Patent ID: 12252830

All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the embodiments, wherein other parts may be omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG.1illustrates a laundry washing machine10. The laundry washing machine comprises a rotatable drum (FIG.2) in a water-tight washing chamber (FIG.2) arranged in an outer housing12. The washing machine10is positioned on a fixed base structure14, such as a floor. A washing chamber door16provides access to the interior of the drum, for loading and unloading laundry. The laundry washing machine10further comprises a controller18configured to operate various laundry washing programs. A user interface20, arranged on a front housing wall22of the laundry washing machine10, allows a user of the laundry washing machine10to select among, and start, the various laundry washing programs. The front housing wall22also comprises a tray24for allowing the user to insert detergent into the laundry washing machine10.

FIG.2schematically illustrates a cross-section of the laundry washing machine10taken along the plane II-II illustrated inFIG.1. The laundry washing machine10comprises a drum assembly26comprising the washing chamber28, which has a substantially circular-cylindrical shape, and the drum30, which is also circular-cylindrical with its axis of rotation symmetry A coinciding with the axis of rotational symmetry A of the washing chamber28. The drum30is rotatably suspended in the washing chamber28via a drum suspension interface comprising a drum bearing32(FIG.3), which allows rotating the drum30about its symmetry axis A within the washing chamber28. The drum assembly26further comprises a cradle34, which is rigidly connected to, and carries, the washing chamber28. The drum assembly26is suspended on a drum assembly suspension frame36via a flexible suspension arrangement38, which allows the drum assembly26to vibrate relative to the drum assembly suspension frame36. In the illustrated embodiment, the suspension arrangement38comprises, in each of four corners of the cradle34, a respective flexible suspension40, each flexible suspension40comprising a damper42and a resilient element44such as a spring. The drum assembly suspension frame36also rigidly holds the outer housing12, and firmly rests on the fixed base structure14(FIG.1).

The laundry washing machine10further comprises a load sensing arrangement46configured to detect the amount of laundry48in the drum30. Based on the detected amount of laundry, the load sensing arrangement46generates a load signal to the controller18. The load sensing arrangement46comprises a plurality of drum assembly load sensors50, each of which is arranged between the cradle34and a respective suspension40of said suspension arrangement38. Each of the drum assembly load sensors50is configured to measure the vertical load exerted by the drum assembly26on the respective suspension40, and based on the load, generate a respective load signal component of said load signal transmitted to the controller18. The drum assembly load sensors50may, for example, be configured as load cells provided with strain gauges. In the illustrated embodiment, the weight of the laundry48is obtained by summing up the total vertical load detected by all respective drum assembly load sensors50, and subtracting a calibration load detected when the drum30is empty, i.e. before inserting the laundry48.FIG.2again illustrates the detergent tray24, which is connected to the washing chamber28. The detergent tray24is provided with a detergent detector23for detecting an amount of detergent therein. The detergent detector23may, for example, comprise a load cell. Moreover, an internal detergent storage container25is connected to the washing chamber28via an automatic detergent dispenser31, such as a pump or magnetic valve for liquid detergent, or a screw conveyor for laundry washing powder, as the case may be. The detergent dispenser31is controlled by the controller18for automatic dosing of the amount of detergent from the internal detergent storage container25, in case the user does not wish to use his/her own detergent. Similarly, the controller18also controls a water supply valve33, which may be e.g. a magnetic valve, for dispensing water from a tap water supply35, via the detergent tray24, into the washing chamber28.

FIG.3illustrates the laundry washing machine10in a section along the line III-III ofFIG.2. The view illustrates how the drum30is rotatably suspended in the washing chamber28via the drum bearing32, which is carried by a drum support structure52at the back wall of the washing chamber28. An electric motor51, operated by the controller18, drives the drum30to rotate about the rotation axis A via a belt-and-pulley transmission53. The load sensing arrangement46further comprises a drum load sensor54connected to the drum support structure52. It is pointed out that the drum assembly load sensors50detect the amount of laundry in the drum30by weighing the entire drum assembly26together with the laundry48, whereas the drum load sensor54detects the amount of laundry48in the drum30by weighing only the drum30together with the laundry48. The drum assembly load sensors50and the drum load sensor54are two independent means of detecting the amount of laundry48in the drum30. A third independent means of detecting the amount of laundry48in the drum30is provided by the controller18and the motor51. The controller18is configured to record the electric current provided to the motor51and the rotary speed of the motor51, wherein the electric current is representative of the torque required for accelerating the drum30, and hence, also representative of the weight of the drum30together with the laundry48. It is pointed out that the three means all have different benefits. They can all be used in parallel on a laundry washing machine10, and the data received therefrom can be fused in the controller18to obtain a result of increased accuracy. Alternatively, a subset, or only one single, of the three means may be implemented on the laundry washing machine; still alternatively or additionally, the laundry washing machine may comprise any other means of determining the amount of laundry48in the laundry washing machine10.

The drum assembly load sensors50and the drum load sensor54enable the load sensing arrangement46to detect the static load on the drum30, without rotating the drum30. Moreover, they can be used for measuring a dynamic load during rotation of the drum30. The dynamic load may be determined e.g. based on signals from one or several of the load sensors50,54measuring a load exerted by the drum30during rotation, or based on the dynamic torque generated by the motor51.

The washing chamber28is provided with a washing chamber door56, which cooperates with a washing chamber door sensor58indicating to the controller18whether the washing chamber door is closed or open. The outer housing12may also comprise an optional outer housing door60(not illustrated in the view ofFIG.1) which, in a similar manner, may cooperate with an outer housing door sensor62indicating to the controller18whether the outer housing door60is closed or open.

The laundry washing machine10has a physical maximum load limit L1, wherein L1is the maximum weight of laundry48that the laundry washing machine is designed to process in each batch. The physical maximum load limit L1may also referred to as the design capacity of the laundry washing machine10. For an amount L1of laundry, the controller18is configured to use an amount D1of detergent and an amount of W1of water from the tap water system which should be available for dispensing into the washing chamber28.

FIG.4schematically illustrates functional blocks of the control system of the laundry washing machine10. The controller18is operatively connected to the drum assembly load sensors50, the drum load sensor54, the motor51, the detergent dispenser31, the water supply valve33, the washing chamber door sensor58, the outer housing door sensor62, the detergent detector23, and to a laundry facility controller66described in greater detail in the following.

FIG.5illustrates a laundry facility64, which may be a public self-service laundry facility (“laundromat”/“laundrette”) or an on-the-premises laundry facility reserved e.g. for the residents of a residential area or the employees of a hospital. The laundry facility64comprises a first plurality of laundry washing machines10a,10b,10ceach having a physical maximum load limit L1, a second plurality of laundry washing machines10d,10e,10feach having a physical maximum load limit L2, and a third plurality of laundry washing machines10g,10h,10ieach having and a physical maximum load limit L3, wherein L1>L2>L3. Typical physical maximum load limits generally range between 5 kg and 20 kg. By way of example, L1may be 18 kg, L2may be 12 kg, and L3may be 8 kg. The laundry facility64comprises a laundry facility controller66, which is operatively connected to each machine10a-10i, and maintains updated information indicating the availability of laundry washing machines10for each of the different physical maximum load limits L1, L2, L3. The laundry facility controller66is also operatively connected to a laundry facility user interface68, allowing the user to select an available laundry washing machine, and an authorization unit70, which may comprise a payment interface such as a coin slot or credit card reader, or a user identification interface for verifying the identity of e.g.

an authorized user. Obviously, functionality may be distributed between the laundry facility controller66and the laundry washing machine controllers18(FIG.1) in any suitable way; it is pointed out that the controller recited in the appended claims may be construed as the laundry washing machine controller18, the laundry facility controller66, the combined system made up by the laundry washing machine controller18and the laundry facility controller, or any other virtually or physically distributed controller, without departing from the scope of the claims.

The user interface68is configured to indicate to a user, for each load limit L1, L2, L3, which laundry washing machines10a-10iare currently available, i.e. not already occupied by another user, and a respective cost R1, R2, R3associated with running a laundry program for the respective load limits L1, L2, L3. Each laundry washing machine10may be capable of running several different respective laundry programs, each of which may be associated with a different cost. The user can thereby select, via the user interface68, an available laundry washing machine10of a desired load limit L1, L2, L3, a laundry washing program, and whether to provide his/her own detergent via the detergent tray24or to allow the laundry washing machine to automatically dispense detergent from the internal detergent container25. Based on the selection, the laundry facility controller66determines a cost and requests an authorization signal from the authorization unit70, which in response provides an authorization signal to the laundry facility controller66once sufficient payment has been received from the user. Upon authorization, the laundry facility controller66enables the selected laundry washing machine10for use.

However, it may sometimes happen that a when a user, having an amount L3of laundry to be washed, arrives at the laundry washing facility64, all laundry washing machines10g,10h,10iof physical maximum load limit L3are busy. In prior art laundry facilities, the user would then have to choose between waiting until one of the laundry washing machines10g,10h,10ibecomes available, or having to pay a higher price R1or R2for one of the laundry washing machines10a-10fof maximum load limit L1or L2. The use of an unnecessarily large laundry washing machine may also increase consumption of other resources, such as water, energy, and/or detergent. A first operation scenario of the laundry facility64may however reduce the risk of such a situation occurring.

In said first operation scenario, the laundry facility controller is configured to determine when all laundry washing machines10g-iof a certain physical maximum load limit L3are occupied. If all laundry washing machines10g-iof physical maximum load limit L3are taken, and if there is more than one available laundry washing machine of a higher physical maximum load limit L1or L2, the laundry facility controller66generates a capacity mode signal to a target laundry washing machine of said available laundry washing machines, to set a temporary load limit of the target laundry washing machine. By way of example, if laundry washing machines10aand10bare available, the laundry facility controller66may select laundry washing machine10aas the target laundry washing machine, and generate a capacity mode signal setting a temporary maximum load T=L3of the target laundry washing machine10a. Once the temporary maximum load T has been set to L3, the laundry facility controller66will indicate the laundry washing machine10a, of physical maximum load limit L1, as an available laundry washing machine of maximum load L3. When a new user arrives at the laundry facility, laundry washing machine10acan be selected at cost R3. Alternatively, the temporary maximum load T may be selected by the user on arrival. In this way, only a single laundry washing machine of a capacity equal to or greater than that required by the user needs to be available.

Reference is again made toFIGS.2-3, wherein the laundry washing machine10now represents the target laundry washing machine10a. Once the user starts loading the laundry washing machine10via the drum access doors56,60, the controller continuously receives a load signal generated by the load sensing arrangement46. If the amount of laundry48inserted into the drum30exceeds the temporary maximum load T=L3, the laundry washing machine10is prevented from starting, and the laundry washing machine user interface20may generate an overweight signal; else, once loading is completed, the laundry washing machine10is allowed to start. Upon starting, the laundry washing machine will dispense an amount W3of water and an amount D3of detergent associated with load L3into the washing chamber28. Alternatively, the laundry washing machine10may dispense an amount of water and detergent calculated based on the load detected by the load sensing arrangement46.

The first scenario is schematically illustrated in the flow chart ofFIG.6:

In step601, the controller18(FIG.2) receives a capacity mode signal indicating a temporary maximum load T.

In step602, the laundry washing machine10receives laundry48into the drum30.

In step603, the load sensing arrangement46weighs the laundry in the drum.

In step604the controller18decides, based on the weight of the laundry48in the drum30corresponding to a detected load equal to or less than the temporary maximum load T, whether to allow a laundry washing program to start.

Step601may alternatively be performed after step602or step603.

The temporary maximum load T may be adjusted or cleared based on the authorization unit70identifying a user identity or a user category associated with a certain temporary maximum load, or associated with a “no-limit” load setting.

In a second operation scenario, and again referring toFIG.5, all laundry washing machines10a-10iare assumed to have the same physical maximum load limit L1, wherein L1>L2>L3. For each of the laundry washing machines10a-10i, the laundry facility user interface68allows the user to select a target laundry washing machine10a, as well as a temporary load limit T=L1, L2or L3to be associated with the selected target laundry washing machine10a. Alternatively, the laundry facility user interface68may allow the user to select a temporary maximum load T=L1, L2or L3, and the laundry facility controller66may automatically designate an available laundry washing machine10a, to become the target laundry washing machine, to the user. Based on the selected temporary maximum load T, the controller66generates a capacity mode signal to the target laundry washing machine10awhich, upon receipt, sets its temporary maximum load to T. The controller66may also set a resource threshold R, represented by an amount to be paid via the authorization unit70, associated with the selected temporary maximum load T. Upon authorization from the authorization unit70, ascertaining that the price corresponding to the respective cost R1, R2or R3associated with the selected temporary maximum load T has been paid, the laundry facility controller66enables the target laundry washing machine10afor use. Upon enabling the activation of the selected laundry washing machine10a, and again referring toFIG.3, the user inserts laundry to be washed into the washing chamber28, whereupon the load sensing arrangement46detects the amount of laundry48in the drum30. After closing the washing chamber door56, if the load detected by the load sensing arrangement46is less than or equal to the temporary maximum load T, the laundry washing machine10is allowed to be started; else, it is not.

In a third operation scenario, and starting by referring toFIG.2, the user may not wish to use the detergent available from the internal detergent storage container25. Instead, the user brings his/her own detergent to the laundry facility64(FIG.5). Again referring toFIG.5, all laundry washing machines10a-10iare assumed to have the same physical maximum load limit L1, wherein L1>L2>L3. For each of the laundry washing machines10a-10i, the laundry facility user interface68allows selecting a target laundry washing machine10a, as well as a temporary load limit T=L1, L2, or L3, to be associated with the selected target laundry washing machine10a. Based on the selected temporary maximum load T, the controller66generates a capacity mode signal to the target laundry washing machine10awhich, upon receipt, sets its temporary maximum load to T. The controller66may also set a resource threshold R associated with the temporary maximum load T. The resource threshold may, in the third operation scenario, be represented by a minimum amount of detergent to be provided via the detergent tray24(FIG.2), in order to allow the laundry washing machine to start. The resource threshold may further be set based on e.g. a selected laundry processing program, as well as on a time of the day, a day of the week or a day of the month which may correspond to e.g. days when laundry is usually more heavily soiled.

Again referring toFIG.3, the user inserts laundry to be washed into the washing chamber28, whereupon the load sensing arrangement46detects the amount of laundry48in the drum30. After closing the washing chamber door56, if the load detected by the load sensing arrangement46is less than or equal to the temporary maximum load T, and if the detergent detector23(FIG.2) signals to the controller18that the amount of detergent provided has reached the resource threshold R, the laundry washing machine controller18allows the user to start the laundry washing machine10; else, it does not.

The second and third scenarios are schematically illustrated in the flow chart ofFIG.7:

In step701, the user provides an amount of resources for operating the laundry washing machine.

In step702, the controller18(FIG.2) receives a capacity mode signal indicating a temporary maximum load T.

In step703, the laundry washing machine10receives laundry48into the drum30.

In step704, the load sensing arrangement46weighs the laundry in the drum.

In step705the controllers18,66decides, based on the weight of the laundry48in the drum30corresponding to a detected load equal to or less than the temporary maximum load T, and based on the amount of resources provided reaching a resource threshold R associated with said temporary maximum load T, whether to allow a laundry washing program to start. It is pointed out that steps701and702can be performed in any order at any point prior to step705.

A fourth operation scenario will now be described with reference to a stand-alone laundry washing machine10, i.e. a laundry washing machine which does not form part of a laundry facility64comprising multiple laundry washing machines. With reference toFIG.2, the user may again wish not to use the detergent available from the internal detergent storage container25, but instead, provide his/her own detergent via the detergent tray24. The user inserts laundry to be washed into the washing chamber28, whereupon the load sensing arrangement46detects the amount of laundry48in the drum30. After closing the washing chamber door56, the load sensing arrangement46makes a final detection of the load for the purpose of calculating a resource threshold defining an amount of detergent required for the detected laundry load. If the washing chamber door56is opened again prior to starting the laundry program, the laundry load is again determined by the load sensing arrangement46after closing the washing chamber door56, to ascertain whether laundry has been added or removed. Once a final determination of the laundry load in the drum30has been made prior to starting the laundry washing program, the controller18determines a resource threshold R for the amount of detergent to be inserted into the detergent tray24.

Upon insertion of detergent into the detergent tray24, the detergent detector23generates a resource signal to the controller18, indicating the amount of detergent inserted. Based on the resource signal indicating that an amount of detergent reaching the resource threshold R has been inserted, the controller18enables the user to start the laundry washing machine.

The fourth scenario is schematically illustrated in the flow chart ofFIG.8:

In step801, the laundry washing machine10receives laundry48into the drum30.

In step802, the load sensing arrangement46weighs the laundry in the drum30.

In step803, the controller18determines a resource threshold R based on the weight of the laundry48in the drum30.

In step804, the user provides resources for operating the laundry washing machine.

In step805, the controller18compares the resource threshold R with the amount of received resources.

In step806, the controller determines, based on said comparison, whether the laundry washing machine is to be allowed to start.

It is pointed out that step804can be performed at any point prior to step805.

FIG.9illustrates an exemplary user interface20of the laundry washing machine10ofFIG.2. The exemplary user interface20comprises on/off button72; a program selector74for selecting a desired laundry program, such as a cotton washing program, a synthetic fabric program, a wool program, a speed wash program, a rinse program, etc; a coin slot76; and a touch screen78. As illustrated, the program selector74may be configured as a dial knob. The touch screen78presents an options panel80allowing the user to select any washing program options, such as pre-wash, an extra rinsing step, reduced centrifuging, etc. The touch screen also presents a washing temperature selection panel82, a panel83for selecting manual or automatic dispensing of detergent, a start button84, and a resource indicator86.

The resource indicator86will now be described in a fifth operation scenario, with reference toFIGS.10,11and12Also the fifth operation scenario will be described with reference to a stand-alone laundry washing machine10(FIG.2).

The user may select a laundry washing program74, along with any options80,83, and a desired temperature82. Thereafter, controller18(FIG.2) calculates, based on the selected laundry washing program, a resource threshold associated with each of a plurality of different temporary maximum loads. Each temporary maximum load T1, T2, T3, T4represents a respective maximum amount of laundry, wherein T1>T2>T3>T4, and wherein T1may correspond to the laundry washing machine's physical maximum load limit L1. The respective resource thresholds R1, R2, R3, R4, along with their associated temporary maximum loads T1, T2, T3, T4, may be presented to the user in the resource indicator, for example in the manner illustrated inFIG.10. The resource thresholds R1-R4may represent, for example, a monetary cost associated with each respective temporary maximum load T1-T4, or an amount of detergent required to be inserted into the detergent tray24for each respective temporary maximum load T1-T4. For example, the load T4may be associated with a cost R4of $4, the load T3may be associated with a cost R3of $5, the load T2may be associated with a cost R2of $6, and the load T1may be associated with a R1cost of $7. In the following it will be assumed, for simplicity, that the resource threshold corresponds to a required payment, even though the same scenario is applicable to a required amount of detergent. As is apparent fromFIG.10, the variable resource threshold R1-R4comprises a fixed portion R4, which constitutes a minimum amount of resources required for starting a laundry washing program regardless of the amount of laundry, plus a variable portion which increases with the temporary maximum load.

After having been presented with the resource thresholds R1-R4, the user provides an amount of resources for operating the laundry washing machine. The amount of resources provided may, for example, be selected to correspond to any of the resource thresholds R1, R2, R3, R4.FIG.11illustrates an exemplary behaviour of the resource indicator86while the user inserts coins into the slot76; in particular, the resource indicator86may illustrate the temporary maximum load T1-T4corresponding to the amount of resources having been received. In the view ofFIG.11, the temporary maximum load is displayed as a vertical progress bar comprising segments representing respective temporary maximum loads T4, T3, T2, T1. InFIG.11(a), the resource indicator86indicates having received resources corresponding to the resource threshold R4, by indicating a temporary maximum load T4; inFIG.11(b), the resource indicator86indicates having received resources corresponding to the resource threshold R3, by indicating a temporary maximum load T3; in FIG.

11(c), the resource indicator86indicates having received resources corresponding to the resource threshold R2, by indicating a temporary maximum load T2; and inFIG.11(d), the resource indicator86indicates having received resources corresponding to the resource threshold R1, by indicating a temporary maximum load T1. Each time a new resource threshold R4, R3, R2, R1is reached, the controller18generates a capacity mode signal changing the laundry washing machine's temporary maximum load to the respective load T4, T3, T2, T1associated with the reached threshold.

Now with reference toFIG.12, it is assumed that the user has provided an amount of resources R2($6), corresponding to a temporary maximum load T2illustrated inFIG.11(c). Once the user starts loading laundry into the drum30(FIG.2), the resource indicator86will provide, based on a load signal from the load sensing arrangement46, a load indication88indicating the amount of laundry in the drum30. InFIG.12, the load indication88is embodied as a vertical progress bar comprising segments corresponding to the loads T4, T3, T2, T1. InFIG.12(a), the resource indicator86indicates a detected load88equal to or less than T4; inFIG.12(b), the resource indicator86indicates a detected load88higher than T4and equal to or less than T3; inFIG.12(c), the resource indicator86indicates a detected load88higher than T3and equal to or less than T2; and inFIG.12(d), the resource indicator86indicates a detected load88greater than the temporary maximum load T2. This is indicated to the user by graphically illustrating the excess load in a pattern or colour different from a load within the maximum temporary load T2. If the load detected by the load sensing arrangement46(FIG.3) exceeds the maximum temporary load, the laundry washing machine will not be allowed to start. Hence, in the situation illustrated inFIG.12d, the user will have to remove laundry from the drum30and/or add more resources in order to enable the laundry washing machine10to start.FIG.12(e)illustrates the situation when the user has added more resources, reaching up to the resource threshold R1corresponding to temporary maximum load T1. Thereby, after closing the washing chamber door56, the laundry washing machine10may be started by pressing the start button72(FIG.9).

The fifth operation scenario above describes how resources are first provided, the resource indicator86displaying a temporary maximum load associated with the amount of resources provided. Thereafter, laundry is inserted, and the detected laundry load is displayed in the resource indicator86alongside with an indication of the temporary maximum load. The procedure may also take place in an opposite order: First, laundry may be inserted into the drum, the resource indicator86displaying, while the laundry is inserted, a gradually increasing resource threshold required for starting the laundry washing program, the displayed resource threshold being based on the amount of laundry48detected by the load sensing arrangement46. After finishing loading laundry into the drum, resources may be provided by the user while the resource indicator86displays, alongside with the indication of the resource threshold, an illustration of the amount of resources received.

Clearly, instead of using a coin slot76(FIG.9), the laundry washing machine may be configured to receive other means of payment, such as tokens, credit card payments, near-field communication payments using a mobile phone, etc. Tokens may be provided by, for example, inserting a number of physical tokens into a token slot arranged on the laundry washing machine or on a control panel operably connected to the laundry washing machine, or by withdrawing a number of virtual tokens from a user account associated with a user identity. The user identity may be verified using e.g. a smart card. However, as pointed out hereinabove, the methods may invoke also other types of resources and resource thresholds, such as for correctly dosing an amount of detergent.

Again referring back toFIG.3, in some instances, there may be a need for preventing tampering with the load sensing arrangement46. By way of example, looking at the drawing ofFIG.3, the detected load could be reduced

1) by wedging an object in the gap90between the drum assembly26and the front housing wall22,

2) by applying a lifting force at an upper interior wall92of the drum30, or

3) by applying a lifting force at an outer face of the washing chamber door56.

All of those tampering cases may be detected, and if any tampering is detected, the laundry washing program may be prevented from starting. As has already been discussed hereinabove, by making a final determination of the load after the washing chamber door56has been closed for the last time prior to starting the washing program, tampering case2) may be avoided.

Tampering cases1) and3) may be detected in several different ways. By way of example, the drum assembly load sensors50are spatially separated, such that the relationship between the load signal components from the respective load sensors50may indicate whether, with reference to the axis A (FIG.3), one of the axial ends of the drum30or the drum assembly26has been lifted or wedged.

Another way of detecting tampering cases 1) and 3) may be to first detect a static load prior to rotating the drum30; thereafter, rotating the drum30and detecting a dynamic load; and comparing the detected static load with the detected dynamic load. The relationship between the static and dynamic load may serve as an indicator of whether the drum assembly26has been tampered with.

Still another way of detecting tampering cases 1), 2) or 2) may be by comparing a load detection performed before closing any of the drum access doors56,60, with a load detection performed after closing said any of the drum access doors56,60. If the detected amount of laundry differs by more than a threshold amount, it may be assumed that the user has somehow lifted the drum30or drum assembly26while the respective drum access door56,60was open.

Moreover, as the drum load sensor54detects the weight of the drum and laundry only, without responding to the weight of e.g. the washing chamber28or cradle34, the drum load sensor54is relatively immune to wedging the washing chamber28or lifting the washing chamber door56.

As earlier discussed with reference toFIG.3, the outer housing door60blocks access to the drum assembly26from outside the housing12. By making a final determination of the amount of laundry48in the drum30after closing the outer housing door, at least tampering case3) may be avoided.

According to an embodiment, the load sensing arrangement, for example the drum assembly load sensors50, may be configured to determine a horizontal component of the load on the drum assembly26or the drum30. The presence of any horizontal load on the drum assembly26or the drum30, e.g. along the direction of the rotation axis A, may indicate that an object has been wedged between the drum assembly26and the front housing wall22.

The flow chart ofFIG.14illustrates a sixth operation scenario of the laundry processing machine10ofFIGS.1-4.

In step1401, the user is allowed to select, via the user interface20, a language for interacting with the laundry processing machine10via the user interface20.

In step1402, the user is prompted to select a laundry processing program.

In1403, if the washing chamber door56is not closed, the user interface20displays the selected program along with a maximum resource requirement for the selected laundry processing program, wherein the maximum resource requirement is associated with a maximum load of the laundry processing machine10. If the washing chamber door56is closed, the load sensing arrangement46weighs the laundry48in the drum30in step1404, and calculates a resource threshold based on the detected weight.

In step1405, the user is allowed to select any options80, and is prompted to insert resources, such as chemical process aids, tokens, or coins. The amount of resources due for reaching the resource threshold is displayed.

In steps1406and1407, the controller20detects insertion of resources, and updates a detected amount of resources having been inserted. Options may be selected or deselected in step1408, thereby triggering, in step1409, an update of the resource threshold as well as the remaining amount of resources due (i.e. the resource threshold minus the amount of resources having been inserted).

In step1410, the controller20determines whether the amount of resources inserted exceeds the resource threshold. If yes, start is enabled in step1411; otherwise, the controller20returns to step1405.

In step1412, the controller20receives a start command via the start button82.

After receiving the start command, the controller enables, in step1413, a pause or “regret” button allowing the user to, within a starting delay time, cancel the start and make changes. Changes can be made by opening the washing compartment door56for inserting or removing laundry48, thereby returning to step1403, or by changing the laundry processing program, thereby returning to step1402. Alternatively, the user may resume the start by pressing a resume button, returning to step1413.

After the starting delay, the controller20starts the laundry processing program in step1414.

Hereinabove, a laundry washing machine10has been described with reference to e.g.FIGS.1-4andFIG.9. For clarity and simplicity, only a single laundry washing machine10, provided with many features and functions, has been described, and its operation has been discussed with reference to several different scenarios. However, it is pointed out that for each of those scenarios, only a subset of the features and functions of the laundry washing machine10are needed, while other features and functions are highly optional. The same reasoning applies to the laundry system64ofFIG.5, mutatis mutandis.

As has been suggested in the foregoing, the laundry washing machine10is only one example of the group of laundry processing machines which may benefit from the teachings herein. The teachings are also applicable, mutatis mutandis, at least to laundry dryers, combined washer dryers, and centrifuges.FIG.13illustrates a laundry facility164comprising laundry washing machines10, laundry dryers96, combined washer dryers98, and centrifuges99, each of which is configured to set a temporary maximum load, or to set a resource threshold based on a detected load, in accordance with the teachings hereinabove. The respective laundry processing programs may, for each respective alternative machine type10,96,98,99, be a laundry washing program, a laundry drying program, a combined laundry washing and drying program, and a centrifuging program, respectively.

The methods disclosed herein may be embodied in a computer program, which may be carried on a computer readable data carrier, illustrated inFIG.15tin the embodiment of a Compact Disc100.

The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims.

In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality.