Method and apparatus for reducing detachment of microfibres from garment in a washing machine

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method for reducing detachment of microfibres from garment in a washing cycle of a washing machine (100). The method comprises receiving (312) a fabric type user input specifying a type of fabric of the garment placed in the washing machine, determining (332) a type of fabric of the garment in the washing machine, calculating (352) a risk level based on the fabric type user input and the determined type of fabric, the risk level indicating a risk that microfibres can be detached from the garment during the washing cycle, and if the risk level is determined to be high, outputting (376) information indicating to perform a dedicated washing cycle specifically adapted to reduce detachment of microfibres. The present disclosure further relates to a washing system, a mobile terminal, and a washing machine, each configured to perform the method.

1 . A method for reducing detachment of microfibres from garment in a washing cycle of a washing machine, the method comprising:
 receiving a fabric type user input specifying a type of fabric of the garment placed in the washing machine;   determining a type of fabric of the garment in the washing machine;   calculating a risk level based on the fabric type user input and the determined type of fabric, the risk level indicating a risk that microfibres can be detached from the garment during the washing cycle; and   if the risk level is determined to be high, outputting information indicating to perform a dedicated washing cycle specifically adapted to reduce detachment of microfibres.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a hardness user input specifying a water hardness of the water provided to the washing machine,   wherein calculating the risk level includes calculating a risk contribution influencing the risk level due to the specified water hardness.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a detergent user input specifying a detergent type used in the washing machine for the washing cycle,   wherein calculating the risk level includes calculating a risk contribution influencing the risk level due to the specified detergent.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining a load weight of the garment placed in the washing machine,   wherein calculating the risk level includes calculating ( 358 ) a risk contribution influencing the risk level due to the determined load weight.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 weighting the risk contribution due to the water hardness and/or the specified detergent and/or the determined load weight, or   weighting the risk level based on the fabric type and the risk contribution due to the water hardness and/or the specified detergent and/or the determined load weight, wherein, preferably, the risk level is weighted higher than the risk contribution.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the type of fabric of the garment includes determining a water absorption of the garment,
 wherein, preferably, determining of the water absorption of the garment includes controlling the washing machine to open a water inlet to water the garment.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 if the risk level is determined to be low, outputting information indicating to perform a washing cycle according to the type of fabric specified in the fabric type user input; and/or   if the risk level is determined to be medium, outputting information indicating to perform a modified washing cycle that is a washing cycle according to the type of fabric specified in the fabric type user input with one or more washing parameters being modified,   wherein, preferably, the one or more modified washing parameters can include an adapted water temperature and/or an adapted spin speed of the drum of the washing machine, and   wherein, preferably, the water temperature is adapted by setting a maximum water temperature to 40° C., and/or wherein the spin speed is adapted by setting a maximum spin speed between 400 rpm and 800 rpm.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 outputting a user message to the user that a microfibre filter of the washing machine requires cleaning or replacement,   wherein, preferably, the outputting of the user message is based on a change of power consumption by a pump motor driving a water pump of the washing machine.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein indicating to perform a washing cycle, a modified washing cycle or a dedicated washing cycle comprises outputting a corresponding user message and/or transmitting a corresponding signal to the washing machine to perform the respective washing cycle. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dedicated washing cycle reducing detachment of microfibres includes one or more of the parameters:
 an initial water filling range of 20 L to 25 L,   a secondary or subsequent water filling range of 20 to 25 L,   a water temperature of maximum 40° C.,   an agitation speed range during an initial water filling of 30 rpm to 35 rpm,   an agitation speed range during a secondary water filling of 50 rpm to 55 rpm, preferably for 2 to 4 minutes,   an agitation speed range during heating the water of 50 rpm to 55 rpm, preferably for 4 to 8 minutes,   an agitation speed range during washing of 50 rpm to 55 rpm, preferably for 2 to 4 minutes,   an agitation speed range during rinsing of 50 rpm to 55 rpm, preferably for 2 to 4 minutes, and   a spinning speed between 400 rpm to 800 rpm.   
     
     
         11 . A washing system, comprising:
 one or more processors; and   one or more memories configured to store processor-executable instructions that when executed by the one or more processors configure the washing system to perform the method of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         12 . A mobile terminal, comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory configured to store processor-executable instructions,   wherein the processor, when executing the processor-executable instructions, is configured to:   receive a fabric type user input specifying a type of fabric of garment placed in the washing machine;   determine a type of fabric of the garment in the washing machine;   calculate a risk level based on the fabric type user input and the determined type of fabric, the risk level indicating a risk that microfibres can be detached from the garment during the washing cycle; and   if the risk level is determined to be high, outputting information indicating to perform a dedicated washing cycle specifically adapted to reduce detachment of microfibres.   
     
     
         13 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a washing drum;   a controller;   a user input unit configured to receive a user input; and   a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions,   wherein the controller, when executing the computer-executable instructions, is configured to:   receive a fabric type user input specifying a type of fabric of garment placed in the washing drum;   determine a type of fabric of the garment in the washing drum;   calculate a risk level based on the fabric type user input and the determined type of fabric, the risk level indicating a risk that microfibres can be detached from the garment during the washing cycle; and   if the risk level is determined to be high, outputting information indicating to perform a dedicated washing cycle specifically adapted to reduce detachment of microfibres.   
     
     
         14 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a load sensor configured to weigh a load of the drum; and/or   a water level sensor configured to detect a water level in the drum.   
     
     
         15 . A computer program product comprising program code portions for performing the method of  claim 1  when the computer program product is executed on one or more computing devices,
 wherein, preferably, the computer program product is stored on a computer readable recording medium.