DE102015104452A1 - Household appliance with water filter cartridge and method for detecting a state of a water filter cartridge in a household appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a domestic appliance (100) having a sensor (102) for detecting a color of a color indicator (104) indicating an ion concentration of water passed through the domestic appliance (100).

Description

The invention relates to a household appliance having a sensor for detecting a color of a color indicator indicative of an ion concentration of water passed through the household appliance, a method for detecting a state of a water filter cartridge in a household appliance and a corresponding control device.

Domestic appliances such as steam ironing systems or dishwashers can have ion exchangers for water descaling. Such ion exchangers are usually regenerated or replaced after a predetermined period of use. Furthermore, the state of depletion of the ion exchangers can be visually displayed by discoloration.

The EP 2 527 732 A1 describes a steam generator for an ironing station.

The EP 1 498 060 A1 describes a filter cartridge for water tanks of coffee machines.

The invention has as its object to provide an improved domestic appliance having a sensor for detecting a color of an indicator indicating an ion concentration of water passed through the domestic appliance, an improved method for detecting a condition of a water filter cartridge in a domestic appliance and an improved control unit.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a household appliance, a method and a control device with the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention will become apparent from the following subclaims.

The invention has the advantage that the color of a color indicator used to determine a water quality in a household appliance can be electronically detected by means of a sensor, so that corresponding sensor sensor sensor signals can be used, for example for metering an amount of water to be filtered by an ion exchanger or Issuing an optical or audible indication to a user of the household appliance. For example, by means of the sensor signal, a change interval or an exhaustion time of a water filter cartridge can be determined and signaled to the user in good time. The user can thus renew the cartridge in good time, so that calcium deposits or other caused by an exhausted cartridge impurities of the household appliance can be avoided.

The approach described herein provides a home appliance with a sensor for detecting a color of a color indicator indicative of an ion concentration of water passed through the home appliance.

Under a household appliance, for example, a washing machine, a dishwasher, an ironing station, a coffee maker, a water maker or other water consuming domestic appliance can be understood. For example, the color indicator may be configured to discolor depending on a calcium or sodium concentration of the water. The sensor may be configured to detect the color or a color change of the color indicator.

The household appliance may be provided with a receiving device for receiving a replaceable water filter cartridge. The receptacle may include the color indicator, a filtering material for filtering water, and a cartridge opening for directing water filtered through the filtering material into the household appliance. In this case, the color indicator can be designed to discolor depending on an ion concentration of the filtered water between at least one representing a depleted state of the filter material first color and a non-depleted state of the filter material second color representing. A holding device can be understood to mean a holder for inserting the water filter cartridge into the domestic appliance. For example, the water filter cartridge may be at least partially filled or filled with an ion exchange resin as a filter material. The filter material may act as a cation ion exchanger, for example, to exchange calcium ions dissolved in the water for sodium ions. Accordingly, an exhausted state can be understood as meaning a state of the filter material in which the filter material is saturated with calcium ions so far that the filter effect of the water filter cartridge is significantly reduced in the unexhausted state compared to the filter effect.

For example, depending on the change in the ion concentration, starting from the first color, such as white or green, the color indicator may gradually or suddenly assume the second color, such as red. In such a color change, the color indicator may take one or more of the first and second color different intermediate colors depending on the indicator material or light color used.

The first color and the second color may be complementary to each other, ie, the first color may be formed to predominantly light corresponding to one of the second color Wavelength range to absorb, while the second color may be formed to predominantly absorb light of a first color corresponding wavelength range. Alternatively, one of the two colors can be white.

This embodiment makes it possible to automatically detect a decreasing filter effect of the water filter cartridge and thus at an early stage. In addition, an unnecessary too early replacement of the water filter cartridge can be avoided.

According to a further embodiment, the household appliance may have a water conduit having the color indicator, wherein the color indicator may be designed to discolor between at least a first color and a second color depending on an ion concentration of water passed through the water conduit. In this case, no color filter water filter cartridge is required. By this embodiment, it is possible to continuously monitor the water quality of the water conducted by the household appliance. As a result, damage or contamination of coming into contact with the water parts of the household appliance can be avoided. The arrangement of the color indicator in the water pipe, the water can also be analyzed regardless of the use of a water filter cartridge.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the sensor has at least one light source for illuminating the color indicator and at least one photodetector for measuring an intensity of light reflected by the color indicator. A light source may be understood to mean a light-emitting diode or an arrangement of a plurality of light-emitting diodes. The light-emitting diode may, inter alia, also be a laser diode, a light-emitting diode with an optical resonator, RCLED for short, or an organic light-emitting diode, OLED for short. The light source may be configured to irradiate the color indicator with light of a particular wavelength or wavelength range, wherein the wavelength or wavelength range may correspond to approximately one wavelength or wavelength range of the first or second color of the color indicator and at least one of the first and second colors may be partially absorbable. Accordingly, the light source may emit, for example, blue, yellow, red, green or white light. The photodetector can be, for example, a photoresistor, a phototransistor, a photodiode, a photocell, a photomultiplier or a CMOS or CCD sensor. Such a sensor can be realized easily and inexpensively and enables a reliable detection of the indicator color.

In addition, the sensor can have at least one light-impermeable separating element for interrupting an optical path between the light source and the photodetector. The separating element can be, for example, a housing part of the sensor such as a wall surface or the like. By the separating element can be prevented that the photodetector directly by the light source, d. H. without going via the color indicator, especially when the photodetector and the light source are arranged side by side or in the same plane. As a result, errors in color detection can be avoided.

Furthermore, the sensor may comprise at least one filter for filtering light emitted by the light source or reflected light onto the photodetector. A filter may be understood to mean an optical filter for filtering an incident radiation by wavelength, polarization state or else by direction of incidence. In particular, for example, the filter may be transmissive to light of the first color and at least impermeable to second color light or, conversely, opaque to second color light and opaque to at least first color light. This embodiment makes it possible, with simple means, to illuminate the color indicator with light of specific wavelengths or to guide light of specific wavelengths onto the photodetector.

Moreover, it is advantageous if the sensor has at least a first light source and a second light source for illuminating the color indicator with light of different wavelengths. For example, the two light sources can be operated alternately, so that the photodetector is exposed either with reflected light beams of the first light source or with reflected light beams of the second light source. By using at least two light sources, the measurement accuracy of the sensor can be increased.

According to a further embodiment, the color indicator may have a discoloration area which can be discolored between the first and second color and a non-discolored reference area in a reference color. The light source may be configured to illuminate the discoloring surface or, additionally or alternatively, the reference surface. The photodetector may be configured to measure an intensity of light reflected from the discoloration or reference surface. A reference color can be understood as a color used to determine a reference light intensity. In particular, the reference color may be the color white. Furthermore, the first color may correspond to the reference color and, for example, may also be white, the second color being different from the reference color Color can be. Thus, a relatively reliable detection of a color change of the color indicator can be realized with a relatively small number of electronic components.

Furthermore, the sensor may be provided with at least one further photodetector for measuring an intensity of the light reflected by the color indicator. Also, by this embodiment, the accuracy and robustness of the sensor can be further increased with low cost.

It is furthermore advantageous if the sensor has at least one first filter arranged in a beam path between the color indicator and the photodetector for filtering light reflected onto the photodetector and at least one second filter arranged in a beam path between the color indicator and the further photodetector for filtering on having the further photodetector reflected light. For example, the first filter may be transmissive to light of the first color and opaque at least to second color light. Similarly, conversely, the second filter may be transmissive to second color light and at least impermeable to first color light. By using two such filters, it is possible to expose the two photodetectors without additional light source with light of a different wavelength.

According to another embodiment, the photodetector may be arranged to measure the intensity of the light reflected from the discoloration area. Additionally or alternatively, the further photodetector can be arranged to measure the intensity of the light reflected from the reference surface. Such an arrangement of the two photodetectors enables a respective intensity of the light reflected by the discoloration or reference surface to be measured simultaneously. As a result, erroneous measurements due to interference such as ambient light can be avoided.

The household appliance may be provided with the water filter cartridge, wherein the water filter cartridge may be received by the receiving device.

The water filter cartridge can be formed, for example, with an outlet opening having the cartridge opening. In order to introduce the filtered water into the household appliance, the cartridge opening can be coupled with the insertion of the water filter cartridge in the receiving device with a corresponding water connection of the household appliance. For example, the color indicator can be arranged in the outlet nozzle to be lapped with the filtered water. In this case, the sensor may be integrated into the receiving device or another section of the domestic appliance adjacent to the water filter cartridge such that it lies opposite the color indicator. Depending on the arrangement of the sensor or the color indicator, the optical connection between sensor and color indicator can also be produced by means of an optical device in the form of at least one mirror or a lens.

In order to redirect light directed onto the color indicator in a direction associated with the photodetector, the color indicator according to a further embodiment may have a correspondingly shaped curvature. Such a curvature can be generated for example by applying a flexible indicator material as a color indicator on a curved inner wall of the outlet nozzle.

Finally, the approach presented here provides a method for detecting a condition of a water filter cartridge in a household appliance according to one of the embodiments described herein, the method comprising the steps of:
Driving a light source of the sensor to illuminate the color indicator;
Receiving a measurement signal representing an intensity of light reflected from the color indicator; and
Determine the state of the water filter cartridge using the measurement signal.

For example, it can be determined in the step of determining depending on the intensity, whether the water filter cartridge is exhausted or not exhausted. Such a method for electronically detecting a state of exhaustion of the water filter cartridge is suitable, for example, for carrying out in combination with steam ironing systems or stations with water-softening ion exchangers as filter material for the treatment of iron water before heating. The electronic detection can prevent the water filter cartridge from being replaced or regenerated too late. As a result, lime deposits can be avoided during operation of the household appliance.

The steps of driving, receiving and determining can be carried out continuously.

According to one embodiment, in the step of receiving, another measurement signal may be received that may represent a further intensity of light reflected from the color indicator. In a step of determining, a deviation between the intensity and the further intensity can be determined using the measurement signal and the further measurement signal. In the step of determining, the state of the water filter cartridge depending on the deviation be determined. Thereby, the state of the filter cartridge can be detected with high accuracy.

Furthermore, in the step of determining the state of the water filter cartridge can be determined taking into account a predetermined minimum intensity. A minimum intensity can be understood as meaning an intensity of light impinging on the photodetector, at which the photodetector outputs a measuring signal corresponding to the intensity, or a processing of the measuring signal by a corresponding control unit takes place. This makes it possible to determine the state of the water filter cartridge only if the water filter cartridge is actually placed in the household appliance.

Finally, the approach described herein creates a controller that is configured to perform, drive, and / or implement all the steps of a method according to any of the embodiments described herein. Also by this embodiment of the invention in the form of a control device, the object underlying the invention can be achieved quickly and efficiently.

In the present case, a control device can be understood as meaning an electrical device which processes sensor signals and outputs control signals and / or data signals in dependence thereon. The control unit may be designed as a central control unit of the household appliance, which may be designed to provide further control functions for operating the household appliance.

An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. It shows

1 a schematic representation of a household appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 a schematic representation of a water filter cartridge and a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention in side view;

3 a schematic representation of a water filter cartridge and a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention in plan view;

4 a schematic representation of a water filter cartridge and a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention in plan view;

5 a schematic representation of a water filter cartridge and a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention in plan view;

6 a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

7 a block diagram of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 shows a schematic representation of a household appliance 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The household appliance 100 , in 1 exemplified as a steam ironing station, has a sensor 102 to capture a color of a color indicator 104 on, wherein the color has an ion concentration of by the household appliance 102 indicating conducted water.

The household appliance 100 For example, a removable water filter 106 for filtering water to generate steam. The water filter 106 may comprise an ion exchange resin, the change interval of which may depend both on the hardness of the input water and on the frequency and duration of steam utilization. By means of the sensor 102 and the color indicator 104 that with the water filter 106 filtered water is rinsed, it is possible the change interval according to a coloration of the color indicator 104 very accurately determine the water filter 106 is only changed when he has reached a certain degree of exhaustion. As a result, on the one hand waste can be avoided; On the other hand, this can ensure adequate water softening.

The color indicator 104 is according to this embodiment in the water filter 106 integrated. Alternatively, the color indicator 104 on a water pipe of the household appliance 100 be arranged.

2 shows a schematic representation of a water filter cartridge 106 and a sensor 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention. At the water filter cartridge 106 It may be related to the preceding 1 act mentioned water filter. The water filter cartridge 106 is interchangeable in a cradle 202 arranged, the part of the basis of 1 described household appliance may be.

According to this embodiment, the water filter cartridge 106 an entrance opening 204 for filling unfiltered water 208 on. Further, the water filter cartridge 106 with a filter material 206 for filtering, in particular descaling, the unfiltered water 208 filled. At the Passing through the filter material 206 becomes the unfiltered water 208 filtered and passes as filtered water 210 in one opposite the entrance opening 204 arranged outlet nozzle 214 with a cartridge opening 216 through which the filtered water 210 can run in a water pipe system of the household appliance.

The color indicator 104 is according to this embodiment on a transparent inner wall of the outlet nozzle 214 appropriate. By way of example only, the sensor 102 the color indicator 104 arranged opposite to the color of the color indicator 104 capture. The color indicator 104 is designed to be in contact with the filtered water 210 depending on an ion concentration of the filtered water 210 to discolor between a first color and a second color. Here, the first color may be a depleted state of the filter material 206 and the second color an unexhausted state of the filter material 206 represent.

According to an alternative embodiment, the color indicator 104 instead of in the water filter cartridge 106 be arranged in a water pipe of the water pipe system of the household appliance and discolor according to an ion concentration of water flowing through the water pipe between the two colors.

According to one embodiment, the water filter cartridge 106 filled with an ion exchange granulate. Here, the color indicator 104 from the inside on a wall of the outlet nozzle 214 be appropriate that a color change of the color indicator 104 is visible from the outside. The color indicator 104 changes its color in a manner described in more detail below. From the top through the inlet 204 filled input water 208 when passing through the filter material 206 In the form of the ion exchange resin hardness formers such as calcium cations withdrawn and replaced by other non-hardening cations. The outlet neck 214 flowing through water 210 is in permanent contact with the color indicator 104 whose color is according to one in the specification of the color indicator 104 fixed manner with increasing concentration of hardness-forming ions in the starting water 210 changes and thus a conclusion on the state of exhaustion of the filter material 206 allows.

The water filter cartridge 106 is removable in the receiving device 202 arranged. So can the water filter cartridge 106 simply be replaced with a new water filter cartridge, which also contains a new color indicator, when the filter material 206 is exhausted. To the state of exhaustion of the filter material 206 Being able to detect electronically is the sensor 102 device side in a the outlet nozzle 214 adjacent component 218 of the household appliance arranged such that the color indicator 104 and the sensor 102 when used in the household appliance water filter cartridge 106 directly opposite each other.

The following is a functional principle and a possible structure of the sensor 102 according to various embodiments with reference to 3 to 5 described. The 3 to 5 each show a cross section through the outlet nozzle 214 with the filtered water contained therein 210 , through the color indicator 104 and through a housing of the sensor 102 ,

3 shows a schematic representation of a water filter cartridge 106 and a sensor 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention in plan view. Shown is a cross section through the outlet nozzle 214 with the one in it, from the filtered water 210 surrounded color indicator 104 , The outlet neck 214 is shown by way of example with a round cross-section. The color indicator 104 is made of a flexible indicator material and so on a curved side wall of the outlet nozzle 214 attached that a curvature of the color indicator 104 essentially corresponds to a curvature of the side wall. A sensor housing 300 of the sensor 102 has a housing recess 302 with a housing opening 304 on, with a curvature of the housing recess 302 also approximately the curvature of the side wall of the outlet nozzle 214 equivalent. A the color indicator 104 comprising section of the outlet nozzle 214 is so in the housing recess 302 arranged that the color indicator 104 the housing opening 304 opposite.

According to the in 3 embodiment shown are in the sensor housing 300 a first light source 306 , a second light source 308 and here by way of example between the two light sources 306 . 308 arranged photodetector 310 , The first light source 306 is designed to be the color indicator 104 with a first ray of light 312 to illuminate. The second light source 308 is designed to be the color indicator 104 with a second beam of light 314 to illuminate. The rays of light 312 . 314 have different wavelengths. The two beams of light 312 . 314 in each case hit the color indicator in such a way 104 that, among other things, due to the curvature of the color indicator 104 from the color indicator 104 on the photodetector 310 be reflected. The photodetector 310 serves to set a particular intensity of the color indicator 104 to measure reflected light rays.

According to this embodiment, the first light beam 312 a predominantly of the first color of the color indicator 104 absorbable wavelength, while the second light beam 314 a predominantly of the second color of the color indicator 104 absorbable wavelength, as described in more detail below.

For the two light sources 306 . 308 These are, for example, light-emitting diodes of different colors, which are thus in the sensor housing 300 they are placed in the outlet nozzle 214 located color indicator 104 can illuminate. The color indicator 104 reflects the light emitted by the light emitting diodes through the housing opening 304 such in the sensor housing 300 that it is on a likewise in the sensor housing 300 placed photoresistor as a photodetector 310 meets. A respective beam path of the two light beams 312 . 314 is shown by dashed arrows. A direct light path from the light sources 306 . 308 to the photodetector 310 In one embodiment, it is optional, suitably designed opaque partitions 318 in the sensor housing 300 interrupted, so that of the two light sources 306 . 308 emitted light only via the detour of the reflection on the color indicator 104 to the photodetector 310 can get.

The two different emission wavelengths of the light sources 306 . 308 are chosen so that the color indicator 104 by coloring it before the color change, the light of one of the two light sources is sufficiently absorbed while absorbing the light of the other light source sufficiently after the color change. For example, the color indicator 104 before the color change, have a green color corresponding to the first color, which absorbs red light, and after the color change have a red color corresponding to the second color, which absorbs green light. In this case, sufficient absorption can be understood to mean that the absorption results in an intensity difference between an intensity of the reflected light in the case of alternating operation of the light sources 306 . 308 results in a reliably distinguishable, correspondingly alternating value of the photodetector 310 manifests. A targeted driving a respective light source and a simultaneous measuring one by the photodetector 310 flowing current thus allow a conclusion on the color of the color indicator 104 and thus on whether a color change between the first and second color, here between green and red, has taken place or not, which in turn results in whether the source water 210 is reliably softened or the filter material is already exhausted.

For example, the light sources 306 . 308 using the basis of 7 described control unit during a measurement phase once in succession or alternately activated and deactivated.

According to an alternative embodiment, the two light sources transmit 306 . 308 Light of the same wavelength, such as white light. To the color indicator 104 nevertheless to illuminate with light of different wavelengths is in this case in the beam path of the first light beam 312 between the first light source 306 and the color indicator 104 a first optical color filter 320 and in the beam path of the second light beam 114 between the second light source 308 and the color indicator 104 a second optical color filter 322 be arranged, the first filter 320 permeable to light in a wavelength corresponding to the first color and impermeable at least to light rays of a wavelength corresponding to the second color, and the second filter 322 permeable to light in a wavelength corresponding to the second color and at least impermeable to light in a wavelength corresponding to the first color.

4 shows a schematic representation of a water filter cartridge 106 and a sensor 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention in plan view. The in 4 shown sensor 102 differs from the in 3 shown sensor, as that instead of the photodetector 310 a preferably white light emitting light emitting diode as a light source 400 is placed in the middle. Laterally offset to the light source 400 are already based on 3 described photodetector 310 and another photoresistor as another photodetector 402 placed. There are thus two photodetectors 310 . 402 and a light source 400 used. The photodetector 320 is a first filter 320 and the other photodetector 402 is a second filter 322 assigned. The photodetector 310 is in one of the light source 400 outgoing beam path behind the first filter 320 and the other photodetector 402 is in one of the light source 400 outgoing beam path behind the second filter 322 arranged. As already on the basis of 3 described, are the filters 310 . 322 designed as color filters that differ in the wavelength for which they are transparent. Here are the filters 320 . 322 so chosen that one of the filters 320 . 322 Light from the wavelength range the color of the color indicator 104 before the color change and at least for light from the wavelength range of the color of the color indicator 104 is as impermeable as possible to the color change, while the other is the filter 320 . 322 Light from the wave area of the color of the color indicator 104 transmits after the color change and at least for light from the wavelength range of the color of the color indicator 104 as impermeable as possible before the color change. Depending on the color of the color indicator 104 only becomes part of one of the light source 400 emitted wavelength spectrum to the two color filters 320 . 322 reflected. This partial spectrum is provided by one of the two color filters 320 . 322 filtered out while watching the other of the color filters 320 . 322 at least partially happened. This causes the two photodetectors 310 . 402 exposed to comparatively different light intensities, for example, at the same voltage applied to the photodetectors 310 . 402 expresses in comparatively different currents and thus to different measurement signals of the photodetectors 310 . 402 leads. About a comparison of the measurement signals, for example, by the two photodetectors 310 . 402 flowing streams, is an indication of a coloration of the color indicator 104 possible.

5 shows a schematic representation of a water filter cartridge 106 and a sensor 102 out 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention in plan view. In 5 is the sensor 102 in contrast to 4 realized without the two optical filters. Furthermore, the color indicator exists 104 at the outlet 214 partly from a discoloration area discernible between the first and second color 500 , partly from a non-discolourable reflective reference surface 502 , The reference surface 502 may, for example, have the first color or the second color. According to one embodiment, the reference surface 502 executed white.

The light source 400 is designed to emit light of a defined color. Here, the emission wavelength of the light source 400 and the coloring of the discoloration area 500 coordinated so that a change in color to a change in intensity of the discoloration area 500 reflected light leads. For example, the color indicator 104 be designed so that it in the initial state, the unexhausted state of the filter cartridge 106 may be white, but the discoloration area is white on both surfaces 500 when a defined water hardness in the outlet water is exceeded 210 color changes so that they light the emission wavelength of the light source 400 absorbed. As a result, the light intensity decreases at the photodetector 310 while the light passes through the unchanging reference surface 502 to the other photodetector 402 is reflected in its intensity remains unchanged. About a repeated comparison of the two photodetectors 310 . 402 provided measuring signals, for example by comparing the by the two photodetectors 310 . 402 flowing currents, in turn, is an indication of a discoloration of the color indicator 104 possible.

6 shows a flowchart of a method 600 for detecting a condition of a water filter cartridge in a household appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention. The procedure 600 For example, in connection with a preceding on the basis of 1 to 5 described household appliance with sensor, color indicator and inserted water filter cartridge are performed. In one step 610 The light source of the sensor is controlled to illuminate the color indicator. In this case, depending on the embodiment, the light source may, for example, be driven alternately in order to illuminate the color indicator alternately with light of different wavelengths. In a further step 620 a measurement signal is received which, depending on the embodiment, is provided by one or more photodetectors of the sensor and represents an intensity of the light reflected by the color indicator. By way of example, the measuring signal is a measured value of an electrical current flowing through the respective photodetector. The step 620 can essentially coincide with the step 610 be performed. Finally, in one step 630 the state of the water filter cartridge is determined using the measurement signal.

The three steps 610 . 620 . 630 may be performed continuously or at fixed intervals of time, for example once or several times a day, every other day or every third day, to allow continuous monitoring of the state of exhaustion of the water filter cartridge.

According to one embodiment, in step 620 receive another measurement signal representing a further intensity of the light reflected by the color indicator. Accordingly, in an optional step 635 determined using the measurement signal and the further measurement signal, a difference between the light intensities represented by the two measurement signals, wherein the exhaustion state in step 630 depending on the step 635 determined difference.

According to a further embodiment, in step 630 a preceding by means of 5 be included in the data processing to identify disturbances such as ambient light, a variable luminosity of the light source or a variable voltage at the photodetector and to calculate out in the course of data processing.

Furthermore, in step 630 the condition of the water filter cartridge taking into account a predetermined minimum intensity be determined. For example, a presence or absence of the water filter cartridge can be detected by defining respectively a minimum intensity for the reflected light that arises when the water filter cartridge is placed in the receptacle of the household appliance, and which is detectable in at least one of the possible measurement states, but at lacking water filter cartridge does not arise and thus provides in all measurement states for a signal that is weaker than that which occurs when the minimum intensity is present.

7 shows a block diagram of a controller 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 700 For example, in combination with a household appliance, as previously described by the 1 to 6 is described. In particular, the control unit 700 be coupled to the sensor component of the household appliance.

The control unit comprises a drive unit 710 , which is designed to be a control signal 715 to provide for driving the light source or the light sources of the sensor. For example, the control signal 715 be suitable to control the sensor so that the sensor emits a light beam of a predetermined wavelength or sequentially light beams of different predetermined wavelengths. Furthermore, the controller has 700 a receiving unit 720 for receiving at least one measurement signal provided by the sensor 725 which represents an intensity of a light beam reflected by the color indicator. For example, the measurement signal 725 represent a signal provided by a photodetector of the sensor. A discovery unit 730 is designed to be detected using the measurement signal 725 or information about the measurement signal 725 and optionally using the control signal 715 or information about the control signal 715 determine a state of exhaustion of a replaceable in the household appliance arranged water filter cartridge and a corresponding status signal 735 output, for example, to an interface to a playback device for reproducing an optical or acoustic indication to a user of the household appliance or to a dosing unit for dosing an amount of water to be filtered by the water filter cartridge. Become several measuring signals 725 receive, so the determination unit 730 be formed to the state signal 735 using the measuring signals 725 , For example, by comparing the measurement signals 725 to determine.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 2527732 A1 [0003]
• EP 1498060 A1 [0004]

Claims (15)

Household appliance ( 100 ) with a sensor ( 102 ) for detecting an ion concentration of the household appliance ( 100 ) of piped water indicating color of a color indicator ( 104 ). Household appliance ( 100 ) according to claim 1, characterized by a receiving device ( 202 ) for receiving a replaceable water filter cartridge ( 106 ), the color indicator ( 104 ), a filter material ( 206 ) for filtering water ( 208 ) and a cartridge opening ( 216 ) for passing through the filter material ( 206 ) filtered water ( 210 ) in the household appliance ( 100 ), wherein the color indicator ( 104 ) is adapted to react in dependence on an ion concentration of the filtered water ( 210 ) between at least one exhausted state of the filter material ( 206 ) representing a first color and a non-exhausted state of the filter material ( 206 ) to discolor second color. Household appliance ( 100 ) according to claim 1, characterized by a color indicator ( 104 ), the color indicator ( 104 ) is adapted to discolor depending on an ion concentration of water passed through the water conduit between at least a first color and a second color. Household appliance ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor ( 102 ) at least one light source ( 306 . 308 ; 400 ) for illuminating the color indicator ( 104 ) and at least one photodetector ( 310 . 402 ) for measuring an intensity of the color indicator ( 104 ) has reflected light. Household appliance ( 100 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that the sensor ( 102 ) at least one filter ( 320 . 322 ) for filtering from the light source ( 306 . 308 ; 400 ) and / or to the photodetector ( 310 . 402 ) has reflected light. Household appliance ( 100 ) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the sensor ( 102 ) at least one first light source ( 306 ) and a second light source ( 308 ) for illuminating the color indicator ( 104 ) with light of different wavelengths. Household appliance ( 100 ) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the color indicator ( 104 ) a discoloration area discernible between the first and second colors ( 500 ) and a non-discolourable reference surface ( 502 ) in a reference color, the light source ( 400 ) is formed around the discoloration area ( 500 ) and / or the reference surface ( 502 ) and the photodetector ( 310 ) is adapted to an intensity of the discoloration area ( 500 ) and / or reference surface ( 502 ) to measure reflected light. Household appliance ( 100 ) according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the sensor ( 102 ) at least one further photodetector ( 402 ) for measuring an intensity of the color indicator ( 104 ) has reflected light. Household appliance ( 100 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that the sensor ( 102 ) at least one in a beam path between the color indicator ( 104 ) and the photodetector ( 310 ) arranged first filter ( 320 ) for filtering on the photodetector ( 310 ) reflected light and at least one in a beam path between the color indicator ( 104 ) and the further photodetector ( 402 ) arranged second filter ( 322 ) for filtering on the further photodetector ( 402 ) has reflected light. Household appliance ( 100 ) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the photodetector ( 310 ) is arranged to reduce the intensity of the discoloration area ( 500 ) reflected light, and / or the further photodetector ( 402 ) is arranged to increase the intensity of the reference surface ( 502 ) of reflected light. Household appliance ( 100 ) according to claim 2, characterized by the water filter cartridge ( 106 ), the water filter cartridge ( 106 ) of the receiving device ( 202 ) is recorded. Procedure ( 600 ) for detecting a condition of a water filter cartridge ( 106 ) in one Household appliance ( 100 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method ( 600 ) comprises the following steps: 610 ) of a light source ( 306 . 308 ; 400 ) of the sensor ( 102 ) to the color indicator ( 104 ) to illuminate; Receive ( 620 ) of a measuring signal ( 725 ), which has an intensity of from the color indicator ( 104 ) represents reflected light; and determining ( 630 ) the state of the water filter cartridge ( 106 ) using the measuring signal ( 725 ). Procedure ( 600 ) according to claim 12, characterized in that in the step of receiving ( 620 ) is received another measurement signal, the further intensity of the color indicator ( 104 ) reflected light, wherein in a step of determining ( 635 ) using the measuring signal ( 725 ) and the further measuring signal a deviation between the intensity and the further intensity is determined, wherein in the step of determining ( 630 ) the state of Water filter cartridge ( 106 ) is determined as a function of the deviation. Procedure ( 600 ) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that in the step of determining ( 630 ) the condition of the water filter cartridge ( 106 ) is determined taking into account a predetermined minimum intensity. Control unit ( 700 ), which is designed to handle all steps of a process ( 600 ) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, to drive and / or implement.

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