WO2007003593A1

WO2007003593A1 - Method for determining the weight of clothes in a washing machine and washing machine for implementing said method

Info

Publication number: WO2007003593A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/063733
Authority: WO
Inventors: Xiu Wan; Xudong Ding; Tao Song
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2005-06-30
Filing date: 2006-06-30
Publication date: 2007-01-11
Also published as: EP1913192A1; CN1888224A; PL1913192T3; CN101253291A; CN101253291B; EP1913192B1

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for determining the weight (Q) of clothes introduced in the drum (3) of a washing machine, correlated with the amount of filling water. The method is characterized in that an amount of filling water (W) is introduced and determined until a level of water (L) is reached at which the clothes can be entirely soaked in water. Therefor, the type of clothes material selected by means of a button for selecting clothes materials located on a control panel is determined preferably by a device (M2) for identifying the water absorption rate (A), the water absorption rate (A) being selected based on the type of clothes material selected. The weight (Q) of clothes is determined by means of a device controlling (9) the washing machine by comparing the amount of water introduced (W) and the amounts of filling water of an allocating unit (M3) whereby a predetermined correlation based on the water absorption rate (A) can be determined between the amounts of filling water and the amounts of load, or calculated on the basis of the water absorption rate (A) and an amount of water absorbed (W_ab) by the clothes. The present invention also concerns other embodiments for determining the amount of filling water (W) and for determining the weight (Q). It further concerns a washing machine for implementing said method.

Description

Method for determining a clothing weight in a washing machine and washing machine for carrying out the method

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a washing machine, in particular a method in which the weight of garments is determined by means of a filling water amount, and a washing machine using the method described above.

General state of the art

In fully automatic washing machines, which are equipped with computer control, on the one hand, the objective of water saving and on the other hand, the objective of achieving the desired washing result. Normally, washing machines are equipped with devices which can measure the weight of the garments to be washed. In accordance with the measured weight of the garments, the computer controls the amount of water consumed on the one hand and the washing time on the other hand. The above-mentioned used water consumption amount for the washing process includes the water consumption amounts for the various process sections: soaking, washing and rinsing. In the presently available fully automatic washing machines, the measurement of the weight of the garments takes place, on the one hand, by using the impulse numbers of the self-inductive voltage of the internal drum drive motor of the washing machine's internal drum to determine the weight of the garment (pulse count measurement) and, on the other hand, by counting the rotational speeds of the internal drum driving motor Power interruption can be used to determine the garment weight (RPM measurement). Because these two methods have relatively large error deviations, fully automatic computerized washing machines have been proposed that use a weight sensor device Measuring the weight of the clothing. An overview of the construction of the above-mentioned washing machine is shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1 shows a fully automatic wave wheel washing machine equipped with a weight measuring device. In the box body 11, which is also called housing, an outer drum 12 is provided. In the outer drum 12, an outer container, an inner drum 13 and a corrugated wheel 14, which are connected to a drive system 15, are provided. Four suspension rods 16 hold the outer drum 12 in the box body 1. 1 The above-mentioned weight measuring device - weight sensor device 17 - is provided at the junctions between the hanger bars 16 and the box body 11 and as shown in Figure 1 by the hanger bars 16 and the outer drum 12. It is also possible to provide these at the feet of the box body 1 1.

Figure 2 shows a fully automatic drum washing machine equipped with a weight measuring device. In a box body 20 and a housing 20, an outer drum 21 is provided. In the outer container 21, an inner drum 22 is arranged, which is connected to a drive system 23. Two suspension rods 26 and two support rods 24 hold the outer drum 21 in the box body 20. The aforementioned weight measuring device - weight sensor device 25 - is provided at the joints between the suspension rods 26 and the box body 20 and between the suspension rods 26 and the outer drum 21, respectively. It is also possible to provide this weight measuring device 25 at the joints between the support rods 24 and the box body 20 and between the support rods 24 and the outer drum 21, respectively. It is also possible to provide these at four feet of the box body 20.

Normally, four of the above-identified weight sensor devices 25 are provided. This is because the washing drum, meaning the inner drum 22, has a certain volume. For example, if the weight sensor device 25 is provided on the holder of the outer drum 21 of the washing machine and only one such weight sensor device 25 is mounted on a single holder, the problem of inaccurate measurements inevitably occurs. The washing drum can be considered as a rectangular surface, at the four corners of which a holder is provided indirectly over the outer container 21. If the respectively introduced garments were each in the center of the above-mentioned rectangular area, one could with a single on the holder of a corner provided weight sensor device 25 make an exact measurement of the weight of the garments. In fact, this is impossible. In order to be able to make an accurate measurement of the weight of the garments, a weight sensor device 25 referred to above is normally provided on each of the four holders. In this way, an accurate measurement of the weight of the garments can be made, which have been introduced at any position within the washing drum of the washing machine. The weight of the garments here corresponds to the sum of the weight gain amounts represented by the four weight sensor devices 25. It will be appreciated that such an increase in the provided weight sensor devices 25 increases costs and increases the labor required for assembly. If, on the other hand, for the sake of cost savings, only one single weight sensor device 25 is provided, this leads to an enormous impairment of the measurement precision.

Content of the invention:

The technical problem, the solution of which the present invention provides, lies in the above-described deficiencies of the present technology. The present invention provides in this respect a method in which the weight of garments is measured by means of a water supply amount, which is also called Füllwassermenge measured or determined, and a washing machine using the above-mentioned method, the construction of their assembly and forth easy. The method according to the invention, in which the weight of items of clothing is measured by means of a quantity of filling water, and the washing machine according to the invention using the method described above are realized by the planning designs listed below:

Planning draft 1: Method in which the weight of garments is measured by means of a quantity of filling water, the method referred to above comprising the steps listed below:

0, 1 Attached to a water supply path of the washing machine is a mounting of a water quantity sensor device, which may also be referred to as water quantity sensor for short, and also a fixed water level for wetting, in which the clothing can be completely wetted. There is a device for identifying a water absorption rate of the garment - hereinafter also referred to as a provided in the central control unit of the control device of the washing machine detection program for

Identification of the water absorption rates of various items of clothing is designated - and at least one allocation unit, with a predetermined dependent on the water absorption rate relationship between filling water quantities and load quantities can be determined - the allocation unit is also used as a corresponding recognition program for detecting the ratio of

"Fill water amount clothing weight" of garments having different water absorption rates, designated;

O, 2 The garments are placed in the drum and water supply is made to reach the water level for wetting, in which the garments are completely wetted with water. At this time, the water amount sensor device represents the filling water amount as W;

O, 3 The filling water amount or the filled water amount W is compared with the filling water amount of the allocation unit included in the control program, or compared with the detection program of the ratio of "filling water amount-garment weight" contained in the control device. In this way, the weight Q of the garments is determined.

O, 4 A central control unit of the washing machine controls the quantities of water consumed and the washing times for the various programs during the laundry process in accordance with the weight Q of the clothes to be washed and the material of the clothes.

Step O, 4 of the first draft plan can also be provided for the following draft plans. A washing machine in which the weight of clothes is measured by means of a filling water amount, the washing machine including a box body, also called a housing, respectively an inner and outer container provided inside the box body, a driving device, a water supply path, a water discharge path and a control device with central control unit, characterized in that at the water supply path, the attachment of a water quantity sensor device takes place and that also at least one allocation unit, with a predetermined dependent on the water absorption rate relationship between filling water quantities and load quantities can be determined, for example in the central control unit

Control device of the washing machine, a detection program for detecting the water absorption rates of various garments and a recognition program for detecting the ratio of "filling water amount clothing weight", is provided. Washing machine in which the weight of garments is measured or determined by means of a filling water quantity, characterized in that the above-mentioned recognition program of the ratio of "filling water amount clothing weight" functional relationships obtained in experiments - shown in analyzes or tables - in terms of filling water quantities to achieve predetermined water levels and the weight of garments used.

Planning draft 2:

Method in which the weight of garments by means of a

Amount of filling water, the method comprising the steps listed below:

0, 1, attached to the washing machine attaching a pressure sensor device, also referred to as pressure sensor, and also a water level L1 is provided, in which the garments can not be soaked. At this time, the filling water amount W1. In addition, a water level for wetting L2 is provided, at which the garments can be completely wetted with water; O, 2, there is a device for identifying a water absorption rate of the garments, for example in the central control unit of the control device of the washing machine, a detection program for detecting the water absorption rates of various garments, and at least one allocation unit, with a predetermined dependent on the water absorption rate relationship between filling water quantities and Loading quantities can be determined, for example, a corresponding detection program for detecting the ratio of "filling water amount clothing weight" of garments provided with different water absorption rates, filling water. The control device may determine a filling water quantity from the product of a time duration and a flow rate, for example with a calculation program for a filling water quantity = duration ^* water flow rate present in the central control unit;

O, 3, the garments are placed in the drum and there is water supply to reach the water level L1. The

Pressure sensor device starts to work. At this time, the filling water amount is W1, the required time is T1, and the water flow rate f is W1 / T1;

O, 4, With the above-described water flow rate f continues to be the water supply until the achievement of the water level for wetting L2, in which the garments are completely wetted with water. At this time, the required total time period is T. The central control unit can accordingly make the time period T and the water flow rate f the calculation of the filling water amount W = f ^* T; O, 5, the filling water amount W is compared with the filling water amounts of the allocation unit, for example, with the detection program contained in the control device of the ratio of "filling water amount-clothing weight". In this way, the weight of the garments is determined.

A washing machine in which the weight of garments is measured by means of a quantity of filling water, the washing machine including a

Box body, each one provided within the box body inner and outer container, a drive device and a control device with a central control unit, characterized in that a pressure sensor device is provided on the washing machine, wherein the above-designated Pressure sensor device can be provided at the water discharge path or at the bottom of the water storage tank or at the bottom of the outer container of the washing machine.

Planning draft 3:

Method in which the weight of garments is measured by means of a filling water amount, the method comprising the following steps: 0, 1 At the water supply path of the washing machine, the attachment of a

Wassermengensensorvorrichtung and also a solid water level height L is provided for soaking, in which the garments can be completely wetted;

O, 2 In the central control unit of the control apparatus of the washing machine, a detection program for detecting the water absorption rates A of clothes of various materials and a calculation program for calculating the weight of the clothes are provided;

O, 3 The garments are placed in the drum and there is water supply to reach the water level for wetting L, in which the garments are completely wetted with water. At this time, the water amount sensor device represents the filling water amount as W1;

0, 4 The water discharge valve is opened and the excess water is discharged or discharged. The water discharge valve is closed. At this time, the water amount sensor device represents the filling water amount as W2. When the clothes to be washed are completely wet with water, the amount of absorbed water is W_ab = W1 -W2;

The central control unit calculates according to W_ab and A the weight of the garments Q = W_ab / A; O, 5 A central control unit of the washing machine increases according to the

Weight Q of the garments and the material of the garments a control water consumption and washing times for the various programs during the laundry process.

A washing machine in which the weight of clothes is measured by means of a filling water amount, the washing machine includes a box body, respectively inside and outside container provided inside the box body, a drive device, a water supply path, a water discharge path and a control device with central control unit, characterized in that a water quantity sensor device is attached to the water supply path and that a detection program for detecting the water absorption rates of various items of clothing and a calculation program for the weight of clothing are also provided in the central control unit of the control device of the washing machine.

Planning design 4:

A method in which the weight of clothes is measured by means of a filling water amount, the method including the following steps: 0, 1 The water supply path and the water discharge path of the washing machine are respectively attached to a water amount sensor device and also a fixed water level for wetting L is provided in which the garments can be soaked completely. In the central control unit of the control device of the washing machine, a detection program for detecting the water absorption rates A of various clothing materials is provided;

O, 2 The garments are placed in the drum and there is a water supply to reach the water level for wetting L, in which the garments are completely wetted with water. At this time, the water amount sensor device of the water supply path represents the filling water amount as W1;

0, 3 The water discharge valve is opened and the excess water is drained off. The deduced water amount W3 is represented by the water amount sensor device of the water discharge path. O, 4 When the garments to be washed are completely wet, the amount of absorbed water is W_ab = W1 -W3;

The central control unit calculates according to W_ab and A the weight of the garments Q = W_ab / A. O, 5 A central control unit of the washing machine increases according to the

Weight Q of the garments and the material of the garments a control of the water consumption quantities and the washing times for the various programs during the process of laundry washing ago.

Box body, each one provided within the box body inner and outer container, a drive device, a water supply path, a water discharge path and a control device with a central control unit, characterized in that at the water supply path and the water discharge path respectively the attachment of a water quantity sensor device takes place and that also in the central control unit of the control device of the washing machine, a detection program for detecting the water absorption rates of various items of clothing as well as a calculation program for calculating the weight of garments is provided.

Washing machine in which the weight of garments is measured by means of a filling water amount, characterized in that the above-mentioned detection program for detecting the water absorption rates of various garments is operated by means of a garment material selector switch on the control panel, wherein the water absorption rate of the corresponding material material is selected.

Washing machine in which the weight of clothing is measured by means of a filling water quantity, characterized in that the above-described calculation program for calculating the weight of the clothing according to the equation: Q = W_ab / A and W = W1 -W2 and W ab = W1 -W3 procedure, as with the other draft plans:

Q- denotes the weight of the garments to be washed; W_ab- denotes the amount of water absorbed when completely wet the clothes to be washed;

A- denotes the water absorption rate of the garment materials to be washed; W-- denotes the filling water amount of the water supply to the intended height L;

W1 - denotes the filling water quantity of the first water supply line up to the intended height L1;

W2- denotes the filling water quantity of the second water supply line up to the intended height L2; W3- the water discharge amount of the superfluous water of the first water supply called.

A washing machine in which the weight of garments is measured by means of a quantity of filling water, characterized in that the water quantity sensor device referred to above is a water meter.

The advantages of the present invention are listed below: The present invention uses a method which measures the amount of fill water required to soak the garment to be washed in order to determine the weight of the garments to be washed. The results obtained in this way are more accurate than the results obtained with the conventional ones

Procedure can be achieved. In these conventional methods, the measurement of the weight of the garments takes place, on the one hand, by using the numbers of pulses of the self-inductive voltage of the internal drum drive motor of the washing machine to determine the weight of the clothes (pulse count measurement) and, on the other hand, by the number of revolutions of the internal drum driving motor being electric Power interruption can be used to determine the garment weight (RPM measurement). Compared to the methods using weight sensor devices, in the present invention, the structural design is simpler, the assembly is easier, and the cost is lower.

In the present invention, a central control unit of the washing machine according to the weight Q of the garments and the material of the garments takes a control of the water consumption amounts and the washing times for the various programs and the rotation speed during the process of laundry washing. The parameter selection is reasonable and the result is good.

In order to provide a further understanding of the construction and the peculiarities of the present invention, practical examples and corresponding figures are provided below with detailed explanations relating thereto:

Explanations of the illustrations:

Figure 1 is an overview of the structural design of a conventional, fully automatic Wellrad washing machine with automatic measurement function.

Figure 2 is an overview of the construction of a conventional, fully automatic drum washing machine with automatic measuring function.

In Figure 3 is an overview of the structural design of the washing machine according to the invention according to embodiments 1 and 3, in which the weight of garments is measured by means of a filling water quantity. Figure 4 is an overview of the structural design of the washing machine according to the invention according to Alisführungsbeispiel 2, in which the weight of garments is measured by means of a filling water quantity.

FIG. 5 is an overview of the structural design of the exemplary embodiment 4 according to the invention. FIG. 6 is a sketch of the automatic measuring system according to the invention, M1 represents a determination unit for a filled amount of water, M2 a device for identifying the Water absorption rate A, M3, an allocation unit in which a predetermined relationship between filling water quantities and load quantities can be determined, M4 is a display device for the weight of the garments and CPU, the central control unit of a control device of the washing machine. Practical Embodiments:

The basic principle of the present invention is that - assuming that garments made of the same materials have a certain water absorption rate - a measurement of the amount of filling water takes place, in which there is complete wetting of the clothes in the washing machine. According to the amount of filling water and the values obtained in experiments concerning the water absorption rates of clothes of different materials (program for detecting water absorption rates), the calculation of the weight of the clothes can be made. Or, it is possible to compare the amount of fill water in question with a pre-determined "fill water amount clothing weight" ratio detection program to thereby calculate the weight of the clothes. Figure 6 is a sketch of the automatic measuring system according to the invention. In the central control unit of the control device of the washing machine

Detection program for detecting the water absorption rates of various items of clothing and a corresponding recognition program for detecting the ratio of "filling water amount clothing weight" provided by garments with different water absorption rates. The above-mentioned central control unit is connected to a supply water measuring unit. In the above-mentioned Zuleitungswassermesseinheit is an amount of water sensor device or to a pressure sensor device. The central control unit, according to the data of the supply water measuring device, makes a calculation of the amount of water required for a complete wetting of the clothes to be washed, and determines the weight of the clothes based on the amount of filling water. This is displayed on a display device. The central control unit takes on the basis of weight and material of the garments before a control of the parameters for carrying out the washing process.

Embodiment 1 Use of water quantity sensor device (or called "water meter").

A water quantity sensor device is attached to the water supply path of the washing machine and, moreover, a solid water level L for wetting is provided at which the articles of clothing can be completely soaked.

In the central control unit of the control device of the washing machine, a detection program for detecting the water absorption rates of garments of various materials and a detection program for detecting the ratio of "filling water amount clothing weight" are provided.

The above-mentioned water absorption rate A is the amount of water determined in experiments which is required for fully wetting a unit weight of various garment materials. In the above-mentioned detection program for detecting the water absorption rates of clothes, a selector switch (address) for confirming various garment materials is provided on the operation panel of the washing machine. When the user makes a certain selection for a type of garment, the central control unit selects the corresponding address in the memory from the garment recognition program for detecting the water absorption rates of garments and goes to

Use of data stored at this address - water absorption rate A - over. For example, when the user hits the selection "washing cotton material" at the above-mentioned selector switch, the system recognizes the corresponding water absorption rate A1. On the other hand, when the user hits, for example, the selection "washing of silk material" at the above-mentioned selector switch, the system recognizes the corresponding water absorption rate A2.

The detection program of the ratio of "fill water amount clothing weight" described above is based on an experimentally obtained formula with a relationship as shown in Table 1. The data presented in Table 1 are related to water absorption rates, so these data differ for garments of different materials. The data concerned are examples only, not data from actual practical application. Table 1

The garments are placed in the drum and there is water supply to reach the water level for wetting L, in which the

Garments are completely soaked in water. At this time, the water amount sensor device represents the filling water amount as W. In this embodiment, the water level for wetting L can be measured by a pressure sensor device provided on the water supply path (not shown in Figure 3).

The filling water amount W is compared with the detection program of the ratio of "filling water amount garment weight" contained in the control program. In this way, the weight Q of the garments is determined.

A central control unit of the washing machine controls, in accordance with the weight Q of the clothes to be washed and the water absorption rates of garments of different materials, control of the water consumption amounts and washing times for the various programs during the laundry process.

A washing machine provided by the above embodiment includes a box body 1, an inner container 3 and outer container 2 provided inside the box body 1, a driving device 4, brackets 5, suspension rods 8, a water supply path 7, a water discharge path 6, and the like a control device with a central control unit, wherein at the water supply path 7 a Wassermen- gene sensor device 9 is provided. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the water amount sensor device may be a water meter or another part suitable for measuring the amount of water. In the central control unit of the control apparatus of the washing machine, there are provided a detection program for detecting the water absorption rates of various items of clothing, and a corresponding detection program for detecting the ratio of "filling water amount clothing weight" of clothes having different water absorption rates. The above-identified recognition program for recognizing the

Water absorption rates of various garments are controlled by means of a garment material selector switch on the control panel, selecting the water absorption rate of the respective fabric material.

The above-mentioned detection program of the ratio of "fill water amount clothing weight" used in experiments

Functional relationships - presented in analyzes or tables - with regard to the filling water quantities to achieve predefined water levels and the weight of items of clothing.

Embodiment 2:

At the water discharge path of the washing machine, the attachment of a pressure sensor device takes place. In addition, a water level L1 is provided, which sets the pressure sensor device in action and is lower than the lowest position of the drum. At the above-described water level L1, the clothes in the drum are not soaked by the water in the washing machine. At this time, the filling water amount W1. In addition, a water level for wetting L2 is provided, in which the garments can be completely wetted with water. In this embodiment, the water level for wetting L2 can be measured by a pressure sensor device (not shown in Fig. 4) provided on the water supply path.

In the central control unit of the control device of the washing machine is a detection program for detecting the water absorption rates of various clothing tion pieces, a corresponding recognition program for the detection of the ratio of "filling water quantity clothing weight" and a calculation program for filling water quantity = duration ^* water flow rate provided.

The above-mentioned water absorption rate A is the amount of water determined in experiments which is required for fully wetting a unit weight of various garment materials. In the aforesaid detection program for detecting the water absorption rates of garments, a selector switch (address) for confirming various garment materials is provided on the operation panel of the washing machine. If the user has a specific choice for a type of

Clothes meets, the central control unit uses the recognition program for detecting the water absorption rates of clothing selects the corresponding address in the memory and goes to use the data stored under this address - water absorption rate A - over. For example, if the user selected the above

Selection button the selection "washing of cotton material" hits, the system recognizes the corresponding water absorption rate A1. On the other hand, if, for example, the user selects "washing silk material" at the selector switch described above, the system recognizes the corresponding water absorption rate A2.

The detection program of the ratio of "fill water amount clothing weight" described above is based on an experimentally obtained formula with a relationship as shown in Table 1. The data presented in Table 1 are related to water absorption rates, so these data differ for garments of different materials. The data concerned are examples only, not data from actual practical application.

The garments are placed in the drum and there is water supply to reach the water level L1. The pressure sensor device starts to work. At this time, the filling water amount is W1, the required time is T1, and the water flow rate f is W1 / T1.

With the above-described water flow rate f further, the water supply is carried out until the Wasserstandshöhe for wetting L2, at which the garments are completely wetted with water. To this Time is the required total time T. The central control unit can according to time duration T and water flow rate f the calculation of the filling water amount W = f ^* T make. The filling water amount W is compared with the detection program of the ratio of "filling water amount garment weight" contained in the control program. In this way, the weight Q of the garments is determined.

A central control unit of the washing machine controls, according to the weight Q of the clothes to be washed and the water absorption rate A of garments of different materials, control of the water consumption amounts and the washing times for the various programs during the laundry washing process.

A washing machine provided by the above-mentioned embodiment includes a box body 1, an inner container 3 and outer container 2 provided inside the box body 1, a driving device 4, brackets 5, suspension rods 8, a water supply path 7, a water discharge path 6, and the like a control device with a central control unit, wherein on the water discharge path 6, a pressure sensor device 10 is provided.

In addition, in the central control unit of the control apparatus of the washing machine, there is provided a detection program for detecting the water absorption rates of various items of clothing, a corresponding detection program for detecting the ratio of "filling water amount clothing weight", and a filling water amount = time duration ^* water flow rate calculating program. The above-identified recognition program for recognizing the

The above-described calculation program for filling water quantity = time duration ^* water flow rate is according to the equation W = f ^* t, where W- filling water amount, T-duration and f- mean water flow rate.

The above-mentioned detection program of the ratio of "fill water amount clothing weight" used in experiments Functional relationships - presented in analyzes or tables - with regard to the filling water quantities to achieve predefined water levels and the weight of items of clothing. The central control unit can calculate the corresponding weight of the garments on the basis of the determined values for filling water quantity and water absorption rate.

In the present embodiment, the pressure sensor device is provided at the water discharge path. In actual practice, the pressure sensor device may also be provided at another position of the washing machine, this position being below the water level L1. It is only necessary that the pressure sensor device work and can determine the filling water amount W1. The pressure sensor device can be provided, for example, below the water reservoir of the washing machine.

Embodiment 3

At the water supply path of the washing machine, the attachment of a water quantity sensor device is carried out and also a solid water level L is provided for soaking, in which the garments can be completely wetted. In this embodiment, the water level for wetting L can be measured by a pressure sensor device (not shown in Fig. 3) provided on the water supply path.

In the central control unit of the control device of the washing machine, a detection program for detecting the water absorption rates of garments of various materials as well as a weight program of clothes are provided.

The above-mentioned water absorption rate A is the amount of water determined in experiments which is required for fully wetting a unit weight of various garment materials. In the above-mentioned detection program for detecting the water absorption rates of clothes, a selector switch (address) for confirming various garment materials is provided on the operation panel of the washing machine. When the user makes a particular selection for a type of garment, the central control unit selects from the Identification program for detecting the water absorption rates of garments on the corresponding address in the memory and goes to use the data stored under this address - water absorption rate A - on. For example, when the user hits the selection "washing cotton material" at the above-mentioned selector switch, the system recognizes the corresponding water absorption rate A1. On the other hand, when the user hits, for example, the selection "washing of silk material" at the above-mentioned selector switch, the system recognizes the corresponding water absorption rate A2. The garments are placed in the drum and there is water supply to reach the water level for wetting L, in which the garments are completely wetted with water. At this time, the water amount sensor device represents the filling water amount as W1.

The water drainage valve is opened and the excess water is drained off. The water discharge valve is closed. At this time, the water amount sensor device represents the filling water amount as W2. When the clothes to be washed are completely wetted with water, the amount of absorbed water is W_ab = W1 -W2. The central control unit calculates according to W_ab and A the weight of the garments Q = W_ab / A.

A central control unit of the washing machine controls according to the weight Q of the clothes to be washed, a control of the water consumption amounts and the detergent consumption amounts for the various programs during the process of laundry washing.

A washing machine provided by the above embodiment in which the weight of clothes is measured by a filling water amount includes box body 1, inner container 3 provided inside box body 1 and outer container 2, driving device 4, brackets 5, hanging bars 8, Water supply path 7, 6 Wasserableitungsweg and control device with central control unit, wherein on the water supply path 7, a water quantity sensor device 9 is provided. In the embodiment mentioned above, the water quantity sensor device is a water meter. In the central control unit of the control apparatus of the washing machine, a detection program for detecting the water absorption rates of various items of clothing and a weight program of the clothes are provided. The above-identified recognition program for recognizing the

The aforesaid calculation program for calculating the weight of the garments proceeds according to the equation: Q = W_ab / A and W_ab = W1 -W2, where:

Q-- denotes the weight of the garments to be washed;

W_ab- denotes the amount of water absorbed when completely wet the clothes to be washed; A- denotes the water absorption rate of the garment materials to be washed;

W1 - the filling water volume of the first water supply line up to the intended height;

W2- designates the filling water quantity of the second water supply line after discharging the remaining water of the first water supply line up to the intended height.

Embodiment 4

The water supply path and the water discharge path of the washing machine are each attached to a water quantity sensor device (as shown in FIG. 5), and a solid water level for wetting L is provided at which the articles of clothing can be completely soaked. In the central control unit of the control device of the washing machine, a detection program for detecting the water absorption rates of various clothing materials is provided. The garments are placed in the drum and there is water supply to reach the water level for wetting L, in which the garments are completely wetted with water. At this time, the water amount sensor device of the water supply path represents the filling water amount as W1. In this embodiment, the water level for wetting L can be measured by a pressure sensor device provided on the water supply path (not shown in Figure 5).

The water drainage valve is opened and the excess water is drained off. The deduced water amount W3 is represented by the water amount sensor device of the water discharge path.

When the clothes to be washed are completely wetted, the amount of absorbed water is W_ab = W1 -W3;

The central control unit calculates in accordance with W and A the weight of the garments Q = W_ab / A. A central control unit of the washing machine controls according to the weight Q of the garments a control of the water consumption amounts and the detergent consumption amounts for the various programs during the process of laundry washing.

A washing machine, which is provided by the above-mentioned embodiment and in which the weight of garments is measured by means of a filling water amount includes, as shown in Figure 4: a box body 1, respectively provided within the box body 1 inner container 3 and outer container 2, a driving device 4, brackets 5, suspension rods 8, a water supply path 7, a water discharge path 6, and a control device having a central control unit, wherein a water amount sensor device 9 is provided on the water supply path 7 and the water discharge path, respectively. In the embodiment mentioned above, the water quantity sensor device is a water meter. In the central control unit of the control apparatus of the washing machine, a detection program for detecting the water absorption rates of various items of clothing and a weight program of the clothes are provided. The aforesaid recognition program for detecting the water absorption rates of various items of clothing is operated by means of a cloth material selection switch on the operation panel, selecting the water absorption rate of the corresponding material material. The above-described calculation program for calculating the weight of the garments proceeds according to the equation: Q = W_ab / A and W_ab = W1-W3, where:

Q- denotes the weight of the garments to be washed;

W_ab- denotes the amount of water absorbed when completely wet the clothes to be washed;

A- denotes the water absorption rate of the garment materials to be washed;

W1 - the filling water volume of the first water supply line up to the intended height; W2- the remaining water discharge after the first water supply called.

Claims

1 . Method for determining a weight of items of clothing placed in a drum of a washing machine depending on a quantity of filling water, the method comprising the following steps:

0, 1 providing a water quantity sensor (9) on a

Water supply path (7) of the washing machine, a water level (L) at which the garments can be completely wetted, and a control device, the means for identifying a water absorption rate (A) of the garments and at least one allocation unit (M3), with a predetermined dependent on the water absorption rate relationship between filling water quantities and loading quantities can be determined, and which can determine the weight (Q) of the garments with the allocation unit (M3) depending on a filled in the drum (3) amount of water and the identified water absorption rate (A)

O, 2 pour water until it reaches the water level (L) and

Detecting means of the water quantity sensor (9) of the filled up to the time of reaching the water level height (L) amount of water (W), and

O, 3 Determining the weight (Q) of the garments from the comparison of the filled amount of water (W) with the filling water quantities of the allocation unit (M3).

2. Washing machine for carrying out the method according to claim 1, in which the weight (Q) of clothing is determined by means of a filling water quantity (W), the washing machine having a housing (1) in which a drum (3) and a container ( 2), a drive device, a water supply path (7), a water discharge path (6) and a control device are arranged, characterized in that on the water supply path (7) a water quantity sensor (9) is arranged, that the control device of the washing machine means (M2 ) for identifying water absorption rates (A) of various items of clothing and at least one allocation unit (M3), with a predetermined one of the Water absorption rate (A) dependent relationship between filling water quantities and loading quantities can be determined comprises.

3. A method for determining a weight of items of clothing in one

Drum of a washing machine are introduced, depending on a

Filling water quantity, the method comprising the steps listed below:

0, 1 providing a pressure sensor in the washing machine, a first water level (L1) at which the garments can not be soaked and when reaching the first water level (L1) a certain amount of water (W1) is filled, and providing a second water level (L2 ), in which the garments can be completely soaked,

O, 2 providing a control device comprising means (M2) for

Identification of a water absorption rate (A) of the garments and at least one allocation unit (M3), with a predetermined dependent on the water absorption rate relationship between filling water quantities and load quantities can be determined, and which can determine a filling water quantity, and

O, 3 filling from a first amount of water (W1) until reaching the first water level (L1), determining a time (T1) to reach the first water level (L1), and determining the water flow rate (f) from the product of the first period (T1) and the first amount of water (W1),

O, 4 Further filling a second amount of water (W2) until reaching the second water level (L2), determining the time required to reach the second water level (L2) total time (T) and determining the time until the second water level (L2 ) amount of water (W = W1 + W2) from the product of the water flow rate (f) and the total time duration (T) and

O, 5 determining the weight (Q) of the garments from the comparison of the amount of water (W) filled up to the second water level (L2) with the filling water quantities of the allocation unit (M3).

4. Washing machine for carrying out the method according to claim 3, wherein the weight (Q) of clothing is determined by means of a filling water quantity, the washing machine having a housing (1) in which a drum (3) and a container (2), a drive device (4) and a control device are arranged, characterized in that in the washing machine a pressure sensor for measuring a first water level (L1), at which the garments can not be soaked, is arranged, that the control device of the washing machine means (M2 ) for identifying water absorption rates (A) of various items of clothing and at least one allocation unit (M3) with which a predetermined relationship between fill water quantities and load quantities can be determined, which is dependent on the water absorption rate (A).

5. A method of determining a weight of items of clothing placed in a drum of a washing machine depending on a quantity of filling water, the method comprising the steps of:

0, 1 providing a water quantity sensor to a water supply path of the washing machine and a water level height (L) at which the garments can be completely wetted,

O, 2 Providing a control device, which is a device for

Identifying a water absorption rate (A) of the garments and determining the weight of the garments,

O, 3 filling of water (W) until reaching the water level (L), determining a first up to the time of reaching the water level (L) filled amount of water (W1) and

O, 4 removal of excess water, in particular of water not absorbed by the garments, re-filling of water until reaching the water level (L), establishing a second up to the time of reaching the water level (L) filled amount of water (W2) of the refilling, determining a filling water amount (W_ab) absorbed by the garments from the difference of the first amount of water (W1) and the second amount of water (W2) (W_ab = W1 -W2) and determining the weight (Q) of the Garments from the quotient of the absorbed filling water quantity (W_ab) and the absorption rate (A) (Q = W / A).

A washing machine for performing the method according to claim 5, wherein the weight of clothes is determined by a filling water amount, the washing machine having a housing in which a drum and a container, a drive device, a water supply path, a water discharge path and a control device are arranged characterized in that a water quantity sensor is arranged on the water supply path, in that the control device of the washing machine comprises a device for identifying water absorption rates (A) of different items of clothing as well as a device for determining the weight of the articles of clothing.

A method of determining a weight of items of clothing placed in a drum of a washing machine depending on a quantity of filling water, the method comprising the steps of:

0, 1 providing a water amount sensor to a water supply path, a water amount sensor to a water discharge path, a water level (L) at which the garments can be completely wetted, and a control device comprising means for identifying a water absorption rate (A) of the garments,

O, 2 Fill a first volume of water until it reaches the

Water level (L) and determining the filled up to the time of reaching the water level height first amount of water (W1) by means of the water quantity sensor of the water supply path,

O, 3 removal of excess water, in particular of water not absorbed by the garments, determining the amount of water discharged (W3) by means of the water quantity sensor of the water discharge path and

O, 4 determining the absorbed amount of water (W_ab) from the difference of the first filled amount of water (W1) and the discharged amount of water (W3) (W_ab = W1 - W3) and determining the weight (Q) of Garments from the quotient of the absorbed amount of water (W_ab) and the absorption rate (A) (Q = W_ab / A).

8. A washing machine for carrying out the method according to claim 7, wherein the weight of clothes is determined by means of a filling water amount, wherein the washing machine comprises a housing in which a drum and a container, a drive device, a water supply path, a water discharge path and a control device arranged characterized in that a water quantity sensor is arranged on the water supply path and the water discharge path, that the control device of the washing machine comprises a device for identifying water absorption rates (A) of various items of clothing and a device for determining the weight of the garments.

A washing machine according to any one of claims 2, 4, 6 and 8, wherein the weight of garments is determined by means of a quantity of filling water, characterized in that the device for identifying water absorption rates (A) is operated by means of a garment material selector switch on a control panel, the water absorption rate (A) is selected according to a selected kind of the garment.

10. Washing machine according to one of claims 2, 4, 6 and 8, wherein the weight (Q) of garments is determined by means of a filling water amount, characterized in that a pressure sensor device for detecting a water level height (L) is included, in which the garments completely soaked in water.

1 1. Washing machine according to one of claims 2, 6 and 8, in which the weight of garments is determined by means of a filling water quantity, characterized in that the water quantity sensor is a water meter.

12. Washing machine according to one of claims 2 and 4, wherein the weight of garments is determined by means of a filling water amount, thereby ge indicates that the allocation unit has at least one functional relationship given in a formula or at least one assignment table, wherein depending on the absorption rate (A), in each case one filling water quantity is assigned a weight of clothing items until a predetermined water level is reached.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1, 3, 5 and 7, characterized by the further step in which parameters, in particular quantities of water, rotational speeds and washing times, for carrying out a washing operation in dependence of the determined weight (Q) of the garments and an identified Material of the garments are controlled by a central control unit.

14. A washing machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the pressure sensor for measuring the water level (L1) at which the garments can not be soaked is provided at the water discharge path, or the pressure sensor at a lower part of the washing machine is connected to the water discharge path is provided.