TECHCNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a laundry machine equipped with a user interface
with a start-up procedure.
[0002] It is important to underline the fact that in the present application the expression
"laundry machine" may indicate a "simple" laundry washing machine (i.e. a washing
machine which can only wash and rinse the laundry), a laundry washing-drying machine
(i.e. a washing machine which can also dry the laundry), or a laundry drier (i.e.
a laundry machine which can only dry the laundry), both of the front-loading type
and of the top-loading type.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] As it is known, nowadays laundry machines generally comprise an external casing provided
with a loading/unloading door which allows the access to a laundry treating chamber
in which the laundry to be treated (i.e. washer and/or dried) can be loaded.
[0004] These known laundry machines are designed to perform operating cycles comprising
one or more phases; for example a washing machine typically performs washing cycles
comprising, for example, a soaking phase, a main wash phase (comprising, for example,
the adduction into the washing tub of water mixed with detergent and the rotation
of the drum, so as to apply a mechanical action on the laundry), a steam supplying
phase, a rinsing phase, a spinning phase, etc.
[0005] These known laundry machines generally comprise also a user interface designed to
allow a user to control operations of the laundry machine, for example to select a
washing and/ or drying program to be performed.
[0006] For example,
US 2009/0217712 A1 describes a washing machine including a user interface in form of a control panel
mounted at the front part of a machine body of the washing machine, wherein said user
interface comprises:
- a rotary knob for allowing a user to input operating conditions of the washing machine
in a rotating fashion;
- a display unit mounted around the rotary knob for displaying the operating conditions
of the washing machine inputted by the rotary knob;
- a controller coupled to the inside of the control panel and having a plurality of
partitioned Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that can be selectively turned on according
to the input from the rotary knob; and
- a decoration panel disposed between the display unit and a LED supporter, which supports
the LEDs, for allowing light emitted from the selected LED to be transmitted through
the display unit without leakage.
[0007] Moreover,
US 2006/0220899 A1 describes a household appliance, in particular a washing machine, comprising:
- an appliance cabinet;
- an appliance user interface including
- a plurality of appliance settings, each of the settings having a plurality of selection
options, and
- a plurality of bi-color LEDs, each of the bi-color LEDs being associated with one
of the selection options.
[0008] According to
US 2006/0220899 A1, the bi-color LEDs are used to indicate the current settings of the appliance and
the availability of appliance selection options, and to provide feedback during programming
of the settings of the household appliance.
[0009] US 4628443 discloses a laundry machine according to the preamble of claim 1.
US4158 432 discloses a self-testing of a machine where the display lights are lit in a set order.
[0010] The user interfaces currently used in washing machines have many indications that
are hidden or that are not usually illuminated during the programming of the washing
machine. Therefore, a user is often not aware of broken indicators or what is the
full availability of the settings in different parts of the user interface.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Therefore, an object of the present invention is providing a laundry machine designed
so as to overcome, at least in part, the above-mentioned drawbacks.
[0012] This object is achieved, according to the present invention, by a laundry machine
as specified in claim 1; claims dependent on claim 1 are referred to advantageous
embodiments of the invention.
[0013] In particular this object is achieved by a laundry machine comprising a user interface
and a control unit, wherein said user interface:
- is operable by a user to switch on and off the laundry machine, and to select operating
settings of the laundry machine among several predefined user-selectable operating
settings; and
- comprises several light indicators associated, each, with a corresponding predefined
user-selectable operating setting;
wherein the control unit is configured to turn on a light indicator if the corresponding
predefined user-selectable operating setting associated with said light indicator
is selected;
wherein the control unit is further configured to carry out a start-up procedure in
which, upon the switching on of the laundry machine by a user, all the light indicators
are turned on.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the control unit is configured in such a way that in said
start-up procedure all light indicators are switched off after their switching on.
[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is configured in such a way
that, in said start-up procedure, after the switching on of said light indicators
only a part of the latter is switched off, so that the remaining part of light indicators,
corresponding to a prefixed default program, remains switched on.
[0016] Advantageously, the control unit is configured in such a way that in said start-up
procedure the light indicators are switched on according to a predefined turning-on
sequence.
[0017] Preferably the control unit is configured in such a way that, in said start-up procedure,
after their switching on the light indicators are switched off according to a predefined
turning off sequence.
[0018] Preferably, the user interface further comprises a display device, and the control
unit is configured in such a way that in said start-up procedure:
- upon the switching on of the laundry machine by a user, the predefined user-selectable
operating settings is displayed on the display device; and
- for each displayed predefined user-selectable operating setting, the light indicator
associated with the predefined user-selectable operating setting displayed is switched
on and off.
[0019] Advantageously, the user interface further comprises a display device, and the control
unit is configured in such a way that in said start-up procedure, upon the switching
on of the laundry machine by a user, predefined default operating settings of the
laundry machine are displayed on the display device.
[0020] Preferably the user interface further comprises a display device, and the control
unit is configured in such a way that in said start-up procedure:
- upon the switching on of the laundry machine by a user, display device displays:
- predefined default operating settings of the laundry machine for a predefined display
time,
- after which the predefined user-selectable operating settings; and
- for each displayed predefined user-selectable operating setting, the light indicator
associated with the predefined user-selectable operating setting displayed is turned
on and off.
[0021] Advantageously, the control unit is configured in such a way that in said start-up
procedure the predefined user-selectable operating settings according to a predefined
display sequence is displayed on the display device.
[0022] Preferably the user interface further comprises a display device, and the control
unit is configured in such a way that in said start-up procedure, upon the switching
on of the laundry machine by a user, the display device indicates that the laundry
machine has been switched on.
[0023] Advantageously the control unit is configured in such a way that in said start-up
procedure, upon the switching on of the laundry machine by a user, all the light indicators
are turned on and off one by one.
[0024] Preferably, the control unit is configured in such a way that in said start-up procedure,
upon the switching on of the laundry machine by a user and the turn on and off of
all the light indicators, a prefixed set of light indicators corresponding to a prefixed
default program is switched on.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] For a better understanding of the present invention, preferred embodiments, which
are intended purely by way of non-limiting example, will now be described with reference
to the attached drawings (all not to scale), wherein:
- Figure 1 schematically illustrates a laundry machine according to a preferred embodiment
of the present invention; and
- Figure 2 schematically illustrates a user interface of a laundry machine according
to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0026] The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make
and use the invention.
[0027] Various modifications to the embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled
in the art, without departing from the scope of the present invention as claimed.
Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown
and described herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles
and features disclosed herein and defined in the appended claims.
[0028] In particular, the present invention, which relates to a laundry machine equipped
with a user interface with a start-up procedure, will be described in the following,
only for the sake of simplicity and without losing generality, by making specific
reference to a laundry washing machine of the front-loading type, remaining it clear
that the present invention can be advantageously exploited, without any substantial
modification, also with other types of laundry machines, such as a washing machine
of the top-loading type, or a washing-drying machine of the front-loading or top-loading
type, or a laundry drier of the front-loading or top-loading type.
[0029] In fact, as it will be clear from the following description, the operation of the
laundry machine according to the present invention does not depend on the fact that
the laundry machine is a laundry washing machine or a laundry washing-drying machine
or a laundry drier of the front-loading or top-loading type.
[0030] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a laundry machine according to a preferred embodiment
of the present invention. The laundry machine shown in Figure 1 is conveniently a
laundry washing machine 1 of the front-loading type. Said washing machine 1 comprises
an external casing 2 in whose frontal wall 2a an access opening is obtained, provided
with a loading/unloading door 3, which allows the access to a washing tub contained
in the external casing 2 (said washing tub being not visible in Figure 1 because the
loading/unloading door 3 is shown closed); the washing tub contains a rotatable perforated
drum (not visible in Figure 1) in which the laundry to be washed can be loaded and
unloaded.
[0031] The washing machine 1 advantageously comprises also a removable drawer 4 arranged
at an upper region of the frontal wall 2a of the external casing 2 and designed to
be filled with washing and/or rinsing products. Conveniently, the removable drawer
4 is part of a water inlet circuit (not visible in Figure 1), which is designed to
feed water and washing/rinsing products (i.e. detergents, softeners, etc.) into the
washing tub, and which preferably includes also:
- an inlet duct connectable to water delivery mains (not shown in Figure 1 for the sake
of illustration simplicity) present outside the washing machine 1 and designed to
deliver fresh water to the drawer 4; and
- an outlet duct (not visible in Figure 1), fluidly connecting the drawer 4 and the
washing tub and designed to deliver water and washing/rinsing products into the washing
tub.
[0032] Conveniently, the washing machine 1 comprises also a draining circuit (not visible
in Figure 1) fluidly connected to the bottom of the washing tub and designed to drain
the washing/rinsing liquid from the washing tub. Advantageously, the draining circuit
may be also provided with a recirculation circuit designed to drain the washing/rinsing
liquid from the bottom of the washing tub and to pour said liquid into an upper region
of the washing tub for improving the wetting of the laundry.
[0033] Conveniently, the washing machine 1 futher comprises some electric and/or electronic
components (not visible in Figure 1) designed to perform some specific functions;
for example the washing machine 1 may comprise an electric motor for rotating the
rotatable drum, an electric pump operable to deliver the washing/rinsing liquid into
the washing tub, an electric pump operable to drain and/or to re-circulate the washing/rinsing
liquid from the washing tub, an electric heater operable to heat the washing/rinsing
liquid, etc.
[0034] The washing machine 1 advantageously comprises also a machine control unit 20 (only
schematically represented), preferably an electronic control unit such as an electronic
board, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, etc., programmed (i.e. configured by means
of a specific software and/or firmware program stored on an internal memory of said
machine control unit) to control the electric and/or electronic components of the
washing machine 1, so as to cause the washing machine 1 to perform a washing cycle
comprising one or more phases; for example the washing cycle may comprise a pre-wash
phase, a soaking phase, a main wash phase (comprising, for example, the adduction
into the washing tub of water mixed with detergent and the rotation of the drum, so
as to apply a mechanical action on the laundry), a steam supplying phase, a rinsing
phase, a spinning phase, etc. A performed washing cycle may comprise one or more of
the above mentioned phases (or also other phases well known in the art) depending
on the specific operating settings selected by a user of the washing machine 1. Moreover,
a phase of the washing cycle may be performed, during a single washing cycle, only
once or also two or more times depending on the user's operating settings. Clearly
the duration of an overall washing cycle depends on the kind, on the number, and on
the duration of its phases.
[0035] The washing machine 1 conveniently comprises also a user interface 5, which advantageously:
- is in form of a control panel;
- is preferably, but not necessarily arranged at the upper region of the frontal wall
2a of the external casing 2, more preferably near the removable drawer 4 (if present);
and
- is operatively connected to the machine control unit 20.
[0036] Conveniently, the user interface 5 is configured to allow a user to control operation
of the washing machine 1.
[0037] More conveniently, the user interface 5 is configured to allow a user to:
- switch on and off the washing machine 1; and
- select, among one or more sets of predefined user-selectable operating settings, the
desired ones for operating the washing machine 1.
[0038] Advantageously, the user interface 5 is further configured to show the user information
related to the selected operating settings and/or the washing cycle corresponding
to the selected operating settings and/or the state of the washing machine 1 (as it
will be better explained in the following).
[0039] Conveniently, the machine control unit 20 is further programmed to:
- set a washing cycle in response to, and depending on, the operating settings selected
by the user via the user interface 5; and
- cause the washing machine 1 to perform the set washing cycle.
[0040] It is important to underline the fact that in the present application the expression
"to set a washing cycle" has to be intended as selecting, among some predefined possibilities
provided by the washing machine 1, a washing cycle corresponding to the operating
settings selected by the user via the user interface 5. For example, the user may
select the type of laundry to be washed (for example wool, cotton, etc.), and/or the
maximum rotational speed of the rotatable drum during the spinning phase, and/or the
temperature of the washing/rinsing liquid, etc. After the user has set these one or
more operating parameters via the user interface 5, the machine control unit 20 selects,
among a set of predefined washing cycles memorized in its memory, a washing cycle
which fits (or the washing cycle which best fits) the user's operating settings.
[0041] In the embodiment schematically illustrated in figure 1 the machine control unit
20 is advantageously directly integrated into the user interface 5.
[0042] Clearly, in a different embodiment, not illustrated, in which the laundry machine
is a washer drier or a laundry drier, what described above with reference to setting
and performing a washing cycle by the control unit can be applied as wall to setting
and performing a drying cycle or a wash and drying cycle by the control unit.
[0043] For a better understanding of the present invention, Figure 2 schematically illustrates
only the user interface 5, which preferably includes a display device 6, such as a
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), or a "simple" LED display, or else an Organic Light-Emitting
Diode (OLED) display.
[0044] The display device 6 is advantageously configured to display information related
to the selected operating settings and/or the operating cycle corresponding to the
selected operating settings and/or the state of the laundry machine 1; for example,
the display device 6 may display the name of a selected washing programme, an overall
duration of the washing cycle corresponding to the user's operating settings, and/or
a remaining duration of the washing cycle currently performed, and/or the weight of
the loaded laundry (provided that the washing machine 1 is equipped with a weighing
device for weighing the laundry loaded into the rotatable drum), etc.
[0045] Conveniently, the user interface 5 includes also one or more user-operable devices
for switching on and off the laundry machine 1 and for selecting the operating settings
of the laundry machine 1.
[0046] The user-operable device(s) may be advantageously designed to allow the selection
of the operating settings among several sets of predefined user-selectable operating
settings.
[0047] Preferably, as shown in Figure 2, the user interface 5 comprises several user-operable
devices including for example:
- a power key 7 for switching on and off the laundry machine 1 (namely, for switching
on the laundry machine 1 when the latter is off, and switching off the laundry machine
1 when the latter is on);
- a programme selector 8 for selecting an operating program among a set of predefined
user-selectable operating programs (for example including specific programmes for
washing/drying wool, cotton, synthetic, etc.);
- a temperature selector 9 for selecting a temperature of the washing/rinsing liquid
among a set of predefined user-selectable temperatures (for example including temperature
of "cold-washing", 30°C, 40°C, 60°C, 90°C, etc.);
- a spin speed selector 10 for selecting a maximum rotational speed of the rotatable
drum during the spinning phase among a set of predefined user-selectable maximum rotational
speeds (for example including rotational speeds of 0 rpm (i.e., no spinning), 800
rpm, 1200 rpm, 1400 rpm, etc.); and
- an operating option selector 11 for selecting an operating option of the laundry machine
1 among a set of predefined user-selectable operating options (for example including
quick washing/drying option, intensive washing option, rinse-only option, drain and
spin option, easy iron option, etc.).
[0048] More preferably, the user interface 5 comprises also a further user-operable device
12 (or start button) for starting/pausing the execution of an operating cycle by the
laundry machine 1 (namely, to start the execution if the laundry machine 1 is not
performing any cycle, or, if an execution is ongoing, to pause it).
[0049] Conveniently, the user-operable devices 7-12 may be in form of keys and/or knobs
and/or touch-sensitive input devices.
[0050] In a different embodiment, not illustrated, all, or some of, the user-operable devices
7-12 may be advantageously integrated into a single device, such as a single knob,
a keyboard or a touchscreen.
[0051] In a yet different embodiment, not illustrated, the user interface 5 may comprise
a touchscreen configured both to:
- display the information related to the selected operating settings and/or the cycle
corresponding to the selected operating settings and/or the state of the laundry machine
1; and
- allow the user, by touching some specific regions of the touchscreen, to select the
desired operating settings.
[0052] Advantageously, the user interface 5 further comprises several light indicators,
such as several LEDs, each of which is associated with a corresponding predefined
user-selectable operating setting, and is designed to be turned on if said corresponding
predefined user-selectable operating setting is selected.
[0053] The light indicators may be conveniently arranged in groups, each of which:
- is associated with a corresponding set of predefined user-selectable operating settings;
- comprises light indicators associated with the predefined user-selectable operating
settings belonging to said corresponding set; and
- is located close to (for example around, or above/below, or on the left/right side
of, etc.) a user-selectable device dedicated to the selection among said corresponding
set.
[0054] As shown in Figure 2, the light indicators may be advantageously arranged so as to
form:
- a first light indicator column arranged above the programme selector 8 and including,
for each of the predefined operating programs selectable by the user via said programme
selector 8, a corresponding light indicator 13 designed to be turned on if said predefined
program is selected;
- a second light indicator column arranged above the temperature selector 9 and including,
for each of the predefined temperatures selectable by the user via said temperature
selector 9, a corresponding light indicator 14 designed to be turned on if said predefined
temperature is selected;
- a third light indicator column arranged above the spin speed selector 10 and including,
for each of the predefined maximum rotational speed selectable by the user via said
spin speed selector 10, a corresponding light indicator 15 designed to be turned on
if said predefined maximum rotational speed is selected; and
- a fourth light indicator column arranged above the operating option selector 11 and
including, for each of the predefined operating options selectable by the user via
said operating option selector 11, a corresponding light indicator 16 designed to
be turned on if said predefined operating option is selected.
[0055] Preferably, the user interface 5 further includes an interface control unit 20, for
example an electronic control unit such as an electronic board, a microcontroller,
a microprocessor, etc., that is operatively connected to the display 6, the user-operable
devices 7-12 and the light indicators 13-16, and that comprises a memory on which
a software and/or firmware program executable by said interface control unit is stored.
Said software and/or firmware program includes at least a software and/or firmware
code portion such that to cause, when executed, the interface control unit to carry
out a start-up procedure for starting up the user interface 5.
[0056] Advantageously, the interface control unit carries out said start-up procedure upon
the switching on of the washing machine 1 by the user via the power key 7.
[0057] Conveniently, said start-up procedure may include turning on all the light indicators
13-16 thereby allowing the user to check whether all said light indicators 13-16 are
working or not properly. In this way the user interface 5 allows the user to check
whether all the light indicators 13-16 are working or not properly, since if one or
more of the light indicators are not switched on in this start-up procedure, user
is aware that this one or more light indicators are not working properly (while if
one light indicator is simply not switched on by actuating one of the user-operable
devices 7-11, the user is not able to understand if the corresponding light indicator
is not properly working, or if the corresponding cycle setting can't be selected,
for example because it is not adapted to the other already selected cycle parameter).
[0058] Advantageously, the control unit is configured in such a way that, in the start-up
procedure, upon the switching on of the laundry machine by a user, all light indicators
are turned on and subsequently off; in other words in this start-up procedure each
light indicator is firstly switched on and then switched off.
[0059] More conveniently, during the carrying out of the start-up procedure, the light indicators
13-16 are turned on (and preferably also off) by the interface control unit according
to (i.e. following) a predefined turning-on (and preferably -off) sequence.
[0060] More preferably, in the switch-on procedure all the light indicators 13-16 the light
indicators are turned on (and preferably also off) one by one (i.e., singly or individually).
[0061] Preferably, the control unit, in the start-up procedure, upon the switching on of
the laundry machine by a user, turns on all light indicators and turns off only a
part of the light indicators, in such a way that the remaining part of light indicators,
corresponding to a prefixed default program, remains switched on.
[0062] Preferably, the start-up procedure includes:
- indicating on the display device 6 that the laundry machine 1 has been switched on
(for example, by displaying the word "On");
- displaying on the display device 6 predefined default operating settings of the laundry
machine 1 (such as a predefined default program, a predefined default temperature,
a predefined default spin speed, etc.) for a predefined display time, after which
displaying on the display device 6 the predefined user-selectable operating settings
one by one; and,
- for each displayed predefined user-selectable operating setting, turning on and off
the light indicator associated with the predefined user-selectable operating setting
displayed.
[0063] In this way the user interface 5 shows the user all the available user-selectable
settings of the washing machine 1 and, at the same time, allows him/her to check whether
all the light indicators 13-16 are working or not properly.
[0064] More preferably, during the carrying out of the start-up procedure, the interface
control unit singly displays on the display device 6 the predefined user-selectable
operating settings and, thence, singly turns on and off the light indicators 13-16
according to (i.e. following) a predefined start up sequence.
[0065] Preferably, the interface control unit and the machine control unit may be advantageously
integrated into a single control unit.
[0066] Preferably, the control unit 20 is configured in such a way that, in the start-up
procedure, upon the switching on of the laundry machine 1 by a user and the turn on
and off of all the light indicators 13,14,15,16, a prefixed set of light indicators
corresponding to a prefixed default program is switched on. In other words, in the
start-up procedure, after the switching on of the machine, and the above described
start-up sequence, the machine is preferably set, as a default, in a prefixed default
program (for example a washing program in which the washing temperature is set to
30°C and the cycle duration is 30 minutes), and the corresponding light indicators
are switched on, so that the user is aware that this default program is set. At this
point user can launch the default cycle, for example by operation on the user-operable
device 12, or modifying the cycle by operating on the user-operable devices 7-11.
[0067] From the foregoing, the advantages of the present invention may be immediately appreciated.
[0068] In particular, it is important to underline the fact that the laundry machine according
to the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks of known laundry
machines by means of the start-up procedure exploited to start up the user interface,
which start-up procedure allows the user:
- to be aware of all the available user-selectable settings of the laundry machine;
and/or
- to check whether all the light indicators associated with the user-selectable settings
of the laundry machine are working or not properly.
[0069] Finally, it is clear that numerous modifications and variants can be made to the
present invention, all falling within the scope of the invention, as defined in the
appended claims.
1. Laundry machine (1) comprising a user interface (5) and a control unit (20), wherein
said user interface (5):
• is operable by a user to switch on and off the laundry machine (1), and to select
operating settings of the laundry machine (1) among several predefined user-selectable
operating settings; and
• comprises several light indicators (13,14,15,16) associated, each, with a corresponding
predefined user-selectable operating setting;
wherein the control unit (20) is configured to turn on a light indicator (13,14,15,16)
if the corresponding predefined user-selectable operating setting associated with
said light indicator (13,14,15,16) is selected;
the laundry machine (1) being
characterized in that the control unit (20) is further configured to carry out a start-up procedure in
which, upon the switching on of the laundry machine (1) by a user, all the light indicators
(13,14,15,16) are turned on.
2. The laundry machine of claim 1, wherein the control unit (20) is configured in such
a way that in said start-up procedure all light indicators (13,14,15,16) are switched
off after their switching on.
3. The laundry machine of claim 1, wherein the control unit (20) is configured in such
a way that, in said start-up procedure, after the switching on of said light indicators
(13,14,15,16) only a part of the latter is switched off, so that the remaining part
of light indicators, corresponding to a prefixed default program, remains switched
on.
4. The laundry machine of one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit (20) is configured
in such a way that in said start-up procedure the light indicators (13,14,15,16) are
switched on according to a predefined turning-on sequence.
5. The laundry machine of one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit (20) is configured
in such a way that, in said start-up procedure, after their switching on the light
indicators (13,14,15,16) are switched off according to a predefined turning off sequence.
6. The laundry machine of claim 1, wherein the user interface (5) further comprises a
display device (6), and wherein the control unit (20) is configured in such a way
that in said start-up procedure:
• upon the switching on of the laundry machine (1) by a user, the predefined user-selectable
operating settings is displayed on the display device (6); and
• for each displayed predefined user-selectable operating setting, the light indicator
(13,14,15,16) associated with the predefined user-selectable operating setting displayed
is switched on and off.
7. The laundry machine of claim 1, wherein the user interface (5) further comprises a
display device (6), and wherein the control unit (20) is configured in such a way
that in said start-up procedure, upon the switching on of the laundry machine (1)
by a user, predefined default operating settings of the laundry machine (1) are displayed
on the display device (6).
8. The laundry machine of claim 1, wherein the user interface (5) further comprises a
display device (6), and wherein the control unit (20) is configured in such a way
that in said start-up procedure:
• upon the switching on of the laundry machine (1) by a user, display device (6) displays:
- predefined default operating settings of the laundry machine (1) for a predefined
display time,
- after which the predefined user-selectable operating settings; and
• for each displayed predefined user-selectable operating setting, the light indicator
(13,14,15,16) associated with the predefined user-selectable operating setting displayed
is turned on and off.
9. The laundry machine according to claim 6 or 8, wherein the control unit (20) is configured
in such a way that in said start-up procedure the predefined user-selectable operating
settings according to a predefined display sequence is displayed on the display device
(6).
10. The laundry machine according to any preceding claims, wherein the user interface
(5) further comprises a display device (6), and wherein the control unit (20) is configured
in such a way that in said start-up procedure, upon the switching on of the laundry
machine (1) by a user, the display device (6) indicates that the laundry machine (1)
has been switched on.
11. The laundry machine according to any preceding claims, wherein the control unit (20)
is configured in such a way that in said start-up procedure, upon the switching on
of the laundry machine (1) by a user, all the light indicators (13,14,15,16) are turned
on and off one by one.
12. The laundry machine according to claim 1 or 2, or any of claims 4 to 11, wherein the
control unit (20) is configured in such a way that in said start-up procedure, upon
the switching on of the laundry machine (1) by a user and the turn on and off of all
the light indicators (13,14,15,16), a prefixed set of light indicators corresponding
to a prefixed default program is switched on.
1. Waschmaschine (1), die eine Benutzerschnittstelle (5) und eine Steuerung (20) aufweist,
wobei die Benutzerschnittstelle (5):
• durch einen Benutzer bedienbar ist, um die Waschmaschine (1) ein- und auszuschalten
und um Betriebseinstellungen der Waschmaschine (1) aus mehreren vordefinierten benutzerwählbaren
Betriebseinstellungen auszuwählen; und
• mehrere Leuchtanzeigen (13, 14, 15, 16) aufweist, die jeweils einer entsprechenden
vordefinierten benutzerwählbaren Betriebseinstellung zugeordnet sind;
wobei die Steuerung (20) konfiguriert ist, um eine Leuchtanzeige (13, 14, 15, 16)
einzuschalten, wenn die der Leuchtanzeige (13, 14, 15, 16) zugeordnete entsprechende
vordefinierte benutzerwählbare Betriebseinstellung ausgewählt wird;
wobei die Waschmaschine (1)
dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass die Steuerung (20) ferner konfiguriert ist, um einen Startvorgang durchzuführen,
bei dem nach dem Einschalten der Waschmaschine (1) durch einen Benutzer alle Leuchtanzeigen
(13, 14, 15, 16) eingeschaltet werden.
2. Waschmaschine nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Steuerung (20) auf eine Weise konfiguriert
ist, dass bei dem Startvorgang alle Leuchtanzeigen (13, 14, 15, 16) nach deren Einschalten
ausgeschaltet werden.
3. Waschmaschine nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Steuerung (20) auf eine Weise konfiguriert
ist, dass bei dem Startvorgang nach dem Einschalten der Leuchtanzeigen (13, 14, 15,
16) nur ein Teil der Letzteren ausgeschaltet wird, so dass der restliche Teil der
Leuchtanzeigen gemäß einem vorgegebenen Standardprogramm eingeschaltet bleibt.
4. Waschmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei die Steuerung (20) auf eine
Weise konfiguriert ist, dass bei dem Startvorgang die Leuchtanzeigen (13, 14, 15,
16) gemäß einer vordefinierten Einschaltabfolge eingeschaltet werden.
5. Waschmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei die Steuerung (20) auf eine
Weise konfiguriert ist, dass bei dem Startvorgang die Leuchtanzeigen (13, 14, 15,
16) nach deren Einschalten gemäß einer vordefinierten Ausschaltabfolge ausgeschaltet
werden.
6. Waschmaschine nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Benutzerschnittstelle (5) ferner eine Anzeigevorrichtung
(6) aufweist, und wobei die Steuerung (20) auf eine Weise konfiguriert ist, dass bei
dem Startvorgang:
• nach dem Einschalten der Waschmaschine (1) durch einen Benutzer die vordefinierten
benutzerwählbaren Betriebseinstellungen auf der Anzeigevorrichtung (6) angezeigt werden;
und
• für jede angezeigte vordefinierte benutzerwählbare Betriebseinstellung die der angezeigten
vordefinierten benutzerwählbaren Betriebseinstellung zugeordnete Leuchtanzeige (13,
14, 15, 16) ein- und ausgeschaltet wird.
7. Waschmaschine nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Benutzerschnittstelle (5) ferner eine Anzeigevorrichtung
(6) aufweist, und wobei die Steuerung (20) auf eine Weise konfiguriert ist, dass bei
dem Startvorgang nach dem Einschalten der Waschmaschine (1) durch einen Benutzer vordefinierte
Standardbetriebseinstellungen der Waschmaschine (1) auf der Anzeigevorrichtung (6)
angezeigt werden.
8. Waschmaschine nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Benutzerschnittstelle (5) ferner eine Anzeigevorrichtung
(6) aufweist, und wobei die Steuerung (20) auf eine Weise konfiguriert ist, dass bei
dem Startvorgang:
• nach dem Einschalten der Waschmaschine (1) durch einen Benutzer die Anzeigevorrichtung
(6) anzeigt:
- vordefinierte Standardbetriebseinstellungen der Waschmaschine (1) während eines
vordefinierten Anzeigezeitraums,
- und danach die vordefinierten benutzerwählbaren Betriebseinstellungen; und
• für jede angezeigte vordefinierte benutzerwählbare Betriebseinstellung die der angezeigten
vordefinierten benutzerwählbaren Betriebseinstellung zugeordnete Leuchtanzeige (13,
14, 15, 16) ein- und ausgeschaltet wird.
9. Waschmaschine nach Anspruch 6 oder 8, wobei die Steuerung (20) auf eine Weise konfiguriert
ist, dass bei dem Startvorgang die vordefinierten benutzerwählbaren Betriebseinstellungen
gemäß einer vordefinierten Anzeigeabfolge auf der Anzeigevorrichtung (6) angezeigt
werden.
10. Waschmaschine nach einem beliebigen der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Benutzerschnittstelle
(5) ferner eine Anzeigevorrichtung (6) aufweist, und wobei die Steuerung (20) auf
eine Weise konfiguriert ist, dass bei dem Startvorgang nach dem Einschalten der Waschmaschine
(1) durch einen Benutzer die Anzeigevorrichtung (6) anzeigt, dass die Waschmaschine
(1) eingeschaltet wurde.
11. Waschmaschine nach einem beliebigen der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Steuerung
(20) auf eine Weise konfiguriert ist, dass bei dem Startvorgang nach dem Einschalten
der Waschmaschine (1) durch einen Benutzer alle Leuchtanzeigen (13, 14, 15, 16) einzeln
ein- und ausgeschaltet werden.
12. Waschmaschine nach Anspruch 1 oder 2 oder einem beliebigen der Ansprüche 4 bis 11,
wobei die Steuerung (20) auf eine Weise konfiguriert ist, dass bei dem Startvorgang
nach dem Einschalten der Waschmaschine (1) durch einen Benutzer und dem Ein- und Ausschalten
aller Leuchtanzeigen (13, 14, 15, 16) ein vorgegebener Satz von Leuchtanzeigen, der
einem vorgegebenen Standardprogramm entspricht, eingeschaltet wird.
1. Machine à laver le linge (1) comprenant une interface utilisateur (5) et une unité
de commande (20), dans laquelle ladite interface utilisateur (5) :
• peut être mise en oeuvre par l'utilisateur pour mettre sous et hors tension la machine
à laver le linge (1) et pour sélectionner le réglage de fonctionnement de la machine
à laver le linge (1) parmi plusieurs réglages de fonctionnement prédéfinis sélectionnables
par l'utilisateur, et
• comprend plusieurs voyants lumineux (13, 14, 15, 16) associés, chacun, avec un réglage
de fonctionnement prédéfini sélectionnable par l'utilisateur,
dans laquelle l'unité de commande (20) est configurée pour mettre sous tension un
voyant lumineux (13, 14, 15, 16) si le réglage de fonctionnement prédéfini sélectionnable
par l'utilisateur associé au dit voyant lumineux (13, 14, 15, 16) est sélectionné,
la machine à laver le linge (1) étant
caractérisée en ce que l'unité de commande (20) est en outre configurée pour exécuter une procédure de démarrage
dans laquelle, lors de la mise sous tension de la machine à laver le linge (1) par
l'utilisateur, tous les voyants lumineux (13, 14, 15, 16) sont allumés.
2. Machine à laver le linge selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle l'unité de commande
(20) est configurée de manière à ce que, dans ladite procédure de démarrage, tous
les voyants lumineux (13, 14, 15, 16) sont mis hors tension après leur mise sous tension.
3. Machine à laver le linge selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle l'unité de commande
(20) est configurée de manière à ce que, dans ladite procédure de démarrage, après
la mise sous tension desdits voyants lumineux (13, 14, 15, 16), seule une partie de
ces derniers est mise hors tension, de telle sorte que la partie restant de voyants
lumineux, correspondant à un programme par défaut préétabli restent allumés.
4. Machine à laver le linge selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, dans laquelle l'unité
de commande (20) est configurée de manière à ce que, dans ladite procédure de démarrage,
les voyants lumineux (13, 14, 15, 16) sont allumés en fonction d'une séquence prédéfinie
de mise sous tension.
5. Machine à laver le linge selon l'une des revendications 1 à 4, dans laquelle l'unité
de commande (20) est configurée de manière à ce que, dans ladite procédure de démarrage,
les voyants lumineux (13, 14, 15, 16), après leur mise sous tension, sont éteints
selon une séquence prédéfinie de mise hors tension.
6. Machine à laver le linge selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle l'interface utilisateur
(5) comprend en outre un dispositif d'affichage (6), et dans laquelle l'unité de commande
(20) est configurée de manière à ce que, dans ladite procédure de démarrage :
• à la mise sous tension de la machine à laver le linge (1) par un utilisateur, les
réglages de fonctionnement prédéfinis sélectionnables par l'utilisateur sont affichés
sur le dispositif d'affichage (6), et
• pour chaque réglage de fonctionnement prédéfini sélectionnable par l'utilisateur
affiché, le voyant lumineux (13, 14, 15, 16) associé au réglage de fonctionnement
prédéfini sélectionnable par l'utilisateur est mis sous et hors tension.
7. Machine à laver le linge selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle l'interface utilisateur
(5) comprend en outre un dispositif d'affichage (6), et dans laquelle l'unité de commande
(20) est configurée de manière à ce que, dans ladite procédure de démarrage, lors
de la mise sous tension de la machine à laver le linge (1) par un utilisateur, les
réglages de fonctionnement prédéfinis par défaut de la machine à laver le linge (1)
sont affichés sur le dispositif d'affichage (6).
8. Machine à laver le linge selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle l'interface utilisateur
(5) comprend en outre un dispositif d'affichage (6), et dans laquelle l'unité de commande
(20) est configurée de manière à ce que, dans ladite procédure de démarrage :
• lors de la mise sous tension de la machine à laver le linge (1) par un utilisateur,
le dispositif d'affichage (6) montre :
- les réglages de fonctionnement prédéfinis par défaut de la machine à laver le linge
(1) pendant une durée prédéterminée d'affichage,
- et après cela, les réglages de fonctionnement prédéfinis sélectionnables par l'utilisateur,
et
• pour chaque réglage de fonctionnement prédéfini sélectionnable par l'utilisateur
affiché, le voyant lumineux (13, 14, 15, 16) associé au réglage de fonctionnement
prédéfini sélectionnable par l'utilisateur est mis sous et hors tension.
9. Machine à laver le linge selon la revendication 6 ou la revendication 8, dans laquelle
l'unité de commande (20) est configurée de manière à ce que, dans ladite procédure
de démarrage, les réglages de fonctionnement prédéfinis sélectionnables par l'utilisateur
et conformes à une séquence prédéfinie d'affichage sont affichés sur le dispositif
d'affichage (6).
10. Machine à laver le linge selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
laquelle l'interface utilisateur (5) comprend en outre un dispositif d'affichage (6),
et dans laquelle l'unité de commande (20) est configurée de manière à ce que, dans
ladite procédure de démarrage, lors de la mise sous tension de la machine à laver
le linge (1) par un utilisateur, le dispositif d'affichage (6) indique que la machine
à laver le linge (1) a été mise sous tension.
11. Machine à laver le linge selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
laquelle l'unité de commande (20) est configurée de manière à ce que, dans ladite
procédure de démarrage, lors de la mise sous tension de la machine à laver le linge
(1) par un utilisateur, tous les voyants lumineux (13, 14, 15, 16) sont mis sous et
hors tension un par un.
12. Machine à laver le linge selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, ou selon
l'une quelconque des revendications 4 à 11, dans laquelle l'unité de commande (20)
est configurée de manière à ce que, dans ladite procédure de démarrage, lors de la
mise sous tension de la machine à laver le linge (1) par un utilisateur et de la mise
sous et hors tension de tous les voyants lumineux (13, 14, 15, 16), un ensemble prédéfini
de voyants lumineux correspondant à un programme préétabli par défaut est mis sous
tension.