WO2008017910A2

WO2008017910A2 - Washer and method for programming said washer

Info

Publication number: WO2008017910A2
Application number: PCT/IB2007/001486
Authority: WO
Inventors: Costantino Mariotti; Giovanni Bombardieri
Original assignee: Indesit Company S.P.A.
Priority date: 2006-08-10
Filing date: 2007-05-30
Publication date: 2008-02-14
Also published as: WO2008017910A3; RU2008120830A; RU2419696C2; DE602007002922D1; PL2049724T3; ITRN20060051A1; ATE446406T1; ES2334722T3; EP2049724B1; EP2049724A2

Abstract

A washer (1) comprises: means (3) for regulating washing performance which allow the modification of at least one washing parameter; a user interface (30) comprising both means (2) for selecting the washing program and a washing performance selector (32) associated with the means for regulating washing performance. The washer comprises a memory (4) suitable for storing a command issued using the selector at the end of a wash in which a specific washing program is selected. The command is unambiguously associated with the specific washing program just completed and relates to the request for a more or less thorough washing performance than the performance of the wash just completed. The memory issues the command to the means for regulating washing performance when the user again selects a wash according to that same specific washing program with which the command is associated.

Description

Washer and method for programming said washer

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washer, for example a washing machine, a dishwasher or in general an electrical appliance for washing. The present invention also relates to a method for programming a washer. Washers of this type are normally used for cleaning various articles: clothes, bed sheets, household linen, etc., in the case of washing machines; dishes, pans, cutlery, etc., in the case of dishwashers. Such washers are now widespread not only in businesses such as laundries (in the case of washing machines) or restaurants (in the case of dishwashers) , but also in most people's homes.

The term "washing machine" refers to any machine suitable for carrying out at least a washing treatment on textile articles made of any fibre or in any colour, which may be a machine called a "textile articles washer" or a machine called a "textile articles washer - drier", if in addition to washing it also carries out at least a treatment for drying textile articles (in particular using hot air fed into the washing tank by a blower unit) . Textile articles can be loaded in the washing machine at the front, through an opening made in the front wall of the machine, or from the top, through an opening made in the upper wall of the machine.

Background Art

There are prior art washing machines in which a predetermined washing program can be selected (for example, delicate articles, wool, cotton at 30°, cotton at 60°C, etc.). Selection of such a program results in the automatic selection of washing parameters

(temperature, duration of wash, etc.) preset according to standard values defined by the manufacturer based on experience . Such preset standard values are a compromise between the degree of cleanness which can be achieved, the operating time and energy consumption. The above-mentioned washing machines have several disadvantages. In particular, the washing parameters preset according to standard values could leave more demanding customers dissatisfied in terms of the degree of cleanness of the laundry washed, or could require a level of energy consumption which less demanding customers consider excessive.

There are also prior art washing machines with a knob for setting, before each wash, the degree of dirtiness of the laundry that the washing machine is about to clean. Said knob allows the user to modify in advance, within predetermined limits, some characteristic washing parameters so as to make washing more or less thorough.

Such washing machines also have disadvantages .

In particular, it is difficult for the user to decide when the laundry to be washed is very dirty or not very dirty. In particular, laundry articles with different degrees of dirtiness could be washed together. Therefore, making the user assess the degree of dirtiness may be misleading.

Obviously, if the knob is used to set a high degree of dirtiness, more electricity will be consumed, whilst if the knob is used to set a degree of dirtiness that is too low the user could be dissatisfied with the degree of cleanness of the articles washed.

Disclosure of the Invention The present invention has for an aim to overcome the above- mentioned disadvantages by providing a washer which allows the user to find out the settings which, depending on the washing program selected, allow the correct compromise between the washing performance required and the other washing parameters such as energy consumption and the time needed for the washer to perform the washing.

The present invention also has for an aim to provide a method for programming such a washer .

These aims and others, which are more apparent in the description which follows, are achieved, in accordance with the present invention, by a washer with the structural and functional features described in the independent claims herein, further embodiments of the washer are described in the dependent claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention is described in more detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred non-limiting embodiment of the invention, and in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a washer in accordance with the invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are front views of a washer in accordance with the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a washer 1. Advantageously, the washer 1 comprises an electrical appliance. As illustrated by way of example in Figure 2, the washer 1 comprises a washing machine. As illustrated by way of example in Figure 3, the washer 1 comprises a dishwasher.

The washer 1 comprises means 3 for regulating washing performance, allowing the modification of at least one washing parameter. As explained in more detail below, said washing parameters comprise for example: duration of the cycle, quantity of detersive, use of detersive adjuvants, temperature range between a washing water thermostat being switched on and off, quantity of washing water used, etc. The washer 1 also comprises a user interface 30 in turn comprising means 2 for selecting the washing program. The washer 1 allows selection from a plurality of washing programs. In the case of a washing machine, examples of such washing programs are: wool program, delicates program, cotton at 30° program, cotton at 90° program, etc. In the case of a dishwasher, the use of one program rather than another allows the required washing to be considered: glass, pans, washing at 30°, washing at 50°, etc. The glass program is suitable for washing delicate articles such as crystal glasses, whilst the pans program is suitable for washing articles that can withstand a particularly powerful wash. By selecting a washing program, the user automatically sets a plurality of parameters which regulate the washing. If a predetermined washing program is selected, some of said parameters are limited to predetermined values. For example, the temperature, whose maximum value in the washing machine may be limited (usually to 30°, 60°, 90°) depending on the type of articles to be washed. As shown by way of example, but without limiting the scope of the invention, in Figures 2 and 3 , the means 2 for selecting the washing program comprise a knob.

The user interface 30 also comprises a washing performance selector 32. Said selector 32 is operatively associated with the means 3 for regulating washing performance.

The greater the washing performance required of the washer 1, the greater the degree of cleanness achieved. In the case of washing machines, to evaluate washing performance a measurement is taken for example of the reflectance of the articles washed in accordance with IEC 60456. In parallel, greater washing performance is associated with greater energy consumption and/or an increased washing cycle duration.

The washer 1 usually comprises a memory 4. Said memory 4 allows the storage of a command issued using the selector 32. The command is issued at the end of a wash in which a specific washing program is selected. Said command relates to the request for a more or less thorough washing performance than the performance of the wash just completed. The command is also unambiguously associated with the specific washing program selected in the wash just completed. The memory 4 issues the command to the regulating means 3 when, using the means 2 for selecting the washing program the user again selects a wash with that specific washing program with which the command is unambiguously associated. The freedom to have different washing performance with changes in the washing program is guaranteed. With the present invention the user is able to immediately check the result of the washing carried out and modify the parameters relative to that predetermined washing program, better adapting them to specific requirements. The next time that specific washing program is used, the washer 1 will consider the command issued by the user. In this way, the user can regulate the greater or lesser thoroughness of washing, partly depending on the selected washing program. User satisfaction, after a wash, is subjective and the result achieved could be considered sufficient by one user but insufficient by another. With the present invention, for each type of wash, the user can achieve the correct compromise between the degree of cleanness and energy efficiency and/or detergent consumption.

In the absence of the above-mentioned command, the washer 1 will replicate the washing performance set in the last wash carried out according to the washing program about to be run.

The above-mentioned command leaves the washing performance unchanged relative to washing programs other than the washing program with which it is unambiguously associated.

Advantageously, the memory 4 is suitable for simultaneously storing a plurality of commands, each of which can be unambiguously associated with a respective washing program. The memory 4 is preferably suitable for simultaneously storing as many commands as there are washing programs which can be set using the washing program selection means 2. The user interface 30 advantageously comprises means 31 for signalling information to the user. In an example, non-limiting embodiment, the very first time the washer 1 carries out a wash according to a predetermined washing program, the washing performance set by the manufacturer is such that it achieves a compromise between the degree of cleanness and savings in terms of energy and detersive. If necessary, according to his degree of satisfaction the user can modify the washing performance as described above.

The selector 32 advantageously comprises two buttons, one for increasing washing performance and one for reducing washing performance. Alternatively, the selector 32 may comprise a knob so that the user can request an increase in washing performance by turning the knob in a first direction (for example clockwise) and a reduction in washing performance by turning the knob in a second direction (for example anti-clockwise) . The command is associated exclusively with the direction of rotation of the knob and not with the angle of the knob. The signalling means 31 allow the washer 1 to suggest to the user the addition of detersive adjuvants, if the washing performance requested by the user with the user selector 32 exceeds a preset value. Said preset value preferably corresponds to a high washing performance. Advantageously, such a device is used when it is considered inconvenient to further change the remaining washing parameters. For example, it is evident that even faced with a perpetually dissatisfied user, there are technical or common sense limits beyond which changing the washing parameters would be unsuitable. For example, it would not make sense to have a wash last for days .

Advantageously, the information signalling means 31 comprise a display or a loudspeaker reproducing a ready-coded audio message to transmit an item of information to the user, for example, suggesting the use of a detersive adjuvant.

The means 3 for regulating washing performance suitably comprise a tank of detergent and dosing means which regulate the quantity of detergent drawn from the tank. The greater the quantity of detergent used, the higher the washing performance will be. Said detergent may consist of a detersive adjuvant, for example bleach in the case of washing machines. Alternatively, the detergent may comprise the detersive itself. In particular, the Applicant has carried out a set of washes with liquid detersive, verifying that, the other conditions being equal, as the quantity of detersive used is increased the washing performance continuously improves .

The means 3 for regulating washing performance suitably comprise means for regulating the duration of the wash. All other conditions being equal, a wash that is extended, or has a greater number of rinses, will be more thorough.

The means 3 for regulating washing performance comprise means for regulating the range between the temperatures at which a thermostat for heating the washing water is switched on and off. The temperature at which the thermostat is switched off is normally constrained to the selected washing program: for example in a wash at 30° the temperature at which the thermostat is switched off is around 30° to avoid damaging the articles to be washed. In such a case, if the range between the temperatures at which the thermostat is switched on and off is reduced, the average washing temperature will be higher and closer to the maximum washing temperature which, as indicated, is substantially- set according to the type of program selected.

The means 3 for regulating washing performance suitably comprise means for regulating the total quantity of water used during a wash. The greater the quantity of water used, the more thorough the wash will be. However, the use of a greater quantity of water will require increased energy consumption to heat it.

The means 3 for regulating washing performance comprise means for regulating the operating cycle of a device used to move the articles to be washed.

The term operating cycle refers to the ratio between the period of time during which the movement device is moving and the overall duration of the wash.

In the case of a washing machine, said movement device comprises a rotary drum in which the user puts the laundry to be washed.

The present invention also relates to a method for programming a washer 1. The common and corresponding parts are as described above. Advantageously, the washer 1 comprises an electrical appliance . As illustrated by way of example in Figure 2, the washer 1 comprises a washing machine. As illustrated by way of example in Figure 3, the washer 1 comprises a dishwasher.

According to the method, the washer 1 requests or waits for the user to select a washing program. The method comprises the step of carrying out a wash according to the program selected by the user. The washer 1 carries out at least the steps of: saving, at the end of the wash, a command issued by the user.

Said command relates to the request for a more or less thorough washing performance than the performance of the wash just completed and is unambiguously associated with the specific washing program selected in the wash just completed; issuing the command to means 3 for regulating washing performance when a wash according to that same specific washing program with which the command is associated is requested again. Advantageously, the means 3 for regulating washing performance allow the regulation of at least one washing parameter.

In the absence of the above-mentioned command, the washer 1 replicates the washing performance set in the last wash carried out according to the washing program about to be run again.

The command leaves the washing performance unchanged relative to washing programs other than the washing program with which it is unambiguously associated.

The step of saving a command takes place using a memory 4 suitable for simultaneously storing a plurality of commands, each of which can be unambiguously associated with a respective washing program. Advantageously, the memory 4 is suitable for simultaneously storing as many commands as there are washing programs that can be selected by the user.

The method preferably comprises the step in which the washer 1 suggests to the user the addition of detersive adjuvants. Said step takes place if the washing performance requested by the user exceeds a preset value.

The means 3 for regulating washing performance preferably regulate the quantity of detergent drawn from a tank. The means 3 for regulating washing performance preferably regulate the duration of the wash.

The means 3 for regulating washing performance preferably regulate the range between the temperatures at which a thermostat for heating the washing water is switched on and off, the temperature at which the thermostat is switched off being constrained by the selected washing program.

The means 3 for regulating washing performance preferably regulate the total quantity of water used during a wash.

The means 3 for regulating washing performance preferably regulate the operating cycle of a device used to move the articles to be washed.

The invention brings important advantages .

Advantageously, it allows the user to be guided by successive approximations in the selection of optimum washing conditions for the various washing programs . Another important advantage is that, before a wash, the user does not have to correctly set the degree of performance for the selected program: this action has already been performed by the user at the end of the last wash in which that program was selected and after judging whether or not the degree of cleanness achieved was sufficient . The user does not have to make the effort to remember, for each washing program, the settings of the last wash, nor does he have to make the effort to remember whether or not the washing performance in the last wash was satisfactory.

The invention described above may be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all details of the invention may be substituted by other technically equivalent elements .

In practice, all of the materials used, as well as the dimensions may be any, according to requirements.

Claims

1 . A washer comprising : means (3) for regulating washing performance which allow the modification of at least one washing parameter; a user interface (30) in turn comprising means (2) for selecting the washing program and a washing performance selector (32) , the selector (32) being operatively associated with the means (3) for regulating washing performance; the washer (1) being characterised in that it comprises a memory (4) suitable for storing a command issued using the selector (32) at the end of a wash in which a specific washing program is selected, said command: relating to the request for a more or less thorough washing performance than the performance of the wash just completed; being unambiguously associated with the specific washing program selected in the wash just completed; the memory (4) issues the command to the washing performance regulating means (3) when, using the means (2) for selecting the washing program, the user again selects a wash according to that specific washing program with which the command is associated.

2. The washer according to claim 1, characterised in that in the absence of the command, the washer replicates the washing performance set in the last wash carried out according to the washing program about to be run.

3. The washer according to claim 1 or 2 , characterised in that the command leaves the washing performance unchanged relative to washing programs other than the washing program with which it is unambiguously associated.

4. The washer according to any of the claims from 1 to 3 , characterised in that the memory (4) is suitable for simultaneously storing a plurality of commands, each of which can be unambiguously associated with a respective washing program.

5. The washer according to any of the claims from 1 to 4 , characterised in that the memory (4) is suitable for simultaneously storing as many commands as there are washing programs which can be set using the washing program selection means (2) .

6. The washer according to any of the foregoing claims , characterised in that the user interface (30) comprises means (31) for signalling information to the user.

7. The washer according to claim 6, characterised in that the signalling means (31) suggest the addition of detersive adjuvants, if the washing performance requested by the user with the selector (32) associated with the means (3) for regulating washing performance exceeds a preset value.

8. The washer according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the means (3) for regulating washing performance comprise a tank of detergent and dosing means which regulate the quantity of detergent drawn from the tank.

9. The washer according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the means (3) for regulating washing performance comprise means for regulating the duration of the wash.

10. The washer according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the means (3) for regulating washing performance comprise means for regulating the range between the temperatures at which a thermostat for heating the washing water is switched on and off, the temperature at which the thermostat is switched off being constrained by the selected washing program.

11. The washer according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the means (3) for regulating washing performance comprise means for regulating the total quantity of water used during a wash.

12. The washer according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the means (3) for regulating washing performance comprise means for regulating the operating cycle of a device for moving the articles to be washed.

13. The washer according to any of the foregoing claims, comprising an electrical appliance.

14. The washer according to any of the foregoing claims, comprising a washing machine.

15. The washer according to any of the foregoing claims, comprising a dishwasher.

16. The washer as in any of the foregoing claims and as described and illustrated herein with reference to the accompanying drawings and for the objects stated herein.

17. A method for programming a washer, the washer (1) requesting that the user select a washing program; the method comprising the step of carrying out a wash according to the program selected by the user and being characterised in that the washer (1) carries out at least the steps of: saving, at the end of the wash, a command issued by the user, the command relating to the request for a more or less thorough washing performance than the washing performance of the wash just completed and being unambiguously associated with the specific washing program selected in the wash just completed; issuing the command to means (3) for regulating washing performance when a wash according to that same specific washing program with which the command is associated is requested again, the means (3) for regulating washing performance allowing the regulation of at least one washing parameter.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterised in that in the absence of the command, the washer (1) replicates the washing performance set in the last wash carried out according to the washing program about to be run again.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterised in that the command leaves the washing performance unchanged relative to washing programs other than the washing program with which it is unambiguously associated.

20. The method according to any of the claims from 17 to 19, characterised in that the step of saving a command takes place using a memory (4) suitable for simultaneously storing a plurality of commands, each of which can be unambiguously associated with a respective washing program.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterised in that the memory (4) is suitable for simultaneously storing as many commands as there are washing programs that can be selected by the user.

22. The method according to any of the claims from 17 to 21, comprising the step in which the washer (1) suggests to the user the addition of detersive adjuvants, said step taking place if the washing performance requested by the user exceeds a preset value.

23. The method according to any of the claims from 17 to 22, characterised in that the means (3) for regulating washing performance comprise a tank of detergent and dosing means which draw from the tank the quantity of detergent needed for the wash.

24. The method according to any of the claims from 17 to 23, characterised in that the means (3) for regulating washing performance regulate the duration of the wash.

25. The method according to any of the claims from 17 to 24, characterised in that the means (3) for regulating washing performance regulate the range between the temperatures at which a thermostat for heating the washing water is switched on and off, the temperature at which the thermostat is switched off being constrained by the selected washing program.

26. The method according to any of the claims from 17 to 25, characterised in that the means (3) for regulating washing performance regulate the total quantity of water used during a wash.

27. The method according to any of the claims from 17 to 26, characterised in that the means (3) for regulating washing performance regulate the operating cycle of a device used to move the articles to be washed.

28. The method as in any of the foregoing claims from 17 to 27 and as described and illustrated herein with reference to the accompanying drawings and for the objects stated herein.