Method For Operating A Washing Machine Or Washer-Dryer And A Corresponding Washing Machine Or Washer-Dryer

Abstract

A washing machine or washer-dryer ( 1 ) includes a washing tub ( 2 ), a laundry drum ( 3 ) within the washing tub ( 2 ) and a circulation pump ( 14 ) for pumping up water from a bottom region of the washing tub ( 2 ) into a higher region of the washing tub ( 2 ). A method of operation includes the step of detecting, determining and/or inputting the amount of laundry ( 4 ) in the laundry drum ( 3 ). The circulation pump ( 14 ) is deactivated, if the amount of the laundry ( 4 ) in the laundry drum ( 3 ) exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The washing machine or washer-dryer ( 1 ) may further include a control device ( 7 ) for controlling the circulation pump ( 14 ), and means for detecting, determining and/or inputting the amount of laundry ( 4 ) in the laundry drum ( 3 ). The circulation pump ( 14 ) is automatically switched off by the control device ( 7 ) if the amount of the laundry ( 4 ) in the laundry drum ( 3 ) exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

1 . A method for operating a washing machine or washer-drier, wherein said washing machine or washer-drier comprises a washing tub, a laundry drum within said washing tub and a circulation pump for pumping up water from a bottom region of said washing tub to a higher region of said washing tub, and wherein the method comprises the step of detecting, determining and/or inputting an amount of laundry in the laundry drum;
 wherein, the circulation pump is deactivated if the amount of laundry in the laundry drum exceeds a predetermined threshold value.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the amount of laundry in the laundry drum is determined based on an input into a user interface by a user. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the amount of the laundry in the laundry drum is detected by a weight sensor of the washing machine or washer-dryer. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to a  claim 1 , wherein the amount of laundry in the laundry drum is determined by calculating said amount as a function of at least one detected parameter related to a motor driving the laundry drum. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the detected parameter comprises the current absorbed by the motor. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the detected parameter comprises the torque of the motor. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the detected parameter comprises the speed of the motor. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the amount of the laundry in the laundry drum is determined by calculating said amount as a function of at least one detected parameter related to water absorbed by the laundry. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the detected parameter comprises the amount of water absorbed by the laundry during a wetting phase at the beginning of a washing cycle. 
     
     
         10 . A washing machine or washer-drier comprising a washing tub, a laundry drum within said washing tub, a circulation pump, controlled by a control device, for pumping up water from a bottom region of said washing tub into a higher region of said washing tub, and means for detecting, determining and/or inputting an amount of laundry in the laundry drum,
 wherein, the circulation pump is automatically switched off by said control device if the amount of the laundry in the laundry drum exceeds a predetermined threshold value.   
     
     
         11 . The washing machine or washer-dryer according to  claim 10 , wherein the washing machine or washer-dryer comprises a user interface for inputting the amount of the laundry in the laundry drum, or at least one parameter related to the amount of the laundry in the laundry drum, by a user. 
     
     
         12 . The washing machine or washer-dryer according to  claim 10 , wherein the washing machine or washer-dryer comprises at least one weight sensor for detecting a weight of the laundry in the laundry drum. 
     
     
         13 . The washing machine or washer-dryer according to  claim 10 , wherein said control device is adapted for calculating the amount of the laundry in the laundry drum as a function of at least one detected parameter related to a motor driving the laundry drum. 
     
     
         14 . The washing machine or washer-dryer according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one detected parameter is the current absorbed by the motor, the torque of the motor and/or the speed of the motor. 
     
     
         15 . The washing machine or washer-dryer according to  claim 10 , wherein said control device is adapted for calculating the amount of the laundry in the laundry drum as a function of at least one detected parameter related to water absorbed by the laundry. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the amount of the laundry in the laundry drum is further determined based on a weight detected by a weight sensor of the washing machine or washer-dryer. 
     
     
         17 . The washing machine or washer-dryer according to  claim 11 , wherein said control device is adapted for calculating a measure of the amount of the laundry in the laundry drum as a function of at least one detected parameter related to a motor driving the laundry drum. 
     
     
         18 . The washing machine or washer-dryer according to  claim 12 , wherein said control device is adapted for calculating a measure of the amount of the laundry in the laundry drum as a function of at least one detected parameter related to a motor driving the laundry drum. 
     
     
         19 . The washing machine or washer dryer according to  claim 11 , wherein said control device is adapted for calculating a measure of the amount of the laundry in the laundry drum as a function of at least one detected parameter related to water absorbed by the laundry. 
     
     
         20 . The washing machine or washer dryer according to  claim 12 , wherein said control device is adapted for calculating a measure of the amount of the laundry in the laundry drum as a function of at least one detected parameter related to water absorbed by the laundry.