Patent Description:
Nowadays the use of laundry treating machines, both "simple" laundry washing machines (i.e. laundry washing machines which can only wash and rinse laundry) and washing-drying machines (i.e. laundry washing machines which can also dry laundry), is widespread.

In this respect, in the present description, where not stated differently, the term "laundry treatment machine" can be referred indiscriminately to a laundry washing machine, or to a laundry washing and drying machines, or to a laundry drying machine.

As is known, laundry treating machines generally comprise a detergent dispenser which is located inside a boxlike casing, immediately above a washing tub, and is structured for selectively feeding into the washing tub, according to the washing cycle manually-selected by the user, a given amount of detergent, softener and/or other washing agent suitably mixed with fresh water arriving from a water mains.

This type of home laundry washing machine further comprise a fresh-water supply circuit which is structured for selectively drawing fresh water from the water mains and channelling said fresh water to the detergent dispenser or directly to the washing tub; and an appliance control panel which is generally located on the front wall of the casing, above the laundry loading/unloading opening, and is structured for allowing the user to manually select the desired washing-program/cycle.

In addition to the above, some type of laundry washing machines have an internal water softening device which is located along the fresh-water supply circuit, and is structured to reduce, on command, the hardness degree of the fresh water channelled towards the detergent dispenser and the washing tub. The use of softened water during the washing cycle, in fact, significantly improves cleaning performances.

The water softening device comprises a ion exchanger which is internally provided with a given amount of ion-exchange agents, i.e. ion-exchange resins, which are capable of retaining the calcium and magnesium ions (Ca++ and Mg++) dissolved in the water flowing through the same water softening device, so as to reduce the hardness degree of the fresh water directed towards the detergent dispenser and the washing tub.

Since the water softening capabilities of the ion-exchange resins are used to quickly drop away after a number of washing program/cycles, the water softening device generally comprises a resin regeneration device, which is designed to perform regeneration cycles to regenerate the ion-exchange resins. More specifically, the regeneration unit generally comprise an internal reservoir of salt (NaCl) to be used for selectively producing some brine (i.e. salt water) which, during a regeneration cycle, is channeled into the ion exchanger to regenerate the ion-exchange resins located therein. Salt water, in fact, is able to remove from the ion-exchange resins during the regeneration cycle the calcium and magnesium ions previously combined/fixed to said resins.

The regeneration cycles take a certain period of time during which the water softening device cannot be used for supplying softening water to the washing tub. Thus, there is the need to coordinate the regeneration cycles during the washing programs in order to avoid interruptions/delays of the washing program phases, which may cause an increase of the duration/time of the washing program.

Document <CIT> discloses a washing machine provided with a water softener device comprising an ion exchange resin container through which the water to be softened passes and a regenerating salt container suitable to contain salts and to receive water to form brine that is flowed into the ion exchange resin container to regenerate the resins; in the machine a working method is implemented, comprising washing, rinsing and spinning cycles; during the washing cycle the water passes through the ion exchange resin container to soft the using water; after the washing cycle the resins are regenerated by the formed brine, followed by the flowing of fresh water into the ion exchange resin; the same regeneration and water-flowing cycle is provided after the rinsing step.

Aim of the present invention is to control the activation of the regeneration cycle during the washing program without causing interruption/delays of time of the washing program.

In compliance with the above aims, according to the present invention there is provided a method according to independent claim <NUM>.

According to the invention, the method comprises the step of performing a regeneration cycle and a waste-brine cleaning cycle during a first and a second washing program phases, respectively, wherein the first phase is performed before to perform the second phase.

According to the invention, the regeneration cycle is performed during a washing phase.

Preferably, said washing phase comprises a number of washing sections comprising at least: a washing water load section, a washing water heating section, a washing maintenance section, a washing water drain section; said regeneration cycle being performed during one or more of said washing sections.

Preferably, said regeneration cycle is performed during one or more washing section/s following said water load section.

Preferably, said regeneration cycle is performed at the same time of said washing maintenance section.

Preferably, said regeneration cycle is exclusively performed at the same time of said washing maintenance section.

Preferably, said regeneration cycle is performed at the same time of said washing heating section.

Preferably, said regeneration cycle is exclusively performed at the same time of said washing heating section.

Preferably, said regeneration cycle is performed at the same time of said washing drain section.

Preferably, said regeneration cycle is exclusively performed at the same time of said washing drain section.

Preferably, said washing load section comprises the step of supplying fresh water to said tub; said regeneration cycle being performed at the same time of said washing load section.

Preferably, the regeneration cycle is performed between two successive washing sections of said washing phase.

According to the invention, said waste-brine cleaning cycle is performed during a rinse phase following a washing phase.

Preferably, said waste-brine cleaning cycle is exclusively performed during a rinse phase following a washing phase.

Preferably, said rinse phase comprises a number of rinse sections comprising at least: a rinse water load section, a rinse maintenance section, a rinse water drain section; said waste-brine cleaning cycle being performed during one or more of said rinse sections.

Preferably, said waste-brine cleaning cycle is performed during said rinse water drain section of said rinse phase.

Preferably, said waste-brine cleaning cycle is exclusively performed during said rinse water drain section of said rinse phase.

Preferably, said waste-brine cleaning cycle is performed during said rinse phase, immediately after or immediately before, said rinse water drain section.

Preferably, said waste-brine cleaning cycle is exclusively performed during said rinse phase, immediately after or immediately before, said rinse water drain section.

Preferably, said waste-brine cleaning cycle is performed during said rinse maintenance section and/or a rinse water drain section.

Preferably, said waste-brine cleaning cycle is exclusively performed during said rinse maintenance section and/or a rinse water drain section.

Preferably, said waste-brine cleaning cycle is performed during the first rinse phase following said washing phase.

Preferably, said waste-brine cleaning cycle is exclusively performed during the first rinse phase following said washing phase.

Preferably, the washing-out of the waste brine solution contained in said brine tank and the washing-out of said water softening device are performed simultaneously.

Preferably, the washing-out the waste brine solution contained in said brine tank and the washing-out of said water softening device is performed independently, one to the other.

Preferably, the method comprises the steps of performing a waste-brine cleaning cycle for washing-out of said ion exchanger agents and performing a waste-brine cleaning cycle for washing-out of said water softening device during respective rinse sections, which are different one to the other.

Moreover according to the present invention there is further provided a laundry washing machine according to independent claim <NUM>.

According to the invention, a control device of said laundry washing machine is configured to perform a regeneration cycle during a washing phase.

Preferably, said washing phase comprises a number of washing sections comprising at least: a washing water load section, a washing water heating section, a washing maintenance section, a washing water drain section; said control device being configured to perform said regeneration cycle during one or more of said washing sections.

Preferably, said control device is configured to perform said regeneration cycle during one or more washing section/s following said water load section.

Preferably, said control device is configured to perform said regeneration cycle at the same time of said washing maintenance section.

Preferably, said control device is configured to perform said regeneration cycle at the same time of said washing heating section.

Preferably, the control device is configured to perform said regeneration cycle at the same time of said washing drain section.

Preferably, said washing load section comprises the step of supplying fresh water to said tub; said control device being configure to perform said regeneration cycle at the same time of said washing load section.

Preferably, said control device is configured to perform said regeneration cycle between two successive washing sections of the washing phase.

According to the invention, the control device is configured to perform a waste-brine cleaning cycle during a rinse phase.

Preferably, said rinse phase comprises a number of rinse sections comprising at least: a rinse water load section, a rinse maintenance section, a rinse water drain section; said control device is configured to perform said waste-brine cleaning cycle during one or more of said rinse sections.

Preferably, said control device is configured to perform said waste-brine cleaning cycle during said rinse water drain section of said rinse phase.

Preferably, said control device is configured to perform said waste-brine cleaning cycle during said rinse phase, immediately after or immediately before, said rinse water drain section.

Preferably, said control device is configured to perform said waste-brine cleaning cycle during said rinse maintenance section and/or a rinse water drain section.

Preferably, said control device is configured to perform said waste-brine cleaning cycle during the first rinse phase following said washing phase.

Preferably, said control device is configured to perform the washing-out the waste brine solution contained in said brine tank and the washing-out of said water softening device simultaneously.

Preferably, said control device is configured to perform the washing-out the waste brine solution contained in said brine tank and the washing-out of said water softening device independently, one to the other.

Preferably, said control device is configured to perform a waste-brine cleaning cycle for washing-out of said ion exchanger agents and perform a waste-brine cleaning cycle for washing-out of said ion exchanger agents washing circuit during respective rinse sections, which are different one to the other.

A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

With reference to <FIG>, reference number <NUM> indicates as a whole a laundry washing machine <NUM> which preferably basically comprises: a preferably substantially parallelepiped-shaped, outer boxlike casing <NUM> structured for resting on the floor; a preferably substantially horizontally-oriented, approximately cylindrical washing tub <NUM> which is arranged inside the casing <NUM> with the mouth directly facing a laundry loading/unloading pass-through opening realized in the front wall <NUM> of the outer casing <NUM>; a substantially cylindrical, cup-shaped rotatable drum <NUM> (schematically illustrated in <FIG>) which is structured for housing the laundry to be washed, and is fitted in axially rotatable manner inside the washing tub <NUM> with the concavity facing the front opening or mouth of washing tub <NUM>, so as to be able to freely rotate about its longitudinal axis inside the washing tub <NUM>; a porthole door <NUM> which is hinged to the front wall <NUM> of casing <NUM> so as to be movable/rotatable to and from a closing position in which the door <NUM> closes the laundry loading/unloading opening on front wall <NUM> for watertight sealing the washing tub <NUM>; and an electrically-powered motor assembly <NUM> which is structured for driving into rotation the rotatable drum <NUM> about its longitudinal axis inside the washing tub <NUM>.

In the example shown, in particular, the rotatable drum <NUM> of laundry washing machine <NUM> is preferably arranged inside the washing tub <NUM> with the drum rotation axis locally substantially coaxial to the longitudinal axis of washing tub <NUM>, i.e. oriented substantially horizontally, and with the circular front opening or mouth of the drum <NUM> directly aligned and faced to the circular front opening or mouth of washing tub <NUM>, so as to receive the laundry to be washed through the laundry loading/unloading opening realized on front wall <NUM>.

The washing tub <NUM>, in turn, is preferably suspended in floating manner inside the casing <NUM> via a suspension system that preferably, though not necessarily, comprises at least one, and preferably a couple of upper coil springs <NUM> connecting the upper portion of washing tub <NUM> to the top of casing <NUM>, and preferably at least one, and preferably a couple of vibration dampers <NUM> connecting the bottom portion of washing tub <NUM> to the bottom of casing <NUM>. Moreover the laundry washing machine <NUM> is preferably provided with a substantially cylindrical elastically-deformable bellows (not shown) which watertight connects the front mouth of washing tub <NUM> to the laundry loading/unloading opening realized on front wall <NUM> of casing <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the laundry washing machine <NUM> furthermore comprises: a detergent dispenser <NUM> which is located inside the casing <NUM> preferably above the washing tub <NUM> and preferably, though not necessarily, immediately underneath the upper worktop or top wall <NUM> of casing <NUM>, and is structured for selectively feeding into the washing tub <NUM>, according to the washing program manually-selected by the user, a given amount of detergent, softener and/or other washing agent suitably mixed with fresh water; a main fresh-water supply circuit <NUM> which is connectable directly to the water mains, and is structured for selectively channelling, according to the washing program manually-selected by the user, a flow of fresh water from the water mains to the detergent dispenser <NUM> or directly to the washing tub <NUM>.

With reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the detergent dispenser <NUM> may comprise: a detergent drawer <NUM> which is provided with one or more detergent compartments <NUM> structured for being manually fillable with a given amount of detergent, softener or other washing agent. The detergent drawer <NUM> may be fitted/inserted in manually extractable manner into the drawer housing <NUM> which, in turn, is located/recessed inside the casing <NUM> above washing tub <NUM> (<FIG>), and whose entrance is preferably located on front wall <NUM> of casing <NUM>, above the laundry loading/unloading opening realized on the same front wall <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the laundry washing machine <NUM> further comprise an appliance control panel <NUM> which may be preferably located on front wall <NUM> of casing <NUM>, above the laundry loading/ unloading opening and preferably also immediately beneath the upper worktop or top wall <NUM> of casing <NUM>, and is structured to allow the user to manually select the desired washing program among a number of available washing programs.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the laundry washing machine <NUM> furthermore comprises an internal water softening device <NUM> which is located inside the boxlike casing <NUM>, along the fresh-water supply circuit <NUM> or the detergent dispenser <NUM>, and is structured for selectively reducing, during one or more phases of the washing program, the hardness degree of the fresh water that fresh-water supply circuit <NUM> channels towards detergent dispenser <NUM> or washing tub <NUM>. According to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the water softening device <NUM> may comprise a closed container which has a water inlet and a water outlet fluidically connected to the fresh-water supply circuit <NUM> and/or the detergent dispenser <NUM> so as to be crossed by the fresh/tap water directed towards the washing tub <NUM>. The closed container may be furthermore filled with a given amount of ion-exchange resins capable of retaining the calcium and magnesium ions (Ca++ and Mg++) dissolved in the water flowing through the same container, so as to reduce the hardness degree of the tap water directed towards the washing tub <NUM>. According to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the water softening device <NUM> may be located inside the boxlike casing <NUM> adjoined to the detergent dispenser <NUM>, and may be fluidically connected to detergent dispenser <NUM> so as to be crossed by the fresh water flowing towards the washing tub <NUM> via the same detergent dispenser <NUM>.

The laundry washing machine <NUM> further comprises a brine reservoir <NUM> which is dimensioned to contain brine (salt water) and is configured to supply, on command, a determined amount of brine to said water softening device <NUM> for performing the regeneration cycle of the ion-exchange resins located inside the same water softening device <NUM>.

The laundry washing machine <NUM> further comprises a regeneration-agent reservoir, i.e. a regeneration-agent compartment <NUM>, which is located/recessed inside the boxlike casing <NUM> and is structured for being manually fillable with a given amount of consumable salt grains (NaCl) or other regeneration agent. As illustrated in the example of <FIG>, the brine reservoir <NUM> may be dimensioned to contain a given amount of brine preferably greater than <NUM> (millilitres) and fluidically communicates with the regeneration-agent compartment <NUM> for receiving and accumulating the brine coming out from said regeneration-agent compartment <NUM>. The brine reservoir <NUM> may comprise a closed tank <NUM>, preferably a small and unpressurized tank, communicating with the regeneration-agent compartment <NUM> via one or more pipes in order to receive the brine from said regeneration-agent compartment <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in the schematic example of <FIG>, the laundry washing machine <NUM> may further comprise an electrically-powered pump assembly <NUM> having the suction connected to the brine reservoir <NUM> and the delivery connected to the water softening device <NUM>, thus to be able to selectively pump the brine from the brine reservoir <NUM> to the water softening device <NUM>. Pump assembly <NUM> preferably comprises an electrically-powered volumetric pump. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the pump assembly designed to pump the brine to the water softening device <NUM> during the regeneration cycle, but it may envisage other alternative and/or a less sophisticated embodiment in which, for example, the pump assembly <NUM> could be replaced by an electrically-operated on-off valve which is interposed between the brine reservoir <NUM> and the water softening device <NUM>, and is capable of controlling the flow of brine by gravity towards the water softening device <NUM>. The brine reservoir <NUM> may be preferably dimensioned to contain a maximum amount of brine preferably overapproximating the whole amount of brine to be pumped into the internal water softening device <NUM> for performing the regeneration cycle of the ion-exchange resins located inside the same water softening device <NUM>.

As illustrated in the schematic example of <FIG>, the regeneration-agent compartment <NUM> may be preferably arranged on detergent drawer <NUM>, beside one or more detergent compartments <NUM>, so that both detergent compartment/s <NUM> and regeneration-agent compartment <NUM> are allowed to almost contemporaneously come out from the front wall <NUM> of casing <NUM> when detergent drawer <NUM> moves from the retracted position to the extracted position. Preferably the regeneration-agent compartment <NUM> may be moreover dimensioned to accommodate/contain an amount of consumable salt (NaCl) or other regeneration-agent sufficient for performing a plurality of regeneration cycles of the ion-exchange resins of the water softening device <NUM>. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above disclosed regeneration-agent compartment <NUM> placed in the detergent drawer <NUM>, but it could envisage of placing the regeneration-agent compartment <NUM> outside of the detergent drawer <NUM>. In other words the regeneration-agent compartment <NUM> may be placed in a relative drawer (not illustrated) coupled with the casing <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in the schematic example of <FIG>, the laundry washing machine <NUM> may furthermore comprise a hydraulic circuit <NUM> which is connected to the fresh-water supply circuit <NUM>, and is structured for channelling the fresh water of the water mains into the regeneration-agent compartment <NUM>, so as to dissolve some of the salt grains contained into the same regeneration-agent compartment <NUM> and form the brine. For example, the hydraulic circuit <NUM> may be connected to the fresh-water supply circuit <NUM> for receiving the fresh water of the water mains, and may be structured for pouring the fresh water arriving from the water mains into the regeneration-agent compartment <NUM> of detergent drawer <NUM> or into any one of detergent compartments <NUM>. The poured fresh water serves to dissolve some salt grains contained into the regeneration-agent compartment <NUM> to form the brine.

According to the example illustrated in <FIG>, the hydraulic circuit <NUM> may be further structured for selectively channelling the fresh water of the water mains directly to the brine reservoir <NUM> bypassing the regeneration-agent compartment <NUM> of detergent drawer <NUM>. In other words, the hydraulic circuit <NUM> may be directly connected to the fresh-water supply circuit <NUM> for receiving the fresh water of the water mains, and is suitably structured for selectively and alternatively channelling the fresh water arriving from the water mains towards any one of detergent compartments <NUM>, or towards the brine reservoir <NUM> by a hose/pipe <NUM> bypassing the regeneration-agent compartment <NUM> of detergent drawer <NUM> so as to selectively completely fill up the brine reservoir <NUM> with fresh water. As it will be disclosed hereinafter in detail, the hydraulic circuit <NUM> is controlled to supply fresh water directly to the brine reservoir <NUM> for washing up the same brine reservoir <NUM> in order to clean it from residual brine/salt.

According to an embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the hydraulic circuit <NUM> may comprise, for example: an electrically-operated, water distributor <NUM> which is fluidically connected to the fresh-water supply circuit <NUM> and/or to the internal water softening device <NUM> for receiving a flow of unsoftened or softened fresh water, and is suitably structured to selectively channel, on command, the unsoftened fresh water arriving from fresh-water supply circuit <NUM> or the softened fresh water arriving from water softening device <NUM>, towards: the regeneration-agent compartment <NUM>, or the brine reservoir <NUM>, or the detergent compartments <NUM> or the water softening device <NUM>, or the washing tub <NUM>.

According to an embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the electrically-operated, water distributor <NUM> of the hydraulic circuit <NUM> is further configured to selectively channel, on command, any kind of water that enters into the same hydraulic circuit <NUM>, to a water drain line <NUM> that braches off from the hydraulic circuit <NUM> and preferably ends into a drain sump <NUM> of washing tub <NUM>, or even directly into the suction of an electric pump <NUM> that is controlled in order to drain the waste water or washing liquor outside the laundry washing machine <NUM>. In the schematic example illustrated in <FIG>, the water drain line <NUM> may preferably comprises a hosepipe or other piping, that fits directly into the drain sump <NUM> of washing tub <NUM>.

According to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the electrically-operated, water distributor <NUM>, may, preferably consists in a discrete, electrically-operated, flow-diverter module which has a water inlet which directly communicates with the water softening device <NUM> for directly receiving softened fresh water, and preferably also with the fresh-water supply circuit <NUM> for also directly receiving unsoftened fresh water; and a number of water outlets respectively communicating with the regeneration-agent compartment <NUM>, the brine reservoir <NUM> and the detergent compartments <NUM>, the water softening device <NUM>. Preferably the electrically-operated, flow-diverter module may furthermore internally accommodates a rotatable flow diverter (not shown) which is capable of channeling, according to its angular position, the water entering into flow-diverter module via the water inlet towards any one of the water outlets of the same flow-diverter module <NUM>. In addition to the above, the flow-diverter module <NUM> preferably also comprises an electrically-operated motor assembly (not shown) which is mechanically connected to the rotatable flow diverter for controlling the angular position of the flow diverter, and optionally also an electronic control unit (not shown) which is structured to directly power and control the electrically-operated motor assembly according to electric signals arriving from an electronic control unit <NUM> of the laundry washing machine <NUM>. As an alternative, the electrically-operated, water distributor <NUM> may consists in a valve assembly comprising a number of electrically-operated on-off valves capable of selectively channeling the unsoftened fresh water arriving from fresh-water supply circuit <NUM> or the softened fresh water arriving from water softening device <NUM>, towards the regeneration-agent compartment <NUM> the brine reservoir <NUM>, the water softening device <NUM> and the detergent compartments <NUM>.

With reference to an example illustrated in <FIG>, the internal water softening device <NUM> may be preferably fluidically connected to the hydraulic circuit <NUM> so as to be crossed by the fresh water that flows inside the hydraulic circuit <NUM> towards the detergent compartments/s <NUM> of detergent drawer <NUM>, and optionally towards the regeneration-agent compartment <NUM> or towards brine reservoir <NUM>, so that the hardness degree of the tap water supplied/poured at least into any one of the detergent compartments <NUM> of detergent drawer <NUM> is significantly reduced.

According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the fresh-water supply circuit <NUM> of laundry washing machine <NUM> may preferably comprise two independent electrically-operated on-off valves <NUM> and <NUM>, each separately connectable to the water mains. The electrically-operated on-off valve <NUM> may be directly connected to a main water inlet of the hydraulic circuit <NUM> via a first connecting tube <NUM> or other piping, thus to channel the fresh water of the water mains directly to the hydraulic circuit <NUM>, i.e. the flow-diverter module <NUM>, bypassing the internal water softening device <NUM>. The main water of the inlet hydraulic circuit <NUM> may be also fluidically connected to an outlet of the water softening device <NUM> in order to receive the softened water. In the illustrated example the outlet of the water softening device <NUM> is fluidically connected to the main water inlet of inlet hydraulic circuit <NUM> by a part/section of the first connecting tube <NUM>. The electrically-operated on-off valve <NUM> of the fresh-water supply circuit <NUM> instead may be directly connected to a inlet of the water softening device <NUM> to channel the fresh water of the water mains to the internal water softening device <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, preferably the brine reservoir <NUM> may be optionally provided with a water drain line <NUM> that braches off from brine tank <NUM> and ends into the drain sump <NUM> of washing tub <NUM>, or even directly into the suction of the electric pump <NUM> that drains the waste water or washing liquor outside the laundry washing machine <NUM>. In the example shown, the water drain line <NUM> preferably comprises: a hosepipe <NUM> or other piping, that branches off from the bottom of brine tank <NUM> and fits directly into the drain sump <NUM> of washing tub <NUM>; and an electrically-operated, on-off valve <NUM> which is arranged along hosepipe <NUM> for controlling the outflow of the water or brine from brine tank <NUM> towards the drain sump <NUM>.

Regarding the electronic control unit <NUM>, it may be configured to control operation of the laundry washing machine <NUM> according to a washing program selected by the user among a plurality of washing programs preferably memorized in memory device (not illustrated) contained, for example, in the same electronic control unit <NUM>.

It should be understood that in the present description, with washing program, it will be understood a laundry washing cycle comprising one or more washing phases, one or more rinse phases, and one or more a spin phases.

It is further pointed out that the washing phases, the rinse phases, and the spin phases are part of the washing program and that the washing phases and the rinse phases comprise, in turn, a number of sub-phases, afterwards called "washing sections", and "rinse sections", respectively.

Preferably, the washing phase of the washing program may comprise, a washing loading water section wherein detergent mixed with a predetermined amount of softened or unsoftened water are supplied to the tub <NUM>; a washing heating section wherein the water contained in the tub <NUM>, i.e. cold water, is heated according to a prefixed washing temperature; a washing maintenance section, wherein the drum <NUM> is rotated at determined washing rotational speed/s, preferably in alternative clockwise and anticlockwise directions, for tumbling the laundry for detergent action, and a washing drain section wherein the waste washing water contained in the tub <NUM> is drained out of the machine <NUM>.

Regarding the rinse phase, it is performed after the laundry wash phase and may comprise a rinse water loading section (loading a prefixed rinse amount of unsoftened or softened water into the washing tub <NUM>), a rinse maintenance section, wherein the drum <NUM> is rotated at predetermined rinse-speed/s for tumbling the laundry, a rinse drain section, wherein the waste rinse water is drained out of the washing machine <NUM>, and a rinse spin section, wherein the drum <NUM> is rotated at a prefixed rinse spin speed. Regarding the spin phase, it comprise the step of accelerating the drum <NUM> in order to reach a prefixed high spin speed, for example greater than rinse-spin speed.

According to the present invention, the washing program is configure in order to incorporate a regeneration cycle and a waste-brine cleaning cycle. As it will be disclosed hereinafter in detail, during the waste-brine cleaning cycle, the machine <NUM> rinses/washes up the waste brine solution and/or salt residues contained in the water softening device <NUM> and/or the waste brine solution and/or salt residues contained in the brine tank <NUM> and drains such waste brine solution/ salt residues outside of the machine <NUM>. In other words, during the waste-brine cleaning cycle, the control unit <NUM> controls the machine <NUM> for washing out the exchanged hardness liquid produced during the regeneration cycle both from the water softening device <NUM> and the brine tank <NUM>, and drains the exchanged hardness liquid out of the washing machine <NUM>.

As it will be disclosed in detail hereinafter, the present invention is essentially based on the idea of performing the regenerating cycle and the waste-brine cleaning cycle during respective washing program phases, which are different one to the other. The applicant has found that performing the regenerating cycle and the waste-brine cleaning cycle during different washing program phases, has the conveniently technical effect of avoiding any interruptions/delays of the washing program.

According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the washing program may be setup so that the regeneration cycle may be conveniently performed during a first phase, while the water brine cycle may be conveniently performed in a second phase following the first phase.

According to an exemplary embodiment which will be hereinafter disclosed in detail the washing program is configured so that the regeneration cycle is conveniently incorporated in the washing phase, whereas the waste-brine cleaning cycle is conveniently incorporated in a rinse phase following the washing phase.

According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, when a regeneration cycle has to be performed, the control unit <NUM> may operate the hydraulic circuit <NUM> ( i.e. the flow-diverter module <NUM> in the shown example), so as to channel, towards the regeneration-agent compartment <NUM>, the softened or unsoftened fresh water entering into the hydraulic circuit <NUM>, and then may open for a short time either the on-off valve <NUM> or the on-off valve <NUM> of the fresh-water supply circuit <NUM>, so as to supply/pour a given amount of fresh water, for example <NUM> cm3 (cubic centimeters) of fresh water, into the regeneration-agent compartment <NUM>. The softened or unsoftened fresh water contained into the regeneration-agent compartment <NUM> dissolves a great amount of salt grains and forms the brine. The brine formed into the regeneration-agent compartment <NUM> is supplied to (falls into) brine tank <NUM> wherein accumulates. Then, if brine tank <NUM> has room for other brine, the control unit <NUM> may open again for a short time either the on-off valve <NUM> or the on-off valve <NUM> of fresh-water supply circuit <NUM>, so as to supply/pour some more fresh water, for example <NUM> cm3 (cubic centimeters) of fresh water, into the regeneration-agent compartment <NUM>, so as to form a <NUM> cm3 of brine that, again, moves into brine tank <NUM>. Sequential quantum supplying of fresh water into the regeneration-agent compartment <NUM> may continue until brine reservoir, or better brine tank <NUM>, is completely filled with brine, i.e. contains an amount of brine sufficient for performing the whole regeneration cycle of the ion-exchange resins contained into water softening device <NUM>. When brine tank <NUM> is completely filled with brine, the control unit <NUM> may activate the pump assembly <NUM> to move at a time the whole brine from brine tank <NUM> to water softening device <NUM>, so as to fill up the water softening device <NUM> with brine. In other words, when brine tank <NUM> is completely filled with brine, the control unit <NUM> activates pump assembly <NUM> so as to substantially empty the brine reservoir <NUM> into the water softening device <NUM>.

When a "loading of water" has to be performed (water loading section), the control unit <NUM> may operate the water supply circuit <NUM>, the hydraulic circuit <NUM>, based on the kind of water, softened or unsoftened, to be supplied. When unsoftened water has to be loaded to the tub <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> open the valve <NUM> and operates the hydraulic circuit <NUM> so as to channel, directly towards the tub <NUM>, the fresh water entering into the drawer flush circuit <NUM>. Vice versa, when softened water has to be loaded into the tub <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> may open the valve <NUM> so as to channel the fresh water entering into the water softening device <NUM> and operates the hydraulic circuit <NUM> so as to channel directly towards the tub <NUM> the softened water provided by the water softening device <NUM>. It should be understood that during the "loading of water" the fresh water may also enters the detergent dispenser <NUM> in order to feed into the washing tub, a given amount of detergent, softener and/or other washing agent suitably mixed with the fresh water.

When a "waste-brine cleaning cycle" has to be performed, the control unit <NUM> may operate the hydraulic circuit <NUM> so as to channel, directly towards the brine tank <NUM> and bypassing the regeneration-agent compartment <NUM>, the fresh water entering into the hydraulic circuit <NUM>, and then opens the on-off valve <NUM> of the fresh-water supply circuit <NUM> thus to supply/pour a given amount of fresh water into the brine reservoir <NUM>. The fresh water channelled into the brine reservoir <NUM> serves for rinsing/ washing out the same brine reservoir <NUM> from the waste brine solution. According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, during the waste-brine cleaning cycle, the control unit <NUM> may keep the on-off valve <NUM> open until brine tank <NUM> is completely filled with fresh water. After having filled up brine tank <NUM> with fresh water, the control unit <NUM> may operate the hydraulic circuit <NUM>, i.e. activates the flow-diverter module <NUM>, in order to put the water inlet of flow-diverter module <NUM> in direct communication with drain line <NUM> and preferably activates the electric-pump assembly <NUM> to move at a time the whole waste rinse water from brine tank <NUM> to water softening device <NUM>, so as to substantially empty the brine reservoir <NUM> and at same time push the brine out of water softening device <NUM>. The brine coming out from the water outlet of water softening device <NUM> preferably enters into the flow-diverter module <NUM> and is immediately channeled to the drain line <NUM> thus to leave as soon as possible the laundry washing machine <NUM>. During the waste-brine cleaning cycle, the control unit <NUM> may fill up brine reservoir <NUM> with fresh water and subsequently move said fresh water into the water softening device <NUM> several times, thus to repeatedly wash up/rinse both the brine reservoir <NUM> and the water softening device <NUM> to clean and remove any salt deposit inside both components.

It should be understood that according to a different embodiment of the present invention, the control unit <NUM> may be configured to separately perform the waste-brine cleaning cycles in the brine reservoir <NUM> and into the water softening device <NUM>. In other words, the control unit <NUM> may be configured to operate the machine <NUM> in order to perform a first waste-brine cleaning cycle in the brine reservoir <NUM> and a second first waste-brine cleaning cycle in the water softening device <NUM>.

For example the control unit <NUM> may perform a first waste-brine cleaning cycle in the brine reservoir <NUM> by opening for a short time the electrically-operated, on-off valve <NUM> of drain line <NUM>, thus to empty the brine tank <NUM> directly into the drain sump <NUM> or into the pump <NUM> without affecting the water softening device <NUM>.

Moreover, the control unit <NUM> may perform the second waste-brine cleaning cycle in the water softening device <NUM> by keeping the on-off valve <NUM> open in order to supply fresh water to the water softening device <NUM> and operating the hydraulic circuit <NUM>, i.e. activating the flow-diverter module <NUM>, in order to put the water inlet of flow-diverter module <NUM> in direct communication with drain line <NUM>. In this case the waste brine solution coming out from the water outlet of water softening device <NUM> enters into the flow-diverter module <NUM> and is immediately channeled to the drain line <NUM>. When washing up/rinsing of brine reservoir <NUM> and water softening device <NUM> is completed, the control unit <NUM> may operates the hydraulic circuit <NUM>, i.e. the flow-diverter module <NUM>, so as to channel the softened or unsoftened fresh water arriving to the hydraulic circuit <NUM> towards any one of the detergent compartments <NUM> of detergent drawer <NUM>, thus to continue the washing cycle.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flow chart of a method for controlling the washing machine <NUM> is illustrated. It should be understood that the sequence of steps illustrated in the <FIG> for this method is for illustrative purposes only, and is not meant to limit the method in any way as it is understood that the steps may proceed in a different logical order or additional or intervening steps may be included without detracting from the invention. The method may be implemented in any suitable manner, such as automatically, or cycle of operation or as a phase of an operation cycle of the washing machine <NUM>.

At the START block, the method starts by assuming that the user has placed one or more laundry items to be washed within the drum <NUM>, selected a laundry washing program by the control panel <NUM>, and inputted a command to start the selected washing program.

At block <NUM>, the electronic control unit <NUM> controls the washing machine <NUM> in order to perform a setup phase. Preferably, during the setup phase, the control unit <NUM> may detect, for example, some washing parameters associated with the laundry load, and set-up some cycle control quantities to be used to control the machine <NUM> during the washing program. For example, during the setup phase, the control unit <NUM> may determine the weight of the laundry load, and may set the water temperature and/or amount and/or kind of water, i.e. unsoftened or softened, to be used during the phases of the selected washing program based on the determined weight.

After completing the setup phase, the control unit <NUM> starts to perform the washing phase (block <NUM>). In detail, during the washing phase, the control unit <NUM> controls the washing machine <NUM> in order to perform, as above disclosed: the washing water load section (block <NUM>), the washing heating section (block <NUM>) the washing maintenance section (block <NUM>) and the washing water drain section (block (<NUM>). According to the present invention, during the washing phase, the control unit <NUM> further control the washing machine <NUM> in order to perform the regeneration cycle (block <NUM>) according to what above disclosed. The control unit <NUM> may be configured to perform the regeneration cycle during the execution of one or more sections of the washing phase. According to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the control unit <NUM> may be configured to conveniently perform the regeneration cycle during the washing maintenance section.

However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to carry out the regeneration cycle during the washing maintenance section. Indeed, according to further embodiments, the control unit <NUM> may be configured to conveniently perform the regeneration cycle during the washing heating section, or during the drain section, or during the washing load water section. The examples illustrated in <FIG> contain blocks <NUM>-<NUM> identical to blocks <NUM>-<NUM> illustrated in <FIG> made according to the preferred embodiment, wherein the embodiments differ from the first embodiment on the phase in which the regeneration cycle is performed.

It is further pointed out that the present invention is not limited to the fact that the regeneration cycle is performed during the execution of the sections of the washing phase. Indeed, according to a different embodiment (not illustrated) the regeneration cycle may be performed between two consecutive sections of the washing phase. For example the regeneration cycle may be incorporated/performed between the washing water load section and the washing heating section, or between the washing heating section and the washing maintenance section, or between the washing maintenance section and the washing drain section.

With reference to a preferred embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, after completing the washing phase, the control unit <NUM> starts controlling the washing machine <NUM> according to the section programmed in the first rinse phase of the selected washing program (block <NUM>). Preferably, during the first rinse phase, the control unit <NUM> may perform a rinse water load section (block <NUM>), a rinse maintenance section (block <NUM>), and a rise water drain section (block <NUM>). According to a preferred embodiment, during the rinse phase, the control unit <NUM> further control the washing machine <NUM> in order to perform the waste brine cleaning cycle (block <NUM>) during one or more rinse sections. Preferably the waste brine cleaning cycle is conveniently performed after or during the rinse water drain section (block <NUM>). During the waste brine cleaning cycle, the control unit <NUM> may control the machine in order to washing out the water softening device <NUM> (block 340a) and/or washing out the brine tank <NUM> (block 340b).

However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to carry out the waste brine cleaning cycle during after or during the rinse water drain section. Indeed, according to further embodiments, the control unit <NUM> may be configured to conveniently perform the waste brine cleaning cycle during the rinse water load section (for example if the water to be loaded is fresh/unsoftened water), or during the rinse maintenance section. The examples illustrated in <FIG> contain blocks <NUM>-<NUM> identical to blocks <NUM>-<NUM> illustrated in <FIG> made according to the preferred embodiment, wherein the embodiments differ from the first embodiment on the phase in which the waste brine cleaning cycle is carried out.

Moreover, according to a further embodiment, the control unit <NUM> may be configured to washing up the water softening device <NUM> and washing up the brine tank <NUM> in two relative different phases. For example, according to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the control unit <NUM> performs the waste brine cleaning cycle for washing up the water softening device <NUM> during a rinse section, i.e. a rinse maintenance section, and afterwards, performs the waste brine cleaning cycle for washing up the brine tank <NUM> during the rinse water drain section.

It is understood that control unit <NUM> may be configured to perform the waste brine cleaning cycle based on the kind of water softened or unsoftened to be used in the phases of the washing program. For example if the washing program is configured to use the softened water only during the last rinse phase, and supply fresh water in the other previous phases, it may set up the execution of the waste brine cleaning cycle in any of the preceding rinse phases.

With reference to <FIG>, after completing the rinse water drain section and the waste brine cleaning cycle, the control unit may perform the rinse spin section (block <NUM>).

After completing the rinse phase, the control unit <NUM> may preferably perform in sequence one or more intermediate rinse phases (block <NUM>), a last rinse phase (block <NUM>) and a last spin phase (block <NUM>).

It has thus been shown that the present invention allows all the set objects to be achieved.

Claim 1:
A method to control a laundry washing machine (<NUM>) comprising:
- an outer casing (<NUM>),
- a washing tub (<NUM>) placed inside said outer casing (<NUM>),
- a rotatable drum (<NUM>) housed in axially rotatable manner inside the washing tub (<NUM>) and structured for housing the laundry to be washed,
- a water softening device (<NUM>) provided with ion exchanger agents designed to reduce the hardness degree of fresh water to be supplied to said washing tub (<NUM>),
- a brine tank (<NUM>) which is designed to contain brine for regenerating said ion exchanger agents contained in said water softening device (<NUM>),
said method controls said washing machine (<NUM>) according to a washing program comprising:
- one or more washing phases,
- one or more rinse phases,
- one or more spin phases,
- a regeneration cycle, in which a prefixed amount of the brine is supplied to said water softening device (<NUM>),
- a waste-brine cleaning cycle for washing-out the waste brine solution contained in said water softening device (<NUM>) and/or in said brine tank (<NUM>) , said method being characterized by performing alternately said regeneration cycle and said waste-brine cleaning cycle during respective first and second phases of said washing program, which are different one to the other, wherein said first phase is a washing phase and said second phase is a rinse phase following said washing phase.