Patent ID: 12195905

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings,FIGS.1A and1Bshow perspective views of a laundry appliance100according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to the exemplary, not limiting, embodiment herein considered, the laundry appliance100is a washing machine. In any case, although in the following description explicit reference will be made to a washing machine, this should not to be construed as a limitation; indeed, the present invention applies to other types of laundry appliances (for example combined washers/dryers, i.e. washing machines also having laundry drying functions).

The laundry appliance100comprises a (e.g., parallepiped-shaped) cabinet105, which preferably accommodates a treatment chamber (i.e., a laundry washing chamber in the example herein considered of a washing machine) for performing a treatment cycle on laundry load housed therein (e.g., a washing cycle or program in the example herein considered of a washing machine).

The treatment chamber preferably comprises a washing tub (not shown) and, within it, a (e.g., rotatable) washing basket or drum (not shown) adapted to contain the laundry load to be washed. A cabinet front has a loading opening providing an access to the drum for loading/unloading the laundry load, a door110(shown in a closed position inFIGS.1A and1B) being provided for sealably closing the loading opening during the operation of the laundry appliance100.

Although not shown, the laundry appliance100also comprises, enclosed in the cabinet105, electrical/electronic/mechanical/hydraulic components for the operation of the laundry appliance100(such as for example motor, electromechanical valves, pump devices and impellers of the hydraulic apparatus, one or more heating elements for heating water/treatment agents/air).

The laundry appliance100further comprises a drawer115for containing one or more laundry treatment agents (or, concisely, treatment agents), such as liquid and powder treatment agents including, but not limited to, washing detergents, rinsing detergents, bleaches and softeners. The laundry appliance100also comprises a drawer seat120(preferably provided on a top part of a cabinet front) for housing the drawer115, the drawer being advantageously adapted to slide within the drawer seat120, along a longitudinal or sliding direction X, between an extracted position (shown inFIG.1A) and a retracted position (shown inFIG.1B). The sliding direction X is for example parallel to a rest surface, such as the floor, on which the laundry appliance100preferably rests in operation (i.e., when it is installed in the user premises). In operation, the laundry appliance100rests on the rest surface, such as the floor, and uprightly extends from it along a vertical direction Z orthogonal to the sliding direction X.

Preferably, the laundry appliance100further comprises a user interface125, the user interface125being preferably provided on the top part of the cabinet front, more preferably next to the drawer seat120along a transversal direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal X and vertical Z directions. An exemplary user interface125will be shown and described in the following when discussing an operation mode of the laundry appliance according to embodiments of the present invention.

Preferably, the laundry appliance100is further provided with a control unit130for controlling the laundry appliance100(the control unit130being schematically illustrated as a dashed rectangle inFIGS.1A and1B) according to instructions received by a user through the user interface125. For example, the control unit130is configured to provide power and to interact with the electrical/electronic/mechanical/hydraulic components in order to manage the execution of selected washing programs; for the purposes of the present disclosure, the control unit130is particularly arranged to coordinate a drawing up of the treatment agents contained in the drawer115.

As illustrated inFIGS.1A and1B, the laundry appliance100preferably comprises a connection device135(for example a network interface controller or network adapter, schematically illustrated as a dashed rectangle in the figures) for allowing a (e.g., wired or wireless) data exchange between the laundry appliance100and an external device, for example a user device UD, being external to the laundry appliance100. The user device UD may for example be a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartphone (as herein exemplary illustrated), a tablet, a wearable smart device (such as a smartwatch) or other mobile device having processing, input/output and memory units adapted to run software applications (i.e. mobile applications in the example at issue of a smartphone as user device UD). The mobile application run by (i.e., running on) the user device UD is advantageously adapted to present to the user at least a subset of functionalities and/or settings and/or options and/or operation modes allowed by user interface125; moreover, for the purposes of the present disclosure, the mobile application running on the user device UD is advantageously adapted to present to the user one or more additional functionalities and/or additional settings and/or additional options and/or additional operation modes to be selected (as better discussed in the following).

With reference now also toFIG.2A, it shows top views of the drawer115according to an embodiment of the present invention. For ease of description,FIG.2Awill be discussed together withFIG.2B, which shows a perspective view of the drawer115in a partially extracted position within the drawer seat120.

The drawer115preferably comprises a drawer handle205allowing the user to slidably move the drawer115between the extracted position and the retracted position when it is fitted in the drawer seat120, and a drawer body210to which the drawer handle205is adapted to be mounted or coupled or connected (advantageously, in a removable or reversible way). When the laundry appliance100is installed and the drawer115is fitted in the drawer seat120, the drawer handle205identifies, along the sliding direction X, a drawer front (which advantageously forms part of the cabinet front when the drawer115is in the retracted position).

The drawer115(particularly, the drawer body210) preferably comprises two drawer compartments2101,2102(or more thereof) each one adapted to contain multiple doses of a respective treatment agent for multiple laundry treatments (e.g., multiple washing cycles), hereinafter referred to as multi-dose compartments2101,2102; therefore, the exemplary considered laundry appliance100is configured to implement an auto-dosing functionality in which, at each washing cycle (and when the auto-dosing functionality is activated), a predetermined amount of treatment agent (also referred to as treatment agent dose) is automatically taken (e.g. by means of pump devices, discussed in the following) from one or both of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102.

Each multi-dose compartment2101,2102is preferably configurable to contain multiple doses of a respective type of treatment agent. For the purposes of the present disclosure, by type of treatment agent it is herein meant a class of treatment agents having same functions (in this sense, just as an example, pre-washing detergents, washing detergents and softeners identify respective types of treatment agents) or a class of treatment agents that, for the same functions, also have similar chemical properties or compositions or active ingredients (in this sense, just as an example, liquid washing detergents having, for example, different concentration levels or different surfactants may identify respective types of treatment agents).

In the example at issue, each multi-dose compartment2101,2102is preferably configurable to contain multiple doses of a treatment agent for washing treatment (e.g., a liquid washing detergent) or of a treatment agent for softening treatment (e.g., a liquid softener), although this should not be construed limitatively.

As better discussed in the following, the type of treatment agent to be fed to the multi-dose compartments2101,2102may advantageously be selected by the user (e.g., through the user interface125and/or through the mobile application running on the user device UD). Just as an example, user selection may determine the following configurations of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102:the multi-dose compartment2101is configured to contain multiple doses of a type of treatment agent (e.g., the liquid washing detergent or the liquid softener) and the multi-dose compartment2102is configured to contain multiple doses of another type of treatment agent (e.g., the liquid softener or the liquid washing detergent, respectively). In this configuration of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102, the laundry appliance100may be operated (preferably by default) in a first operation mode (hereinafter referred to as normal operation mode) in which, depending on a selected washing cycle, one or both of the types of treatment agents are drawn up from the respective multi-dose compartments2101,2102during the execution of the selected washing cycle;both multi-dose compartments2101,2102are configured to contain multiple doses of the same type of treatment agent (e.g., both multi-dose compartments2101,2102are configured to contain multiple doses of the liquid washing detergent or multiple doses of the liquid softener). In this configuration of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102, the laundry appliance100may be operated (preferably upon user selection) in a second operation mode (hereinafter referred to as coordinated operation mode, which will be better discussed in the following) in which a gradual concurrent emptying of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102is exhibited by the laundry appliance100over one or more washing cycles. However, nothing prevents from allowing operation of the laundry appliance100in the coordinated operation mode even when the multi-dose compartment2101is configured to contain multiple doses of a type of treatment agent and the multi-dose compartment2102is configured to contain multiple doses of another type of treatment agent.

As can be appreciated inFIG.2A, the multi-dose compartments2101,2102preferably have reciprocally different (or slightly different) areas. When, as herein exemplary considered, same or substantially same extensions along the vertical direction Z for the multi-dose compartments2101,2102are assumed, this difference in area translates into correspondingly different capacities of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102, although this should not be construed limitatively.

The drawer115(particularly, the drawer body210) preferably comprises one or more (two, in the example at issue) channels2151,2152associated with the multi-dose compartments2101,2102(in the example herein considered, each channel2151,2152is associated with a respective one of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102, the channel2151being for example associated with the multi-dose compartment2101and the channel2152being for example associated with the multi-dose compartment2102). Each channel2151,2152is preferably adapted to channel water and/or one or more treatment agent doses towards a region of the drawer seat120that allows a mixture between the water and the treatment agent dose(s) (hereinafter referred to as mixing region): the mixing region may for example be or comprise a bottom wall220BWof the drawer seat120(visible inFIG.2B), the bottom wall220BWof the drawer seat120being advantageously slanted in order to promote a flow of the mixture between the water and the treatment agent dose(s) towards the treatment chamber of the laundry appliance100.

As exemplary illustrated, the channels2151,2152are preferably provided, along the sliding direction X, behind the multi-dose compartments2101,2102(from the drawer front).

Advantageously, the channels2151,2152(or at least one thereof) extend vertically with respect to the rest surface (such as the floor) on which the laundry appliance100rests in operation (the channels2151,2152thus extending substantially along the vertical direction Z). In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the channels2151,2152(or at least one thereof) are inclined with respect to the rest surface (such as the floor) on which the laundry appliance100rests in operation. Regardless of the specific (vertical or inclined) orientation of the channels2151,2152, which is not limiting for the present invention, each channel2151,2152is advantageously structured and shaped such as to allow the water and/or the treatment agent dose(s) to fall towards the mixing region of the drawer seat120by gravity; in order to achieve it, each channel2151,2152advantageously comprises a top channel input for receiving the water from a water distribution system above it (not shown), and a bottom channel output facing the bottom wall220BWof the drawer seat120; in operation, the bottom channel outputs of the channels2151,2152are arranged for delivering the water and the treatment agent dose(s) to the bottom wall220BWof the drawer seat120, and hence to the treatment chamber of the laundry appliance100.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention herein considered and illustrated, the drawer115also comprises one or more (two, in the example at issue) drawer compartments2251,2252each one adapted to contain a single dose of a respective treatment agent for performing a single washing cycle, hereinafter referred to as mono-dose compartments2251,2252; just as an example, the mono-dose compartment2251may be arranged to contain a single dose of a powder or liquid washing detergent, whereas the mono-dose compartment2252may be arranged to contain a single dose of a powder or liquid or pearl softener.

Preferably, the mono-dose compartments2251,2252are, along the sliding direction X, between the drawer handle205and the multi-dose compartments2101,2102. Forming the mono-dose compartments2251,2252before the multi-dose compartments2101,2102(along the sliding direction X, from the drawer handle205) is advantageous in that a low or relatively low extraction of the drawer115is required for allowing the user to load the treatment agents in the mono-dose compartments2251,2252(on the contrary, forming the mono-dose compartments2251,2252behind the multi-dose compartments2101,2102would dramatically impair the mechanical stability of the drawer115, for example when extracting the drawer115to load the treatment agents in the mono-dose compartments2251,2252and a certain amount of treatment agent is still stored in one or more of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102).

As visible in the figures, the mono-dose2251,2252and multi-dose2101,2102compartments have different capacities; particularly, the multi-dose compartments2101,2102have larger capacities so as to store larger amounts of treatment agent as compared to the mono-dose compartments2251,2252. Although the mono-dose compartments2251,2252are illustrated as having same or similar capacities, this should not be construed limitatively.

The laundry appliance100also comprises pump devices adapted to draw up treatment agent doses from the multi-dose compartments, with each pump device that is preferably associated with a respective multi-dose compartment2101,2102. In the example herein considered of two multi-dose compartments2101,2102, two pump devices each one for drawing up treatment agent doses from a respective multi-dose compartment2101,2102are provided.

Preferably, the pump devices are peristaltic pump devices. The pump devices may for example be variable-flow peristaltic pump devices (in which case the control unit130may be configured to cause the pump devices to draw up the treatment agent doses by controlling rotor speeds of the pump devices), or fixed-flow peristaltic pump devices (in which case the control unit130may be configured to cause the pump devices to draw up the treatment agent doses by controlling activation times of the pump devices e.g., through duty cycle variations of corresponding control or driving signals). However, in alternative embodiment of the present invention, both variable-flow and fixed-flow peristaltic pump devices may be provided (for example, a variable-flow peristaltic pump device associated with one of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102and a fixed-flow peristaltic pump device associated with the other one of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102).

The pump devices are preferably provided, along the sliding direction X, behind the channels2151,2152(from the drawer front).

More preferably, the pump devices are structured such that electrical parts thereof are physically separate from drawer portions (such as the multi-dose compartments2101,2102and the channels2151,2152) experiencing treatment agent and/or water passage, and such that they are substantially unaffected by movement of the drawer115from the retracted position to the extracted position. In order to achieve it, each pump device preferably comprises a pump actuation part (advantageously provided in the drawer body210) and an electrically-operated pump driving part (advantageously provided in the drawer seat120) adapted to couple to each other when the drawer115is in the retracted position, upon said coupling the electrically-operated pump driving parts allowing driving of the pump actuation parts.

Each pump actuation part preferably comprises a respective suction side in fluid communication with the multi-dose compartment2101,2102for drawing up the treatment agent dose(s) therefrom, and a respective delivery side in fluid communication with the channel2151,2152for delivering the treatment agent dose(s) thereto.

Preferably, the drawer115comprises a suction pipe2251,2252(visible inFIG.2A) coupling the suction side of the pump actuation part to an interior of the multi-dose compartment2101,2102for drawing up the treatment agent dose therefrom, and a delivery pipe2301,2302coupling the delivery side of the pump actuation part to an interior of the channel2151,2152for delivering the treatment agent dose thereto. The suction pipe2251,2252is preferably arranged, in the interior of the respective multi-dose compartment2101,2102, proximate to a bottom wall of the multi-dose compartment2101,2102, so as to allow drawing up of treatment agent doses even when the multi-dose compartment2101,2102is almost empty. The delivery pipe2301,2302preferably opens to the interior of the respective channel2151,2152, preferably between (for example, in the middle or substantially in the middle of) the top channel input and the bottom channel output thereof (only end parts of the delivery pipes2301,2302that open to the interior of the respective channels2151,2152being visible inFIG.2A).

Each pump actuation part comprises a respective pumping member (not shown) adapted to push a quantity of the washing agent contained in a respective multi-dose compartment2101,2102through the respective suction2251,2252and delivery2301,2302pipes and, therefore, towards the mixing region of the drawer seat120. Preferably, the suction2251,2252and delivery2301,2302pipes are in the form of deformable tubes, each pumping member preferably comprising a peristaltic rotor (not shown) being adapted to hydraulically cooperate with the respective deformable tubes. More preferably, each peristaltic rotor comprises one or more projecting portions (e.g. in the form of rollers, not visible) adapted to be arranged in contact with the walls of the respective deformable tube and capable of locally compressing it, thus generating a consequent narrowing that allows the fluid (i.e., the treatment agent dose(s)) to move during the rotation of the peristaltic rotor.

Each electrically-operated pump driving part may for example comprise an electric motor (not shown) selectively actuatable (e.g., by means of the electronic control unit130) for operating the respective pumping member, and an output shaft (not shown) adapted to be fitted into a corresponding seat of the respective pumping member, so as to couple or engage with each other when the drawer115is moved to the retracted position.

The pumping members are advantageously enclosed, on a rear side of the drawer115(rear with respect to the drawer front along the sliding direction X), by a rotor shell235(visible inFIGS.2A and2B). More preferably, a rear wall235Rof the rotor shell235comprises openings (two openings235R,O1,235R,O2in the example at issue), through which the output shafts of the electric motors are able to pass for being coupled with the pumping members (particularly, with the seats thereof). Even more preferably, as illustrated, the openings235R,O1,235R,O2are delimited by walls (e.g., tubular walls) projecting along the sliding direction X from the rear wall235Rof the rotor shell235; these projecting walls advantageously have centering, aligning and guiding functions for the output shafts to be passed into the openings235R,O1,235R,O2.

The electric motors are advantageously enclosed in a motor shell240(visible inFIG.2B), preferably fixed on the drawer seat120(and, hence, separate from drawer body210) and facing the rear wall235Rof the rotor shell235along the sliding direction X. The motor shell240is preferably provided with openings, not shown, through which the output shafts of the electric motors project: in this way, when the drawer115is moved to the retracted position (i.e., towards the motor shell240), the output shafts of the electric motors engage the pumping members, thus allowing mechanical and electrical connection therebetween.

Although not shown, the drawer115may comprise a drawer body cover for covering the drawer body210. The drawer body cover may be configured to cover the drawer body210in correspondence of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102, thus leaving uncovered both the channels2151,2152, and particularly the top channel inputs thereof (which can therefore be accessed by water fed by a water distribution system, not shown, preferably provided at a top of the drawer seat120). The drawer body cover may comprise one or more access openings, not shown, each one for accessing a respective multi-dose compartment2101,2102for loading the treatment agent therein; one or more access components (such as one or more doors, for example one or more flap doors pivotally coupled to the drawer body cover) may advantageously be provided for selectively covering and uncovering the access openings thereby respectively preventing and allowing access to the respective multi-dose compartments2101,2102.

As mentioned above, the laundry appliance100may be operated (preferably upon configuring both the multi-dose compartments2101,2102to contain multiple doses of the same type of treatment agent) in a coordinated operation mode in which, under the control of the control unit130, a gradual concurrent emptying of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102is exhibited by the laundry appliance100over one or more washing cycles. The coordinated operation mode is advantageously selected or enabled by the user, preferably by means of the user interface125(as better discussed in the following) and/or of the mobile application running on the user device UD. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the coordinated operation mode is automatically set by the laundry appliance100(e.g., by the control unit130), for example upon activation of the auto-dosing functionality.

Preferably, when the coordinated operation mode is enabled, the control unit130is configured to control the pump devices such as to cause them to coordinately draw up the treatment agent doses over one or more washing cycles by determining a gradual concurrent emptying of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102over said one or more washing cycles.

According to a first implementation of the coordinated operation mode, the control unit130is configured to cause the pump devices to draw up the treatment agent doses coordinately during a single washing cycle.

In this implementation of the coordinated operation mode, the control unit130may be configured to cause the pump devices to draw up the treatment agent doses coordinately at a same phase of the single washing cycle (preferably, at same or substantially same time during the single washing cycle), e.g. in order to exploit same control signals from the control unit130(thus simplifying timing and processing operations to be executed by the control unit130). Additionally or alternatively, the control unit130may be configured to cause the pump devices to draw up the treatment agent doses coordinately at different phases of (i.e., within) the single washing cycle, e.g. in order to implement specific features of the washing cycle (such as dispensing of the treatment agents in a distributed manner over two or more phases thereof). Just as an example, the control unit130may be configured to cause the pump devices to draw up the treatment agent doses coordinately at a same phase of the single washing cycle by default, or at different phases of the single washing cycle if the washing cycle so requires; additionally or alternatively, drawing up of the treatment agent doses at once (i.e., at the same phase of the single washing cycle, such as at the same time) or in a distributed manner (i.e., at different phases of the single washing cycle) may be an option selectable by the user through the user interface125and/or through the mobile application running on user device UD, with the selected option that can be advantageously stored by the laundry appliance100for following washing cycles (e.g., until this option is deselected) or be automatically deselected at the end of the washing cycle.

Therefore, when the coordinated operation mode is enabled, in the first implementation of the coordinated operation mode the control unit130is configured to control the pump devices such as to cause them to coordinately draw up the treatment agent doses over a single washing cycle by determining a gradual concurrent emptying of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102over such washing cycle. Preferably, by gradual concurrent emptying it is meant, in the context of the first implementation of the coordinated operation mode, that the treatment agent doses drawn up from the multi-dose compartments2101,2102determine substantially same level variations of the treatment agents contained in the multi-dose compartments2101,2102over the single washing cycle; this means that the treatment agent doses drawn up from the multi-dose compartments2101,2102comprise, during the single washing cycle, at least a first treatment agent dose drawn up from the multi-dose compartment2101and at least a second treatment agent dose drawn up from the multi-dose compartment2102, wherein the first and second treatment agent doses are respective portions or apportioning of an overall amount of treatment agent to be used during the single washing cycle (the overall amount of treatment agent to be used during the single washing cycle for example depending on the selected washing cycle and/or on a level of dirt of the laundry load and/or on chemical properties of the treatment agents and/or on a weight of the laundry load and/or on a fine adjusting of the treatment agent doses performed by the user and discussed in the following).

The first and second treatment agent doses (or, equivalently, the first and second portions of the overall amount of treatment agent to be used during the single washing cycle) may be equal or different to each other. When, as herein exemplary assumed, the multi-dose compartments2101,2102have different capacities, the first and second treatment agent doses are preferably different to each other, and are advantageously determined according to an overall capacity of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102(e.g., the sum of the capacities of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102) and to the overall amount of treatment agent to be used during the single washing cycle. Preferably, the first and second treatment agent doses are proportional to the overall capacity and to the overall amount of treatment agent to be used during the single washing cycle. More preferably, the first treatment agent dose is proportional to a portion or percentage of the overall capacity that is associated with the multi-dose compartment2101, and the second treatment agent dose is proportional to a portion or percentage of the overall capacity portion that is associated with the multi-dose compartment2102. Denoting by C1and C2the capacities of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102, and by A the overall amount of treatment agent to be used during the single washing cycle, the first D1and second D2treatment agent doses (preferably drawn up from the multi-dose compartment2101and from the multi-dose compartment2102, respectively) may for example be determined as:

D1=A⁢C1C1+C2D2=A⁢(1-C1C1+C2)→D2=A⁢C2C1+C2wherein the term (C1+C2) represents the overall capacity.

As visible from the above equations, when C1=C2(i.e., same capacities of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102), D1=D2=A/2 (i.e., the first D1and second D2treatment agent doses are equal to each other and correspond each one to half of the overall amount A of treatment agent to be used during the single washing cycle); when instead C1≠C2(i.e., different capacities of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102), D1≠D2(i.e., the first D1and second D2treatment agent doses differ from each other and correspond each one to a respective portion of the overall amount A of treatment agent to be used during the single washing cycle).

As mentioned above, when the pump devices are variable-flow peristaltic pump devices, the first D1and second D2treatment agent doses may be drawn up from the multi-dose compartments2101,2102based on equal (when D1=D2) or different (when D1D2) rotor speeds of the pump devices; when instead the pump devices are fixed-flow peristaltic pump devices, the first D1and second D2treatment agent doses may be drawn up from the multi-dose compartments2101,2102based on equal (when D1=D2) or different (when D1≠D2) activation times of the pump devices (e.g., equal or different duty cycles of the corresponding control signals from the control unit130).

According to a second implementation of the coordinated operation mode, the control unit130is configured to cause the pump devices to draw up the treatment agent doses coordinately during different (e.g., two or more) washing cycles, for example by properly alternating the drawing up of the treatment agent doses from the multi-dose compartment2101and from the multi-dose compartment2102over the washing cycles.

Therefore, when the coordinated operation mode is enabled, in the second implementation of the coordinated operation mode the control unit130is advantageously configured to control the pump devices such as to cause them to coordinately draw up the treatment agent doses over two or more washing cycles by determining a gradual concurrent emptying of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102over such washing cycles. Preferably, by gradual concurrent emptying it is meant, in the context of the second implementation of the coordinated operation mode, that the treatment agent doses drawn up from the multi-dose compartments2101,2102determine substantially same level variations of the treatment agents contained in the multi-dose compartments2101,2102over the two or more washing cycles.

According to an embodiment, same level variations in the multi-dose compartments2101,2102over the two or more washing cycles may be obtained according to historical amounts of treatment agents drawn up in previous washing cycles in the multi-dose compartments2101,2102. Preferably, during a current washing cycle, the control unit130may be configured to draw up the necessary treatment agent dose from the multi-dose compartment2101if, during a number of previous washing cycles before the current washing cycle, the total amount of treatment agent drawn up from the multi-dose compartment2101is lower than the total amount of treatment agent drawn up from the multi-dose compartment2102, or to draw up the necessary treatment agent dose from the multi-dose compartment2102otherwise.

The number of previous washing cycles may for example be a predefined number of previous washing cycles before the current washing cycle. Additionally or alternatively, the number of previous washing cycles may comprise the previous washing cycles from an initial washing cycle, the initial washing cycle being for example the first washing cycle after both multi-dose compartments2101,2102have emptied and subsequently refilled by the user, and/or an arbitrary washing cycle selectable by the user (e.g., through the user interface125and/or through the mobile application running on the user device UD).

Considering for example seven treatment agent doses DA-DGto be drawn up during respective seven washing cycles WCA-WCG(with each treatment agent dose DA, DB, DC, DD, DE, DF, DGthat thus represent the overall amount of treatment agent to be used during the single washing cycle WCA, WCB, WCC, WCD, WCE, WCF, WCG, respectively), considering, just as an example, that the washing cycles WCA, WCB, WCC, WCD, WCE, WCF, WCGare consecutive washing cycles (i.e., with the washing cycle WCBthat follows the washing cycle WCA, with the washing cycle WCCthat follows the washing cycle WCB, with the washing cycle WCDthat follows the washing cycle WCC, with the washing cycle WCEthat follows the washing cycle WDD, with the washing cycle WCFthat follows the washing cycle WDE, and with the washing cycle WCGthat follows the washing cycle WDE), assuming that the washing cycle WCAis the initial washing cycle, and assuming DA=60 ml, DB=20 ml, DC=30 ml, DD=40 ml, DE=40 ml, DF=50 ml and DG=70 ml (the different treatment agent doses depending, for example, on the selected washing cycle and/or on a level of dirt of the laundry load and/or on chemical properties of the treatment agents and/or on a weight of the laundry load and/or on a fine adjusting of the treatment agent doses performed by the user and discussed in the following), same level variations in the multi-dose compartments2101,2102over the seven washing cycles WCA, WCB, WCC, WCD, WCE, WCF, WCGmay for example be obtained as follows:washing cycle WCA: treatment agent dose DAdrawn up from multi-dose compartment2101(which is herein assumed to be set as default multi-dose compartment), the multi-dose compartment2101thus experiencing a level variation of 60 ml;washing cycle WCB: treatment agent dose DBdrawn up from multi-dose compartment2102(in that the level variation experienced so far by the multi-dose compartment2102, i.e. 0 ml, is lower than the level variation experienced so far by the multi-dose compartment2101, i.e. 60 ml), the multi-dose compartment2102thus experiencing a level variation of 20 ml;washing cycle WCC: treatment agent dose DCdrawn up from multi-dose compartment2102(in that the level variation experienced so far by the multi-dose compartment2102, i.e. 20 ml, is lower than the level variation experienced so far by the multi-dose compartment2101, i.e. 60 ml), the multi-dose compartment2102thus experiencing an overall level variation of 50 ml (i.e., DB+DC) from the initial washing cycle WCA;washing cycle WCD: treatment agent dose DDdrawn up from multi-dose compartment2102(in that the level variation experienced so far by the multi-dose compartment2102, i.e. 50 ml, is lower than the level variation experienced so far by the multi-dose compartment2101, i.e. 60 ml), the multi-dose compartment2102thus experiencing an overall level variation of 90 ml (i.e., DB+DC+DD) from the initial washing cycle WCA;washing cycle WCE: treatment agent dose DEdrawn up from multi-dose compartment2101(in that the level variation experienced so far by the multi-dose compartment2101, i.e. 60 ml, is lower than the level variation experienced so far by the multi-dose compartment2102, i.e. 90 ml), the multi-dose compartment2101thus experiencing an overall level variation of 100 ml (i.e., DA+DE) from the initial washing cycle WCA;washing cycle WCE: treatment agent dose DEdrawn from multi-dose compartment2102(in that the level variation experienced so far by the multi-dose compartment2102, i.e. 90 ml, is lower than the level variation experienced so far by the multi-dose compartment2101, i.e. 100 ml), the multi-dose compartment2102thus experiencing an overall level variation of 140 ml (i.e., DB+DC+DD+DF) from the initial washing cycle WCA;washing cycle WCG: treatment agent dose DGdrawn from multi-dose compartment2101(in that the level variation experienced so far by the multi-dose compartment2101, i.e. 100 ml, is lower than the level variation experienced so far by the multi-dose compartment2102, i.e. 140 ml), the multi-dose compartment2101thus experiencing an overall level variation of 170 ml (i.e., DA+DE+DG) from the initial washing cycle WCA.

Although not shown in the quantitative example of above, when the level variations experienced so far by the multi-dose compartments2101and2102are equal, the treatment agent dose may advantageously be drawn up from the default multi-dose compartment (i.e., the multi-dose compartment in the above example2101).

As mentioned above, each one of the treatment agent doses DA-DGis drawn up from the multi-dose compartment2101or from the multi-dose compartment2102preferably based on respective rotor speeds of the pump devices when the pump devices are variable-flow peristaltic pump devices or based on respective activation times of the pump devices when instead the pump devices are fixed-flow peristaltic pump devices.

Thanks to the gradual concurrent emptying of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102allowed by the coordinated operation mode (in both the first and second implementations thereof), the issues affecting the known laundry appliances are avoided, or at least drastically reduced. In fact, in the known laundry appliances featuring two multi-dose compartments containing the same type of treatment agent, the treatment agent doses are drawn up from a multi-dose compartment only when the other multi-dose compartment is empty. Therefore, one of the multi-dose compartments is emptied much before the other one, and hence it may be unused even for relatively long periods of time (i.e. until it is filled again, which typically takes place when also the other multi-dose compartment becomes empty). This involves that, in time, residues of treatment agent in the unused multi-dose compartment and/or in (unused) pipes of the associated unused pump device dry out and form encrustations or fouling that preclude the correct operation of the laundry appliance: in fact, in addition to promote accumulation of dirt (which contrasts with the purposes of sanitization of the laundry load), treatment agent incrustations in the unused multi-dose compartment may also detach from the compartment walls and be flushed undissolved through the pump devices (which could cause obstructions thereof) or through the treatment chamber (which could preclude a correct washing of the laundry load housed therein), whereas treatment agent incrustations in the unused pipes may prevent a correct flow of the treatment agent therethrough. On the contrary, thanks to the gradual concurrent emptying of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102allowed by the present invention, no residues of treatment agent accumulates in the multi-dose compartments2101,2102and/or in the suction2251,2252and delivery2301,2302pipes of the pump devices, and hence no encrustations or fouling are expected therein.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, which may be applied to the first and/or second implementation of the coordinated operation mode, when one of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102contains an amount of treatment agent below a respective threshold amount, e.g. indicative of an alert (such as emptying or almost-emptying) level of the treatment agent or, equivalently, of an alert condition of that multi-dose compartment2101,2102, the laundry appliance100may output a corresponding error notification to the user (e.g. in the form of sound and/or light and/or text, preferably notified through the user interface125and/or the user device UD). If, in response to that, the user takes no action (i.e., no restoring of an amount of treatment agent above the respective threshold amount is performed by the user before the start of the washing cycle), the control unit130may be configured to automatically disable the coordinated operation mode (if previously enabled) and make it unavailable/non-selectable, and to cause (during execution of the selected washing cycle) activation of only the pump device associated with the other one of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102(i.e. the multi-dose compartment that, still having an amount of treatment agent above the respective threshold amount, or safe level, is in a safe condition); in other words, when one of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102contains an amount of treatment agent below the respective threshold amount, and no refilling (at least partial) is (purposely) performed by the user, all the treatment agent doses for the current washing cycle and for the following washing cycles are advantageously drawn up from the other one of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102(when the auto-dosing functionality is activated). When instead, upon being notified from the laundry appliance100of the alert condition of one of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102, the user restores in it an amount of treatment agent above the respective threshold amount, the control unit130may be configured to automatically enable the coordinated operation mode or make it available/selectable for the user.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, when one of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102contains an amount of treatment agent below the respective threshold amount, no corresponding error notification may be output by the laundry appliance100, e.g. to a design option of the laundry appliance100(however, same considerations may be applied if no error notification is output by the laundry appliance100due to a temporary malfunctioning thereof): therefore the user does not know about the alert condition of one of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102, unless he/she purposely opens the drawer115and inspects the multi-dose compartments2101,2102. In this case, the control unit130may be configured to automatically disable the coordinated operation mode, e.g. by causing, during execution of the selected washing cycle and of the following washing cycles, activation of only the pump device associated with the other one of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102(i.e., the multi-dose compartment whose amount of treatment agent is still at a safe level): in other words, when one of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102contains an amount of treatment agent below the respective threshold amount (alert condition), and no refilling (at least partial) is (unintentionally) performed by the user, all the treatment agent doses for the current washing cycle and for the following washing cycles are advantageously drawn up from the other one of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102(when the auto-dosing functionality is activated).

In both the above embodiments, the drawing up of treatment agent doses exclusively from one of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102may advantageously be continued (under the control of the control unit130) until an amount of treatment agent below the respective threshold amount remains also in that multi-dose compartment2101,2102. When both multi-dose compartments2101,2102contain amounts of treatment agent below the respective threshold amounts, the laundry appliance100may advantageously output a corresponding error notification to the user—e.g., in the form of sound and/or light and/or text—and the auto-dosing functionality may be deactivated and made unavailable/non-selectable, preferably until safe levels of treatment agents (i.e., amounts of treatment agent above the respective threshold amounts) are restored in both multi-dose compartments2101,2102.

In order to detect when the multi-dose compartments2101,2102contain amounts of treatment agent below the respective threshold amounts, a detecting unit (not shown) may be provided in each multi-dose compartment2101,2102. The detecting unit may for example be an optical detecting unit. Although not shown, each optical detecting unit may advantageously comprise an optical guide preferably having a prismatic tip that, in use, protrudes into the respective multi-dose compartment2101,2102, a light emitter for emitting light into the optical guide, and an optical sensor for detecting different light refractions according to whether the treatment agent in the multi-dose compartment2101,2102covers the prismatic tip or not. Therefore, when the treatment agent completely covers the prismatic tip, the light emitted by the light emitter is completely diffused into the respective multi-dose compartment2101,2102and no, or substantially no, light is reflected back to the optical sensor (safe level); when instead no treatment agent covers the prismatic tip or when the treatment agent only partially covers the prismatic tip, the light emitted by the light emitter is completely or partially reflected back to the optical sensor by reflection taking place at the prismatic tip (alert level). The amount of reflected light detected by the optical sensor is converted into electric data by the optical sensor, which data are preferably fed to the control unit130for accordingly determining the safe condition or the alert condition of the respective multi-dose compartment2101,2102.

Preferably, the threshold amounts that allow discriminating between the alert and safe conditions of the respective multi-dose compartments2101,2102depend on a distance of the optical guides from the bottoms of the respective multi-dose compartments2101,2102. More preferably, the distances of the optical guides from the bottoms of the respective multi-dose compartments2101,2102may be different from each other, which could give rise to reciprocally different threshold amounts for the multi-dose compartments2101,2102(the different threshold amounts for example taking into account the different capacities of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102).

With reference now toFIGS.3A-3C, they show portions of the user interface125according to embodiments of the present invention.

Preferably, although not necessarily, the user interface125comprises a display unit305for visually displaying one or more pieces of information; the display unit305may for example comprise a light emitting polymer display (LPD), a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, or an organic light-emitting diode display. In the preferred, not limiting, embodiment herein considered, the display unit305comprises a touch sensitive display unit to allow user selection of laundry appliance features by touching activated regions of the display unit305.

The user interface125preferably comprises one or more control elements for allowing the user to select a washing cycle and to control one or more operating parameters of the selected washing cycle (including, but not limited to, temperature, laundry load dirt level, spin speed, start time delay, drawer compartment selection, selection of the type of treatment agent). The control elements may for example comprise physical control elements, i.e. control elements whose activation/deactivation is associated with displacements of mechanical components (such as the rotary knob visible inFIGS.1A and1B), and/or one or more virtual control elements, i.e. control elements whose activation/deactivation is associated with touch-sensitive electric components: for the purposes of the present disclosure, the virtual control elements comprise virtual input selectors or keys310D,310S, visible inFIGS.3A-3C, each one preferably associated with a respective type of treatment agent (detergent or softener in the example at issue) that a selected multi-dose compartment2101,2102may be configured to contain. However, the principles of the present invention equivalently apply when different combinations of physical and virtual control elements are provided (with the control elements that may for example be all physical control elements or all virtual control elements).

Although not shown, additional physical or virtual control elements may be provided (e.g., additional physical or virtual input keys for setting one or more parameters of the selected washing cycle, such as temperature, spin speed, amount of laundry load).

As exemplary illustrated, the display unit305comprises a cycle section, i.e. a section where a number of selectable washing cycles are listed. The washing cycles may be presented or listed with a graphic layout comprising textual indications (and/or symbols) associated with the selectable washing cycles. The textual indications (and/or associated symbols) are preferably vertically superimposed one to the other in order to form a column of textual indications (and/or associated symbols). In the example illustrated, the washing cycles are presented as a number of textual indications generically named “cycle 1”, “cycle 2”, “cycle 3”, “cycle 4”, “cycle 5”, “cycle 6”, “cycle 7”, “cycle 8”, “cycle 9”, and may for example be conventional washing cycles including, but not limited to, “Cottons”, “Cotton ECO” “Synthetics”, “Delicates”, “Wool/Handwash”. The washing cycles may for example be selected through the above mentioned rotary knob, whose rotation advantageously causes a cursor or other pointer or slider to move vertically across the list of washing cycle to visually indicate to the user the currently selected washing cycle (however, embodiments of the present invention may be envisaged in which no rotary knob is provided and the cursor is a touch sensitive cursor moveable by user touch to select the washing cycle).

As exemplary illustrated, the display unit305advantageously comprises a display region315for displaying status information such as information about a status of one or more components of the laundry appliances100and/or information about a status of the washing cycle (including, but not limited to, information about a residual time to the end of the ongoing washing cycle, and/or information about a current phase of the ongoing washing cycle, and/or selected parameters for the ongoing washing cycle).

Preferably, as illustrated, the display unit305comprises a display region (or more thereof)320for displaying a graphical indication of a (e.g., activated or deactivated) status the auto-dosing functionality. More preferably, the display region (or more thereof)320is arranged for displaying a graphical indication of a (e.g., selected or deselected) status the coordinated operation mode. Even more preferably, the display region320comprises a (e.g., upper) display region3201associated with the multi-dose compartment2101and a (e.g., lower) display region3202associated with the multi-dose compartment2102, the graphical indication of the coordinated operation mode for example comprising a symbol indicative of the type of treatment agent in both the upper3201and lower3202display regions, and preferably a (e.g., textual and/or graphical) symbol indicative of the coordinated operation mode (alternatively, the graphical indication of the coordinated operation mode may comprise only the symbol indicative of the coordinated operation mode).

In the illustrated example, the symbol indicative of the type of treatment agent in both the upper3201and lower3202display regions is the detergent symbol (which is advantageously the same symbol on the virtual input key310D), it meaning that in the example at issue both multi-dose compartments2101,2102are configured to contain detergent. However, similar considerations apply if the both multi-dose compartments2101,2102are configured to contain softener, in which case the type of treatment agent in both the upper3201and lower3202display regions would be the softener symbol (which is advantageously the same symbol on the virtual input key310S).

In the illustrated example, the symbol indicative of the coordinated operation mode is the “chain link” symbol, although this should not be construed limitatively. When the coordinated operation mode is selected, the “chain link” symbol may be displayed in the upper display region3201(as exemplary illustrated), in the lower display region3202, or in both upper3201and3202lower display regions, the “chain link” symbol being preferably located close or in proximity of the symbol indicative of the type of treatment agent.

The coordinated operation mode may be selected by means of one or more input keys. These input key(s) may be provided on the user interface125and/or on the mobile application running on the user device UD. In the following, input key(s) provided on the user interface125will be discussed by way of example only, it being understood that analogous considerations apply, mutatis mutandis, to the mobile application running on the user device UD.

The input key(s) for selecting the coordinated operation mode may for example be dedicated input keys (not shown).

Alternatively, as in the preferred embodiment herein considered, the input key(s) for selecting the coordinated operation mode may comprise input keys already provided for other purposes (i.e., having default functions/options associated therewith). Preferably, the input key(s) comprise(s) one or more among the virtual input keys310D,310S, in which case the coordinated operation mode may for example be selectable by the user by means of a predefined touch or actuation sequence of the virtual input keys310D,310D. Just as an example, a first touch of the virtual input key310may configure the multi-dose compartment2101to contain detergent (with the corresponding detergent symbol displayed in the upper display region3201), a second touch (following the first touch) of the virtual input key310may configure the multi-dose compartment2102to contain detergent (with the corresponding detergent symbol displayed in the lower display region3202), a third touch (following the second touch) of the virtual input key310may enable selection of the coordinated operation mode (with the corresponding “chain link” symbol displayed in the upper3201and/or lower3202display regions), and a fourth touch (following the third touch) of the virtual input key310Dmay determine both a reset of the configuration of the type of treatment agent (in this case, detergent) contained in the multi-dose compartments2101,2102and the deselection of the coordinated operation mode (with the corresponding detergent and “chain link” symbols that are no longer displayed). Just as an another example, a first touch of the virtual input key310Smay configure the multi-dose compartment2101to contain softener (with the corresponding softener symbol displayed in the upper display region3201), a second touch (following the first touch) of the virtual input key310Smay configure the multi-dose compartment2102to contain softener (with the corresponding softener symbol displayed in the lower display region3202), a third touch (following the second touch) of the virtual input key310Smay enable selection of the coordinated operation mode (with the corresponding “chain link” symbol displayed in the upper3201and/or lower3202display regions), and a fourth touch (following the third touch) of the virtual input key310Smay determine both a reset of the configuration of the type of treatment agent (in this case, softener) contained in the multi-dose compartments2101,2102and the deselection of the coordinated operation mode (with the corresponding softener and “chain link” symbols that are no longer displayed).

Preferably, the first touch of the virtual input key310Dor of the virtual input key310Salso allows contextual activation of the auto-dosing functionality. However, nothing prevents from allowing the activation of the auto-dosing functionality by means of one or more other physical and/or virtual input selectors, including for example dedicated physical and/or virtual input selectors, or physical and/or virtual input selectors already provided for other purposes (i.e., having default functions/options associated therewith), such as the physical and/or virtual input keys for setting one or more parameters of the selected washing cycle).

As mentioned above, the multi-dose compartments2101,2102may be configured to contain multiple doses of reciprocally different types of treatment agent, i.e. with the multi-dose compartment2101that may be configured to contain multiple doses of a type of treatment agent (e.g., the liquid washing detergent or the liquid softener) and with the multi-dose compartment2102that may be configured to contain multiple doses of another type of treatment agent (e.g., the liquid softener or the liquid washing detergent, respectively). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the multi-dose compartments2101,2102may be configured to contain multiple doses of reciprocally different types of treatment agent according to an order of touch of the virtual input keys310D,310S(with a first touch of one of the virtual input keys310D,310Sthat may for example be associated with the multi-dose compartment2101, and with a second touch of the other virtual input key310S,310Dthat may for example be associated with the multi-dose compartment2102): just as an example, the first touch of the virtual input key310Dor of the virtual input key310Smay configure the multi-dose compartment2101to contain, respectively, detergent or softener (with the corresponding detergent symbol or softener symbol displayed in the upper display region3201), and the second touch (following the first touch) respectively of the virtual input key310Sor of the virtual input key310Dmay configure the multi-dose compartment2102to contain, respectively, softener or detergent (with the corresponding softener symbol or detergent symbol displayed in the lower display region3202); in this configuration the coordinated operation mode is advantageously not selectable, and a subsequent touch of the virtual input key310Dor of the virtual input key310Dmay instead determine a reset of the configuration of the type of treatment agent contained in the multi-dose compartments2101,2102.

As discussed above, in the preferred embodiment herein considered, the configurations of the types of treatment agent contained in the multi-dose compartments2101,2102, as well as the coordinated operation mode, are selectable by the user by means of respective predefined actuation sequences of the virtual input keys310D,310S; additionally or alternatively to that, they (or at least a subset thereof) could be selectable by the user by means of respective touch times of the virtual input keys310D,310S(or of respective pressure times of corresponding physical input keys, when provided).

The user interface125advantageously comprises one or more control elements for adjusting the treatment agent doses with respect to reference or default treatment agent doses (hereinafter referred to as fine adjusting option).

The fine adjusting option may be accessed by means of one or more physical and/or virtual input keys, including for example one or more dedicated physical and/or virtual input keys (not shown), or one or more physical and/or virtual input keys already provided for other purposes (i.e., having default functions/options associated therewith). In the example at issue, the fine adjusting option is advantageously accessed by means of one or both of the virtual input keys310D,310S.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the physical and/or virtual input key(s) already provided for other purposes, such as one or both of the virtual input keys310D,310Sare configurable for accessing also the fine adjusting option through the user device UD.

Just as an example, upon configuration (by means of the virtual input keys310D,310S, as discussed above) of the multi-dose compartments2101,2102with the respective types of treatment agent, and possibly upon enabling the coordinated operation mode, the enabling of the virtual input keys310D,310Smay for example allow the virtual input key310Dto adjust the treatment agent dose to be drawn up from the multi-dose compartment2101, and the virtual input key310Sto adjust the treatment agent dose to be drawn up from the multi-dose compartment2102.

Just as an example, a first touch of the virtual input key310Dor of the virtual input keys310Smay set an increase, e.g. by a first predefined amount, of the treatment agent dose to be drawn up from, respectively, the multi-dose compartment2101or from the multi-dose compartment2102(e.g., irrespective of the type of treatment agent with which the multi-dose compartments2101,2102have been configured), a second touch (following the first touch) of the virtual input key310Dor of the virtual input keys310Smay set a decrease, e.g. by a second predefined amount (e.g., equal to or different from the first predefined amount), of the treatment agent dose to be drawn up from, respectively, the multi-dose compartment2101or from the multi-dose compartment2102, whereas a third touch (following the second touch) of the virtual input key310Dor of the virtual input keys310Smay set, respectively, the multi-dose compartment2101or the multi-dose compartment2102back to the reference treatment agent doses.

In the illustrated example, when an increase or a decrease of the treatment agent dose is set for the multi-dose compartment2101or for the multi-dose compartment2102, a corresponding symbol is displayed in the display region associated with that multi-dose compartment (in the example at issue, the upper display region3201or the lower display region3202, respectively).

As visible inFIG.3B, the symbol indicative of the increase of the treatment agent dose with respect to the reference treatment agent dose is advantageously the “+” symbol; the “+” symbol is preferably located close to the symbol of the type of treatment agent (the detergent symbol in the example at issue).

As visible inFIG.3C, the symbol indicative of the decrease of the treatment agent dose with respect to the reference treatment agent dose is advantageously the “−” symbol; the “−” symbol is preferably located close to the symbol of the type of treatment agent (the detergent symbol in the example at issue). As visible inFIGS.3B and3C, the “+” and “−” symbols are preferably located alongside the symbol of the treatment agent type, more preferably at reciprocally different heights (with the “+” symbol that may for example be arranged as a “superscript”, and with the “−” symbol that may for example be arranged as a “subscript”). The use of the “+” and “−” symbols, as well as their positions in the upper3201and lower3202display regions, are particularly easy to understand for the user.

Naturally, in order to satisfy local and specific requirements, a person skilled in the art may apply to the invention described above many logical and/or physical modifications and alterations. More specifically, although the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it should be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details as well as other embodiments are possible. In particular, different embodiments of the invention may even be practiced without the specific details (such as the numeric examples) set forth in the preceding description for providing a more thorough understanding thereof, on the contrary, well known features may have been omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the description with unnecessary particulars.