CN108699752B - Laundry treating machine and control method thereof - Google Patents
Laundry treating machine and control method thereof Download PDFInfo
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- CN108699752B CN108699752B CN201780013884.6A CN201780013884A CN108699752B CN 108699752 B CN108699752 B CN 108699752B CN 201780013884 A CN201780013884 A CN 201780013884A CN 108699752 B CN108699752 B CN 108699752B
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/007—Arrangements of water softeners
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2101/00—User input for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2103/20—Washing liquid condition, e.g. turbidity
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2105/58—Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers
- D06F33/30—Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control
- D06F33/32—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
- D06F33/36—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of washing
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Treatment Of Water By Ion Exchange (AREA)
- Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
- Spinning Or Twisting Of Yarns (AREA)
- Preliminary Treatment Of Fibers (AREA)
- Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention relates to a laundry treating machine (1) comprising an outer casing (2); a washing tub (3) arranged within the housing (2); a rotatable drum (4) arranged in an axially rotating manner inside the washing tub (3) and designed to receive laundry to be washed; a softening device (10) provided with: an ion exchanger (11) designed to receive fresh water coming from a water mains (9) and to reduce the hardness of the fresh water, so as to supply softened water to the washing tub (3), and regeneration means (12) designed to perform a regeneration cycle to regenerate the ion exchanger means (11); a control panel (13) configured to allow a user to select a washing program comprising a plurality of washing phases; -electronic control means (15) configured to control the regeneration means (12) so as to perform the regeneration cycle. The control panel (13) is further configured to allow an operator to input first data indicative of said fresh water hardness and/or to input second data indicative of the supply of softened water or alternatively fresh water to the washing tub (3) during one or more washing phases of a selected washing program. The electronic control device (15) is further configured for: -changing the total amount of softened water to be used during the selected washing program on the basis of said first and/or second data, -determining the total amount of softened water that has been provided by the ion exchanger (11), and-controlling the regeneration means (12) so as to activate the regeneration cycle on the basis of the determined softened water.
Description
The invention relates to the technical field of clothes washing. In particular, the present invention relates to a washing machine that performs a water softening process.
Background
Nowadays, laundry treating machines are widely used, including both "simple" washing machines (i.e., washing machines that can only wash and rinse laundry) and washing-drying machines (i.e., washing machines that can also dry laundry).
In this respect, in the present specification, which is not described in a different manner, the term "laundry treating machine" may refer to a washing machine, or a laundry washing and drying machine, or a laundry drying machine without distinction.
As is known, laundry treating machines generally comprise: a detergent dispenser located within the box-like housing, directly above the washing tub, and structured for selectively feeding into the washing tub a given total amount of detergent, softener and/or other washing agent, suitably mixed with the fresh water from the water mains, according to a washing cycle manually selected by the user.
This type of domestic washing machine further comprises a fresh-water supply circuit structured for selectively drawing fresh water from the water mains and directing it to the detergent dispenser or directly to the washing tub; and an appliance control panel, generally located on the front wall of the casing, above the laundry loading/unloading opening, and structured to allow the user to manually select the desired washing program/cycle.
In addition to the above, some types of laundry washing machines have an internal water softening device, which is positioned along the fresh-water supply circuit and is structured for reducing, on command, the hardness of the fresh water directed towards the detergent dispenser and the washing tub. In fact, the use of demineralized water during the washing cycle significantly improves the cleaning performance.
The water softening device comprises an ion exchanger inside which a given total amount of ion exchange resins are arranged, which are capable of retaining calcium and magnesium ions (Ca + + and Mg + +) dissolved in the water flowing through the same water softening device, in order to reduce the hardness of the fresh water directed towards the detergent dispenser and the washing tub.
Since the water softening capacity of ion exchange resins decreases rapidly after a plurality of washing programs/cycles, water softening devices typically comprise a resin regeneration device designed to perform a regeneration cycle to regenerate the ion exchange resin. More specifically, the regeneration unit typically includes an internal reservoir of salt (NaCl) that is used to selectively produce some brine (i.e., salt-containing water) that is directed into the ion exchanger during the regeneration cycle to regenerate the ion exchange resin located therein. In fact, saline water is able to be removed from these ion exchange resins during the regeneration cycle, with calcium and magnesium ions previously combined/fixed to the resins.
During the regeneration cycle, the salt is consumed resulting in a reduction and eventually complete consumption of 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 and therefore must be filled, the more frequent the filling, the more regeneration cycles activated; that is, the more frequently the ion exchange resin must be regenerated.
However, it is desirable to keep the regeneration cycle to a minimum while ensuring the effectiveness of softening throughout the washing process.
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 resin.
In this regard, DE 19841568 discloses a washing machine comprising a conductivity sensor that measures the conductivity of the water before and after it passes through an ion exchanger. The conductivity sensor cooperates with an electronic system that compares the difference with a previous conductivity value detected by the sensor from an earlier processing cycle and performs regeneration based on the comparison.
Furthermore, EP 1252855 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 conductivity sensors in washing machines increases the manufacturing costs of the washing machine.
The object of the present invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive sensorless system that is able to correctly perform a regeneration cycle while ensuring a softening effect.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a solution that allows to achieve the above indicated objects.
Disclosure of Invention
According to the present invention, there is provided a laundry machine including: an outer housing; a washing tub arranged within the housing; a rotatable drum arranged in an axially rotating manner inside the washing tub and designed to receive laundry to be washed; a softening device provided with: an ion exchanger device designed to receive fresh water from a water mains and to reduce the hardness thereof, so as to supply softened water to said washing tub, and regeneration means designed to perform a regeneration cycle to regenerate said ion exchanger device; a control panel configured to allow a user to select a washing program, the washing program including a plurality of washing stages; an electronic control device configured to control said regeneration device so as to perform said regeneration cycle, said laundry treatment machine being characterized in that: the control panel is further configured to allow an operator to: -inputting first data indicative of said fresh water hardness and/or-inputting second data associated with a softener configuration, the second data being indicative of the supply of softened water or alternatively fresh water to the washing tub during one or more washing phases, said electronic control device being further configured for: changing the total amount of softened water to be used during the washing program based on the first and/or second data, determining the total amount of softened water that has been produced by the ion exchanger device, controlling the regeneration device 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 activation instant of said regeneration cycle.
Preferably, the electronic control device is further configured to: storing a hardness value of the fresh water associated with an activation instant of the regeneration cycle; delaying the activation instant of the regeneration cycle when the user selected fresh water hardness is below the stored hardness value.
Preferably, the electronic control device is further configured to: storing a hardness value of the fresh water associated with an activation instant of the regeneration cycle; the activation of the regeneration cycle is momentarily advanced when the hardness of the fresh water selected by the user is higher than the stored hardness value.
Preferably, the electronic control device is further configured to: a storage threshold indicative of a maximum amount of softened water that the ion exchanger device is capable of producing before failing to soften the fresh water having the predetermined hardness; changing the predetermined threshold based on the first data; determining a total amount of demineralized water produced by the ion exchanger device during performance of one or more washing programs; comparing the determined total amount of demineralized water to the altered amount threshold; determining an activation instant of the regeneration cycle based on the comparison.
Preferably, the electronic control device is further configured to: changing the softener configuration based on the second data; and changing the regeneration frequency of the regeneration cycle and/or the predetermined activation instant of the regeneration cycle based on the changed softener configuration.
Preferably, said electronic control means are further configured to increase the regeneration frequency of the regeneration cycle and/or to advance said activation instant of the regeneration cycle based on an increase of the washing phase using the softened water.
Preferably, said electronic control means are further configured to reduce the regeneration frequency and/or delay the activation instant of the regeneration cycle according to a reduction of the washing phase using the softened water.
Preferably, the electronic control device is further configured to: comparing a predetermined regeneration interval of the regeneration cycle with a remaining time of the washing course being performed by the laundry treating machine; and activating the regeneration cycle during the current washing course based on the comparison result, or postponing the activation instant of the regeneration cycle to the next washing course.
Preferably, said control panel comprises at least two switching means for allowing a user to input said first data and/or second data; the electronic control device is configured to: when a user switches the two switch devices simultaneously, the water softener enters a setting mode state; setting a hardness level of the fresh water based on a command executed by a user through the first switch device; the kind of water among fresh or softened water to be supplied to the washing tub during the washing phases of the washing program is set based on commands performed by a user through the second switching device.
Preferably, one of said switching means is configured to set said electronic control means in a state in which said ion exchange means is disabled during the washing program.
Preferably, the laundry treating machine comprises a third switching device configured to cause said electronic control device to start executing said washing program.
The present invention further relates to a method for controlling a laundry treating machine, the laundry treating machine comprising: an outer housing; a washing tub arranged within the housing; a rotatable drum arranged in an axially rotating manner inside the washing tub and designed to receive laundry to be washed; a softening device provided with: an ion exchanger device designed to receive fresh water from a water mains and to reduce the hardness thereof, so as to supply softened water to said washing tub, and regeneration means designed to perform a regeneration cycle to regenerate said ion exchanger device; a control panel configured to allow a user to select a washing program comprising a plurality of washing phases, said method controlling said regeneration device so as to perform said regeneration cycle, and characterized in that: -inputting, through said control panel, first data indicative of the hardness of said fresh water and/or-inputting second data associated with a softener configuration, the second data being indicative of the supply of softened water or alternatively fresh water to the washing tub during one or more washing phases, -changing the total amount of softened water to be used during a washing program on the basis of said first and/or second data, -determining the total amount of softened water that has been produced by said ion exchanger device, and-controlling said regeneration device so as to activate said regeneration cycle on the basis of the determined total amount of softened water.
Preferably, said first data and/or said second data cause an activation instant of said regeneration cycle to change.
Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of: storing a hardness value of the fresh water associated with an activation instant of the regeneration cycle; delaying the activation instant of the regeneration cycle when the hardness of the user-selected fresh water is lower than the stored hardness value; -momentarily advancing said activation of said regeneration cycle when the hardness of the user selected fresh water is higher than the stored hardness value.
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 attached drawings. In the drawings, corresponding features and/or components are identified by the same reference numerals.
Specifically, the method comprises the following steps:
figure 1 shows a perspective view of a laundry treating machine made according to the present invention;
fig. 2 is a schematic view of the control panel, the water softening device, the electronic control device and some other components/parts of the laundry treating machine illustrated in fig. 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 treating machine.
Detailed Description
The invention has proved to be particularly advantageous as it allows to keep the regeneration cycle at a minimum, so as to reduce the salt consumption, while guaranteeing the effectiveness of the softening and the entire washing process, without using additional expensive sensors in the machine for measuring the hardness of the water.
Referring to fig. 1 and 2, numeral 1 indicates an overall laundry treating machine, which includes: an outer box casing 2, preferably (but not necessarily) parallelepiped-shaped, which rests on the floor; a laundry treatment group, placed inside said casing 2 and in turn preferably comprising a substantially bell-shaped laundry washing tub 3 suspended in a floating manner inside casing 2 via a suspension system comprising: a plurality of coil 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 the laundry to be washed and/or dried and which is fixed in an axially rotating manner inside washing tub 3 for rotation about a longitudinal axis. It is realized that the present invention may be suitably applied to any kind of laundry treatment machine, such as for example a washing machine (washing machine) and a laundry washer-dryer (also known as washer-dryer) or a laundry dryer (also known as dryer), wherein one or more steps of introducing water and/or steam and/or hot/cold air into the laundry tub are required.
In the example illustrated in fig. 1, the laundry treating machine 1 is a front loading type washing machine. The present invention has proven to be particularly successful when applied to front loading laundry treating machines. In any case, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this type of application. On the contrary, the present invention may be usefully applied to different types of laundry treating machines, such as a top loading type washing machine or a top loading type laundry washing and drying machine.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the laundry washing tub 3 is suspended inside the casing 2 in a floating manner, wherein a front opening of the laundry washing tub 3 faces a laundry loading and unloading opening formed at a front surface of the casing 2. Furthermore, the rotary drum 4 is housed in the laundry washing tub 3 so that its longitudinal axis is preferably substantially horizontally oriented and coincides with the longitudinal axis of the laundry washing 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 casing 2 via a cylindrical elastically deformable bellows, and the laundry washing machine 1 is further provided with a door 5 preferably hinged to the front surface of the casing 2 to rotate to or from a rest position (illustrated in fig. 1), wherein the door 5 closes the opening of the casing 2 to seal the washing tub 3.
As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of fig. 2, the laundry treating machine 1 is further provided with: a detergent dispenser device 7 for dispensing detergent to the washing tub 3 to be used in washing the laundry according to the selected washing program; a main fresh water supply circuit 8, which is directly connectable to the water mains 9 and is structured for directing a flow of fresh water from the water mains 9 to the washing tub 3. Preferably, the main fresh-water supply circuit 8 may be structured for selectively directing the flow of fresh water coming from the water mains 9 to the detergent dispensing device 7 and/or directly to the washing tub 3, according to a washing 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. Whatever type of dispenser is used, the dispenser may be configured to dispense the detergent directly into the laundry washing tub 3 or to mix with water from the detergent dispensing device 7 via a dispensing outlet conduit (not shown).
With reference to fig. 2, the laundry treating machine 1 is further provided with an internal water softening device 10, located inside the box-like casing 2, along the fresh water supply circuit 8 and structured for reducing, on command, the hardness of the fresh water/tap water directed by the fresh water supply circuit 8 to the detergent dispenser device 7 or the washing tub 3 during the washing program/cycle.
According to the present invention, the water softening device 10 may include: an ion exchanger device 11 structured for reducing the hardness of fresh/tap water in order to provide softened water to the washing tub 3 and/or to the detergent dispenser device 8; and a regeneration device 12 designed to perform a regeneration cycle of the ion exchanger device 11.
According to a preferred embodiment, the ion exchanger device 11 of the water softening device 10 may preferably comprise a closed container having a water inlet and a water outlet fluidly connected to the fresh water supply circuit 8 and/or to the detergent dispenser device 7, for the passage of fresh/tap water to the washing tub 3, and comprising a given total amount of ion exchange resins capable of retaining calcium ions and magnesium ions (Ca + + and Mg + +) dissolved in the water flowing through the same container, in order to reduce the hardness of the tap water to the washing tub 3. In any case, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the ion exchanger device 11 disclosed above, but it is conceivable to use other kinds of known ion exchangers designed for reducing the hardness of water to provide softened water.
As regards the regeneration device 12, it may comprise a certain total amount of consumable salt (NaCl) (or other regenerant) and is configured for performing 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 means mixed with the consumable salt, and the produced salt-containing water is supplied on command to the ion exchanger means 11 in order to remove from the ion exchange resins the calcium and magnesium ions previously combined/fixed to said resins.
As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of fig. 1 and 2, the laundry treating machine 1 further comprises a user control panel 13, which may preferably, but not necessarily, be arranged in the front wall of the casing 2 and structured/configured to allow a user to input information indicating the washing program to be performed. The user control panel 13 may preferably include at least a display 14 that presents wash information (as disclosed below).
The laundry treating machine 1 further comprises an electronic control device 15 (i.e. an electronic control circuit) electrically connected to the control panel 13 and to the display 14 and configured for: receiving information input by a user through the user control panel 13; providing washing information to a user via the display 14; and controls the operation performed by the laundry treating machine 1 according to the washing course selected by the user.
According to the present invention, the electronic control means 15 are further configured for controlling 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 device 15 may adjust the total amount of fresh water supplied to the water inlet of the closed container of the ion exchanger device 11 so as to provide the determined total amount of softened water at the water outlet. It is 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 device 15 may be configured for: storing a predetermined total amount/quantity of softened water associated with the washing program; and changes the predetermined total amount based on the weight/total amount of the laundry loaded in the drum 4. In this regard, the electronic control means 15 may be provided with electronic devices 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 device 15 may be further configured for determining the actual total amount of softened water supplied by the internal water softening device 10 to the tub 3/drum 4. According to an exemplary embodiment, the electronic control means 15 may be provided with electronic devices (not shown) which sense/measure the total amount of water passing through the water outlet of the ion exchanger device 11 and determine the actual total amount of softened water supplied to the tub 3/drum 4 based on the sensed/measured values.
The electronic control device 15 may be further configured to control the regeneration device 12 so as to perform a regeneration cycle. According to an exemplary embodiment, the electronic control means 15 can activate the regeneration means 12 to supply a predetermined total amount of salt-containing water to the ion exchanger means 11 at a specific activation instant in order to remove from the ion exchange resins the calcium and magnesium ions previously combined/fixed to said resins.
The electronic control device 15 is further configured to control the regeneration device 12 so as to complete the regeneration cycle after a predetermined regeneration interval. According to an exemplary embodiment, the electronic control device 15 may store a quantity threshold indicating the maximum quantity of softened water that the ion exchanger device 11 may produce before being able to soften the fresh water having the predetermined hardness. More precisely, the quantity threshold may correspond to the total quantity/quantity of demineralized water provided by the ion exchanger device 11 until the resin is exhausted (i.e. the resin is not able to absorb calcium and magnesium ions).
The electronic control device 15 may be further configured for: comparing the actual total amount of demineralized water supplied by the ion-exchanger device 11 with a quantity threshold; and determining the activation instant of the regeneration cycle based on said comparison. For example, the electronic control means 15 can set the activation instant of the regeneration cycle when the actual total quantity of demineralized water supplied by the ion-exchanger device 11 reaches a quantity threshold.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the electronic control device 15 may determine the remaining time of the washing course and check whether the regeneration cycle may be performed during the current washing course or in the next washing course. For example, the electronic control means 15 can compare the remaining washing time with the regeneration interval and if the remaining time is lower than the regeneration interval, it will schedule the activation instant in the predetermined washing phase of the next washing program. In contrast, if the remaining time is higher than the regeneration interval, the electronic control device 15 may set the activation instant in a predetermined washing phase of the current washing program.
According to the present invention, the control panel 13 is further configured to allow the operator to input first data indicative of the hardness of the fresh water and/or to input second data indicative of the supply of softened water or alternatively fresh water to the washing tub 3 during one or more washing phases of the selected washing program.
The electronic control device 15 is further configured for: changing/altering the total amount of softened water to be used during the selected washing program based on the first and/or second data; determining the total quantity of softened water that the ion exchanger device 11 has supplied (produced) to the tub 3/drum 4; and controls the regeneration means 12 on the basis of the determined total amount of softened water in order to activate the regeneration cycle or to set the activation instant of the regeneration cycle.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electronic control device 15 may contain data, for example in a storage device (not shown), which data is indicative of a predetermined hardness level of the fresh water supplied by the water mains 9 to the fresh water supply circuit 8, and of a quantity threshold. Preferably, when the fresh water has said stored hardness level, the quantity threshold may be approximately the maximum quantity of softened water that the ion exchanger device 11 produces before it is unable to soften the fresh water.
The electronic control means 15 may further contain data relating to the softener configuration of the washing program. The softener configuration indicates the kind of water, i.e. fresh or softened water, that should be supplied to the wash pipe 3 during the wash phase of the wash program.
It is to be understood that in the present description, a "washing program" is to be understood as a laundry washing cycle comprising one or more "washing phases", whereas a "washing phase" is to be understood as a laundry washing phase and a laundry rinsing phase, or alternatively or additionally, a soaking phase, a steam phase, etc. The laundry washing phase may comprise, for example: a wetting phase (step of loading water and detergent into the washing tub), a maintenance phase (step of subjecting the tumbling laundry to the action of the detergent), and preferably, but not necessarily, a spin-drying phase (step of spinning the drum). The rinsing phase following the laundry washing phase may comprise a water loading phase (filling the washing tub with water), and finally adding a rinsing agent (by a flow of water over a compartment collecting said agent), a rinsing maintenance phase (finally tumbling the laundry), a draining phase, and preferably a spin-drying phase. Thus, the present invention is not limited to selecting/setting softened water only during the laundry washing phase and the laundry rinsing phase, but may be extended or alternatively performed during other phases of the washing program, such as the soaking phase, the steam phase, etc.
According to a preferred embodiment, the electronic control device 15 may be configured for comparing the hardness level selected by the user via the control panel 13 with the stored hardness level and changing the quantity threshold value based on the comparison result. It will be appreciated that, according to an exemplary embodiment, the electronic control means 15 are configured for conveniently varying the activation instant of the regeneration cycle at least on the basis of the first data provided by the user. In detail, the instant of activation of the regeneration cycle is determined by the electronic control means 15 on the basis of a comparison between a quantity threshold and the actual total quantity of softened water, which in turn varies the instant of activation according to the first data (i.e. hardness value) input by the user; in fact, when the user changes the hardness value, the electronic control means 15 vary the quantity threshold and accordingly cause the activation of the regeneration cycle to change instantaneously.
For example, if the user selected water hardness level is lower than the stored hardness level, the electronic control device 15 may increase the amount by the threshold value. In this case, the electronic control means 15 will delay the activation instant of the regeneration cycle based on the reduction of the hardness value input by the user.
Vice versa, if the water hardness level selected by the user is higher than the stored hardness level, the electronic control device 15 may reduce the threshold amount. In this case, the electronic control means 15 will advance the instant of activation of the regeneration cycle in response to an increase in the hardness value input by the user.
According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 3, 4 and 5, the predetermined water hardness level that the user can select via the control panel 13 may be: soft level, medium level, hard level; it is understood that according to alternative embodiments, a different number of predetermined water hardness levels, i.e. 2 or more than 3 levels, may be selected.
The predetermined water hardness level that can be selected by the user may be illustrated by the display 14 by a corresponding graphical icon or any other graphic. In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in fig. 3, 4 and 5, the hardness level that can be selected by the user is illustrated by a plurality of respective horizontal parallel lines superimposed on one another, wherein each line is associated with a respective water hardness level.
It should be understood that "soft level" can be associated with a hardness of less than about 15FH (150ppm CaCO3), "medium level" can be associated with a hardness of between about 15FH and about 25FH, and "hard level" can be associated with a hardness of greater than 25 FH. Note that "FH" is a unit of measurement of water hardness corresponding to French degree (French degree), in which 1FH is 10ppm CaCO3 (calcium carbonate).
Preferably, but not necessarily, the electronic control means 15 may be configured to store the intermediate level by default. For example, the intermediate level may be set during installation of the machine 1 and/or during its manufacture. According to this embodiment, the user may change the predetermined medium level with a soft level or alternatively a hard level via the control panel 13.
If the user selects a soft level, electronic control 15 may increase the stored volume threshold associated with the medium level. The threshold increase in the amount of storage delays the activation instant of the regeneration cycle. Vice versa, if the user selects a hard level, the electronic control means 15 may reduce the stored quantity threshold. The reduction of the stored quantity threshold advances the activation instant of the regeneration cycle.
With respect to the second input data, they indicate the washing phase with softened water, hereinafter referred to as "softener configuration". According to the present invention, the user can selectively set the washing stage/stages using softened water. Preferably, the user can set the use of softened water during one or more washing phases, so as to define a softener configuration, and the electronic control means 15 can be configured for: the user selected softener configuration is stored and preferably applied to the user selected wash program by default. The electronic control means 15 may be further configured to allow the user to change the stored softener configuration by selecting or deselecting the use of softened water during any washing stage. The user can select a washing program, the electronic control device 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 device 15 executes the wash program based on the user selection.
Thus, the electronic control device 15 changes the stored softener configuration based on the user-selected second data. However, changes in the softener configuration of the wash program cause the activation instant of the regeneration device 12 and the regeneration frequency of the regeneration cycle to be modified. It is noted that the total amount of softened water used during the washing program depends on the number of washing stages in which the softened water is used. It follows that the actual total amount of softened water provided by the water softening device 10 depends on the softener configuration, i.e. the second data.
Thus, in use, the electronic control means 15 increase the regeneration frequency and momentarily advance the activation of the regeneration cycle on the basis of an increase in the number of washing phases with softened water.
Vice versa, the electronic control means 15 reduce the regeneration frequency and delay the activation instants of the regeneration cycles according to the reduction in the number of washing phases with softened water.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the basic softener configuration of the washing program stored in the electronic control device 15 may comprise the use of softener water during the laundry washing phase and the use of fresh water during the rinsing phase. If the user sets to use softened water also in the rinsing phase, in addition to softened water during the washing phase, the total amount of softened water supplied during the washing program is increased, i.e. doubled. It follows that if the basic softener configuration is changed as described above, the amount of softened water is advanced by the amount threshold, and therefore the activation instant of the regeneration cycle is also advanced, compared to the case of the basic softener configuration. Vice versa, if the user deselects the use of softened water during the washing phase, the total quantity of softened water supplied during the washing program is hardly reduced (i.e. zero), and therefore the instant of activation of the regeneration cycle is hardly delayed, conveniently reducing the regeneration frequency.
It is to be noted that the first data indicative of the level of hardness of the water and the second data indicative of the washing phase using softened water cause the electronic control means 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.
Fig. 2, 3, 4 and 5 show convenient examples of operations performed by the control panel 13, wherein the control panel 13 may comprise three switching devices (preferably three buttons K1, K2, and K3) and the water hardness level that may be selected by the user is soft, medium, and hard. It should be understood that equivalent means may be used instead of the buttons; for example, a common "tact switch" may be provided.
Also, soft, medium, and hard levels may be illustrated by the display 14 by using three horizontal line segments. For example, the electronic control device 15 may be configured to enter a "set mode" of the conditioner configuration (fig. 3) when detecting that the user keeps pressing the two buttons K1 and K2 simultaneously, preferably for a determined interval (i.e. 2 seconds).
In the set mode, the electronic control device 15 may be configured to command the display 14 to exhibit a water hardness level (i.e., hard water level and three line segments in fig. 3). For example, upon entering the water softener setting mode by pressing buttons K1 and K2 together for a predetermined interval, the display 14 will turn off all LEDs/icons/numbers except for the LEDs/icons/numbers used to display the two icons associated with the water softener parameter.
Button K1 may be pressed to change the water hardness level in the ranges "hard" (shown in fig. 3), "medium" (fig. 4), "soft" (fig. 5). In the examples shown in fig. 3 to 5, the abbreviation "CO" represents the electrical conductivity of water.
With regard to the second data, the user can change the softener configuration of the washing program, i.e. the kind of water to be used during the washing phase of the washing program, i.e. the fresh water in the softened water, or vice versa, through the control panel 13.
According to the invention, the washing program may have a basic configuration, wherein softened water is used for a predetermined phase of the program. For example, a basic configuration of a washing program may include the use of softened water during a washing phase and fresh water during a rinsing phase. As illustrated in fig. 6, the electronic control device 15 may be configured for presenting to the user, through 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 softened water is used only during the washing phase. In this regard, the display 14 shows an icon 14a indicating that softened water will be used during the wash stage.
Through the control panel 13, the user can change the basic softener configuration and choose, for example, to use softened water during the rinse phase (fig. 7), or both during the wash phase and rinse phase (fig. 8), or he can deselect the use of softened water (fig. 9).
Since the quantity of water to be softened during the washing program depends on the second data selected by the user and since, according to an embodiment of the invention, the electronic control means 15 activate the regeneration cycle based on a comparison between the total quantity of softened water supplied to the washing tub 3 during the washing program and a predetermined threshold value, it follows that the instant of activation and the frequency of regeneration of the regeneration means also depend on the second data selected by the user.
In fact, the choice of the second data influences the amount of water to be softened, allowing the consumer to use softened water, a part thereof or even switch it off during the entire washing program (fig. 9). It follows that if the user deselects the use of demineralized water during the washing program, the salt consumed by the regeneration device 12 may be high, low or even not consumed at all. When the user sets the softener water use during the rinse phase, the display 14 may show an icon 14 b.
Fig. 6, 7, 8 and 9 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the buttons K1 and K2 of the control panel 13 are configured to allow the user to select the use of softened water during several phases of the washing program. For example, the electronic control device 15 may be configured such that, in the setting mode, the user can select to use softened water in the washing/rinsing phase by pressing the button K2. For example, if the user presses the button K2 once, the electronic control device 15 sets the use of softened water during the washing phase, changes the stored basic configuration on the basis of the selection, and shows, through the display 14, a first icon 14a (fig. 6) associated with the washing phase. If the user presses the button K2 twice, the electronic control device 15 sets the use of softened water during the rinsing phase, changes the stored basic configuration on the basis of the selection, and shows, through the display 14, a second icon 14b (fig. 7) associated with the washing phase. Preferably, if the user presses the button K2 three times, the electronic control device 15 sets the use of softened water during the washing and rinsing phases, changes the stored basic configuration on the basis of the selection, and shows the first icon 14a and the second icon 14b through the display 14 (fig. 8).
If the user presses the button K2 again, the electronic control means 15 forbid the use of softened water both during the washing phase and during the rinsing phase (figure 9).
Once the desired selection is completed, when button K1 and button K2 are pressed together for a predetermined time (i.e., two seconds), the electronic control device 15 may exit the water softener setting mode and return to normal program selection. Alternatively, when button K3 is pressed, the electronic control device 15 may exit the water softener setting mode and return to normal program selection (fig. 10).
The electronic control means 15 may be further configured to initiate a washing program when the button K3 is pressed.
The washing machine object of the present invention has the advantage that the regeneration cycle is completely controlled by the electronic control means, which are conveniently "sensorless".
Although the present invention has been described in connection with the specific embodiments illustrated in the figures, it should be noted that the 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 invention, which is defined by the claims.
Claims (12)
1. A laundry treating machine (1) comprising:
-an outer casing (2),
-a washing tub (3) arranged within the outer housing (2),
-a rotatable drum (4) arranged in an axially rotating manner inside the washing tub (3) and designed to receive laundry to be washed,
-a softening device (10) provided with: an ion exchanger device (11) designed to receive fresh water coming from a water mains (9) and to reduce the hardness thereof, in order to supply softened water to said washing tub (3), and a regeneration device (12) designed to perform a regeneration cycle to regenerate said ion exchanger device (11),
-a control panel (13) configured to allow a user to select a washing program comprising a plurality of washing phases,
-electronic control means (15) configured for controlling said regeneration means (12) so as to carry out said regeneration cycle,
the laundry treating machine is characterized in that:
-the control panel (13) is further configured to allow an operator to: inputting first data indicative of said fresh water hardness and inputting second data associated with a softener configuration, the second data being indicative of supplying softened water or alternatively fresh water to the washing tub (3) during one or more washing phases,
-said electronic control means (15) are further configured for:
-changing the total amount of softened water to be used during the washing program based on the first data and the second data,
-determining the total amount of demineralized water that has been produced by said ion exchanger device (11),
-controlling the regeneration means (12) so as to activate the regeneration cycle on the basis of the determined total amount of softened water,
wherein said first data and said second data cause said electronic control means (15) to vary the activation instants of said regeneration cycles,
wherein the electronic control device (15) is further configured for: changing the softener configuration based on the second data; and changing the regeneration frequency of the regeneration cycle and/or the predetermined value for the activation instant of the regeneration cycle based on the changed softener configuration.
2. A laundry treating machine according to claim 1, wherein said electronic control device (15) is further configured for:
-storing the hardness value of the fresh water associated with the activation instant of the regeneration cycle;
-delaying said activation instant of said regeneration cycle when the hardness of the user-selected fresh water is lower than the stored hardness value.
3. A laundry treating machine according to claim 1, wherein said electronic control device (15) is further configured for:
-storing the hardness value of the fresh water associated with the activation instant of the regeneration cycle;
-momentarily advancing the activation of the regeneration cycle when the hardness of the fresh water selected by the user is higher than the stored hardness value.
4. A laundry treating machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said electronic control device (15) is further configured for:
-a storage threshold value indicating the maximum amount of softened water that the ion exchanger device (11) can produce before it is unable to soften the fresh water having the predetermined hardness;
-changing the predetermined value of the quantity threshold based on the first data;
-determining the total amount of softened water produced by the ion exchanger device (11) during the execution of one or more washing programs;
-comparing said determined total amount of softened water with said amount threshold value of change;
-determining the activation instant of said regeneration cycle based on said comparison.
5. Laundry treatment machine according to claim 1, wherein said electronic control means (15) are further configured to increase the regeneration frequency of the regeneration cycle and/or to momentarily advance said activation of the regeneration cycle based on an increase of the washing phase using the softened water.
6. Laundry treatment machine according to claim 1, wherein said electronic control means (15) are further configured to reduce the regeneration frequency and/or to delay the activation instant of the regeneration cycle according to a reduction of the washing phase using the softened water.
7. A laundry treating machine according to claim 1, wherein said electronic control device (15) is further configured for:
-comparing a predetermined regeneration interval of the regeneration cycle with the remaining time of the washing program being executed by the laundry treatment machine; and is
-activating the regeneration cycle during the current washing program based on the result of said comparison, or postponing the activation instant of said regeneration cycle until the next washing program.
8. A laundry treating machine according to claim 1, wherein said control panel (13) comprises at least two switch devices (K1, K2) for allowing a user to input said first data and said second data;
the electronic control device (15) is configured for:
entering a water softener setting mode state when a user switches the two switch devices (K1, K2) simultaneously;
setting a hardness level of the fresh water based on a command performed by a user through a first switching device (K1);
the kind of water among fresh or softened water to be supplied to the washing tub during the washing phases of the washing program is set based on commands performed by a user through a second switching device (K2).
9. A laundry treating machine according to claim 8, wherein one of said switching devices (K1, K2) is configured for setting said electronic control device (15) in a state in which said ion exchanger device (11) is disabled during the washing program.
10. Laundry treating machine according to claim 5, comprising a third switching device (K3) configured for causing said electronic control device (15) to start executing said washing program.
11. A method for controlling a laundry treatment machine (1) comprising: an outer casing (2); a washing tub (3) arranged within the outer housing (2); a rotatable drum (4) arranged in an axially rotating manner inside the washing tub (3) and designed to receive laundry to be washed; a softening device (10) provided with: -an ion exchanger device (11) designed to receive fresh water coming from a water mains (9) and to reduce the hardness thereof, in order to supply softened water to said washing tub (3), and-a regeneration device (12) designed to perform a regeneration cycle to regenerate said ion exchanger device (11); a control panel (13) configured to allow a user to select a washing program comprising a plurality of washing phases,
the method controls the regeneration device (12) so as to perform the regeneration cycle, and is characterized in that:
-entering, through said control panel (13), first data indicative of the hardness of said fresh water and second data associated with a softener configuration, the second data being indicative of the supply of softened water or alternatively fresh water to the washing tub (3) during one or more washing phases,
changing the total amount of softened water to be used during the washing program based on the first data and the second data,
determining the total amount of demineralized water that has been produced by said ion exchanger device (11), and
controlling the regeneration means (12) to activate the regeneration cycle based on the determined total amount of softened water,
wherein the first data and the second data change an activation instant of the reproduction cycle, an
Changing the softener configuration based on the second data; and changing the regeneration frequency of the regeneration cycle and/or the predetermined value for the activation instant of the regeneration cycle based on the changed softener configuration.
12. The method of claim 11, comprising the steps of:
-storing the hardness value of the fresh water associated with the activation instant of the regeneration cycle;
-delaying said activation instant of said regeneration cycle when the hardness of the user-selected fresh water is lower than the stored hardness value;
-momentarily advancing said activation of said regeneration cycle when the hardness of the user selected fresh water is higher than the stored hardness value.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP16163682.4A EP3228741B1 (en) | 2016-04-04 | 2016-04-04 | Laundry treating machine and method for controlling thereof |
| EP16163682.4 | 2016-04-04 | ||
| PCT/EP2017/054818 WO2017174265A1 (en) | 2016-04-04 | 2017-03-01 | Laundry treating machine and method for controlling thereof |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN108699752A CN108699752A (en) | 2018-10-23 |
| CN108699752B true CN108699752B (en) | 2021-08-24 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN201780013884.6A Active CN108699752B (en) | 2016-04-04 | 2017-03-01 | Laundry treating machine and control method thereof |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP3228741B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN108699752B (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2017245487B2 (en) |
| PL (1) | PL3228741T3 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2017174265A1 (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109319885B (en) * | 2018-11-22 | 2021-06-04 | 佛山市云米电器科技有限公司 | Method and device for intelligently controlling regeneration period of household soft water system and water softener |
| CN111685702B (en) * | 2020-04-30 | 2022-04-26 | 浙江三花智能控制股份有限公司 | Control method of dish washer |
| CN111685678A (en) * | 2020-04-30 | 2020-09-22 | 浙江三花智能控制股份有限公司 | Control method of dish washer |
| EP4074882A1 (en) * | 2021-04-15 | 2022-10-19 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Laundry treatment appliance with water softening system |
| CN114027756B (en) * | 2021-11-22 | 2024-04-26 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Water softener regeneration control method, regeneration control device and water using equipment |
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| WO2015101424A1 (en) * | 2013-12-30 | 2015-07-09 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Laundry washing machine and method for controlling a laundry washing machine |
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| DE19749636A1 (en) * | 1997-11-11 | 1999-05-12 | Miele & Cie | Softening water and determining regeneration time with computer-controlled dish washing machine |
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| DE102007052085A1 (en) * | 2007-10-31 | 2009-05-07 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Method for operating a water-conducting household appliance |
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2016
- 2016-04-04 EP EP16163682.4A patent/EP3228741B1/en active Active
- 2016-04-04 PL PL16163682T patent/PL3228741T3/en unknown
-
2017
- 2017-03-01 WO PCT/EP2017/054818 patent/WO2017174265A1/en active Application Filing
- 2017-03-01 CN CN201780013884.6A patent/CN108699752B/en active Active
- 2017-03-01 AU AU2017245487A patent/AU2017245487B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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| EP0517205A1 (en) * | 1991-06-06 | 1992-12-09 | AWECO Kunststofftechnik Gerätebau GmbH & Co. KG | Process for water-softening and household-appliance, especially dishwasher, for carrying out this process |
| CN101029445A (en) * | 2006-02-28 | 2007-09-05 | 海尔集团公司 | Washer with hardness controller and water hardness controlling method |
| WO2015101424A1 (en) * | 2013-12-30 | 2015-07-09 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Laundry washing machine and method for controlling a laundry washing machine |
| CN105266740A (en) * | 2014-05-30 | 2016-01-27 | 青岛海尔洗碗机有限公司 | Dish-washing machine water saving method and dish-washing machine |
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| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2017245487B2 (en) | 2023-01-12 |
| CN108699752A (en) | 2018-10-23 |
| EP3228741A1 (en) | 2017-10-11 |
| EP3228741B1 (en) | 2020-03-11 |
| PL3228741T3 (en) | 2020-08-10 |
| AU2017245487A1 (en) | 2018-08-16 |
| WO2017174265A1 (en) | 2017-10-12 |
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