EP3201384A1 - Laundry care appliance having a control element - Google Patents

Description

 Laundry care device with a control

The present invention relates to a laundry care device with a control. In laundry care appliances, such as In a washing machine, wash liquor is supplied to the tub during a washing process to achieve adequate wetting of the laundry in the laundry drum. The determination of the volume of wash liquor present in the tub is crucial to ensure an effective laundry care process. Too little wash liquor volume in the tub does not result in adequate wetting of the laundry, while too large a wash liquor volume on the other hand leads to a large consumption of wash liquor.

EP 2 202 343 A1 describes a washing machine with a sensor for determining a level and / or a hydrostatic pressure of an aqueous liquid present in a washing machine's washing tub.

It is the object underlying the invention to provide a laundry care device which is designed to determine the type of laundry to be cared for laundry effectively.

This object is achieved by articles having the features according to the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the figures, the description and the dependent claims. According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a laundry care apparatus having a pumping system comprising a laundry drum for receiving laundry, a washing liquor receptacle, the tub comprising an inlet opening and a drain opening, a conduit defining the inlet opening and the outlet opening and a pump for pumping wash liquor through the conduit, comprising a load detecting means for detecting a weight of laundry in the laundry drum, having a power detecting element for detecting an electric power Performance of the pump, with a Waschlaugenzuführungselement for supplying a volume of wash liquor into the tub, and with a control, solved, wherein the control is formed, a bound to the laundry in the laundry drum amount of wash liquor depending on the supplied volume of wash liquor and in response to the detected electric power value of the pump, and wherein the control is configured to change a laundry care program depending on the ratio of the particular volume of wash liquor bound to the laundry and the sensed weight of the laundry in the laundry drum. Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that by determining the ratio of the volume of washing liquor bound to the laundry and the weight of the laundry in the laundry drum, the type of laundry can be automatically determined by the control. Thereby, the control can advantageously control the laundry care program depending on the detected laundry weight and depending on the particular type of laundry.

At the beginning of the laundry care process, the weight of the laundry in the laundry drum is determined by the load detection means, such as the laundry. a weighing device detected. Then, a volume of wash liquor is supplied through the wash liquor feed element to the tub. Subsequently, a part of the supplied wash liquor is determined by the control, which is bound to the laundry. From the ratio of the volume of washing liquor bound to the laundry and the weight of the laundry, the control can determine the type of laundry.

The control element determines the volume of the wash liquor bound to the wash by determining the volume of wash liquor supplied minus the volume of wash liquor that is not bonded to the wash, and therefore is freely movable in the pump-over system. The freely movable in the Umpumpsystem wash liquor is pumped out of the tub by the pump in the pumping system. The power sensing element senses the electrical power of the pump during the pump down process. When the pump has pumped out in the Umpumpsystem freely moving amount of wash liquor from the tub, air sucked by the pump, which reduces the amount of pumped through the pump wash. The power sensing element can detect the end of the pump down process based on a decreasing electrical power value of the pump. Thus, the control of the detected Abpumpzeitintervall and from the known volume flow of the pump can determine the volume of freely movable in the pumping system wash liquor. Since the control knows the volume of the total, supplied wash liquor, taking into account the particular free-moving volume of wash liquor, the volume of wash liquor bound to the wash can be determined. The ratio of the volume of wash liquor bound to the wash and the weight of laundry detected corresponds to the soak time, a parameter that is characteristic of the fabric type of laundry. The control can automatically determine by a comparison of the determined flooding time with pre-stored for known types of wash flooding times the type of laundry laundry. Based on the particular type of laundry, the control may alter the laundry care program to tailor the laundry care process to the particular type of laundry.

As a result, an effective optimization of the laundry care process can be achieved without the installation of a level sensor in the tub for determining the type of laundry needed.

A laundry care appliance is understood to mean a device which is used for laundry care, such as e.g. a washing machine or a tumble dryer. In particular, such a laundry care appliance is understood as a household laundry care appliance. So a laundry care device, which is used in the context of household management, and is treated with the laundry in normal household quantities.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the load detection device comprises a weighing device, a device for detecting a lowering of a vibration system of the laundry drum, or a device for detecting performance parameters of a drive of the laundry drum. As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that an effective detection of the laundry weight can be performed by the aforementioned load detection devices. By the weighing device, the laundry weight can be detected after the addition of the laundry in the laundry drum. The laundry weight in the laundry drum can be determined before the supply of wash liquor into the tub.

Alternatively, the laundry weight of the laundry in the laundry drum can be detected by a sagging of the oscillating system under laundry load. For this purpose, the laundry drum comprises a vibrating system which is suspended on springs. With known spring constant and elongation of the springs can be closed on the force that is affected by the weight of the laundry in the laundry drum on the vibrating system. After consideration of the damping of the vibration system due to static friction and after taking into account the empty weight of the vibration system can be concluded on the basis of the sagging of the vibrating system of the laundry drum on the laundry weight of laundry located in the laundry drum.

Alternatively, the electrical power required by the drive of the laundry drum to drive the laundry drum at a certain rotational frequency may also be measured, and the electrical power may be determined by the power sensing element. The electrical energy needed to drive the drive at a certain rotational frequency is dependent on the weight of the laundry in the laundry drum. By comparing the electrical energy required for the rotation of the laundry drum with predetermined calibration data, the weight of the laundry in the laundry drum can be determined.

The determination of the dry weight of the laundry by the load detection device according to one of the methods is particularly preferred. By determining the dry weight of the laundry prior to the introduction of wash liquor into the tub, an advantageous determination of the type of laundry is made possible by the control. In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the laundry care appliance comprises an inlet valve for supplying a volume of water to the wash liquor feed element, wherein the inlet valve is designed to control the supplied volume of water. Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that by the use of the inlet valve, an advantageous control of the supplied volume of water is made possible. The volume of water supplied through the inlet valve is dependent on the volume flow of the inlet valve and the opening time of the inlet valve. The supplied volume of water mixes in the dispenser bowl with any existing laundry care product, whereby the volume of wash liquor is formed, which is supplied to the tub by the Waschlaugenzuführungselement.

At a constant volume flow of the inlet valve, the supplied volume of wash liquor depending on the opening time of the inlet valve can be timed supplied to the tub. The volume flow of the intake valve can be adjusted, for example by using a quantity regulator pressure independent to a predetermined volume flow value. As a result, an effective detection of the supplied volume of wash liquor is made possible.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the laundry care appliance comprises a flow sensor for detecting a volume flow of the inlet valve, wherein the wash liquor feed element is designed to control the inlet valve in dependence on the detected volume flow.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that the volume of wash liquor supplied can advantageously be determined by the use of the flow sensor. The flow sensor may detect the amount of water supplied to the wash liquor supply member in a certain time interval. As a result, the wash liquor feed element can control the volume of wash liquor supplied to the tub as a function of the detected volume flow. In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the control element is adapted to determine the the tub supplied with the washing liquor supply element volume of wash liquor based on the following formula V _tal = Qventii ^■ entii, wherein V _ge corresponds together with the total volume of wash liquor, which was supplied to the tub through the wash liquor feed element, where Qventii corresponds to the volume flow of the intake valve, and wherein t _Ve ntii corresponds to the opening time of the intake valve.

Thus, the technical advantage is achieved that with a knowledge of the volume flow of the intake valve Qventii only the opening timing of the intake valve _Ve t NTII must be detected to determine the fed volume of washing solution V _ge together. Here, the supplied volume of suds V _ge together need not necessarily be determined by a flow sensor. Rather, it is sufficient if the volume flow of the intake valve Qventii can be set to a constant value. This can be done for example by a flow regulator, through which, for example, the volume flow of the intake valve Qventii can be set to a value of, for example, ten liters per minute. When using a quantity regulator, the supplied volume of wash liquor V _geS amt can thus be _determined as a function of the opening time of the intake valve t _Ven tii. In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the control element is designed to determine the volume of wash liquor supplied to the tub by the wash liquor feed element as a function of the detected electrical power value of the pump. Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that an advantageous determination of the liquor container through the Waschlaugenzuführungselement supplied volume of wash liquor can be performed without the installation of a flow sensor or flow regulator is necessarily needed. As soon as the supplied wash liquor reaches the tub, the wash liquor is pumped out of the tub by the pump. The amount of wash liquor pumped out of the tub by the pump is dependent upon the electrical power of the pump. If the supply of washing liquor in the tub is stopped, then air will be sucked in by the pump, thereby reducing the electric power of the pump that can be detected by the power sensing element. Based on the detected electrical power of the pump, the control can advantageously determine the volume of the wash liquor supplied to the tub. In order to carry out an advantageous determination of the total volume of wash liquor supplied to the tub by the wash liquor feed element, the first fill with wash liquor can not be via the wash, but directly into the tub, so that the particular volume of wash liquor supplied is not affected by the suction force of the fabric Laundry is affected.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the control element is adapted to determine the the tub supplied with the washing liquor supply element volume of wash liquor based on the following formula V _Total amt = Qpum e ^■ t _Sc hnorchei, wherein V _Total amt the total volume of wash liquor corresponds to the tub supplied by the Waschlaugenzuführungselement, wherein Qp corresponds _to e e the flow rate of the pump, and wherein t _Sc hnorchei corresponds to the time required by the pump to pump the supplied volume of the wash liquor from the tub.

Thus, the technical advantage is achieved that with a knowledge of the volume flow of the pump Qpum e only the pumping time t _Sc hnorchei has to be detected of the pump to determine the fed volume of washing solution V _ge together. Thereby, the supplied volume of wash liquor V _ge including not necessarily has to be determined during the supply of wash liquor in the tub. Rather, it is sufficient if the volume flow of the pump Qp _is known _by e, or has a constant value and the wash liquor is not passed on the first filling of the laundry in the tub. The volume flow of the pump Qp _to pe may, for example, have been determined by preliminary tests or may be adjusted by changing the speed of the pump to an advantageous constant value. Thus, the supplied volume of wash liquor V _Total amt depending, in a known volume flow of the pump Qp _to pe t from the time _Sc hnorchei be determined, which requires the pump to pump the supplied volume of the wash liquor from the tub. In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the power detection element comprises a current sensor for detecting a supply current of the pump.

Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that the pump power of the pump can be detected by the use of the current sensor, without having to install another sensor element in the laundry care device. The current sensor includes a switching resistor that senses the supply current of the pump during a time interval. In particular, an amplitude of the alternating current can be detected by the current sensor. The supply current of the pump depends on the amount of liquid pumped by the pump. If air is sucked from the tub by the pump and thereby decreases the amount of the pumped through the pump liquid, then there is a reduction of the supply current of the pump. In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the control element is designed to determine a free volume of wash liquor in the pumping system as a function of the detected electrical power value of the pump, wherein the control element is designed to have a volume of wash liquor bound to the wash in the pumping system Depending on the determined free volume of wash liquor and depending on the volume supplied to determine wash liquor.

Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that the determination of the free volume of wash liquor in the pumping system enables an advantageous measurement of the volume of wash liquor bound to the wash in the pumping system, thereby enabling an effective determination of the type of wash by the control element.

The supplied volume of wash liquor is composed of the volume of wash liquor bound to the wash and the volume of wash liquor freely movable in the pump-over system. The volume of wash liquor present in the pumping system is pumped by the pump to the laundry in the laundry drum, whereby the laundry is a portion of the total volume in the pumping system existing wash liquor binds. The other part of the washing liquor, which does not bind to the laundry, the freely movable wash liquor, flows through the laundry and collects in the lower part of the liquor container. Subsequently, when the volume of free-flowing wash liquor is pumped out by the pump, the power sensing element may sense a drop in performance at the pump as air is drawn from the tub. As a result, the volume of the wash liquor bound to the laundry can be determined by the control as a function of the volume of wash liquor supplied and as a function of the volume of the freely mobile wash liquor. In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the control element is adapted to determine the volume bound to the laundry washing liquor in the pump system on the basis of the following formula V _ge b _U ligands = V _tal - degassing Vfree wherein Vgebunden the bound to the laundry volume of wash liquor in the pump around corresponds, where V _ge together with the volume of wash liquor corresponds, which was the tub is supplied through the wash liquid supply member, and wherein V _fre i corresponds to the free volume of wash liquor in the pump system, which is not bound to the laundry.

Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that with knowledge of the free volume of wash liquor in the pumping system V _fre i only the volume of the total supplied wash liquor V _ge must be known together with the control to the bound to the laundry volume of wash V _ge b _U to determine. Since the bound to the laundry wash liquor volume of V _ge b _U ligand can be directly determined only with difficulty, an indirect measurement is advantageous. The volume of the supplied wash liquor V _Total amt can be determined by the method described by the control. The free volume of wash liquor in the pump-over system V _fre i can be determined from the electrical power of the pump sensed by the power sensing element during a pump-over operation by the control, such that the control element is subtracted from the free volume of wash liquor in the pump-over system V _fre i volume of the supplied wash liquor Vtotal, can determine the volume bound to the laundry wash liquor V _ge b _U ligand. In order to determine the bound to the laundry wash liquor volume of V _ge b _U ligand as precisely as possible the pumped circulation may be repeated (n times) until a complete Saturation of the laundry with wash liquor is reached and the laundry can no longer absorb wash liquor, whereby _Vfre i_ _n = V _fre i _ _n + i

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the control is designed to change the laundry care program depending on the determined ratio of the volume of wash liquor bound to the laundry and the detected weight of laundry in the laundry drum and in dependence on predetermined calibration data.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that an effective determination of the type of washing by the control is made possible by the consideration of predetermined calibration data. The control determines the ratio of the volume of wash liquor bound to the wash and the weight of the wash, which corresponds to the flooding time of the laundry in the laundry drum. The assignment of the particular flow time to a type of laundry or type of fabric can be carried out by comparing the determined flow time with predetermined and pre-stored in the control flooding times of laundry with a known type of laundry. As a result, an advantageous determination of the type of laundry can be achieved.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the control element is designed to determine the laundry type of the laundry in the laundry drum depending on the determined ratio of the volume of wash liquor bound to the laundry and the detected weight of the laundry in the laundry drum or in dependence on predetermined calibration data ,

In this way, the technical advantage is achieved that the ratio of the volume of wash liquor bound to the laundry and the weight of the laundry detected by the load detection device corresponds to the flow time of the laundry. The flooding time of the laundry serves as a benchmark for the experimental determination of the type of laundry, in particular the type of fabric, the laundry. Thus, the control may be determined by the determined flooding time, and by an optional comparison of the determined flooding time with predetermined Calibration data, such as predetermined flooding times of known types of laundry, perform an effective change the laundry care program.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the control element is designed to change a duration of the laundry care program depending on the determined ratio of the volume of wash liquor bound to the laundry and the detected weight of laundry in the laundry drum or in dependence on predetermined calibration data.

This achieves the technical advantage that a determination of the type of laundry or the type of fabric of the laundry is achieved by the ratio of the volume of washing liquor bound to the laundry and the recorded weight of the laundry. The determination of the laundry weight and the type of laundry in turn allows an optimization of the duration of the laundry care program. With a low weight of laundry or a type of laundry with a low absorbency, complete wetting of the laundry with washing liquor can be achieved in a short time interval. As a result, the duration of the laundry care program in this case can be reduced as compared with a laundry load having a large laundry weight or a laundry having a large absorbency. In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the control element is designed to change the rotational frequency of the laundry drum depending on the determined ratio of the volume of wash liquor bound to the wash and the detected weight of the laundry in the laundry drum or in dependence on predetermined calibration data.

Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that the ratio of the volume of wash liquor bound to the laundry and the detected weight of the laundry in the laundry drum, a determination of the type of laundry and an adaptation of the laundry care program is made possible by the control. For example, in a sensitive type of laundry, the control can automatically reduce the frequency of rotation of the laundry drum to gently clean the laundry in the laundry drum. In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the laundry care appliance comprises a heating element for heating wash liquor in the pumping system, wherein the control element is formed, the duration of heating depending on the determined ratio of the volume of wash liquor bound to the wash and the detected weight of the wash in the To change the laundry drum or depending on predetermined calibration data.

Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that the ratio of the volume of washing liquor bound to the laundry and the detected weight of the laundry in the laundry drum, a determination of the type of laundry and a change of the laundry care program is made possible by the control. For example, in a sensitive type of laundry, the control may automatically control the heating element to prevent overheating of the wash liquor in the tub. Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a laundry care appliance; FIG.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a pumping system with a tub and with a control. and FIG. 3 is a graph of correlation data for determining the type of laundry.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a general laundry care device 100, such as a washing machine. The laundry care appliance 100 comprises a storage container 101, which is also referred to as an induction bowl, and into which detergent or other liquid substances can be introduced. The laundry care appliance 100 comprises a door 103 for loading the laundry care appliance 100 with laundry. 2 shows a view of a pump-around system 105 in a laundry care device 100 with a laundry drum 107 for receiving laundry, with a lye container 109 for receiving washing liquor, which comprises an inlet opening 11 and an outlet opening 13. The inlet opening 1 1 1 is connected to the discharge port 1 13 through a line 1 15. The line 1 15 includes a pump 1 17, which wash lye pumped through the discharge port 1 13 from the tub 109 and through the inlet port 1 1 1 again in the tub 109.

The laundry care device 100 includes a load detecting device 1 19 which is formed, the weight of laundry (V _Be iadung) in the washing drum 107 to be detected. The load detecting device 1 19 is connected to the tub 109 by a load detection link 121. The

Loading detection means 1 19 may comprise a weighing device for weighing laundry in the laundry drum 107, a device for detecting a lowering of a vibration system of the laundry drum 107 or a device for detecting performance parameters of a drive of the laundry drum 107. The load detection device 1 19 is preferably designed to determine the weight of dry laundry.

The laundry care apparatus 100 may supply to the tub 109 a volume of wash liquor from a wash liquor supply member 123 through a wash liquor supply conduit 125. The supplied volume of wash liquor (Vtotal) is not determined based on the level of wash liquor in the tub 109 by a level sensor, but may be detected by determining a volume flow of an inlet valve of the laundry care apparatus 100. The supplied volume of wash liquor (V _geS amt) depends on the volume flow (Qventii) of the inlet valve and on the opening time of the inlet valve (t _Ve ntii), and is determined according to the following formula

Total ^- Qventil ^' entil

With the knowledge of the volume flow of the inlet valve (Qventii), the supplied volume of wash liquor (V _geS amt) depending on the opening time of the inlet valve (t _Ve ntii) timed to the tub 109 are supplied. in this connection For example, the volume flow of the inlet valve (Qventii) can be adjusted to a predetermined volume flow value (Qventii), such as 10 liters per minute, for example by using a volume regulator. For example, it is also possible to measure the volume flow of the inlet valve (Qventii) by means of a flow sensor. For example, the inlet valve may be controlled by the wash liquor feed element 123 in dependence on the volume flow of the intake valve (Qventii) detected by the flow sensor. It is also possible to combine the wash liquor feed element 123 with the flow sensor and the flow regulator.

Moreover, it is also possible for the supplied volume of wash liquor (V _tal) indirectly via the power of the pump 1 17 in the pumping system 105 to detect. By detecting the driving power of the pump 1 17, and the pump current, the supplied volume of wash liquor (V _ge together) can be determined. For this purpose, the laundry care device 100 comprises a power detection element 127 in order to detect an electrical power value of the pump 17. The power detection element 127 may in particular be designed as a current sensor to detect a supply current of the pump 1 17. When the pump 1 17 pumps a quantity of washing liquor through the line 15, the power detecting element 127 can detect the electric power of the pump 17 during the pumping operation. When the level of the wash liquor drops in the tub 109, air is sucked by the pump 1 17, so that the flow abruptly stops and the drive power, the drive current and thus the torque of the pump 1 17 drops significantly, causing the pump 1 17 consumed electricity reduced. The power detection element 127 is connected to the pump 1 17 through a power detection connection 129.

The laundry care appliance 100 further comprises a control element 131, which is connected to the power detection element 127 by a first control connection 133 in order to receive the power of the pump 1 17 detected by the power detection element 127. The control element 131 is formed, based on a detected through the power sensing element 127, the power loss the lye container 109 supplied volume of wash liquor (V _tal) to be determined. To determine the supplied volume of wash liquor (V _total ) on the basis of the detected power of the pump 1 17, first wash liquor for a defined opening time of the inlet valve (t _Ve ntii) is supplied to the tub 109. Subsequently, the pump 1 17 is turned on to pump the supplied wash liquor through the discharge port 1 13 with a volume flow (Qp _by pe) from the tub 109. The pump 1 17 is operated for a certain time interval until the pump 1 17 has pumped the supplied volume of washing liquor from the tub 109 (tschnorchei), which is connected to the suction of air from the tub 109. A suction of air from the tub 109 is indicated by a drop in the electric power of the pump 1 17, which is detected by the power detection element 127. The volume flow of the pump 1 17 (Qp _um pe) can be regulated by a change in the speed of the pump 1 17, and may have been determined for example by a preliminary test. Here, it is crucial that the first filling of the tub 109 does not take place over the laundry in the washing drum 107, such as via the prewash chamber via the cuff, but directly into the tub 109, such as via the main wash chamber. As a result, we avoided that the laundry during the first filling of the tub 109 affects the level of wash liquor in the tub 109 by the suction force of the laundry. The supplied volume of the wash liquor (V _tal) is thereby dependent on the flow rate of the pump 1 17 (Qp _to pe) and a certain time interval (t hnorchei _Sc) and is determined according to the following formula.

Vtotal ^- Qpumpe ^' tschnorchei

By a direct or indirect measurement, the supplied volume of wash liquor (V _geS amt) can be determined by the control 131.

The supplied volume of wash liquor (V _Total amt) consisted of a volume of on the laundry bound wash liquor (V _ge b _U ligand) and a volume of the pump system 105 of freely movable wash liquor (V _fre i), which do not to the laundry is bound together.

Vbunden ^- Vtotal "Vf _re i The the pump around 105 supplied volume of wash liquor (V _ge together) is fed through the pump 1 17 of the laundry in the drum 107, whereby the laundry to the volume of the wash liquor binds (V _ge b _U ligand) - The part of the supplied volume of wash liquor which does not bind to the laundry, the free wash liquor (V _fre i), flows through the laundry and collects in the lower part of the tub 109. Subsequently, the volume of freely mobile wash liquor (Vfrei) by the pump 1 17 from pumped to the tub 109, wherein the power detection element 127 can detect a power drop at the pump 1 17 when air is sucked from the tub 109. By the detected data, the control 131 can determine the volume bound to the laundry liquor (Vgebunden) in response to the supplied volume of wash liquor (V _ge together) and depending on the volume of the free wash liquor (V _fre i).

On the timing of a controlled by a flow regulator intake valve is the entire pump system 105 to the supplied volume of wash liquor (V _tal) is known. Redundancy measurements can be made with a flow sensor. By the timing of the pump 1 17 at a known speed and thus known flow at constant pressure losses in the line 1 15 of the pumping 105, the volume of free wash liquor (V _fre i) can be determined, which is not bound in the laundry, where applicable V _ge including> V _fre i. After a residence time, the wash liquor, which has passed through the laundry and is not absorbed, collects with the second volume of the free wash liquor (V _fre i ₂ ) in the tub 109 and is pumped again by the pump 17, whereby V _fr ei> V free 2 - The pumping process is repeated until the laundry in the washing drum 107 is completely saturated with wash liquor and can no longer absorb wash liquor, where V _fre i _n > V _fre i _ _n + i applies. With the temporal representation of the Abklingverhaltens of the absorbency of the laundry can be close to the loading, so on the fabric type of laundry.

The control element 131 is furthermore connected to the load detection device 1 19 by a further control connection 135 and thereby has the detected laundry weight of the laundry in the laundry drum 107. The control element 131 can determine the ratio of the wash liquor bound to the laundry and that through the load detection device 1 19 recorded weight of the laundry (Bonding) determine what corresponds to the flow time of the laundry. The flooding time serves as a benchmark for determining the type of laundry, in particular the type of fabric of the laundry.

In the experimental determination of the type of washing, the control element 131 can refer to various previously determined flow times, which have been determined for various known types of laundry. By comparing the experimentally determined flooding times with the stored comparative flooding times, the type of wash used can be determined experimentally. Depending on the sensed weight of the laundry (V _Be iadung) and the experimentally determined flooding time (V _g ebundenA eiadung _B) the control element 131 may change the laundry care program in order to achieve a favorable cleaning effect.

In Fig. 3 is a graphical representation of correlation data for determining the type of laundry is shown. In the present example, the free amount of wash liquor (Vfrei) is pumped by the pump 1 17 in the pumping 105. Depending on the type of fabric of the laundry, the free volume of wash liquor (V _fre i) flows through the laundry in the laundry _{drum 107 at} different _speeds. Thus, after the free volume of wash liquor (V _fre i) has been _supplied, a certain amount of time _elapses before the free volume of wash liquor _begins Washing liquor has penetrated the laundry in the laundry drum 107, and again pumped from the pump 1 17.

Along the axis of abscissa 301, the time is required, which requires the pump 1 17 to again siphon wash liquor from the tub 109 after the suction of air. Along the ordinate axis 303, the free volume of wash liquor is indicated, which was pumped out of the tub 109 at a certain time by the pump 17. In Fig. 3 are curves for various types of laundry, such as curtains 305, 307 wool, cotton 309 and outdoor clothing 31 1, indicated. From the evaluation of the curves can be seen that curtains at a same time interval a larger volume of free wash liquor (V _fre i) let through, for example, outdoor clothing 31 1. The controller 131 may compare the detected wash liquor cycle times to pre-stored correlation data to determine the type of laundry. By the experimental determination of the laundry weight and the type of laundry during the laundry care process, an advantageous laundry care can be achieved. Thus, for example, the duration or heating duration of the laundry treatment process or the rotational frequency of the laundry drum 107 can be adapted to the laundry weight and the type of laundry. By the experimental determination of the laundry weight and the type of laundry eliminates the need to attach a level sensor, such as a pressure sensor in the tub 109, whereby a simplified and more efficient control of the laundry care process by the laundry care device 100 is achieved.

All of the features explained and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention may be provided in different combinations in the article according to the invention in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects.

The scope of the present invention is given by the claims and is not limited by the features illustrated in the specification or shown in the figures.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100 laundry care device

 101 storage tank

 103 door

 105 pumping system

 107 laundry drum

 109 tubs

 1 1 1 inlet opening

 1 13 drain opening

 1 15 line

 1 17 pump

 1 19 load detection device

121 load detection connection

123 wash liquor feed element

125 wash liquor supply line

127 Performance detection element

129 Performance detection connection

131 control

 133 First control connection

 135 Further control connection

301 abscissa axis

 303 ordinate axis

 305 Curve for curtains

 307 Curve for wool

 309 curve for cotton

 31 1 curve for outdoor clothing

Claims

A laundry care apparatus (100) comprising a pumping system (105) comprising a laundry drum (107) for receiving laundry, a suds container (109) for receiving suds, the suds container (109) having an inlet opening (1 1 1) and a discharge opening (1 13), a conduit (15), which connects the inlet opening (1 1 1) and the discharge opening (1 13), and a pump (1 17) for pumping wash liquor through the conduit (1 15) comprises, with a A load detecting means (1 19) for detecting a weight of laundry in the laundry drum (107), comprising a power detecting element (127) for detecting an electric power value of the pump (1 17), and a washing liquor supplying member (123) for supplying a volume of washing liquor into the laundry Lye container (109), and with a control element (131), characterized in that the control element (131) is designed to determine an amount of wash liquor bound to the laundry in the laundry drum (107) as a function of the supplied volume of wash liquor and as a function of the detected electrical power value of the pump (11) and Control member (131) is adapted to change a laundry care program depending on the ratio of the specific volume of wash liquor bound to the laundry and the detected weight of the laundry in the laundry drum (107). Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the Loading detection device (1 19) comprises a weighing device, a device for detecting a lowering of a vibration system of the laundry drum (107), or a device for detecting performance parameters of a drive of the laundry drum (107). Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the laundry care appliance (100) an inlet valve for supplying a Volume of water to the wash liquor feed element (123), and that the inlet valve is adapted to control the supplied volume of water. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the A laundry care device (100) comprises a flow sensor for detecting a volume flow of the inlet valve, and in that the wash liquor feed element (123) is designed to control the inlet valve in dependence on the detected volume flow. The laundry care apparatus (100) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the control member (131) is adapted to determine the volume of wash liquor supplied to the tub (109) through the wash liquor supply member (123) based on the following formula Total ^- Valve ^' Wentil where Vtotal corresponds to the volume of wash liquor supplied to the tub (109) through the wash liquor feed element (123), where Qventii corresponds to the inlet valve volumetric flow, and where entii is the opening time of the inlet valve. The laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control element (131) is designed to deliver the volume of wash liquor supplied to the tub (109) through the wash liquor feed element (123) as a function of the detected electrical power value of the pump (17 ). A laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the control member (131) is adapted to determine the volume of wash liquor supplied to the tub (109) through the wash liquor feed member (123) based on the following formula Vgesamt ^- Qpumpe ^' snorkel wherein Vtotal corresponding to the volume of wash liquor, which the tub (109) was fed through the wash liquid supply element (123), wherein Qp corresponding _to e to the volume flow of the pump (1 17), and wherein tschnorchei corresponds to the time that the pump (1 17 ) is required to pump the supplied volume of the wash liquor from the tub (109). The laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the power detection element (127) comprises a current sensor for detecting a supply current of the pump (1 17). Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control element (131) is designed to determine a free volume of wash liquor in the pumping system (105) in dependence on the detected electrical power value of the pump (1 17), and in that the control element (131) is adapted to determine a volume of washing liquor bound to the laundry in the pumping system (105) as a function of the determined free volume of washing liquor and in dependence on the supplied volume of washing liquor. A laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the control member (131) is adapted to determine the volume of wash liquor bound to the laundry in the pumping system (105) based on the following formula Vgebunden ^- Vg _ESAM t- degassing Vfree wherein Vgebunden corresponds to the bound to the laundry volume of wash liquor in the pump system (105), V _ge together with the volume of wash liquor corresponds, which has been supplied to the tub (109) through the wash liquid supply element (123), and wherein V _fre i corresponds to the free volume of wash liquor in the pumping system (105) which is not bonded to the wash. The laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control element (131) is designed to program the laundry care program as a function of the determined ratio of the volume of wash liquor bound to the wash and the detected weight of the laundry in the laundry drum (107). and to change depending on predetermined calibration data. The laundry care device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control element (131) is formed, the type of laundry laundry in the laundry drum (107) depending on the specific ratio of the volume of wash liquor bound to the laundry and the detected weight the laundry in the laundry drum (107) or depending on predetermined calibration data to determine. The laundry care appliance (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control element (131) is adapted to a duration of the laundry care program in dependence on the determined ratio of the volume of washing liquor bound to the laundry and the detected weight of the laundry in the laundry drum ( 107) or in response to predetermined calibration data. The laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control element (131) is designed to determine the rotational frequency of the laundry drum (107) as a function of the determined ratio of the volume of washing liquor bound to the laundry and the detected weight of the laundry the laundry drum (107) or in response to predetermined calibration data. The laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laundry care appliance comprises a heating element for heating wash liquor in the pumping system (105), and in that the control element (131) is designed to determine the heating duration as a function of the determined ratio the laundry bound volume of To change wash liquor and the detected weight of the laundry in the laundry drum (107) or in dependence on predetermined calibration data.