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Method for washing laundry in a program-controlled domestic appliance, and corresponding domestic appliance

  • US 8,863,559 B2
  • Filed: 12/19/2007
  • Issued: 10/21/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for washing laundry items in a program controlled domestic laundry-care appliance, the method comprising:

  • heating washing liquid present in a drum to a washing liquid temperature in accordance with a washing program using a heating unit within the appliance and controlled by a programmed controller operatively associated with the appliance;

    setting a wash temperature limit value using the programmed controller, the wash temperature limit value being a function of a temperature gradient value across free washing liquid in the drum and washing liquid bound by the laundry items based on captured parameter values, the captured parameter values being determined by a sensor system operatively associated with the appliance and, the captured parameter values being specific to the laundry items and/or the appliance;

    determining an energy input required to achieve the wash temperature limit value based on the captured parameter values;

    distributing the energy input to the heating unit over different phases of the wash program by achieving predetermined temperature peaks; and

    applying energy to the heating unit before the washing liquid temperature drops below a lower temperature limit value.

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