DE102018117126A1 - Method and device for unlocking an appliance door for a laundry care device and laundry care device with a device - Google Patents

Abstract

The approach presented here relates to a method for unlocking an appliance door (110) for a laundry care appliance (100). The method has a step of receiving, a step of issuing and a step of sending. In the receiving step, a refill signal (155) is received during a washing process, the refill signal (155) representing a signal provided by an actuating device (160) that can be actuated by an operator of the laundry care appliance (100). In the output step, a change signal (165) is output using the replenishment signal (155), the change signal (165) being designed to change at least one current drum parameter of a drum (115) of the laundry care device (100) to a drum set parameter cause if the current drum parameter is larger than the drum set parameter. In the sending step, an unlocking signal (170) is sent, which causes the device door (110) to be unlocked if the current drum parameter is not greater than the drum target parameter.

Description

The approach presented here relates to a method and a device for unlocking a device door for a laundry care device and a laundry care device with a device.

In the case of laundry care devices, a device door is locked during a washing process. It is not possible or only possible to add laundry during the washing process.

The approach presented here is based on the task of creating an improved method for unlocking a device door for a laundry care device, an improved device for unlocking a device door for a laundry care device and a laundry care device with an improved device.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method for unlocking an appliance door for a laundry care device, a device for unlocking an appliance door for a laundry care device and a laundry care device with a device having the features or steps of the main claims. The subject of the present approach is also a computer program. Advantageous refinements and developments of the approach result from the following subclaims.

The advantages that can be achieved with the approach presented here are that an appliance door of a laundry care appliance can be unlocked at any time during a washing process by the method presented here and can thus be subsequently opened. A refill of laundry is therefore advantageously still possible even in an advanced washing process.

A method for unlocking an appliance door for a laundry care appliance has a step of receiving, a step of dispensing and a step of sending. In the receiving step, a reload signal is received during a washing process, the reload signal representing a signal provided by an actuating device that can be actuated by an operator of the laundry care device, in the output step, a change signal is output using the reload signal, the change signal being designed to effect a change of at least one current drum parameter of a drum of the laundry care device to a drum set parameter if the current drum parameter is greater than the set drum parameter. In the sending step, an unlock signal is sent, which causes the device door to be unlocked if the current drum parameter is not greater than the drum set parameter.

This method can be implemented, for example, in software or hardware or in a mixed form of software and hardware, for example in a control unit.

The actuating device can be, for example, a start button for starting a “add laundry” function, which is made possible by the method presented. This start button can be arranged on the laundry care device. The drum set parameter can be at least one parameter of the drum of the laundry care device which is determined as being suitable for opening the appliance door. The washing process can be understood as any process during a care process or set care program of the laundry care device, for example also a rinsing process or a spin process of the laundry care device. The current drum parameter can be a drum parameter recognized or recognizable at different times. Thus, in the step of sending, the current drum parameter can be recognized or have been recognized at a different point in time than in the step of dispensing, if the current drum parameter was recognized as larger in the step of dispensing than the drum target parameter. In this case, the step of sending would be carried out after the step of dispensing, the current drum parameter in the step of sending representing a later later drum parameter than in the step of dispensing. However, if the current drum target parameter is not recognized or has been recognized as greater after the step of receiving than the drum target parameter and therefore no step of outputting, the step of receiving can be followed by the step of sending. Before the step of dispensing and / or before the step of sending, the method can also have a step of recognizing in which the current drum parameter of the drum of the laundry care device is recognized or read.

A method presented here enables the appliance door to be unlocked even at advanced times in the washing process. At these advanced times, very large drum parameters may already be in effect, and opening the appliance door may be unfavorable. Advantageously, the opening of the appliance door is nevertheless made possible by the method presented here, in that these drum parameters can be changed to a drum target parameter suitable for opening the appliance door.

For example, in the step of outputting, the change signal can be output, which is designed to reduce, as the current drum parameter, a current drum rotation speed of the drum to To achieve the desired speed and / or a current temperature of the drum at a desired temperature and / or a current fill level of the drum at a desired fill level. The target speed can be a drum standstill. It is therefore still possible to open the appliance door even after a spin process of the laundry care appliance and / or a washing process section has started, in which a very high temperature and / or a very high water level has already been reached.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the change signal can be output to a pump device and / or a motor for driving the drum of the laundry care device in the output step. For example, if the current drum rotation speed is greater than the set speed, motor control of the drum can be interrupted and the process can be waited until the set speed is reached. If the current temperature is greater than the target temperature, the pump device can partially pump out the alkali and / or fill it with cold water until the target temperature is reached or can be reached. If the current fill level is greater than the desired fill level, water can be partially pumped out by the pump device until the desired fill level is reached.

The method can have a step of further outputting a filling signal, in response to a detection of a closing signal read in after the unlocking signal, which represents a closed state of the appliance door, the filling signal being output in the step of further outputting in order to increase the fill level of the laundry care appliance , The filling signal can be designed to increase the fill level of the laundry care appliance. For example, the fill signal can be output to the pump device in the step of further output. For example, the replenishment signal can be designed to increase the fill level of the laundry care device up to an initial level of the washing process. The washing process can thus be repeated or continued with an increased amount of water, in order to ensure that there is also a sufficient amount of fresh water for the care or cleaning of laundry added after the appliance door has been opened.

The method can additionally or alternatively also have a step of additionally outputting an extension signal, in response to a detection of a locking signal read in after the unlocking signal, which represents a closed state of the appliance door, the extension signal being output in the step of the additional output by a duration of To increase the washing process. The extension signal can be designed to increase the duration of the washing process or to increase the duration. For example, the extension signal can be output in the step of additional output to a timer device of the laundry care device. For example, the extension signal can be designed to cause the duration of the washing process to be increased by a time which is dependent on a time which has already elapsed during the previous washing process. This ensures that the washing process is extended to take care of newly added laundry.

The method can additionally or alternatively have a step of further sending a dosing signal, in response to a detection of a closing signal read in after the unlocking signal, which represents a closed state of the appliance door, the dosing signal being output in the step of further sending in order to dose a care product cause. The dosing signal can be designed to effect a dosing or dispensing of the care product. For example, the metering signal can be output in the step of further sending to an automatic metering device of the laundry care device. For example, the dosing signal can be designed to cause the delivery of a dose that is dependent on an amount or a weight of the replenished laundry. The care product can be a cleaning agent. This ensures that additional care products are provided for the care of newly added laundry.

The approach presented here also creates a device which is designed to carry out, control or implement the steps of a variant of a method presented here in corresponding devices. With this embodiment variant of the approach in the form of a device, the task underlying the approach can be solved quickly and efficiently.

The device can be designed to read input signals and to determine and provide output signals using the input signals. An input signal can represent, for example, a sensor signal that can be read in via an input interface of the device. An output signal can represent a control signal or a data signal that can be provided at an output interface of the device. The device can be designed to determine the output signals using a processing rule implemented in hardware or software. For example, the device can be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit or comprise a software module and, for example, be implemented as a discrete component or be comprised by a discrete component.

A laundry care device has the device presented above. The laundry care device can be a household appliance such as an automatic washing machine or a dryer or a washer-dryer. However, the laundry care device can also be a commercial or professional device, for example a medical device, such as a cleaning or disinfection device, a small sterilizer, a large-scale disinfector or a container washing system. A laundry care device presented here can serve as a replacement for known laundry care devices, the laundry care device presented advantageously realizing the advantages of the device and thus a device door of the laundry care device can be unlocked at any time during a washing process of the laundry care device.

A computer program product or computer program with 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, is also advantageous. If the program product or program is executed on a computer or a device, the program product or program can be used to carry out, implement and / or control the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described above.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Wäschepflegegeräts mit einer Vorrichtung zum Entriegeln einer Gerätetür des Wäschepflegegeräts gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 2 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Entriegeln einer Gerätetür eines Wäschepflegegeräts gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel; und
• 3 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Entriegeln einer Gerätetür eines Wäschepflegegeräts gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel.

Exemplary embodiments of the approach are shown purely schematically in the drawings and are described in more detail below. It shows

• 1 a schematic representation of a laundry care device with a device for unlocking a device door of the laundry care device according to an embodiment;
• 2 a flowchart of a method for unlocking a device door of a laundry care device according to an embodiment; and
• 3 a flowchart of a method for unlocking a device door of a laundry care device according to an embodiment.

In the following description of favorable exemplary embodiments of the present approach, the same or similar reference symbols are used for the elements shown in the different figures and acting in a similar manner, and a repeated description of these elements is omitted.

1 shows a schematic representation of a laundry care device 100 with one device 105 for unlocking an appliance door 110 of the laundry care appliance 100 according to an embodiment.

The device 105 is in accordance with this embodiment on or in the laundry care device 100 recorded, which is designed according to this embodiment as a washing machine or according to an alternative embodiment as a dryer or washer-dryer. The laundry care device 100 is designed to clean laundry and / or other care items according to this embodiment.

The laundry care device 100 has the appliance door according to this embodiment 110 to open the laundry care appliance 100 for taking up the laundry in a drum 115 of the laundry care appliance 100 , the drum 115 for moving the laundry and a fluid container 120 for supplying or storing water 122 and / or wash liquor 123 on. The appliance door 110 is according to this embodiment with a locking device 125 coupled, which is designed to the appliance door 110 to lock and / or unlock in a closed state. The drum 110 is according to this embodiment with a motor 130 coupled, which is designed to the drum 115 to drive or move. The fluid container 120 is according to this embodiment with a pump device 135 coupled, which is designed to water 122 and / or wash liquor 123 in the fluid container 120 and / or the drum 115 to pump and / or water 122 and / or wash liquor 123 from the fluid container 120 and / or the drum 115 pump out.

The device 105 is designed to unlock the appliance door 110 during a washing process of the laundry care device 100 to open the appliance door 110 to enable. For this purpose, the device 105 a receiving device 140 , an output device 145 and a transmitter 150 on. According to this embodiment, the device 105 also a recognition device 152 on. According to this embodiment, the receiving device 140 , the output device 145 , the transmitter 150 and / or the recognition device 152 connected wirelessly or wired.

The receiving device 140 is designed to generate a reload signal during a washing process 155 to receive, the reload signal 155 one by one by an operator of the laundry care device 100 actuatable actuator 160 provided signal represents. In this embodiment, the actuator 160 as a start button on the Laundry care device 100 formed. The receiving device 140 is designed to the reload signal 155 wired or wireless to receive. According to an alternative embodiment, the actuating device 160 external to the laundry care device 100 arranged, the reload signal 155 wirelessly from the receiving device 140 is received or can be received. The output device 145 is designed to use the refill signal 155 a change signal 165 output, the change signal 165 is designed to change at least one current drum parameter of the drum 115 of the laundry care appliance 100 to cause a drum target parameter if the current drum parameter is greater than the drum target parameter. The sending device 150 is designed to generate an unlock signal 170 to send the unlocking of the appliance door 110 causes if the current drum parameter is not greater than the drum set parameter. The recognition device 152 is designed to measure the current drum parameters of the drum 115 to recognize or read. According to this embodiment, the recognition device 152 further configured to compare the current drum parameter with the drum target parameter, which according to this exemplary embodiment is in the device 105 is stored and / or can be read by an external device. The recognition device 152 is part of the output device according to an alternative embodiment 145 ,

According to this exemplary embodiment, the output device outputs 145 using the reload signal 155 the change signal 165 off because the current drum parameter was recognized as being larger than the drum set parameter. According to this embodiment, the output device 145 trained to receive a change signal 165 which is configured to reduce a current drum rotation speed of the drum as the current drum parameter 115 to a target speed and / or a current temperature of the drum 115 to a target temperature and / or a current fill level of the drum 115 to bring about a target level. The output device 145 is designed according to this embodiment to the change signal 165 to the pump device 135 and / or the engine 130 to drive the drum 115 issue.

• Die hier vorgestellte Vorrichtung 105 ermöglicht vorteilhafterweise ein Wäschenachlegen im Waschautomaten und Waschtrockner.

In the following, exemplary embodiments are described using the 1 described again in other words:

• The device presented here 105 advantageously enables laundry to be added in the washing machine and washer-dryer.

With an "add laundry" function, an operator has with the laundry care device shown here 100 the possibility to interrupt the program and add items of laundry after starting a washing program.

This function is in the washing program thanks to the device presented here 100 not only available a few minutes after the start of the program, but throughout the entire washing process. This function can advantageously also be carried out if a water level exceeds a certain level, in this exemplary embodiment a level of 80 mmWs. In addition, this function can be carried out if the water temperature is too high, according to this exemplary embodiment, if the water temperature is 50 ° C. or higher than 50 ° C. This function can advantageously also be carried out when a spinning process is active. This function can advantageously also be carried out when a load level detection has been completed. It is also advantageous due to the device 100 allows one possibly in the laundry care device 100 preset blocking function, which prescribes conditions, what the opening of the appliance door 110 prevent to bypass for laundry.

The operator can thanks to the device 105 Now select the "Add laundry" function at any time during the washing process and add laundry. The function is advantageously always available, regardless of a water level, a speed, an elapsed program time and / or a water temperature in the drum 115 or in the laundry care device 100 , If the operator activates the "Load laundry" function while the laundry care device 100 is locked by the device 100 started a process that unlocked the door of the appliance door 110 allows.

Because by the device 100 the complete appliance door 110 unlock and thus can be opened, it is also advantageously possible to add large items of laundry such as sheets, blankets, covers or towels.

2 shows a flow chart of a method 200 for unlocking a device door of a laundry care device according to an embodiment. This can be a process 200 act that of the in 1 described device is controllable or executable.

The procedure 200 has a step 205 of receiving one step 210 of spending and one step 215 of sending on. In step 205 of reception, a replenishment signal is received during a washing process, the Refill signal represents a signal provided by an actuating device that can be actuated by an operator of the laundry care device, in step 210 of the outputting, a change signal is output using the replenishment signal, the change signal being designed to bring about a change in at least one current drum parameter of a drum of the laundry care device to a drum setpoint parameter if the current drum parameter is greater than the drum setpoint parameter. In step 215 During the transmission, an unlock signal is sent, which causes the appliance door to be unlocked if the current drum parameter is not greater than the drum set parameter.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the method also has a step 220 of cognition, one step 225 spending further, one step 230 of additional spending and / or a step 235 of further sending.

In step 220 of cognition is before the step 210 of spending and / or before the step 215 of sending one or the current drum parameters of the drum of the laundry care device are recognized or read.

In step 225 In addition, a filling signal is output in response to a detection of a closing signal read in after the unlocking signal, which represents a closing state of the appliance door, in the step 225 outputting the filling signal is output in order to bring about an increase in a filling level of the laundry care appliance.

In step 230 of the additional outputting, an extension signal is output in response to a detection of a locking signal read in after the unlocking signal, which represents a locking state of the appliance door, in step 230 of the additional output, the extension signal is output in order to increase the duration of the washing process.

In step 235 further sending, a metering signal is sent in response to detection of a closing signal read in after the unlocking signal, which represents a closing state of the appliance door, in step 235 further sending the dosing signal is sent to effect a dosing of a care product.

The method steps presented here can be repeated and carried out in a different order than that described.

Depending on a point in time of adding laundry, a washing effect on that after the step deteriorates 215 of spending added laundry as without the steps 225 . 230 . 235 a full program runtime would no longer be available, but only a remaining program runtime would be processed. Advantageously, through the steps 225 . 230 and 235 However, it must be ensured that the laundry added or added is properly maintained or cleaned.

By increasing the amount of laundry, according to this exemplary embodiment, the amount is automatically added, which the operator would otherwise probably forget in most cases. It is not necessary to cancel a running program, as a result of which washing liquor, including detergent, can be pumped out completely, and to restart the program. So if laundry is added after a program start, the added laundry also advantageously achieves the washing effect familiar in the program, since, according to one embodiment, the full program duration is available and manual dosing, which in most cases would no longer take place, thanks to the automatic Subsequent dosing is not necessary. It is therefore advantageously not necessary to abort the washing process or a current care program and to start again. Due to the automatic extension of the washing time and the automatic re-dosing of devices with a function "automatic dosing", a good washing effect is also guaranteed for the laundry items.

3 shows a flow chart of a method 200 for unlocking a device door of a laundry care device according to an embodiment. It can be in 2 described method 200 act with additional steps.

In step 205 According to this exemplary embodiment, reception is followed by the selection of a “add laundry” function. Responsive to the step 205 a step is carried out in accordance with this exemplary embodiment 300 the query in which it is queried whether the appliance door is locked. According to this exemplary embodiment, if the appliance door is not locked, a step is carried out 305 unlocking, in which a door opening of the appliance door is released. According to this exemplary embodiment, if the appliance door is locked, the step of in 2 cognition described. According to this exemplary embodiment, the step of recognizing comprises three sub-steps 310 . 315 . 320 , In the first step 310 According to this exemplary embodiment, the step of recognizing recognizes whether a water level is too high. If the water level is too high, a step is carried out according to this exemplary embodiment 325 pumping, by pumping down to a level for door release. In the second step 315 According to this exemplary embodiment, the step of recognizing recognizes whether a temperature is too high. If the temperature is too high, a step is carried out according to this exemplary embodiment 330 the partial pumping off of the lye. After the step 330 there is a step 335 the filling, in which, according to this exemplary embodiment, filling is carried out with cold water and the alkali is mixed until a target temperature or target temperature for a door release is reached. In the third step 320 the recognizing step of this embodiment recognizes whether the drum is rotating. According to this embodiment, when the drum rotates, a step is performed 340 the interruption in which a control of a motor is interrupted and the drum is stopped until the drum stops. Responsive to the step 325 and or 335 and or 340 the step takes place according to this exemplary embodiment 215 of sending, in which, according to this exemplary embodiment, the appliance door is unlocked and the door opening is thus released. If it is recognized that laundry has been added, the step follows 215 according to this embodiment the step 225 of further spending. In step 225 According to this embodiment, the water level is filled up to an initial level. After the step 225 the step takes place according to this exemplary embodiment 230 of additional spending and the step 235 of further sending. In step 225 the washing process is extended according to this embodiment. In step 235 According to this embodiment, a small amount of replenishment is carried out in the main wash due to an increased load in laundry care devices with an automatic metering device. According to this exemplary embodiment, the method 200 also one step 345 of resuming by continuing the washing or rinsing process. The step 345 takes place according to this embodiment after the step 235 , According to an alternative embodiment, the step is carried out 345 responsive to the crotch 215 or 225 or 230 ,

The method steps presented here can be repeated and carried out in a different order than that described.

If an exemplary embodiment comprises a “and / or” link between a first feature and a second feature, this is to be read in such a way that the embodiment according to one embodiment has both the first feature and the second feature and according to a further embodiment either only that has the first feature or only the second feature.

Claims (9)

Method (200) for unlocking an appliance door (110) for a laundry care appliance (100), the method (200) comprising at least the following steps: Receiving (205) a refill signal (155) during a washing process, the refill signal (155) representing a signal provided by an actuating device (160) which can be actuated by an operator of the laundry care appliance (100); Outputting (210) a change signal (165) using the replenishment signal (155), the change signal (165) being designed to cause at least one current drum parameter of a drum (115) of the laundry care appliance (100) to change to a drum set parameter, if the current drum parameter is greater than the drum target parameter; and Sending (215) an unlocking signal (170) which unlocks the appliance door (110) if the current drum parameter is not greater than the drum target parameter. Method (200) according to Claim 1 , in which, in step (210) of the outputting, the change signal (165) is output, which is designed to reduce, as the current drum parameter, a current drum rotation speed of the drum (115) to a set speed and / or a current temperature of the drum ( 115) to a desired temperature and / or a current filling level of the drum (115) to a desired filling level. Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the step (210) of issuing the change signal (165) to a pump device (135) and / or a motor (130) for driving the drum (115) of the laundry care device (100) is issued. Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, with a step (225) of further outputting a replenishment signal in response to detection of a closing signal read in after the unlocking signal (170), which represents a closed state of the appliance door (110), wherein in step ( 225) further outputting the filling signal in order to increase the filling level of the laundry care appliance (100). Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, with a step (230) of additionally outputting an extension signal in response to a detection of a closing signal read in after the unlocking signal (170), which indicates a closed state of the appliance door (110) represents, in the step (230) of the additional dispensing the extension signal is output in order to increase a duration of the washing process. Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, with a step (235) of further sending a metering signal in response to detection of a closing signal read in after the unlocking signal (170), which represents a closing state of the appliance door (110), wherein in step ( 230) of the further transmission, the dosing signal is output in order to effect a dosing of a care product. Device (105) which is designed to control and / or execute the steps of the method (200) according to one of the preceding claims in corresponding units (140, 145, 150, 152). Laundry care device (100) with a device (105) according to Claim 7 , Computer program product with program code for performing the method (200) according to one of the Claims 1 to 6 when the computer program product is executed on a device (105).

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