Wetting Process for the Laundry Inside a Program-Controlled Washing Machine

Abstract

The wetting process for the laundry ( 7 ) inside a program-controlled washing machine, which can be adjusted to the quantity of laundry in a washing drum ( 2 ) which is mounted inside a washing machine tub ( 1 ) in a manner that enables it to rotate about a non-vertical axis ( 3 ) by means of a water supply system ( 8 to 11 ) and a control facility ( 12 ), by means of which the supply of water into the washing machine tub ( 1 ) can be controlled in a temporal manner, and which starts in a first phase (Ph 1 ) with a supply of a first metered quantity of water into the washing machine tub ( 1 ) when the washing drum ( 2 ) is stationary or continuously rotating, is to be optimized with regard to completeness, uniformity and reproducibility. To this end in the first phase (Ph 1 ) the washing drum ( 2 ) rotates at least in an essentially continuous manner with a supply of water until there is at least approximately correspondence between the set and actual quantities of water in the washing machine tub ( 1 ) based on the measurement signals of a water level sensor ( 15 ) and in a second phase (Ph 2 ) rotates in an essentially continuous manner. In this process water is added until the level in the washing machine tub ( 1 ) reaches a water level, which is defined based on the signal pattern of the water level sensor ( 15 ) identified in the first phase (Ph 1 ) in respect of the maximum height and speed of change of the water level (N) and in respect of the dropping back due to subsequent absorption of water by the laundry ( 7 ) or a water level defined during filling and subsequent absorption from the signal pattern of the water level sensor ( 15 ) identified by an expert system within the second phase (Ph 2 ). The number and configuration of individual phases of the wetting process can thus be adjusted in respect of the quantity and specific absorbency of the laundry ( 7 ) to be processed.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . A method for wetting laundry inside a program-controlled washing machine which can be adjusted to the quantity of laundry in a washing drum mounted inside a washing machine tub in a manner that enables the washing drum to rotate about a non-vertical axis, the washing machine including a means of a water supply system and a control facility controlling the supply of water into the washing machine tub in a temporal manner, the method comprising:
 a first phase in which a supply of a first metered quantity of water is supplied into the washing machine tub when the washing drum is stationary or continuously rotating, the washing drum being driven at least in an essentially continuous manner during and after the supply of the first metered quantity of water until the supplied water is absorbed by the laundry;   a second phase in which the washing drum is driven at least in an essentially continuous manner and a further quantity of water is added up to a level defined based on the water level pattern identified in the first phase in respect of the maximum height and speed of change of the water level and in respect of the dropping back of the level due to subsequent absorption of water by the laundry, so that the level in the washing machine tub reaches a water level adjusted during and after refilling based on the water level pattern identified in the first phase in respect of the maximum height and speed of change of the water level and in respect of the dropping back of the level due to subsequent absorption by the laundry.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first and second phases includes at least one segment, in which the washing drum is driven in a reversing manner, without the water level pattern having a direct influence on the control of the water supply. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the measurement signals defined by the water level pattern during a segment with continuous washing drum rotation and/or during a segment with reversing drum rotation are supplied to an electric filter with algorithms tailored to the wetting process and the water supply is controlled using the output signal of the filter. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the washing drum is driven continuously in the one of the directions which corresponds to the effectiveness of a scooping facility disposed therein. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the segment with continuously rotating washing drum lasts until a predetermined level is reached after reabsorption by the laundry. 
   
   
       17 . A washing machine comprising:
 a washing machine tub;   a washing drum disposed within the tub which can rotate about a non-vertical axis;   a water supply system having a supply valve and a control facility controlling the supply of water into the washing machine tub in a temporal manner;   a means for measuring the water level in the washing machine tub including a time measurement facility determining the opening period of the supply valve, the control facility being programmed to control a wetting process for the laundry in the washing drum in such a manner that in a first phase the washing drum is driven in an essentially continuous manner during and after the supply of a first metered quantity of water until the supplied water is absorbed by the laundry and in a second phase the washing drum is driven in an essentially continuous manner and a further quantity of water is added up to a defined level based on the water level pattern identified in the first phase in respect of the maximum height and speed of change of the water level and in respect to the dropping back of the level due to subsequent absorption of water by the laundry, the level in the washing machine tub reaching a water level adjusted during and after refilling based on the water level pattern identified in the first phase in respect to the maximum height and speed of change of the water level and in respect to the dropping back of the level due to subsequent absorption by the laundry.   
   
   
       18 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the means for measuring the water level includes a facility for measuring a quantity of fluid for determining the quantity of fluid supplied. 
   
   
       19 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the control facility has a comparator for the measurement value of a target level to terminate the phase. 
   
   
       20 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the means for measuring the water level during the reversing drum movement and/or the comparator are switched to inactive. 
   
   
       21 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the unidirectional drum movement tailored to the structural features of the washing machine tub and/or the washing drum can be executed at a circumferential speed of around 0.5 m/s. 
   
   
       22 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the reversing drum movement tailored to the structural features of the washing machine tub and/or the washing drum can be executed at a circumferential speed of around 1.0 m/s.