Method for operating a programmable washing machine

A method for operating a programmable washing machine having a program control system with a memory and controlling operation of the washing machine, a laundry drum arranged rotatably inside a soap-solution container, the drum being movable with different speed profiles in both directions of rotation and being controllable by programs from the program control system, a display device, and a timing device by means of which the user himself can determine the beginning or end of the washing process, the method comprising the following acts:

• receiving input data from the user;
• performing a washing program in which a liquid is added to the drum and the drum and laundry are rotated in the liquid to wash the laundry;
• performing a spinning program in which the drum is rotated at a relatively high speed to remove water from the laundry, a laundry ring being formed lying against the inner wall of the drum during the spinning program;
• performing an anti-crease operation incorporated after the wash and spin program sections for loosening the laundry in the drum, the anti-crease operation comprising:
• driving the drum with short and strong accelerating and braking pulses to detach the laundry ring lying from the inner wall of the drum;
• monitoring the detachment of the laundry ring with a sensor sensing measurement data of the laundry ring and the program control system comparing the measurement data to initial measurement data;
• and
• adjusting the anti-crease operation with the program control system in response to the input data from the user.

A programmable washing machine comprising:

• a program control system with a memory and controlling operation of the washing machine;
• a soap-solution container for retaining liquids;
• a laundry drum for receiving laundry and being arranged rotatably inside a soap-solution container, the drum being movable with different speed profiles in both directions of rotation and being controllable by washing programs, spinning programs, and anti-crease operations from the program control system;
• a display device displaying operational data of the washing machine for a user;
• an input device for receiving input data from the user, the input data being transferred to the program control system;
• a timing device by means of which the user himself can determine the beginning or end of the washing process;
• a sensor sensing measurement data to detect the presence of a laundry ring formed against an inner wall of the drum, the sensor sensing initial measurement data before the running of the washing program and sensing current measurement data during the running of the anti-crease operation, the program control system comparing the current measurement data and the initial measurement data to determine the presence of the laundry ring;
• a means for adjusting the operating parameters of the anti-crease operation in response to the input data from the user, the anti-crease operation including driving the drum with short and strong accelerating and braking pulses to detach the laundry ring lying from the inner wall of the drum;
• a means for adjusting the operating parameters of the anti-crease operation in response to the program control system determining the presence of the laundry ring.