CN117178087A

CN117178087A - Method and device for cleaning and care treatment of textile in washing machine, washing machine and computer program product

Info

Publication number: CN117178087A
Application number: CN202280029814.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 迪克·赛丁; 马塞尔·齐尔克; 亚历山大·洛夫勒; 克里斯蒂娅·贝科德
Original assignee: Miele und Cie KG
Current assignee: Miele und Cie KG
Priority date: 2021-04-29
Filing date: 2022-04-11
Publication date: 2023-12-05
Also published as: KR20240001224A; EP4330459A1; US20240218579A1; DE102021110965A1; WO2022228877A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (200) of performing a care treatment on textiles in a washing machine, said method (200) comprising a step (210) of receiving an end signal, said end signal indicating the end of a washing program of the washing machine. Furthermore, the method (200) comprises a step (215) of reading a switching signal, which switching signal shows the state of a door of the washing machine; the method (200) further comprises the step of providing (225) a start option signal to a user interaction interface for a user to select a start option of a cleaning and rinsing program if the opening of the door is not recognized by the switch signal within a predetermined period of time starting with the end signal.

Description

Method and device for cleaning and care treatment of textile in washing machine, washing machine and computer program product

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method, an apparatus, a washing machine and a computer program product for cleaning and care treatment of textiles in a washing machine.

Background

After the washing process is finished, it is necessary to remove the washed textiles from the washing machine in a timely manner. However, sometimes this is not possible by the user of the washing machine.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method, an improved device, an improved washing machine and an improved computer program product for performing a cleaning treatment of textiles in a washing machine.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method, a device, a washing machine or a computer program product for the cleaning and care treatment of textiles in a washing machine having the features of the main claim. Preferred embodiments and improvements of the invention can be found in the following dependent claims.

In addition to saving resources, the present invention may achieve the advantage of additional cleaning and care treatments to the textiles after the washing procedure.

A method of performing a cleaning treatment on a textile in a washing machine is described herein, the method comprising the step of receiving an end signal indicating the end of a washing program of the washing machine. Further, the method includes a step of reading a switching signal, which displays a state of a door of the washing machine; the method further includes the step of providing a start option signal to a user interface for a user to select a start option of a cleaning and rinsing program if the opening of the door is not recognized using the switch signal within a predetermined time beginning with the end signal.

For example, the washing machine may be for private households, washing 3 to 6 batches of laundry in one week, depending on the household scale. In this case, the washing machine may be provided with, for example, an intelligent electronic washing management function with options such as starting pre-selection or intelligent use of networked washing machines controlled by an application program. Thus, the user can schedule a suitable washing course in time, so that laundry can be directly taken out after the washing course is finished even in the case of increasingly heavy work. However, even under such washing management, it may happen that the wet textiles remain in the washing machine too long after the end of the washing program, for example, if they cannot be removed by forgetting or for other reasons. If the laundry is not taken out of the washing machine in time, the laundry may be smelled to emit bad smell, indicating that the laundry is in an unclean state. In order to avoid the textile to be stored for a long time and then consume resources again to restart the comprehensive washing program, the method provided by the invention can realize the reprocessing of the textile in a resource-saving way.

After the end of the washing program, an end signal representing the end of the washing program is received, for example, by means of a washing machine motor device specially designed for this purpose. For example, a timer may be started according to the end signal, and the preset time may be measured and controlled by the timer. Further, a switching signal indicating a state of a door of the washing machine is read. For example, the door may be detected in a closed state by a switching signal. It is thereby possible to detect whether the door is open, for example when the user is taking a textile or load out of the washing machine. If the door is not opened for a predetermined time, an activation option signal is provided so that the user can activate an additional cleaning and rinsing program. Options for the user to select may be displayed, for example, on a display of the washing machine or in an application of a mobile device networked to the washing machine. Advantageously, the user can thereby be alerted on the one hand about the loading condition of the washing machine and on the other hand initiate a resource-saving textile treatment program, which may also be referred to as a cleaning rinse. In general, intelligent cleaning and rinsing enables an operator of a washing machine to take out a whole batch of clean laundry even after a long storage time. By cleaning the rinse, the entire batch of laundry, such as fresh laundry, can be treated with minimal resources. The odor and mildew can be eliminated.

According to an embodiment, the switching signal may be read through a gate interface connected to a switching sensor on the gate during the reading step. For example, the switch sensor may detect whether the door is in an open or closed state and provide corresponding information. This has the advantage that whether the door is open can be detected in a reliable and cost-effective manner by means of the switch sensor.

According to a further embodiment, the method may comprise the additional step of setting the time period using a time signal, which may represent the duration of the time period set by the user interaction interface. For example, by means of an input device on the washing machine, such as a touch screen, or an application program of the mobile device, the user can precisely set the duration of the textile product being present in the washing machine after the washing program. For example, a maximum of 2 hours may be set, and the start-up option signal is provided only when this time is exceeded and the door is not opened. Advantageously, the method can be adapted to individual preferences and needs.

According to a further embodiment, the method may comprise the further step of outputting an activation signal for activating the cleaning and care procedure. This step may be performed in accordance with a confirmation signal read from the user interface, the confirmation signal representing a confirmatory selection made by the user for the initiation of the prophy rinse program. For example, in the providing step, the customer may be given the option of starting the cleaning and rinsing program, for example by yes/no in the application program. If the user confirms the selection made by him, for example by clicking "yes", a confirmation signal may be output, along with which the cleaning and rinsing program may be initiated. This has the advantage that the textile can be treated directly in the washing machine without time delay.

In addition, in the output step, the start signal for starting the cleaning and caring rinsing process may be outputted through an additional rinsing mode after the washing process or through a rinsing mode of reducing water consumption. For example, it can be distinguished as: equivalent to an additional rinsing mode after the end of the washing process, and a reduced water rinsing mode called "spin and spray". For example, in a reduced water rinse mode, the start signal may be provided only to a driver of a washing drum, such as a washing machine, to use a recirculation function without additional water. This has the advantage that the treatment of the textile can be optimally adjusted according to different washing conditions.

According to a further embodiment, the method may comprise the step of adjusting the prophy rinse program using a wash program signal, said wash program signal representing program information about the wash program. For example, a subsequent cleaning rinse program may be arranged according to the finished washing program. The subsequent cleaning rinses can be adjusted in a manner technically according to different settings of the washing program, such as program options and additional settings, and information generated in the process, such as laundry amount, load, water consumption and energy consumption, number of rinses, residual moisture or program duration. For example, there may be a variety of cleaning rinse modes. For example, after a "cotton" washing course at a temperature of 60 ℃ and an additionally provided "water+" washing course, in the case that the laundry amount is 6.4 kg and the course time is 2.39 hours, the a-pad rinsing mode corresponding to the "cotton" course and matched to the proper water level may be initiated. Also, for example, after a "fine" washing course of "single wash" is additionally set at a temperature of 30 ℃, in the case where the laundry amount is 0.2 kg and the course duration is 25 to 39 minutes, a B-care rinsing mode corresponding to a low water amount rinsing called "spin and spray" may be initiated. Also, for example, after a "cotton-cleaning" washing course at 75 ℃ and an additionally provided "allergy-free" washing course, in the case of a laundry amount of 4.3 kg and a course duration of 3.59 hours, a C-cleaning rinsing mode corresponding to the "cotton" course and matching a proper water level may be initiated. The advantage is that by adjusting the cleaning and care rinsing, the water and energy consumption can be optimally adjusted according to each textile to be treated.

According to a further embodiment, in the receiving step, the end signal may indicate an end of the anti-wrinkle protection procedure. For example, the original wash program may be given an additional 30 minutes of anti-wrinkle protection during which the textiles may be rotated in the wash drum at a lower speed than during main wash. Here, the anti-wrinkle protection can be regarded as an end portion of the washing process. Thus, the end signal is provided only after such an anti-wrinkle protection procedure has ended, or the duration of the anti-wrinkle protection procedure is counted in the period of waiting to open the door. This has the advantage that the textile can be optimally treated even if anti-wrinkling protection is added to the original washing program.

According to a further embodiment, in the providing step, a start option signal may be provided to a user interaction interface, which may be provided on the washing machine or only on the mobile device. For example, the user interaction interface may be designed as a touch screen, a knob, one or more keys on the washing machine, or as part of an application program that controls the washing machine even remotely. This has the advantage that the user can directly control the desired washing machine flow.

On the basis of the method scheme, the invention also provides a device which is designed for executing, controlling or realizing the steps of any one of the provided methods in the corresponding equipment. The object of the invention is also achieved quickly and efficiently by embodiments of such a device.

The apparatus may be designed to read an input signal and use the input signal to determine and provide an output signal. The input signal may represent, for example, a sensor signal read through an input interface of the device. The output signal may represent a control signal or a data signal provided by an output interface of the device. The apparatus may be designed to determine the output signal using flow instructions executed in hardware or software. For example, the apparatus may comprise logic circuitry, integrated switching circuitry, or software modules, and may be as discrete components, or be part of discrete components.

In addition, the invention also provides a washing machine with the cleaning and protecting rinsing program and the device. This has the advantage that all 5 of the above advantages can be best achieved by this combination.

Although the solution is described by means of a household appliance, the device/method provided by the invention is equally applicable to commercial or professional equipment.

Also advantageous is a computer program product or a computer program with a program code which can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium, such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory or an optical memory.

If the program product or program is executed on a computer or device, the program product or program may be used to perform, implement and/or control the method steps according to any of the 15 embodiments described above.

Drawings

The drawings depict embodiments purely schematically and are described in more detail below. The following figures are shown:

FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of an embodiment of a washing machine;

fig. 2 is a flow chart of a method embodiment.

Detailed Description

In the following description of the preferred embodiments of the inventive arrangements, functionally similar elements illustrated in the various drawings are labeled with the same or similar reference numerals and redundant element descriptions are omitted.

Fig. 1 schematically depicts a washing machine 100 according to an embodiment. The washing machine 100 comprises means 105 for controlling the cleaning treatment of the textiles 110 after the washing procedure has been performed in the washing machine 100. For this purpose, the device 105 is designed to receive an end signal 115, which end signal 115 can be provided, for example, by the control device 120 and indicates the end of the washing program of the washing machine. In another embodiment, the end signal may also indicate the end of the anti-wrinkle protection procedure immediately following the washing procedure.

The control device 120 can furthermore be designed to provide a washing program signal 125 to the device 105. The wash program signal 125 may provide program information, for example, regarding a selected wash program. The program information includes, for example, a selected temperature, contents of additional selections, an amount of laundry, or a duration of a washing program.

The device 105 is designed to read the switch signal 130 through the door interface 135 immediately after the end signal 115 to detect or monitor the closed state of the door 140 of the washing machine 100. For example, in this embodiment, the switch signal 130 may be provided by a switch sensor 145 disposed on the gate 140. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the device 105 comprises a timer 150, said timer 150 being designed for counting a predetermined period of time, e.g. immediately after the end signal 115. In one embodiment, the time signal 155 represents a length of time to wait. The duration may be set by a user through a user interaction interface 165 on the mobile device 160, for example. In another embodiment, the user interaction interface may also be provided directly on the washing machine.

In this exemplary embodiment, the mobile device 160 is a smart phone for storing an application program for controlling the washing machine 100. In another embodiment, it may also be a tablet, notebook or similar mobile device.

In this embodiment, the means 105 are designed for inputting a start option signal to the user interaction interface 165 in case the opening of the door is not recognized by a switching signal within a predetermined period of time starting with the end signal 115. With the aid of the start option signal 175, the user may select the start of the cleaning rinse program. In this embodiment, the device 105 is designed to read a confirmation signal 180 indicating the selection after the user has made a selection of the initiation of the rinse initiation program and to input an initiation signal 185, for example, to the control device 120, in dependence on the confirmation signal 180. The activation signal 185 may represent, for example, the activation of a reduced water use, prophy rinse mode known as "spin and spray". In another embodiment, an additional rinsing process to the finished washing process may be initiated using the initiation signal.

Thus, according to an embodiment, if laundry has been left in the washing machine 100 for a long time after the end of the washing course, a subsequent course is automatically accessed and executed or confirmed by the user. The completion of the washing machine program may be well defined, for example an additional 30 minutes of anti-crease protection after the end of the program. By switching the switching signal of the switching sensor 145, it can be determined whether the laundry has been taken out or remains in the washing machine 100. If the switch sensor does not signal door opening for a defined period of time (e.g., less than two hours), an automatic cleaning rinse is provided. This function may be controlled by the user directly on the washing machine 100 or through an application program. For example, the subsequent rinsing step is based on the finished washing step. Adjustments are made in the methodological aspects to the subsequent cleaning and rinsing according to settings such as program, options and additional content, and information from the process such as laundry amount, loading phase, water and energy consumption, number of rinses, residual moisture and program duration. For example, it can be distinguished as: equivalent to an additional rinsing mode after the end of the washing process, and a reduced water rinsing mode called "spin and spray".

Fig. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method 200 for performing a cleaning treatment on textiles in a washing machine. In this embodiment, the method 200 comprises a setting step 205 comprising setting a time signal representing a duration of a time period set through the user interaction interface. For example, the duration may be individually set by the user and specify a period of time from the end of the wash program to the provision of the clear rinse program initiation option. Further, the method 200 comprises a receiving step 210 comprising receiving an end signal and a reading step 215 comprising reading a switch signal, the end signal representing the end of a washing program of the washing machine, the switch signal representing a state of a door of the washing machine.

In one embodiment, the method 200 includes an optional adjustment step 220, the adjustment step 220 uses a wash program signal to adjust the prophy rinse program, the wash program signal representing program information about the wash program. For example, in this embodiment, the adjustment step 220 is performed after the reading step 215, but in another embodiment, it is also possible to perform the adjustment step before the reading step 215, or after one of the subsequent steps.

In this embodiment, following the optional adjustment step 220, an input step 225 is provided to the user interface for a start option signal by which the user may select the start of the cleaning rinse program. The precondition for performing this input step is: during the period of time set in the setting step 205 that starts with the end signal, the opening of the door is not recognized by the switching signal.

For example only, the method 200 may further include the following output steps: and outputting a start signal for starting the cleaning and protecting rinsing program, and responding to the confirmation signal read through the user interaction interface, wherein the user makes confirmation selection on the starting of the cleaning and protecting rinsing program.

Claims

1. A method (200) of care treatment of textiles (110) in a washing machine (100), characterized in that the method (200) comprises the steps of:

-a receiving step (210) comprising receiving an end signal (115), the end signal (115) representing an end of a washing program of the washing machine (100);

a reading step (215) comprising reading a switching signal (130), the switching signal (130) representing a state of a door (140) of the washing machine (100);

an input step (225) comprising inputting a start option signal (175) to the user interaction interface (165) for a user to select a start option of a cleaning and rinsing program if the opening of the door (140) is not recognized by the switch signal (130) within a predetermined period of time starting with the end signal (115).

2. The method (200) of claim 1, wherein in the reading step (215), the switch signal (130) is read through a gate interface (135) connected to a switch sensor (145) on the gate (140).

3. The method (200) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a setting step (205) comprising setting the time period using a time signal (155) representing a duration of the time period set by the user interaction interface (165).

4. The method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an outputting step (230) comprising outputting an activation signal (185) to activate the cleaning and rinsing program in accordance with a confirmation signal (180) read from a user interaction interface (165); the confirmation signal (180) indicates a confirmatory selection by the user of the initiation of the cleaning rinse program.

5. The method (200) of claim 4, wherein in said outputting step (230), said activation signal (185) for activating a cleaning and care rinsing process is outputted by an additional rinsing mode after a washing process or by a rinsing mode with reduced water.

6. The method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an adjustment step (220) comprising adjusting the cleaning rinse program using a wash program signal (125), the wash program signal (125) representing program information about the wash program.

7. The method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the receiving step (210) the end signal (115) indicates the end of an anti-wrinkle protection procedure.

8. The method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the inputting step (225) the activation option signal (175) is provided to the user interaction interface (165), the user interaction interface (165) being provided on the washing machine (100) and/or mobile device (160).

9. Device (105) designed for implementing the steps (210, 215, 225) of the method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims in a relevant unit.

10. A washing machine (100) with a clean rinse program and an apparatus (105) as claimed in claim 9.

11. Computer program product with a program code for implementing the method (200) of any of the preceding claims when said computer program product is executed in an apparatus.