Patent ID: 8312581

Claim:
A method for simple and precise determining the load in a washing machine, comprising the steps of: a. providing a washing machine ( 1 ), with i. a washing machine casing ( 7 ) and a washing unit ( 2 ), ii. at least one suspension element ( 6 ) for the oscillatory fastening of the washing unit ( 2 ) on the washing machine casing ( 7 ), and iii. at least one damper ( 12 ) having a non-linear damping characteristic for damping the movement of the washing unit ( 2 ), the at least one damper ( 12 ) comprising a casing ( 13 ), a ram ( 15 ) which is displaceable in the casing ( 13 ) and a piston ( 33 ) which is displaceable relative thereto, b. determining a first measured value (M 1 ) in the unloaded state of the washing machine ( 1 ) by measuring a variable which characterizes the load (B), c. calculating a first suspension force (FA (M 1 )) of the at least one suspension element ( 6 ) as a function of the first measured value (M 1 ), d. calculating a first damper force (FD (M 1 )) of the at least one damper ( 12 ) as a function of the first measured value (M 1 ), e. determining a second measured value (M 2 ) in the loaded state of the washing machine ( 1 ) by measuring the variable which characterizes the load (B), f. calculating a second suspension force (FA (M 2 )) of the at least one suspension element ( 6 ) as a function of the second measured value (M 2 ), g. calculating a second damper force (FD (M 2 )) of the at least one damper ( 12 ) as a function of the second measured value (M 2 ), and h. calculating the load (B) of the washing machine ( 1 ) as a function of the suspension forces (FA (M 1 ), FA (M 2 )) and the damper forces (FD (M 1 ), FD (M 2 )).