the control device having the vibration sensor of the Laundry treatment appliance connected and configured as described above in connection with the laundry treatment appliance according to the invention.

The same advantages can be achieved with this control device as with the above-described laundry treatment device of the invention. Regarding the advantages, definition of terms and preferred embodiments is therefore at this point on the referenced above in connection with the laundry treatment appliance according to the invention.

The invention also relates to a method for controlling the operation of a laundry treatment appliance, which has a tub, a laundry drum disposed within the tub, a rotary drive for the laundry drum and a vibration sensor coupled rigidly to the tub or the laundry drum, wherein one of the detected by the vibration sensor Structure-borne noise is evaluated and at least one protective function is performed if it is concluded in the structure-borne sound analysis on a living being in the laundry drum.

With this method, the same advantages as with the above-described laundry treatment apparatus of the invention can be achieved. With regard to the advantages, definition of terms and preferred embodiments, reference is therefore made at this point to the above statements in connection with the laundry treatment appliance according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a structure-borne sound detected by the vibration sensor system is evaluated in a first phase prior to execution of a program sequence, and in a second phase during execution of a program sequence, a movement of the tub and / or the laundry drum detected by the vibration sensor is evaluated.

Preferably, a structure-borne noise detected by the vibration sensor system is determined in the case of a standing, i. non-rotating laundry drum evaluated.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a structure-borne noise detected by the vibration sensor system is compared with a reference level and / or a reference pattern, and the at least one protective function is carried out as a function of this comparison result.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the vibration sensor detects a structure-borne noise in different spatial directions.

The above and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment _: For example, with reference to the accompanying drawings better understandable. Show:

Fig. 1. a schematic representation of the structure of a laundry treatment appliance according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary flow chart for the operation of the laundry treating appliance of FIG. 1; FIG. an exemplary structure-borne sound reference pattern detected by the vibration sensor of the laundry treatment appliance of Fig. 1; an exemplary structure-borne sound signal pattern in the presence of a cat in the laundry drum, detected by the vibration sensor of the laundry treatment appliance of Fig. 1; and

3C shows an exemplary structure-borne sound signal pattern in the presence of a toddler in the laundry drum, detected by the vibration sensor of the laundry treatment appliance of FIG. 1.

Fig. 1 shows a rear view of a washing machine as an example of a laundry treatment appliance in a schematic representation. Fig. 1 shows the washing machine in an end view against the back of a machine housing 10 of the washing machine, wherein the loading opening, not shown, of the washing machine is opposite to this back.

In the machine housing 10, an internal unit is suspended vibratory. This internal unit has in particular a tub 12, a laundry drum 14 and a rotary drive for the laundry drum 14. The rotary drive in turn has a Trommelriemenrad 16, a transmission belt 18, a motor pulley 20 and an electric motor 22. In other words, the internal unit contains all the components which form a common vibration system with the rotating laundry drum 14, which is vibration-isolated or damped relative to the machine housing 10. The suspension of the internal unit 12-22 is realized in the ceiling region of the machine housing 10 by (eg four) springs 24, which each engage with their one end in the ceiling-side corner areas of the machine housing 10 and with their other end at different positions on the indoor unit, attached here at the top of the tub 12. Furthermore, the inner unit 12-22 is supported by (eg four) friction dampers 26 in the bottom area of the machine housing 10. The friction damper 26 are each supported with the one end in the bottom corner portions of the machine housing 10 and secured to the other end at different positions on the inner unit, here at the bottom of the tub 12.

The (drum-shaped) tub 12 is arranged lying in the machine housing 10 in this embodiment. That its longitudinal extension (front / rear direction in Fig. 1) and thus its axis of rotation 15 are aligned substantially parallel to the bottom of the machine housing 10 and thus extend in the example in Fig. 1 drawn Cartesian coordinate system parallel to the x-axis. In alternative embodiments, the axis of rotation 15 of the laundry drum 14 may also be substantially perpendicular, i. parallel to the z-axis, or oblique (e.g., at an angle of about 45 ° to the x-axis).

The laundry drum 14 is arranged substantially concentrically within the tub 12 and, for example, in the rear wall of the tub 12, that is rotatably mounted on the end facing away from the loading opening end of the tub. The laundry drum 14 is rotatably connected to the drum pulley 16, which is arranged concentrically to the laundry drum 14 outside of the tub 12 and has a smaller diameter than the laundry drum 14. The Trommelriemenrad 16 is coupled via the transmission belt 18 with the motor pulley 20, which is aligned parallel to the drum pulley 16. The motor pulley 20 is rotatably connected to the output shaft of the electric motor 22. About this belt pulley 20 constructed from motor pulley 20, transmission belt 18 and drum pulley 16, the laundry drum 14 is rotated within the tub 12 by the electric motor 22 in rotational movement. In an alternative embodiment, the laundry drum 14 may be moved by the electric motor 22 via a direct drive, which is then located at the location of the drum belt wheel 16. The electric motor 22 and thus the laundry drum 14 can with different Speeds are variably controlled to perform various programs and different phases of the program flows of the washing machine.

As indicated in FIG. 1, a motor control 23, for example in the form of a circuit board, is arranged on the electric motor 22. This motor control 23 has in particular a power output stage for energizing the motor windings of the electric motor 22. The motor control 23 is controlled by a control device 28, which may be positioned within the machine housing 10.

The control device 28 is also (wired or wireless) with a Türver- locking 30, a water inlet 32, a heater 34, a water outlet 36 and a control and display device 38 is connected. A user can enter a desired washing program and desired washing parameters (water temperature, spin speed, etc.) via the operating and display device 38 arranged in a control panel in the machine housing 10. The control device 28 then controls the connected components 22, 30-36 according to a predetermined program sequence as a function of the settings made by the user on the operating and display device 38. In addition, the controller 28 may visually and / or acoustically display various information to the user via the control and display device 38 (e.g., selected wash program, current operating state, time remaining until the end of the program flow, etc.).

On the electric motor 22, a vibration sensor 40 is also arranged. This vibration sensor 40 is rigidly coupled to the electric motor 22 and thus also to the laundry drum 14. The vibration sensor 40 has one or more sensors / detectors for detecting vibrations in one or more spatial directions. For example, the vibration sensor 40 has a multi-axis motion sensor. The vibration sensor 40 is designed, for example, such that it can measure rotations about the y-axis and / or the z-axis of the drawn coordinate system and / or the angular accelerations associated with these rotations, ie in particular pitch movements of the internal assembly about the y-axis and / or Yawing movements of the internal unit about the z-axis. In addition, the vibration sensor 40 may preferably also detect vibrations about the x-axis. The vibration sensor 40 is optionally integrated in the motor controller 23 or arranged separately from the latter on the electric motor 22. The vibration sensor 40 is thus positioned in particular outside of the tub 12 and therefore requires less protection against moisture and chemicals. In alternative embodiments, the vibration sensor 40 may also be mounted, for example, on the outside of the tub 12 or on the outside of the laundry drum 14.

The sensors / detectors of the vibration sensor 40 are preferably designed as electronic sensors, in particular as acceleration sensors. The sensors / detectors of the vibration sensor 40 preferably use capacitive and / or inductive and / or piezoelectric effects for their measurements.

With such a vibration sensor 40 can be in a known manner oscillatory movements of the laundry drum due to imbalances, for example, caused by a non-uniform loading detect. In the course of the program, the control device 28 or the motor control 23 can then encounter a detected imbalance through targeted laundry distribution phases. Such a system is known for example from DE 10 2005 037 144 B4 of the Applicant.

In the embodiment of the washing machine according to the invention, this vibration sensor 40 can be used not only for detecting substantially uniform swinging movements at low frequencies (e.g., a maximum of about 30 Hz) during the laundry drum 14 during a program run, but also for detecting structure-borne noise. As a result, the control device 28 with the aid of the vibration sensor 40 not only react to imbalances of the laundry drum 14, but also detect the presence of a living being, in particular a toddler or a (domestic) animal in the laundry drum 14.

Since the vibration sensor 40 is rigidly coupled to the electric motor 22 and thus also to the laundry drum 14, can be in the laundry drum 14 by sounds (eg crying, talking, screaming, animal sounds, etc.) or by blows / shocks (eg by knocking, beating , Scratching, etc.) from the inside against the laundry drum 14 generated structure-borne sound transmitted to the vibration sensor 40 and detected by this. In order for a living being to be recognized in the laundry drum 14, the vibration sensor 40 provided for measuring unbalance is operated atypically. For this purpose, the amplification of the measuring signals is maximally increased by the control device 28 and the measuring signals are recorded at the maximum sampling rate. Thus, even quiet sounds and frequencies up to a few / a few kilohertz can be scanned with a sufficient resolution.

Instead of recording a uniform oscillatory motion and determining its amplitude and phase position, the signals are detected by the vibration sensor 40 for a predetermined period of time of, for example, 30 to 60 seconds and for a plurality of individual frequencies and evaluated by the controller 28 in the structure-borne sound measurement or evaluation.

Since the internal unit of the washing machine in the machine housing 10 is suspended resiliently and damped, external noise is not or at best transferred to the laundry drum 14 and the vibration sensor 40 to a lesser extent. At rest, i. When the loading hatch and the washing drum 14 are closed, therefore, a reference pattern RM0 exemplarily shown in FIG. 3A results with low reference levels RP0 over all individual frequencies, which is generated essentially by the inherent noise of the vibration sensor 40. In FIG. 3A, the reference patterns RM0 for the different spatial directions are shown together, which are detected by the vibration sensor 40.

This reference pattern RMO is recorded and stored, for example, once after setting up the laundry treatment device at its operating location by the user is prompted to start the washing machine with empty laundry drum 14. Alternatively or additionally, reference measurements are in each case automatically carried out at the end of a program sequence, for example after the spinning process, and the detected reference patterns are stored. The control device 28 can thus "learn" different noise scenarios, whereby the reliability in the detection of living beings in the laundry drum 14 can be improved.

However, a living being located in the laundry drum 14 generally generates additional (quiet or loud) noises which deviate from this reference pattern RMO in FIG. 3A. This is also the case without the laundry drum 14 has to be rotated or water must be introduced into the tub 12. there Living things cause different patterns of noise and movement depending on their type, size and weight.

3B shows by way of example a noise pattern GM1 for a cat in the laundry drum 14, which scrapes with its claws on the inside of the laundry drum 14. Increased

Signal level GP1 at different individual frequencies suggest additional animal sounds.

FIG. 3C shows by way of example a noise pattern GM2 for a toddler in the laundry drum 14, which with his fists and his feet against the inside of the

Laundry drum 14 knocks, hits. In addition, noises of calling, crying, etc. can be detected.

In one embodiment, the controller 28 evaluates only a sum signal of the signal level GP1, GP2 over all individual frequencies and compares this with the sum signal of the reference level RPO. With a significant increase in the signal level GP1, GP2 compared to the reference level RPO, the presence (of any living being in the laundry drum 14 can be deduced.) In another embodiment, the control device 28 additionally or alternatively evaluates the signal patterns GM1, GM2 and compares them by means of frequency analysis The reference pattern RMO may thus also be concluded in the manner of a living being in the laundry drum 14. In order to increase the reliability of this safety function of the washing machine, the structure-borne sound evaluation described above may optionally be combined with one or more further sensors / detectors the presence of a living being in the laundry drum 14 can directly detect, such as temperature sensors, motion sensors, weight sensors, acoustic sensors, Pulssenso- ren, chemical sensors, conductivity sensors, etc. for the interior of the laundry drum 14th

Referring now to Fig. 2, a control method for the above-described washing machine including the above-described structure-borne sound evaluation will be explained by way of example. In a first step S1, the laundry drum 14 of the washing machine is loaded with laundry by a user and a desired washing program with desired parameters is set on the operating and display device 38. In a second step S2, the user closes the loading hatch. Alternatively, the user can first close the loading hatch and then set the wash program.

In a third step S3, the user actuates the start button on the operating and display device 38 to start the program sequence. Alternatively, the user can first press the start button and then close the loading hatch. However, before carrying out the actual program sequence, the control device 28 then initially executes the steps S4, S5 and S6.

Initially, in a step S4, the loading hatch of the washing machine is locked. In the next step S5, a safety check is then carried out in a first phase T1. In particular, this safety test includes the above-described structure-borne sound measurement and evaluation by the vibration sensor system 40 and the control device 28. In addition, further functional tests can also be carried out in the safety test, for example.

In a step S6, it is then judged on the basis of a comparison of a detected signal level or signal pattern with the reference level or reference pattern as to whether a living being is in the laundry drum 14 (and possibly which one).

If no living being is detected in the laundry drum 14 by the control device 28 (decision "No" in step S6), the process advances to step S7, in which the actual program flow is performed according to the user settings in a second phase T2. If necessary, another reference pattern can be recorded and stored at the end of this program sequence in step S7.

The actual program sequence includes in particular one or more washing, heating and centrifuging operations for treating the laundry in the laundry drum 14. Depending on the embodiment may include the actual program flow in this second phase T2 and the locking of the loading hatch, in which case then the step S4 above would be omitted. On the other hand, if a living being is recognized in the laundry drum 14 in step S6 (decision "Yes"), then it goes to step S8. In this step S8, the controller 28 executes at least one protection function in a third phase T3 here in particular include blocking the (actual) program sequence or its continuation, blocking the rotation of the laundry drum 14, blocking the water inlet 32 into the tub 12, locking the heater 34, unlocking a loading hatch or canceling the door lock 30, the Issuing an optical and / or audible warning signal, for example at the operating and display device 38, requesting confirmation of the continuation of the program sequence by a user by means of the operating and display device 38, the interruption of the power supply to the washing machine and the like preferably several different radio protection At the same time, overlapping each other and / or successively.

After performing the protection function in step S8, the operation of the washing machine may be continued by the user after checking the contents of the laundry drum 14 and possibly removing / rescuing the living being therein. Preferably, in a step S9, the user must press a corresponding confirmation key on the operating and display device 38 in order to confirm that the laundry drum 14 contains no living being (anymore). Subsequently, the controller 28 can then perform the actual program flow in a second phase T2 in step S7.

As indicated in FIG. 2 by the dashed line, after execution of the protective function (s) in step S8, it is also possible to jump back to step S2. This means that - possibly after removing / rescuing a living being from the laundry drum 14 - before the execution of the actual program flow in step S7 again the security check of step S5 and the decision of step S6 must be performed.

REFERENCE NUMBER LIST

10 machine housing

12 tubs

14 laundry drum

15 axis of rotation

16 drum belt wheel

18 transmission belts

20 motor pulley

22 electric motor

23 engine control

24 springs

26 friction damper

28 control device

30 door lock

32 water inlet

34 heating

36 water drainage

38 operating and display device

40 vibration sensor

Claims

A laundry treatment device comprising a tub (12), a laundry drum (14) disposed within the tub (12), a rotary drive (16-22) for the laundry drum (14) and control means (28) for controlling the operation of the laundry treating appliance; in which

a vibration sensor (40) is rigidly coupled to the tub (12) or the laundry drum (14);

the control device (28) is connected to the vibration sensor (40) and is designed to evaluate a structure-borne sound detected by the vibration sensor; and

the control device (28) is designed to perform at least one protective function if, in the structure-borne noise evaluation, a living being in the laundry drum (14) is closed.

2. laundry treatment appliance according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the control device (28) is configured to evaluate a structure-borne noise detected by the vibration sensor system (40) in a first phase (T1) prior to execution of a program sequence, and in a second phase (T2) during execution of a program sequence one of the vibration sensor system (40). detected movement of the tub (12) and / or the laundry drum (14) to evaluate.

3. Laundry treatment appliance according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the control device (28) is configured to compare a structure-borne noise detected by the vibration sensor (40) with a reference level (RP0) and / or a reference pattern (RM0) and execute the at least one protective function as a function of this comparison result.

4. Laundry treatment appliance according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the vibration sensor (40) is designed and arranged to detect a structure-borne noise in different spatial directions.

5. Control device (28) for controlling the operation of a laundry treatment appliance with a tub (12), within the tub (12) arranged laundry drum (14), a rotary drive (16-22) for the laundry drum (14) and a rigid with the Lye container (12) or the laundry drum (14) coupled vibration sensor (40), wherein the control device (28) with the vibration sensor (40) of the laundry treatment appliance connectable and designed according to one of the preceding claims.

6. A method for controlling the operation of a laundry treatment appliance, which comprises a tub (12), a laundry drum (14) arranged inside the tub (12), a rotary drive (16-22) for the laundry drum (14) and a rigid with the tub ( 12) or the laundry drum (14) coupled vibration sensor (40),

characterized in that

one of the vibration sensor (40) detected structure-borne sound is evaluated; and

at least one protective function is performed if, in the structure-borne noise evaluation, a living being in the laundry drum (14) is closed.

7. The method according to claim 6,

characterized in that

in a first phase (T1) prior to execution of a program sequence, a structure-borne noise detected by the vibration sensor (40) is evaluated and in a second phase (T2) during execution of a program sequence a movement of the tub (12) detected by the vibration sensor (40) and / or the laundry drum (14) is evaluated.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7,

characterized in that

one of the vibration sensor (40) detected structure-borne noise in a standing laundry drum (12) is evaluated.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8,

characterized in that

a structure-borne sound detected by the vibration sensor (40) is compared with a reference level (RPO) and / or a reference pattern (RMO) and the at least one protective function is carried out as a function of this comparison result.

10. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9,

characterized in that

the vibration sensor (40) detects a structure-borne noise in different spatial directions.