EP3859071B1 - Water-conducting domestic appliance and method for operating a water-conducting domestic appliance - Google Patents

Description

Area of application and state of the art

The invention relates to a method for operating a water-conducting household appliance and to a water-conducting household appliance which is designed to carry out this method.

From the DE 10 2016 202 267 A1 It is known to clean objects in a dishwasher for an initial cleaning period. Then, markers are applied to the objects, which adhere to contaminants and make them detectable. In a third step, the markers are detected by a detection device to determine which of the objects are already sufficiently clean and which still require further cleaning. In a fourth step, the objects still requiring further cleaning are further cleaned for a second cleaning period. Furthermore, it is possible for the already clean objects to be excluded from further cleaning.

From the US 8,281,439 B2 It is known that a water-based household appliance such as a washing machine can be used to specifically combat specific types of dirt on laundry. For this purpose, a specific type of dirt can be entered by an operator via a control panel. Alternatively, types of dirt on the laundry can be identified in advance, for example, by measuring the reflectivity or emissivity of the laundry to be washed. Likewise, specific types of dirt on the laundry can be detected during a wash cycle, for example, by detecting specific proteins in the wash water.

From the CN 108 930 128 A It is known to monitor soiling in a washing machine. Fluorescent substances can be used to mark dirt. This can then be detected, and the subsequent process can be designed accordingly.

From the US 5 272 893 A It is known that in a washing device that uses enzymes, heat can be applied and these enzymes distributed by mechanically rotating a drum. It also discloses a temperature dependence of the effectiveness of enzymes in cleaning, which is maximum at a certain temperature. A favorable temperature can be 48°C to 66°C. It should be maintained relatively precisely.

Task and solution

The invention is based on the object of creating a method as mentioned above and a water-conducting household appliance suitable for carrying out this method, with which problems of the prior art can be solved and in particular it is possible to detect and remove dirt on objects as effectively as possible by means of marker substances and enzymes.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and by a water-conducting household appliance having the features of claim 13. Advantageous and preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the further claims and are explained in more detail below. Some of the features are described only for the method or only for the water-conducting household appliance. However, they should be able to apply independently and independently of one another to both the method and a water-conducting household appliance. The wording of the claims is incorporated into the content of the description by express reference.

The household appliance is provided with a treatment chamber and a storage system containing marker substances, preferably several different marker substances. Enzymes are also contained therein, advantageously several different enzymes. Furthermore, the household appliance has a nozzle device for spraying the marker substances onto objects in the To introduce or spray the dirt into the treatment chamber. For this purpose, this nozzle device is connected to the aforementioned storage system. Furthermore, the household appliance comprises means for introducing water into the treatment chamber and a water supply therefor, as well as heating means for the water and a pump in the water supply. These latter functional units in connection with water correspond to conventional water-using household appliances such as washing machines, washer-dryers, or dishwashers. Finally, the household appliance comprises detection means designed for an optical detection method to recognize or detect dirt marked or detectable with marker substances.

The following steps are carried out in the method according to the invention. Further steps can be carried out beforehand, for example the introduction of objects into the treatment chamber and possibly pre-cleaning. However, this does not play a significant role in the invention. In step a), marker substances are applied to objects to be cleaned in the treatment chamber. Advantageously, this can only be done on some of the objects in the treatment chamber and/or only in a specific area of the treatment chamber, regardless of whether objects are specifically intended or known to be there. In a subsequent step b), an optical detection method is used to detect whether the marker substances have marked dirt on the objects to be cleaned. For this purpose, the aforementioned detection means are used as intended.

In this way, dirt can be detected. Different types of dirt can be detected using different marker substances or different combinations of marker substances. Marker substances can be based on aptamers or so-called molecular beacons. Modification with fluorescent substances is known to those skilled in the art.

In the next step c), if dirt has been detected, the two following steps E) and S) are carried out in a variable order, possibly multiple times. In step E), enzymes are applied to objects or areas on or in which dirt has been detected by means of the marker substances, using the means for introducing water into the treatment chamber. The enzymes are designed to remove the detected dirt. Different, specially adapted or coordinated enzymes can possibly be used for different types of detected dirt, possibly even together. In step S), the aim is to create suitable local conditions for the enzymes to be effective on the dirt. These local conditions apply with regard to the temperature and/or humidity of the objects, especially if these are items of laundry in a washing machine or washer-dryer.

Thus, the invention can, on the one hand, provide for dirt to be detected via marker substances in the treatment chamber itself, and thus not only generally determine whether dirt has been detected anywhere in the treatment chamber, but also where. Targeted cleaning or targeted removal of this dirt, which is then achieved with the enzymes, is then more easily possible. Furthermore, the best possible local conditions for the effectiveness of these enzymes can be created, in particular by influencing the temperature. This allows the enzymes to work as effectively as possible in the treatment chamber. On the other hand, a further development of the invention can achieve optimal storage of the enzymes in a storage room for this purpose, possibly also in the aforementioned storage system, generally at room temperature, i.e., a lower temperature than for their optimal operating conditions during the cleaning process. Furthermore, by selecting a temperature, possibly also by adding water, it is possible to adjust a transition from solid to liquid or vice versa, in order to better store the marker substances and/or the enzymes.

In a further possible embodiment of the invention, an analysis of wastewater from the treatment chamber can be carried out to determine whether a certain minimum amount of dirt or any dirt or contaminants at all are still present anywhere in the treatment chamber in order to carry out step a) of applying the marker substances or so that this appears to be sensible. Advantageously, this step a) with the application of the marker substances is only carried out if a minimum amount of dirt has been detected in the treatment chamber or in the wastewater. This minimum amount can possibly also vary depending on the respective type of dirt.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the marker substances are only applied to certain restricted areas within the treatment chamber. This allows them to be applied in a targeted manner, making it possible to specifically check for dirt or contamination. Then, using the aforementioned detection means, it is only possible to detect or check whether dirt is present on or in the objects in these specific areas or in a specific area. This makes it possible for the detection means, possibly also a nozzle device for the marker substances, to be designed in a simpler manner. Furthermore, Above all, the consumption of marker substances can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, the consumption of marker substances can be reduced to a necessary level.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, it is possible to carry out an optical detection method using UV light. Additionally or alternatively, UV light can be used in the aforementioned step S) to activate enzymes. This is generally known, which makes it possible for the enzymes to be more stable or easier to store in the non-activated state. An optical detection method using UV light is known from the aforementioned DE 10 2016 202 267 A1 known.

In a further development of the invention, the enzymes can be applied in liquid solution to the objects to be cleaned, or to the contaminants or dirt. For this purpose, a nozzle device is advantageously used, in particular an adjustable nozzle device. For this purpose, it can be freely adjustable in space or along a line. In particular, its discharge direction can be freely adjusted. The aforementioned line can possibly run parallel to a rotational axis of a drum in a washing machine as a water-conducting household appliance.

In another embodiment of the invention, the enzymes can be applied to the objects, dirt, or contaminants together with other detergent substances. These should be applied together in a liquid form, possibly by storing them dry, for example, in powder form, and then dissolving them in a suitable liquid for easier transport and application.

In one embodiment of the invention, it is possible for a type of dirt to be identified when dirt is detected. Depending on the detected type of dirt, an enzyme suitable for removing this detected type of dirt, and optionally also another detergent or cleaning agent, can be selected from a set of several different enzymes or detergents and used for step E). This allows for the most precise cleaning possible, removing dirt or contaminants as effectively as possible while simultaneously requiring as little detergent as possible.

The invention provides that by introducing tempered or heated air and/or heated water into the treatment chamber, local conditions are created therein that are suitable for the effectiveness of the enzymes to remove the dirt or contaminants. Such air and/or water can be either They can be applied generally or over a large area, or specifically to areas or objects in or on which dirt has been detected and/or in or on which enzymes have been applied. Heating and/or moistening can ensure that the enzymes are as effective as possible in removing the contaminants. This is easily possible with appropriate nozzle devices for air and/or water. These can be the same as for the marker substances and/or enzymes.

For the aforementioned introduction of heated air and/or heated water, a pump mentioned above in the household appliance can have an integrated heater. In particular, this heater is integrated on or in the pump chamber, advantageously on an outer side of the pump chamber around an impeller. Such a pump can preferably be designed to convey air and/or water, wherein this air and/or water is heated simultaneously with the conveyance. This enables particularly efficient heating during flow. Such a pump is known, for example, from EP 2348944 B1 .

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is possible that after the application of the enzymes, which can optionally be carried out together with other detergent substances or surfactants, and after the creation of suitable local conditions for the effectiveness of these enzymes for cleaning, the objects are agitated in the treatment chamber. This is advantageously possible in a washing machine or washer-dryer, in particular by rotating a drum as the treatment chamber, with the objects being laundry items in the drum. By moving the objects in this way, the enzymes and any additional substances applied can, on the one hand, be better distributed over the surface of the objects near their application site. On the other hand, they can also penetrate a fabric or textile better to remove dirt or contaminants there. Such agitation of the objects should only take place for a limited time, advantageously for a maximum of five minutes or even just a maximum of one minute. Furthermore, such agitation can be relatively slight, for example by slowly rotating at a low speed of a maximum of 120 revolutions per minute, particularly advantageously a maximum of 5 to 10 revolutions per minute. This ensures that the enzymes and substances are not spread too widely, which could cause them to be moved too far from the location to which they were applied. After all, this location has been previously determined in the manner described above, so that the application has already been carried out in a relatively targeted manner. In a further development of the invention, it is even possible, when moving the treatment chamber with the objects therein, to not rotate the drum completely, but, for example, to only partially rotate it. rotate. This can advantageously be done in the form of a back-and-forth rocking motion, as an oscillating rocking motion.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is possible that after the one-time application of enzymes to areas or objects in the treatment chamber, in which dirt or contaminants have been detected, other areas within the treatment chamber or other objects are provided with the marker substances or the marker substances are applied to them. This makes it possible to detect whether dirt or contaminants are present there. In a washing machine or washer-dryer with a rotatable drum as the treatment chamber, this drum can be rotated in at least one direction in order to mix or move the objects located therein. In this way, the objects reachable by the marker substances can be exchanged or as many objects as possible can be reached by the marker substances. Such rotation of a drum can advantageously take place relatively slowly, for example at 1 to 10 revolutions per minute. As described above, it can also be provided in this step that the drum is not rotated completely, but rather oscillates back and forth or rocks. This also makes a certain movement of the objects possible, for example if the movement occurs with a rotation angle of 120° to 180°.

Preferably, the cleaning process is carried out until no more dirt or contaminants are detected after at least one, preferably at least two or three, executions of the detection process involving the application of marker substances and detection by means of the optical detection means. Five to ten executions are considered to be the upper limit. The detection process can particularly preferably be carried out at least three times, with the objects being remixed in the treatment chamber each time after each detection process has been carried out.

In simple terms, the marker substances and detection agents in the treatment chamber identify where dirt or contaminants are located on the objects. Enzymes and, if necessary, other detergent substances are then applied to the respective spots or areas. These can then take effect, possibly supported by setting a certain temperature and humidity. During this process, the objects can be advantageously moved within the treatment chamber. Finally, a rinsing step with water can be carried out, and then the process is repeated in order to see if there is still dirt or contamination on these areas or objects.

It is possible that in step S), an active condition from the following group is influenced: temperature, humidity, pH value of water or other liquids in the treatment chamber. This allows the enzymes and, if necessary, other substances to be activated or to work optimally. The parameters at which enzymes work optimally for certain types of soiling are known to the expert from publicly available literature (e.g., ACS Catal. 2018, 8, 11, 10876-10887).

The process is advantageously applied in a washing machine or washer-dryer, a water-based household appliance. The laundry or items of laundry are treated as objects to be cleaned. In a rotating drum of the washing machine, which serves as a treatment chamber, the laundry can also be agitated to allow the enzymes and any substances to work more effectively and to expose all areas, so to speak, to examine whether they have already been sufficiently cleaned or whether they still require further cleaning.

An alternative water-based household appliance is a dishwasher. Moving items may be somewhat more difficult here, but this can be achieved with partially movable dish baskets. The advantage of applying this method in a dishwasher is that the items, namely the dishes, are usually rigid and can therefore be moved more easily and predictably.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is possible for the nozzle device to be adjustable with respect to its nozzle direction. Such adjustability can be arbitrary, in particular in space, or alternatively along a line. Such a line should run parallel to a rotational axis of an aforementioned drum in order to be able to reach all points in at least a lower, middle, or upper region of the drum. The nozzle device can have a movable or adjustable nozzle on a rigid arm or the like. Alternatively, a nozzle can be arranged on an adjustable and articulated nozzle arm.

According to the invention, the aforementioned enzymes or other detergent substances are applied by means of a nozzle device. This may then be a different nozzle device than the one for the enzymes in order to achieve their optimal effectiveness by separating them. However, the two nozzle devices may optionally be The same nozzle arm can be designed, particularly advantageously, as a structural unit. This simplifies assembly and operation and generally requires less space. Furthermore, the nozzle device for the marker substances can also form a structural unit with the aforementioned detection means. This makes it very advantageous to align them in the same direction. This allows the enzymes and/or marker substances and/or detergent substances to be applied directly in the direction or to the area in which the detection means, e.g., a camera, are directed and where they have detected dirt or contamination.

The aforementioned pump preferably has an integrated heater. It can be designed to pump air and/or water, advantageously sequentially, but without exchanging components. Such a pump is known, for example, from the aforementioned EP 2348944 B1 .

These and other features emerge not only from the claims but also from the description and the drawings. The individual features may be implemented individually or in combination in one embodiment of the invention and in other fields, and may represent advantageous and protectable embodiments for which protection is claimed here. The division of the application into individual sections and subheadings does not limit the generality of the statements made therein.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

eine vereinfachte Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Waschmaschine als wasserführendes Haushaltsgerät,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung mehrerer Behälter mit Markerstoffen, Enzymen und pH-Wert-verändernden Stoffen,

Fig. 3

eine Variante mit einer Integration der drei Behälter aus Fig. 2 in eine übliche Schublade einer Waschmaschine, in der auch Waschmittel und ähnliche Substanzen eingebracht werden können,

Fig. 4

in einer seitlichen Darstellung eine mögliche vereinfachte Ausgestaltung der Anordnung von Detektionsmitteln und einer Düsenvorrichtung in eine Trommel der Waschmaschine hinein,

Fig. 5

eine Abwandlung der Darstellung aus Fig. 4 mit anders ausgebildeter Anordnung der Düsenvorrichtung und der Detektionsmittel und

Fig. 6

eine bewegbare Baueinheit mit Kamera und Düsenvorrichtung daran in Vergrößerung.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated schematically in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. The drawings show:

Fig. 1

a simplified representation of a washing machine according to the invention as a water-conducting household appliance,

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of several containers with marker substances, enzymes and pH-altering substances,

Fig. 3

a variant with an integration of the three containers from Fig. 2 into a normal washing machine drawer, in which detergents and similar substances can also be placed,

Fig. 4

in a side view a possible simplified embodiment of the arrangement of detection means and a nozzle device into a drum of the washing machine,

Fig. 5

a modification of the representation from Fig. 4 with a different arrangement of the nozzle device and the detection means and

Fig. 6

a movable unit with a camera and nozzle device attached, enlarged.

Detailed description of the implementation examples

In the Fig. 1 A washing machine 11 is shown with a housing 12. The washing machine 11 has a drum 15 with laundry items W therein. On the inside of the drum 15, carriers 20 are arranged in a known manner. They serve to mix the laundry items W as the drum 15 rotates.

Below the drum 15 is a sump 22, which leads into a drain 23. The drain 23 is connected to a valve V1 with three positions. In the closed position, no water can drain from the sump 22. In an open position to the right, water can be pumped into the wastewater 33 by a pump P1 and thus out of the washing machine 11.

In an open position to the left, a supply line Z connects to the valve V1, which leads to a pump P2. This pump P2 is advantageously designed as before with an integrated heating device. Thus, the pumped water can be heated simultaneously. In addition, it can be particularly advantageously designed as shown in the above-mentioned EP 2348944 B1 known, so that it can pump both water from the supply line Z and air drawn in from other sources. Both pumped water and pumped or conveyed air can be heated, which can advantageously be adjusted by a control 35 connected to the pump P2.

The pump P2 is connected to a valve V2, which is designed as a three-way valve. In an open position to the left, a supply line Z _A leads to an analysis unit A. This analysis unit is advantageously designed as shown, for example, in the EP 3 553 220 A1 known. In this analysis unit A, water from the drum 15 and thus from the washing process can be analyzed, for example, to determine whether any dirt is still present. If no dirt is detected, the washing process can be concluded. Furthermore, the analysis unit can additionally or alternatively record the pH value of the water and, if necessary, subsequently change it using measures to be described. Salts, for example, can be used to change the pH value. Other analyses are certainly possible, but not all of them need to be described here.

Water analyzed in the analysis unit A can be pumped out into the wastewater 33 via an outlet _AA and the pump P1. Alternatively, the outlet _AA could also lead back into the drum 15.

In the second open position, valve V2 leads via a supply line Z _B1 to a container B1. This container B1 can contain the marker substances M mentioned above, so that container B1 forms the storage system mentioned above. A drain A _B1 leads downwards from container B1 and to the right toward drum 15. This will be explained in more detail below.

In the third open position to the right, valve V2 leads to a container B2 via a supply line Z _B2 . Container B2 can contain, for example, the aforementioned enzymes E, or alternatively, the aforementioned detergents. From container B2, a drain _AB2 also leads downwards and to the right to drum 15.

The outlets _AB1 and _AB2 are combined and lead to the right to a nozzle D1, which leads into the drum 15 slightly more than halfway up, or at least points into it, even if it does not necessarily protrude into the drum 15. The nozzle D1 is designed to use water pressure due to the pumping power of the pump P2 to introduce water mixed with marker substances or enzymes, i.e. liquid, into the drum 15 in a targeted manner onto specific areas of laundry items W or individual laundry items W. The nozzle D1 can be designed such that its direction is adjustable. This is known from the prior art and can easily be achieved using appropriate mechanics. As an example, reference is made to the DE 10 2019 211 099 A1 Another possibility is from the aforementioned DE 10 2016 202 267 A1 known, to which explicit reference is also made. It may be possible for the above-described pumping of air by means of pump P2 to also take place via nozzle D1. However, a different access into drum 15 is advantageously provided here, which is not shown here for the sake of clarity.

In addition to or as an alternative to the nozzle D1, a further nozzle D2 can be provided, which leads from above to the drum 15 or extends into the drum 15. This location has the advantage that the nozzle D2 can easily reach any point on the surface formed by the laundry items W with a jet. Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, a camera K is also arranged on top of the drum 15, for example as the optical detection means mentioned above. The camera K is designed, for example when using UV light, to radiate this light either over a large area or widely fanned out into the drum 15 onto the laundry items W in order to make it visible whether dirt has been The object has been marked with marker substances to detect it. Alternatively, the UV light can be directed at a relatively narrow angle with a cone angle of 110°. Camera K itself is also aligned in exactly this direction, so that it can capture what is visible in the area irradiated with UV light.

Camera K is connected to controller 35, as is the aforementioned UV light source. Furthermore, controller 35 is also connected to nozzle D2. Not shown, but of course present, are connections from controller 35 to valves V1 to V3, the two pumps P1 and P2, as well as to analysis unit A and the two containers B1 and B2. A drive for drum 15 is also connected to this.

Top left shows how an inlet 25 branches off downwards from the fresh water inlet 24 and leads via a third valve V3 to tank B2. The purpose of this is to allow cold fresh water to be introduced into tank B2 containing the enzymes. At the same time, warm or even hot water can be supplied via pump P2 and valve V2 using the supply line Z _B2 . By mixing the cold fresh water with the warm or hot water, a precise temperature setting for the water and thus also for the mixed-in enzymes is possible. In this way, optimal operating conditions for their effectiveness on the dirt can be created according to the invention in terms of temperature. The same temperature can and should then prevail in the drum 15 containing the laundry items W, which is easily possible if the water, which has been heated to the appropriate temperature by mixing, is introduced into the drum 15.

To carry out the method according to the invention or the washing process described above, the laundry items W are placed in the drum 15 and can advantageously be moistened first. This can help detect dirt, in particular to improve the effectiveness of the marker substances. The marker substances M are then metered from the container B1 into the supplied water by means of the pump P2 and the valve V2 and applied specifically to a portion of the laundry items W by means of the nozzle D1 and optionally D2. These laundry items W are advantageously stationary, as is the drum 15. The camera K is aimed precisely at the area to which the nozzles D1 and optionally D2 were aimed and where they applied the marker substances M. Possibly with the aid of the aforementioned UV light, the camera K then detects whether the marker substances have marked dirt or other contaminants. The exact procedure for this process can also be found in DE 10 2016 202 267 A1.

If no dirt was detected, the controller 35 causes the drum 15 to rotate slightly in order to distribute the laundry items W and thus bring new laundry items W that have not yet been searched to a location that can be examined by the camera K using the marker substances M. Alternatively, the nozzles D1 and/or D2 as well as the camera H can be moved if designed accordingly, advantageously moved synchronously with alignment to the same new area, so that a new area or new laundry items W can then be examined without any movement of the laundry items W in the drum 15. In any case, according to both options, the examination begins again by first applying marker substances and then detecting by means of the camera K whether dirt has been marked and thus detected.

If dirt is detected or identified in a specific area on laundry items W during the inspection, enzymes E are first applied from container B2 via nozzles D1 and optionally D2, again using pump P2 and valve V2, by pumping water from container B2 to the exact area where the dirt was detected. The enzymes are optionally applied using water at an appropriate temperature to ensure the greatest possible effectiveness against the dirt. Furthermore, after the enzymes have been applied to the laundry items W, warm water can be applied again for better soaking and better action. Alternatively, this can also be used to introduce higher humidity for greater effectiveness of the enzymes against the dirt. As a further option, to improve effectiveness by increasing the temperature, if sufficient humidity is already present and the enzymes are not to be further diluted or rinsed out, warm air can be introduced or blown onto these areas in the manner described above using pump P2 and nozzles D1 and/or D2. This way, the enzymes are not diluted too much or washed away by the dirt.

These two steps of applying enzymes and creating suitable local conditions can be repeated, especially if the presence of heavy contamination has previously been detected by camera K. If necessary, the enzymes can be applied multiple times, or the sequence of the two steps can be repeated several times as described above.

In a possible further step, water for rinsing can then be applied to the treated areas or laundry items W by means of the pump P2, the valve V2 and the nozzles D1 and/or D2 again without moving the laundry items W in the drum 15, whereby the dirt and also the enzymes are to be rinsed away in order to pass through the sump 22 and the Outlet 23 to be pumped into the wastewater 33. Then, using the marker substances, it can be examined again according to the aforementioned examination step to determine whether any further dirt can be detected. If no dirt can be detected, the laundry items W are either moved again by rotating the drum 15 in order to detect new, possibly soiled areas. Alternatively, another area of the stationary laundry items W can be examined in the aforementioned manner by moving the nozzles D1 and/or D2 as well as the camera K.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is possible to introduce substances from another container that promote the active conditions for the enzymes to act on the dirt or that act against the dirt in an alternative way. These can also be applied in a targeted manner using nozzles D1 and/or D2, possibly also using additional nozzles or means for introduction.

It is also possible for conventional or special detergent to be introduced from the drawer 26 into the washing operation or process at a selected time. This can be done, for example, in a pre-wash cycle to first attempt to remove easily removable dirt from the laundry items W. Detergent can also possibly be used in addition to the enzymes for local cleaning of the laundry items W. The detergent can be introduced into the drum 15 over a large area using water from the fresh water inlet 24 and the water inlet 30. It is also easy to imagine that it is fed to the pump P2, for example, via another valve in the supply line Z, in order to then be applied to the laundry items W under pressure through the nozzles D1 and/or D2.

From the Fig. 1 It can also be seen how fresh water from the fresh water inlet 24 can possibly be led through the drawer 26 to the camera K via an inlet branch 31 in order to clean it.

In the Fig. 2 A simplified enlargement is shown, showing how three containers B1, B2, and B3 are arranged on the supply line _ZB . These containers B1 to B3, shown individually here, can optionally be designed as a single cartridge, as shown in dashed lines. This allows them to be replaced together, as is common with printer cartridges. However, it is advantageous to use individual containers, as this only requires replacing those that are actually empty and used up.

The aforementioned marker substances M are contained in container B1 on the far left. Via an outlet (not explained in detail here), which can be controlled by the controller 35, the marker substances M enter the water in the supply line Z _B , are mixed with it and can then be introduced into the drum 15. In a similar way, enzymes E can be dosed into the supply line Z _B in container B2 to the right by the controller 35. Here, as previously explained, the inlet 25 with fresh water is provided. It can either lead directly into container B2, as shown, or advantageously into the supply line Z _B directly in front of container B2. By controlling the valve V3 in the inlet 25 using the controller 35, together with the water heated by the pump P2, a precise desired temperature can be set for optimal effectiveness of the enzymes E on the dirt. Furthermore, it can be provided that the enzymes E are stored in container B2 in such a way that they can be kept for as long as possible or have maximum effectiveness for as long as possible.

On the right, another container B3 is arranged with substances S in it, arranged in the same way as the other containers. These substances S can, for example, change the pH value as described above, and can be salts, for example.

It is easy to imagine from the above description and from the Fig. 2 that considerably more containers B can be provided for different marker substances M for the detection of different types of dirt and, above all, for different enzymes E in order to be able to work as effectively as possible against different types of dirt for optimal cleaning of the laundry items W. For example, three to five or even up to ten different enzymes E can be provided. These can either be used together if the detected dirt requires it. Alternatively, they can be used one after the other if, for example, different types of dirt have been detected using marker substances M with different effectiveness. This is easy to imagine for a person skilled in the art.

In the Fig. 3 A further embodiment of the invention is shown, in which two compartments 127a and 127b are provided in a drawer 126 with a fresh water inlet 124 on the left. For example, different detergents can be provided in compartment 127a, and fabric softener in compartment 127b. The water inlet 130 functions with a known overflow from the compartments 127a and 127b and, like the water inlet 30 of the Fig. 1 to the washing machine drum.

On the right side of drawer 126 there are three containers B1, B2 and B3 according to the Fig. 2 They can have the same function or the same content. In the case of drawer 126 of the Fig. 3 the supply line Z _B is connected to the drawer 126 or to its containers B1, B2 and B3. Water can then be pumped along the outlet line _AB by pump P2, with the contents of one of these containers mixed in.

In the Fig. 4 For an alternative washing machine 211, a drum 215 is shown, viewed from the side, arranged in a drum receptacle 214. It is rotatably mounted on the right-hand side on a pivot bearing 217; a connection to a drive motor is not shown here, but is easily conceivable. Access to the drum 215 is possible via the door 216. A circumferential seal 218 is shown in simplified form between the drum 215 and the door 216. Drivers 220 are arranged on the inside of the drum 215. Items of laundry W to be cleaned lie at the bottom of the drum 215.

A structural unit 237 is passed through the seal 218 from above, on which a camera K, UV illuminants (not shown), and a nozzle D are arranged. The structural unit 237 is movable, advantageously freely movable in all directions, at least in one area, in order to be aligned with the laundry items W in the drum 215. A very highly focused liquid jet (shown in dashed lines) is indicated for the nozzle D and is directed onto a portion of the laundry items W. This allows marker substances M to be applied locally, very precisely, or specifically, to an area of the laundry items W. The same applies to the enzymes E, both in liquid. A very narrow cone of the camera K is aligned with the same area, as can be clearly seen. The UV illumination (not shown) can have the same very narrow cone, or possibly a somewhat wider one. In any case, it is important that the camera K and the UV illuminants do not both have a much larger detection area than the area in which the nozzle D applies liquid. Thus, the camera K or a UV illumination is advantageously bundled in a similarly narrow beam.

When presenting the Fig. 4 It is easy to imagine that by moving the assembly 237 with camera K and nozzle D, other areas of the upward-facing surface of the laundry items W can also be examined and then advantageously cleaned using the enzymes E. It is equally easy to imagine how the laundry items W can be mixed up by rotating the drum 215, for example at a low speed or rotational speed of a maximum of 10 revolutions per minute. In this way, new and not yet cleaned or possibly soiled laundry items W can be brought to the top, where dirt on them can be detected and then specifically removed.

In the Fig. 5 is another washing machine 311 similar to the one from Fig. 4 shown with a drum holder 314, a drum 315, a door 316, a circumferential seal 318 and drivers 320 in the drum 315. Through the pivot bearing 317 runs here a passage 319. In this passage, a support tube 338 runs sealed, which has at its end a structural unit 337 similar to that of Fig. 4 Also in the Fig. 4 Such a support tube 238 is provided, through which fluid lines, such as the outlet A _B to the nozzle D, run, as well as electrical lines for the camera K and the UV lamps. Also not shown are corresponding actuators for moving the assembly 337.

The assembly 337 has a camera K and a nozzle D as well as UV lamps (not shown). Fig. 5 When moved to the far right, the assembly 337 barely protrudes into the drum 315 and thus only minimally disrupts the washing process. At the same time, even in this position, an area of the laundry items W located to the left of it can be reached or grasped for inspection and cleaning.

The dashed line shows a position for the assembly 337 on the support tube 338, in which it has been moved far or even as far as it will go to the left. This allows it to reach any area on the top of the laundry items W even better, allowing it to optically detect dirt and then remove it using the enzymes or clean the laundry items W.

The obvious advantage of arranging unit 237 in Fig. 4 very high compared to that in Fig. 5 is that the method according to the invention can be carried out even when the drum is very full with laundry items W. However, the arrangement and feeding through the seal 218 are not entirely simple. Furthermore, when the drum is extremely full with laundry items W, the method can only be carried out with considerable effort, since it will probably require a very large number of passes in order to examine small areas of the laundry items W for dirt with sufficient frequency and then clean them.

In the Fig. 6 The structural unit 337 is shown enlarged. A head 339 is movably arranged on the support tube 338. The mobility can be implemented with a cardan suspension or in a similar manner so that the head 339 can be rotated as desired, at least in areas below its horizontal plane. Two nozzles D1 and D2 as well as an aforementioned camera K are arranged on the head 339. The respective directions or directions are shown; run almost parallel and meet at a distance of 10 cm to 50 cm in a small area or even at a point. This ensures that, for example, marker substances M are applied to the same spot through the nozzle D1, and enzymes through the nozzle D2. This spot can be monitored or recorded using the camera K.

A UV light source U is arranged directly next to camera K. Similar to camera K itself, this source can be aligned to the same location and have a strong focus. Thus, an area illuminated with UV light by UV light source U can be approximately as large as the detection range of camera K. This enables precise UV illumination of areas marked with marker substances M on laundry items W in exactly the area to which camera K is aligned.

Based on the Fig. 6 It is also easy to imagine that, for the specific design of the camera K, a semiconductor chip, for example as a CCD or as a lab-on-chip, is arranged directly in the head 339, i.e. very close to a camera lens. Alternatively, a light guide can be provided from the head 339 out of the drum 315, which leads to an aforementioned semiconductor chip arranged outside and thus protected. The semiconductor chip can also be arranged very close to the controller 35, possibly even in a structural unit or in a housing with it. The same can also apply to the UV light source U. It can be arranged, for example, with a UV LED, either directly in the head 339 or alternatively be led out of the drum 315 by means of a light guide. Thus, it can also be arranged outside of it and protected.

Claims (15)

1. Method for operating a water-conducting domestic appliance (11, 211, 311), wherein the domestic appliance (11, 211, 311) comprises:

   - a treatment chamber (15, 215, 315),

   - a supply system (B) containing marker substances (M) and enzymes (E),

   - a nozzle device (D) for applying the marker substances (M) to objects (W) in the treatment chamber (15, 215, 315), the nozzle device (D) being connected to the supply system (B),

   - means (D1) for introducing water into the treatment chamber (15, 215, 315) and a water supply (Z) therefor,

   - heating means for the water,

   - a pump (P2) in the water supply (Z),

   - detection means (K) designed for an optical detection method for detecting dirt marked with the marker substances (M),

   with the steps:

   a) marker substances (M) are applied to objects (W) to be cleaned in the treatment chamber (15, 215, 315) by means of the means (D1) for introducing water into the treatment chamber (15, 215, 315), preferably only on some of the objects (W) in the treatment chamber (15, 215, 315) or only in a specific area of the treatment chamber (15, 215, 315),

   b) an optical detection method is used to detect whether the marker substances (M) have marked dirt on the objects (W) to be cleaned, whereby the dirt is detected in such a way,

   characterised by the step:
   c) if dirt has been detected, the following two steps E) and S) are carried out in an arbitrary order:

   E) applying enzymes (E) by means of the means (D1) for introducing water into the treatment chamber (15, 215, 315) to objects (W) or areas on which dirt has been detected,

   S) creating suitable local conditions for the enzymes (E) to be effective on the dirt in terms of temperature and/or humidity of the objects (W),

   wherein the enzymes (E) are designed to remove the detected dirt,

   wherein suitable local conditions for the effectiveness of the enzymes (E) are created by introducing tempered or heated air and/or water into the treatment chamber (15, 215, 315), wherein air and/or water are applied either generally or over a large area or specifically to areas or objects (W) in which dirt has been detected and/or into which the enzymes (E) have been applied.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised by an analysis (A) of waste water from the treatment chamber (15, 215, 315) to determine whether a certain minimum amount of dirt is still present in the waste water or in the treatment chamber (15, 215, 315) in order to carry out step a) of applying the marker substances (M).
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the marker substances (M) are only applied to certain limited areas within the treatment chamber (15, 215, 315), wherein only in these certain areas is it detected by means of detection means (K) in the optical detection method whether dirt is present on the objects (W), wherein preferably a nozzle direction of the nozzle device (D) is adjusted, in particular adjusted arbitrarily in space or adjusted along a line which runs parallel to an axis of rotation of the drum (15, 215, 315).
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the optical detection method is carried out using UV light and/or UV light is used in step S) to activate the enzymes (E).
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the enzymes (E) are applied in liquid solution, preferably by means of a nozzle device (D), and/or that the enzymes (E) are applied together with other detergent substances, preferably in a common liquid form.
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, when dirt is detected, a type of dirt is also identified and, depending on this, an enzyme (E) suitable for removing this identified type of dirt is selected from a quantity of several different enzymes (E) and used for step E).
7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pump (P2) is provided with an integrated heater for introducing heated air and/or heated water, the pump (P2) preferably being designed to convey air and/or water and also to heat them at the same time.
8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, after the enzymes (E) have been applied, optionally together with further detergent substances, and suitable local conditions for the effectiveness of the enzymes (E) have been created, the objects (W) are moved in the treatment chamber (15, 215, 315), preferably by rotating a rotatable drum (15, 215, 315) as a treatment chamber with the objects (W) therein, in particular for a maximum time of 5 minutes, preferably at a low speed of maximum 120 revolutions per minute.
9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, after the enzymes (E) have been applied once to areas or objects (W) in which dirt has been detected, other areas within the treatment chamber (15, 215, 315) or other objects (W) are provided with the marker substances (M) and it is detected whether dirt is present there, preferably in a washing machine (11, 211, 311) by rotating the drum (15, 215, 315) in at least one direction and by mixing the objects (W) located therein in order to exchange the objects (W) that can be reached by the marker substances (M), wherein, in particular, the drum (15, 215, 315) is rotated slowly at 1 to 10 revolutions per minute.
10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cleaning method is carried out until, after at least one, preferably at least three, carrying out the detection process with the application of marker substances (M) and detection by means of the optical detection means (K), no more dirt has been detected, wherein the detection process is preferably carried out at least three times and each time after a detection process has been carried out, the objects (W) are remixed in the treatment chamber (15, 215, 315).
11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that step S) is additionally directed towards an active condition from the following group: introduction of ozone or pH value of water in the treatment chamber (15, 215, 315).
12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that that when the method is used in a washing machine (11, 211, 311) as a water-conducting domestic appliance for washing laundry (W) as items to be cleaned, the speed of the drum (15, 215, 315) as a treatment chamber for preparing the laundry items (W) or for mixing the laundry items (W) is between 5 0 and 400 revolutions per minute, in particular between 60 and 100 revolutions per minute.
13. Water-conducting domestic appliance (11, 211, 311) designed to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the water-conducting domestic appliance (11, 211, 311) comprises:

    - a treatment chamber (15, 215, 315),

    - means (D1) for introducing water, enzymes (E) and marker substances (M) into the treatment chamber (15, 215, 315) and a water supply (Z) therefor,

    - heating means for the water,

    - a pump (P2) in the water supply (Z),

    - detection means (K) for the optical detection method,

    characterised by a nozzle device (D) including a supply system (B) for introducing marker substances (M) onto objects in the treatment chamber (15, 215, 315).
14. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 13, characterised in that the detection means (K) for the optical detection method have UV light sources (U), wherein in particular the detection means are designed in a structural unit with a camera (K) as optical detection means.
15. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 13 or 14, characterised by a nozzle device (D) for applying the enzymes (E) in liquid solution and/or by a nozzle device (D) for applying the marker substances (M), wherein the nozzle device (D) for the marker substances (M) is designed together with the detection means (K) according to claim 14 and/or together with the nozzle device (D) for the enzymes (E) as a structural unit, in particular together with a UV light source (U) and a camera (K) according to claim 14.

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