DE102009028772A1 - Water-bearing household appliance, particularly laundry operating device for washing or drying laundry, has housing and container that is mounted elastically in housing - Google Patents

Abstract

The water-bearing household appliance (1) has a housing (2) and a container (5) that is mounted elastically in the housing. An absorber (9,10) is provided, which is connected with the housing on one side and with the container on other side. A deflection sensor is provided for indirectly detecting a deflection of the absorber, where a controller is also provided.

Description

The Invention relates to a water-conducting domestic appliance, in particular a laundry treatment appliance for washing and / or drying laundry. Specifically, the invention relates the area of washing machines, tumble dryers and washer dryers.

From the DE 101 22 749 A1 a washing machine with a device for determining the laundry weight is known. The known washing machine has a tub in which a drum for receiving laundry is rotatably mounted. Further, a housing is provided, in which the tub is suspended in the upper part of springs and supported in the lower part via shock absorbers. In addition, a system for determining the weight of the laundry present in the drum is provided, which includes a measuring device in the form of a displacement sensor for determining the weight-induced lowering of the tub. Here, friction dampers are provided, which are used as shock absorbers. The friction damper has a damper housing and a piston rod arranged therein and displaceable in the axial direction of the damper housing. With an attachment point, the piston rod is attached to the tub. Another attachment point is the damper housing, which is attached to the bottom of the housing. The piston rod has two molded spring plates, between which two spring elements are pushed over the piston rod, which clamp a lining block between them. On the lining block friction linings are mounted, which are supported on the inner wall of the damper housing. A movement of the tub is transferred from the piston rod to the two spring plate. These transfer the movement further to the spring elements, which in turn transmit the forces to the movably mounted lining block. During a movement of the piston rod, first the spring elements are relieved or compressed in the corresponding direction. As soon as the built-up force is so great that the frictional force can be overcome, the lining block moves with the friction linings. Thus, a friction damper is formed. In these, a displacement sensor can be integrated, which serves to determine the deflection of the spring elements. The displacement sensor is fastened between the lining block and the piston rod.

The from the DE 101 22 749 A1 known washing machine has the disadvantage that an accuracy of the system for determining the weight of the laundry present in the drum is limited and / or the cost of a relatively accurate determination is large.

task The invention is a water-bearing household appliance to create, which has an improved functioning. specially It is an object of the invention, a water-bearing Indicate domestic appliance, in which a load and / or unbalance measurement is improved.

The Task is by a water-conducting household appliance solved, the one housing and one in the housing having resiliently suspended container, wherein at least one damper is provided, on the one hand with the housing and on the other hand with the container is connected, wherein a deflection sensor is provided, at least indirectly for detecting a deflection of the damper is used and wherein a controller is provided which in a correction mode a deflection value obtained from the displacement sensor; on the detected by the deflection sensor deflection of the damper based, corrected.

By the measures listed in the dependent claims are advantageous developments of the water-bearing household appliance possible.

In Advantageously, the deflection sensor is an inductive displacement sensor designed. This allows the deflection sensor wear and be designed temperature insensitive. Here it is further advantageous in that the deflection sensor in the damper is integrated. This is a compact design and an immediate Measurement on the damper possible.

Advantageously, the controller comprises a memory for storing a correction value, the correction value stored in the memory being based on a hysteresis of the damper. For example, the memory may be configured by an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory). Depending on the design of the water-conducting household appliance, a correction value can be programmed individually in such a store. As a result, a simple adaptation to the particular application is possible. The hysteresis of the damper can have different causes. For example, there may be some mechanical play of the damper or the deflection sensor, particularly with respect to the attachment, which leads to hysteresis in the event of a reversal of motion. In addition, hysteresis effects can occur due to friction effects, a certain plastic deformability or a system-related idle stroke when the motion is reversed. By the correction value, a hysteresis can be compensated, so that a measurement accuracy is improved in relation to the selected components and optionally a simpler and thus less expensive, a hysteresis robust solution or the like can be used. The controller can then select kung value for determining a force currently acting on the damper by the correction value stored in the memory. In this way, for example, a loading of a provided in the container, standing drum or an imbalance of such a rotating drum can be measured.

In advantageously increased or decreased the controller determines the deflection value as a function of a Direction of movement of the damper. this makes possible among other things, a more precise detection of tensile and compressive forces, which act on the damper.

Advantageous It is also the case that the control for determining the direction of movement the damper compares at least two deflection values, which are detected via the deflection sensor. specially it is advantageous that the controller the current deflection value compared with a previous deflection value. This can be a change the current deflection value with respect to the previous deflection value serve as a basis for directional determination.

In advantageously increased or decreased the controller determines the deflection value as a function of Movement direction of the damper additively by the correction value. Here, the water-bearing household appliance can also have multiple dampers at different locations attached to the container.

preferred Embodiments of the invention are in the following Description with reference to the figures of the attached drawing, in which corresponding elements match with one another Reference numerals are provided, explained in more detail. Show it:

1 a water-conducting household appliance in an abstract, schematic representation according to an embodiment;

2 a damper with a deflection sensor of in 1 illustrated water-conducting household appliance in a partial, schematic sectional view and

3 a diagram illustrating a hysteresis of in 2 illustrated damper with the deflection sensor according to the embodiment.

1 shows a water-conducting household appliance 1 in an excerpt, schematic representation according to an embodiment. The water-bearing household appliance 1 can be used in particular as a laundry treatment device for washing and / or drying laundry. Specifically, the water-bearing household appliance 1 be designed as a washing machine, washer-dryer or dryer. The water-bearing household appliance 1 suitable in accordance with adapted design, however, for other applications.

The water-bearing household appliance 1 has at least one housing 2 on, which can be configured in several parts. The housing 2 has a bottom plate 3 and a cover plate 4 on. In the case 2 is a container 5 arranged, which in this embodiment as a tub 5 is designed. In the tub 5 is a drum 6 arranged during a laundry treatment by the water-bearing domestic appliance 1 Laundry is arranged.

The container 5 is not necessarily waterproofed. For example, in a case where the water-bearing domestic appliance 1 is designed as a tumble dryer, the container 5 as a recording for a drum 6 designed.

The container 5 is about spring elements 7 . 8th in the area of the cover plate 4 suspended. There are also dampers 9 . 10 provided over which the container 5 in the area of the bottom plate 3 on the housing 2 is supported. The dampers 9 . 10 can be loaded on both pressure and tension. The dampers 9 . 10 dampen a movement of the container 5 relative to the housing 2 ,

Also, in the case 2 a controller 15 arranged, which is a computing unit 16 and a memory 17 having. The memory 17 is configured here as a non-volatile memory, wherein in particular an EEPROM can be used. In the store 17 Depending on the design of the water-bearing household appliance 1 at least one device-specific date, in particular a correction value, deposited. This is about the life of the water-bearing household appliance 1 for processing by the computing unit 16 to disposal.

The water-bearing household appliance 1 can absorb a certain amount of laundry or the like. When loading laundry into the drum 6 by a user becomes the drum 6 towards the bottom plate 3 loaded. As a result, the spring elements 7 . 8th stretched and the dampers 9 . 10 loaded on pressure.

The design of the damper 9 . 10 is below based on the damper 9 described in further detail. In addition, below is the operation of the water-bearing household appliance 1 described below.

2 shows the in 1 shown damper 9 of the water-carrying household appliance 1 in a partial, schematic sectional view. The damper 9 has a fastening eye 20 with which the damper 9 on the container 5 is attached, and a fastening eye 21 on, with the damper 9 with the housing 2 connected is. When loading the drum 6 a force F is generated which is a piston rod in the direction of the fastening eye 21 applied. At the piston rod 22 is a cylinder 23 mounted on both the piston rod 22 as well as in a cylinder bore 24 a tubular damper housing 25 is guided. Here is on the cylinder 23 an annular friction lining 26 provided with the cylinder bore 24 the damper housing 25 interacts.

Furthermore, spring plates 27 . 28 provided with the piston rod 22 are connected. The spring plates 27 . 28 can form or cohesively with the piston rod 22 be connected. The cylinder 23 is in the unloaded initial state, at least approximately in the middle between the spring plates 27 . 28 arranged. Between the spring plate 27 and the cylinder 23 is a spring 29 arranged. Further, between the cylinder 23 and the spring plate 28 a feather 30 arranged. The feathers 29 . 30 can be slightly biased in the initial state.

There is also a displacement sensor 31 provided, which is a sleeve 32 and a rod-shaped element 33 having. The rod-shaped element 33 is at least partially in the sleeve 32 introduced. The deflection sensor 31 can as inductive displacement sensor 31 be designed. The deflection sensor 31 Depending on an insertion depth of the rod-shaped element 33 in the sleeve 32 a signal via a measuring line 34 to the controller 15 out. This will give a deflection value to the controller 15 to hand over. In a similar way can from the damper 10 a deflection value over a measuring line 35 to the controller 15 be handed over.

When the force F on the piston rod 22 acts, then shifts the piston rod 22 in the direction of the fastening eye 21 , where the spring 29 is compressed and the spring 30 is relaxed. About the spring 29 . 30 thus becomes a force on the cylinder 23 which corresponds substantially to the force F, but is slightly dampened against this. If in this way the stiction between the friction lining 26 and the cylinder bore 24 is exceeded, then it comes with the adjustment of the piston rod 22 also to a displacement of the cylinder 23 in the cylinder bore 24 , Thus, at a pressure load of the damper 9 a displacement of the piston rod 22 and optionally also a displacement of the cylinder 23 in the cylinder bore 24 to the attachment eye 21 achieved.

Accordingly, when a tensile load on the damper 9 a movement of the piston rod 22 and optionally the cylinder 23 in the cylinder bore 24 from the attachment eye 21 scored away. Through the interaction of the friction lining 26 with the cylinder bore 24 and the coupling over the spring 29 . 30 with the piston rod 22 a damping is ensured both at a pressure and a tensile load.

At a pressure or tensile load on the damper 9 Thus, it comes to an insertion of the rod-shaped element 33 in the sleeve 32 or to a pulling out of the rod-shaped element 33 from the sleeve 32 , This varies a distance 36 between an attachment point 37 of the deflection sensor 31 on the piston rod 22 and the cylinder 23 ,

The one from the displacement sensor 31 to the controller 15 output deflection value depends on the current distance 36 from. Thus, from the deflection value on the instantaneous force F can be concluded. This allows the controller 15 a calculation of the momentary loading of the drum 6 , As a result, several operating functions of the water-bearing household appliance 1 allows. For example, exceeding a loading limit of the drum 6 are displayed. In addition, during operation of the water-bearing household appliance 1 in which the drum 6 rotates and in an uneven distribution of laundry imbalance occurs, the extent of the imbalance on the load of the damper 9 . 10 from the controller 15 be determined.

The embodiment of the water-conducting household appliance 1 and its operation are hereafter also with reference to the 3 explained in further detail.

3 shows a diagram showing the operation of the damper 9 and the controller 15 illustrated. Here, on the abscissa is a change s of the distance 36 that of the displacement sensor 31 is determined. As a deflection value for the controller 15 can the distance 36 or also the change s of the distance 36 serve. The change s of the distance 36 corresponds to a deflection s from the starting position. On the ordinate, the force F is plotted, wherein in the diagram for illustration a positive force F of a compressive load and a negative force F of a tensile load on the damper 9 equivalent.

An idealized course of the deflection s with respect to the force F is by a line 37 illustrated by the origin 38 runs. With increasing force F increases in this case the deflection s, while at a decreasing force F, the deflection s decreases. In this case, for positive force values F, positive deflections s result from an initial position and negative deflections s corresponding to negative deflections s from those in FIG 2 illustrated starting position.

In practice, however, the relationship between the deflection s and the force F differs from that through the line 37 illustrated idealized course. One reason for this can be, for example, tolerances that lead to a certain amount of play. For example, a certain play of the spring plate 27 . 28 in relation to the piston rod 22 exist in a positive fastening. In addition, besides the desired friction between the friction lining 26 and the cylinder bore 24 also come to further frictional forces, for example, in relation to the leadership of the cylinder 23 on the piston rod 22 , Furthermore, the attachment of the damper 9 over the attachment eyes 20 . 21 on the one hand to the container 5 and on the other hand, the bottom plate 3 of the housing 2 have a certain amount of play to one degree of freedom, in particular a certain pivoting, for the damper 9 to enable.

Starting from the in the 2 With a positive force F, there is thus an increase in the deflection s, for example along the curve 38 runs from the line 37 differs. In the following operation, in which the damper 9 is alternately loaded on train or pressure, the relationship between the force F and the deflection s, for example, by the curves 39 . 40 be illustrated. For example, if the force is based on the point 41 is reduced to 0, then there remains a positive displacement s at one point 42 , The deflection sensor 31 Thus, it outputs a deflection value corresponding to a positive displacement s, although when the force disappears, a vanishing displacement s corresponding to the origin 38 should be available. Only at a certain negative force F will be at the point 43 reaches a vanishing deflection s, and at a further increase in the tensile force F becomes the point 44 reached. At the point 44 the magnitude of the force F is relatively large, so that existing tolerances or the like now lead in the opposite direction to a magnitude too large deflection s from the ideal line 37 differs. At the transition from the point 44 to the point 41 along the curve 40 becomes F at the point when the force disappears 45 a negative displacement s from the displacement sensor 31 detected.

Through the curves 39 . 40 is a design-based hysteresis that illustrates between the points 45 . 42 a width 50 having. The width 50 or one on the width 50 based value, for example half the width 50 , is in the store 17 deposited as correction value. The width 50 can be determined in this case with respect to typical applications.

The control 15 determined in a correction mode from that of the deflection sensor 31 obtained deflection value by resorting to the in the memory 17 stored correction value a corrected deflection. Here the control takes into account 15 the direction of change of deflection s. For example, the displacement s starts from the point 41 along the curve 39 so that two consecutive values for the displacement s indicate a decrease in the displacement s. The control 15 For example, compares the current value of the displacement sensor 31 with the previous value of the displacement sensor 31 and determines in this case that the deflection s decreases. Therefore, the controller pulls 15 from the momentary deflection s of the cylinder 23 from its starting position half the width 50 as a correction value, so that a corrected value for the deflection s is determined, which at a given force F at least approximately on the ideal line 37 lies.

The deflection s of the cylinder 23 from the in the 2 shown starting position results as a difference from the current distance 36 of the spring plate 37 to the center of the cylinder 23 and the distance 36 in the in the 2 illustrated starting position. Thus, the displacement s results as the difference between the instantaneous distance 36 and a constant value. The deflection sensor 31 Returns the displacement s or a value based on the displacement s.

The Invention is not limited to the described embodiments limited.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

water-bearing household appliance

2

casing

3

baseplate

4

cover plate

5

container (Tub)

6

drum

7, 8th

spring elements

9 10

damper

15

control

16

computer unit

17

Storage

20 21

fastening eye

22

piston rod

23

cylinder

24

bore

25

damper housing

26

friction lining

27 28

spring plate

29 30

feather

31

displacement sensor

32

shell

33

rod-shaped element

34 35

Measurement line

36

distance

37

line

38

origin

38 '

Curve

39, 40

Curve

41-45

Point

50

width

F

force

s

deflection

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 10122749 A1 [0002, 0003]

Claims (10)

Water-conducting domestic appliance ( 1 ), in particular laundry treatment appliance for washing and / or drying laundry, with at least one housing ( 2 ) and one in the housing ( 2 ) resiliently suspended container ( 5 ), wherein at least one damper ( 9 . 10 ) is provided, on the one hand with the housing ( 2 ) and on the other hand with the container ( 5 ), wherein a displacement sensor ( 31 ) is provided, which is at least indirectly for detecting a deflection (s) of the damper ( 9 ) and wherein a controller ( 15 provided in a correction mode one of the deflection sensor ( 31 ) obtained on the deflection of the sensor ( 31 ) detected deflection (s) of the damper ( 9 ), corrected. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the deflection sensor ( 31 ) as inductive displacement sensor ( 31 ) is configured. Water-conducting household appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the deflection sensor ( 31 ) in the damper ( 9 ) is integrated. Water-conducting household appliance according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the controller ( 15 ) a memory ( 17 ), which is used for storing a correction value, that in the memory ( 17 ) stored correction value on a hysteresis of the damper ( 9 ) and that the controller ( 15 ) the deflection value for determining a currently on the damper ( 9 ) acting force in the correction mode to that in the memory ( 17 ) corrected correction value corrected. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 4, characterized in that the correction value with respect to an embodiment of the damper ( 9 ) non-volatile in the memory element ( 17 ) is stored. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the controller ( 15 ) the deflection value as a function of a direction of movement of the damper ( 9 ) increased or decreased. Water-conducting household appliance according to claim 6, characterized in that the controller ( 15 ) for determining the direction of movement of the damper ( 9 ) at least two of the displacement sensor ( 31 ) compares detected deflection values. Water-conducting household appliance according to claim 7, characterized in that the controller ( 15 ) for determining the direction of movement of the damper ( 9 ) the momentary of the displacement sensor ( 39 ) obtained with a previous deflection of the sensor ( 31 ) is compared. Water-conducting household appliance according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the controller ( 15 ) the deflection value as a function of the direction of movement of the damper ( 9 ) is increased or decreased additively by the correction value. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the controller ( 15 ) at least during a load measurement and / or an unbalance measurement in the correction mode from the displacement sensor ( 31 ) corrected deflection value.

Images