WO2008128899A2 - Washing machine comprising a unit for adding detergent active ingredients in portions - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a washing machine which operates using a method for adding solid or liquid detergent active ingredients in portions and comprises an electronic programme control unit (12) in addition to devices (13) for entering and/or determining information concerning the desired or required composition of a treatment programme, for determining and/or entering washing-related parameters, i.e. the type of washing introduced into the washing machine (15), the degree of soiling and/or the weight of said washing. Information concerning the detergent active ingredients and the washing is read in from automatically readable information carriers (20) by means of a read device (10, 18) and the programme control unit (12) calculates and issues recommendations for the addition of a particular type of a detergent active ingredient and the amount of said ingredient in conjunction with this information, the chosen treatment programme and the washing-related parameters.

Description

 Washing machine with a device for portioned addition of

active detergents

The invention relates to a washing machine with a device and a method for the portioned addition of detergent active ingredients and with an electronic

Program control device and with means for inputting and / or determining

Information about the desired or required compilation of a

Treatment program and for determining and / or entering laundry related

Parameters, namely the type, the pollution and / or the mass of the introduced into the washing machine laundry.

Such a program-controlled household appliance is described as a washing machine in DE 101 48 454 A1. There, depending on the composition of a selected treatment program and other process parameters, the u. a. Also concern the good to be treated (amount, type, degree of contamination) and stored in a memory, the type of detergent active and the required amount of portion to be added determined and displayed, so that the customer based on the display, the necessary measures by their own Selection and dimensioning of the detergent active meets. A reading device according to the invention is not disclosed.

A weakness of this known washing machine is that the act of the customer may be erroneous and not controlled. In this way, a wrong selection and dosage of detergent detergent and an incorrect, possibly even harmful treatment of the laundry are possible.

A known device for inputting data into an electronic control device of a washing machine according to DE 33 03 292 A1 describes data carriers having magnetically, electrically or optically readable code elements for the coded representation of the data to be entered. Such a disk is for reading the data in a control device, eg. B. in the vicinity of the setting for the container of the detergent in question or on its way there, to lead past a reading device. The data relate, for example, to the type, the concentrate strength and / or the metered quantities. However, the control device can also automatically calculate the dosage required in the respective treatment program. However, this known device requires liquid detergent ingredients that are stored in larger quantities within the washing machine, and leaves for the manual Portioning of powdery or otherwise solid detergent active ingredients no possibility open.

In an identification element according to EP 0 624 312 A1, information in the form of a bar code or another automatically evaluable representation, eg. B. in the form of a transponder. This is a sender sending out an evaluable information signal. Such a known identification system can also be used for the treatment of textiles.

DE 100 39 408 A1 discloses a domestic appliance for cleaning objects, in particular a washing machine or a dishwasher with a device for detecting at least one parameter of a detergent used in order to achieve a better dosage. It is also proposed to make the dosage in the program sequence control additionally dependent on the type, the pollution and the amount of objects to be cleaned. As a device for detecting the detergent information, a reading unit is provided, which may be a bar code reader, a transponder reader or a card reader for smart cards. A reading device according to the invention or a display for displaying the metered amount are not disclosed.

DE 197 47 150 relates to a household appliance with a device for reading out information stored on machine-readable transponders on textile products. In this case, the reading device is located near the charging port of a household appliance, in this case a washing machine. A built-in the aperture reader reading detergent information is not disclosed.

DE 101 44 667 discloses a household appliance with a device for reading out and evaluating data stored in a transponder. However, a program control device which can calculate from the data a Dosiermengenempfehlung and display on a display is not disclosed.

The object of the present invention was to provide a washing machine and a method for the portioned addition of detergent active ingredients with which external information for a dosage recommendation and its display can be used. This object is achieved by a washing machine with a device 21 for portioned adding detergent ingredients and with an electronic program control device 12 and with means 13 for inputting and / or determining information about the desired or required compilation of a treatment program and for determining and / or Inputting laundry-related parameters, namely the type, the dirtiness and / or the mass of the laundry 15 introduced into the washing machine, as well as with a reading device 18 for automatically reading in information on a detergent active substance to be used in the treatment program in an automatically readable Information carrier 20 are included, wherein the program control device 12, a recommendation for the addition of a certain type of one of several detergent active ingredients and its amount depending on the information, the selected Behandlungslu ngsprogramm and the laundry-related parameters can be calculated and output, characterized in that the reading device 18 is disposed behind a control panel 16 and that a display 14 is present, on which the recommendation can be displayed.

The reading device is preferably a transponder (RFI D-Tags) recognizing reading device. The attachment of the reading device behind or integrated into the control panel is particularly advantageous for the user, because the control panel is located in a convenient for the manual passing objects height. This avoids a complex handling with external readers and sensors, which are attached to inaccessible places of the device, for example in the region of the filling opening.

Preferably, the reading device is marked as such on the control panel. If it is an optical reading device, it may expediently also be provided a window in the control panel.

Another advantage of mounting the reading device in the region of the control panel is the fact that the electronics of the reading device can be connected to the existing board or can be mounted on this.

In a preferred embodiment, the reading device is designed to not only

Information about a detergent but also read information about the laundry to be washed. For example, laundry items can also be used Information carriers, such as transponders are provided, as already described in DE 197 47 150 A1 and DE 198 55 503 A1.

The invention further relates to a method for the portioned addition of detergent active ingredients in a washing machine with an electronic program control device, and with means for inputting and / or determining information about the desired or required compilation of a treatment program and for determining and / or entering laundry-related parameters, namely, the type, the pollution and / or the mass of the introduced into the washing machine laundry, characterized in that information about detergent ingredients to be used in the treatment program, and information about the laundry are read from automatically readable information carriers, and that of the program control device Recommendation for the addition of a particular type of detergent active and its amount depending on the information calculated by the chosen treatment program and the laundry-related parameters is given.

This method is particularly advantageous since it can process the information about detergent active ingredients together with information about the laundry items to be washed, and from this an optimal treatment program can be created.

Conveniently, the information carriers are transponders, but other types of information carriers may be used, e.g. Bar codes and the like, as long as the information carriers are automatically read out.

Particularly suitable is the method for laundry articles which in turn are provided with transponders which contain information about the type of the laundry item, for example the type of material (for example, silk, wool, etc.), the color and the manufacturer's instructions to wash program (for example, 30 ⁰ C without spin ). Furthermore, the method is preferably configured such that the user only has to pass the items of laundry in the region of the reading device before inserting them into the washing machine and the reading device recognizes the items of laundry on their information carriers and can pass on this information to the program control unit. In addition, the reader should also be able to determine the weight or mass of the laundry after loading has been completed in order to match the dosage to the laundry item. Reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing, the invention is explained in more detail below. In the drawing show

Fig. 1 shows a washing machine in a side view, wherein the lying within its housing 1, essential to the invention parts are shown in phantom for simplicity, Fig. 2 is a front view of the washing machine with representation of possible positions of

Fig. 3 is a top view of a detergent drawer with three chambers for pre-wash, main wash and rinse.

The tub 2 is mounted oscillating within the housing 1 in a manner not shown. It encloses a laundry drum 3, which can be driven at the rear via a belt drive 4 by an electric motor 5 which is suspended at the bottom of the tub 2. At the front, the laundry drum 3 and the tub 2 have aligned and approximately equally large feed openings 6, which are connected via a rubber sleeve 7 with a loading opening 9 in the housing 1. Through these openings, the laundry drum 3 can be loaded with clothing 15 and unloaded from it. The loading opening 9 is closed for the operation of the washing machine with a door 8.

Above the loading opening 9 is a reading device 10, 18 which is preferably designed as a transponder (RFID tags) recognizing reading device. With such a reading device, for example, provided with transponders garments can be detected, as described in DE 197 47 150 A1. With such a reading device 10, 18 and transponder 20 can be read, for example, are added to a package 19 for a detergent active and contain information about the adjunct detergent detergent.

The read information can be forwarded via a data line 11 to a program control device 12, which is responsible for the acceptance and further processing of inputs by the customer in input devices 13 and for the control of the entire

Treatment process is used. In this program control device 12, the read information is also converted into recommendations for the selection and metering of the detergent active substance as a function of process parameters and readably reproduced on a display display 14 (FIG. 2). Behind the control panel 16 shown in Fig. 2, the control device 12 is mounted. It can be supplied by the customer with desired parameters (program and additional parameter input) through the input elements 13 (rotary selector and keys). From this and from other values measured or sensed in the machine over the laundry items or fixed specifications, the control device 12 calculates a program composition and recommendations for the addition of detergent active ingredients which the customer has to enter into a detergent dispensing device (FIG the aperture 17 is located in the upper region of the machine housing 1.

Prerequisite for these recommendations is that the memory (not shown separately) of the controller 12 contains data from detergents. This may have received a new washing machine by a default, which has already been stored in the factory. However, they can also be stored by measures of the customer with the washing machine switched on. For this purpose, a reading device 10 is arranged on the housing 1 of the washing machine according to the dashed representation - as in FIG. 1 - in the vicinity of the loading opening 9 above the door 8. This is conveniently the location of choice, although laundry with transponders are read when inserted into the laundry drum. If no laundry transponder reading device 10 is provided, the reading device 18 can be better mounted behind the control panel 16. At this (or the reading device 10) can then be an information carrier 20 of a detergent active, z. B. when passing the attached to the packaging 19 information carrier 20, are read. His information contains data about the laundry detergent active ingredient in the package 19; they are now stored in the memory of the controller and used for the treatment process currently being prepared as well as for later to be prepared treatment processes. The data stored in the memory of the controller apply until they are replaced by new data for the respective detergent active.

The detergent drawer 21 depicted from above in FIG. 3 is completely removed from its cavity in the housing 1 of the washing machine and releases the view of the chambers open at the top for the provision of individual portions of detergent active ingredients. The chamber 22 marked with I for powdery prewashing agent and the chamber 23 marked with Il for main powdered laundry include the liquid detergent compartment 24 marked with a flower symbol * between them. It also contains a siphon 25 through which the fabric softener can flow to the tub 2 out. Incidentally, all detergent active ingredients are transported to the suds container 2 by fresh water introduced into the chamber from above - via valves (not shown) connected by the control device.

Instead of a reading device 10 or 18, the data in a washing machine, which is connected to a data network interface to a data network, read in at any other point of the data network or from there again to the control device 12 of the washing machine. Of course, if this data network is a local area network then this data must be available on this local network. Of course, if the local network can also be coupled to a global network, then data relating to particular detergent active ingredients can of course be obtained from this global network. For this purpose, the data in the information carrier 20 can be a reference to the retrieval location in the global network, eg. As the UBA number of the laundry detergent or a URL address. From there, the required data is available.

The information transmitted to the controller should contain at least the following information:

Type of detergent active (full, color, wool, fine, curtain or similar detergent, fabric softener)

- Dosage recommendations depending on the amount of laundry, degree of soiling and water hardness

- Furthermore, the following data may also be part of the information:

- Manufacturer identifier, z. B. brand, for display in the display 14th

- Product information of other products of the detergent manufacturer (for advertising). The data may be in standardized form, eg. B. with the composition of detergent ingredients for the most important, be stored in all detergents same substances. As a result, the recommendations can be adapted to the respective washing machine type. For example, the dosage recommendation may be lower if the type of washing machine in question is designed for the utilization of certain detergent properties (eg enzymes). Furthermore, the control device of a washing machine can adapt a treatment process especially to certain parts of the transmitted information.

The calculation procedure for a dosage recommendation can take place as follows: Switching on the washing machine, selection of a washing program, if necessary with choice of additional parameters.

The controller calculates the maximum load and gives a recommendation for a particular type of detergent active. This recommendation can be given by the following table:

Program selection detergent type

Washing temperature ≥ 60 ° C heavy-duty detergent

Coloreds up to 50 ° C color detergent

Easy care up to 50 ° C mild detergent

Special program curtains Curtain detergents

Wool wool detergent

If the control device already knows the dosing recommendation for a particular detergent active ingredient from a manufacturer, the product name is displayed immediately. For this purpose, for example, the product name is output for which this dosing recommendation was last read.

Confirmation of recommendation or selection of another detergent active by the customer from a list stored in the machine.

Instead of the selection from the list, new data of another detergent active ingredient can also be entered and stored. These data are then immediately provided for the prepared treatment program. As confirmation, the product name of the selected active ingredient and the product or manufacturer's mark are displayed.

Choice of a degree of contamination.

The default value is "normally dirty." This value can be changed by the customer to "low" or "heavily soiled." If sensors for automatically detecting the degree of soiling are present in the washing machine, the recommendation will automatically take this into account. The hardness of the water is when installing the washing machine once after the information provided by the responsible waterworks and stored in the memory.

Filling the laundry

The loading quantity is shown as% value in the display and the dosage recommendation for the indicated detergent in ml or number of measuring cups (related to the filling volume of the assigned measuring cup). This metering recommendation is calculated by the control device of the washing machine as a function of the set water hardness, the selected (or measured) degree of contamination and the determined amount of laundry according to the manufacturer of the detergent active ingredient.

For the customer, by applying the invention several advantages. He no longer has to worry about the choice of the most suitable detergent active ingredient and the required amount of detergent. As a result, overdosing of detergent is unlikely. Even underdosing, which in the long run accompanied by poor washing results and finally graying the laundry, are thus better avoidable. Ecological aspects can be better taken into account, because the selection of detergent types is targeted, for example, no heavy duty detergent at lower wash temperatures than 60 ° C. Furthermore, the properties of the detergent ingredients can be optimally utilized in this way. For detergent manufacturers there is the advantage of closer brand presence and stronger product loyalty of the customer.

The invention can also be applied to automatic dosing and adding devices (not shown here) of washing machines. For this purpose, the recommendation is expediently convertible into a function for automatically adding a machine-sized portion of a particular detergent active selected according to the recommendation. The dosing and adding device will then implement the recommendation directly into a measure for the correct dosing of a specific, of several stored in the machine detergent ingredients and enforce the treatment process at the most appropriate time automatically.

Claims

claims A washing machine having means (21) for portioning detergent ingredients and having electronic program control means (12) and means (13) for inputting and / or determining information about the desired or required composition of a treatment program and for determining and / or or inputting laundry-related parameters, namely the type, the pollution and / or the mass of the laundry (15) introduced into the washing machine, as well as with a Reading device (18) for automatically reading in information contained in an automatically readable information carrier (20) via a detergent active substance to be used in the treatment program, wherein the program control device (12) makes a recommendation for the addition of a specific type of one of several Detergents and its amount depending on the Information can be calculated and output from the selected treatment program and the laundry-related parameters, characterized in that the reading device (18) behind a control panel (16) is arranged and that a display (14) is present, on which the recommendation can be displayed. A washing machine according to claim 1 including means for automatically adding mechanically sized portions of detergent actives, characterized in that the recommendation is convertible into a function for automatically adding a machine sized portion of a particular detergent active selected according to the recommendation. 3. Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reading device (18) is designed as a transponder (RFID tags) recognizing reading device. 4. Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reading device (18) for reading in information from information carriers (20), both with respect to the detergent active ingredients and the laundry, is provided. A method of portioning detergent ingredients to a washing machine with electronic program control means (12) and means (13) for inputting and / or determining information about the desired or required composition of a treatment program and for determining and / or entering laundry related Parameters, namely the Type of soiling and / or the mass of the laundry introduced into the washing machine, characterized in that information about detergent active substances to be used in the treatment program and information about the laundry are read from automatically readable information carriers (20) and by the program control device ( 12) a recommendation for the addition of a particular type of detergent active and its amount depending on the information, the selected treatment program and the laundry-related parameters is calculated and output. 6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the detergent active ingredients are in solid or liquid form. 7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the information carrier (20) are added to the detergent active ingredients. 8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the information is in the form of bar code label. 9. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the information carrier (20) are transponders and the information in the form of Codings of retransmitted electrical or electronic properties are present. 10. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the information contains information about the type of detergent active ingredient. 11. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the information contains information about the laundry. 12. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the information contain dosing recommendations that vary depending on the selected wash program, amount of laundry, degree of soiling and water hardness. 13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the information includes a file that is output as a displayable manufacturer identifier. 14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the Information contains files that are output as displayable product information on other products of the manufacturer of the laundry detergent or laundry.