Method for washing laundry in a process-controlled household washing machine

Abstract

The washing process W does not immediately begin with a heating phase t IK -t OS at the beginning of a wash program with an untypically cold supply of water when a heating device is turned on, but rather once a delay phase D has elapsed. Said washing process ends after a post-wash phase without adding any heat energy once a defined constant time t EK -t OK has elapsed after the delay phase. The temperature of the water or lye at the end of or after the end of the period during which water is added F is determined. If the determined temperature is less than a standard value S for the amount of water which has freshly run into the lye container prior to the beginning of the washing process W, the heating device is turned on and the beginning of the washing process is postponed according to a defined duration of time D.

1 - 5 . (canceled)  
   
   
       6 . A method for washing laundry in a process-controlled household washing machine comprising a wash liquid container for receiving laundry and wash liquid intended for washing the laundry, wherein a heating device and a temperature sensor are attached, wherein water for washing is poured into the wash liquid container during a filling phase and the temperature sensor delivers signals for the respective temperature of the water or the wash liquid to the process control system during the washing phase and said process control system derives commands for controlling the heating device for heating the wash liquid from the temperature signals and wherein the typical washing process runs at a temperature of the water or the wash liquid at the level of a standard value with a heating phase which begins with switching on the device and a post-wash phase without adding further heat energy, and lasts for a defined constant time from the beginning of switching on the heating device until the end of the post-wash phase, wherein: 
 the temperature of the water or the wash liquid is determined at or after the end of the filling with water;    that at a determined temperature of less than a standard value for the amount of water which has freshly run into the wash liquid container before the beginning of the washing process the heating device is switched on; and    that the beginning of the washing process is delayed by a defined time interval (t OK -t 0S ) but from there on lasts the same time as the typical washing process.    
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the temperature is first determined during the filling with water or wash liquid and before or during switching off the heating device.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the standard value lies in the range of 10° C. to 15° C.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the time interval (t OK -t 0S ) is defined by reaching the standard value.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the time interval (t OK -t 0S ) has a pre-defined length.  
   
   
       11 . A method for washing laundry in a washing machine comprising a process control system for controlling operation of the washing machine, a wash liquid container for receiving laundry and water, a heating device for heating the water within the wash liquid container, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the water, the method comprising the acts of: 
 providing wash liquid to the wash liquid container during a during a filling phase;    detecting an initial temperature of the water with the temperature sensor;    activating the heating device to heat the water during a heating phase;    performing a delay phase if the temperature of the water is below a pre-determined standard value, the delay phase continuing until the temperature of the water reaches the standard value;    performing a washing phase and continuing the wash phase for a pre-determined period of time;    turning off the heating device when the temperature of the water reaches a pre-determined washing temperature.    
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the duration of the washing phase has a pre-defined length.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the duration of the delay phase is variable in response to the period of time required for the temperature of the water to reach the standard value.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the standard value is between about 10° C. to 15° C.