DE102018004188B4 - Laundry treatment device - Google Patents

Abstract

A laundry treatment appliance has a machine housing (10) with a loading opening (22), a door (24) for closing the loading opening (22), a tub (12) arranged in the machine housing (10) and a tub in the tub (12) Rotary axis (18) rotatably mounted laundry drum. The laundry treatment device of the invention further comprises a sensor system having a plurality of electrodes (30, 32, 34) which form at least one capacitive sensor in pairs, and a control device (27) for determining at least one operating parameter of the laundry treatment device from a capacitance value and / or a temporal behavior Capacitance value of at least one capacitive sensor of the sensor.

Description

The present invention relates to a laundry treatment appliance such as a washing machine or a dryer according to the preamble of claim 1.

For controlling a program flow of such a laundry treating appliance, typically, a plurality of operating parameters (e.g., wash liquor level, load, imbalance, speed, etc.) are monitored. To determine the operating parameters, a plurality of different specific sensors and / or the evaluation of operating parameters of a drive motor of the laundry drum are usually provided.

The DE 10 2008 031 774 A1 discloses a sensor device for determining the amount and / or the degree of moisture of laundry in a tumble dryer having an electrode coupled to a server circuit in the upper frontal area outside the drum and counter electrodes on the Wäschemitnehmern within the drum. Upon rotation of the drum, the counter electrodes pass the electrode, which changes the capacitive environment of the electrode, causing a change in the frequency of the oscillator or the resonant circuit of the server circuit, these frequency changes are dependent on the amount and Degree of humidity of the laundry in the drum.

The DE 10 2009 011 877 A1 discloses a protection system for detecting the presence of animals within, for example, a washing machine or a tumble dryer, which likewise has a main electrode outside the drum and auxiliary electrodes on the laundry drivers within the drum.

The DE 199 60 310 A1 discloses a device and a method for measuring the load in a laundry treatment appliance, in which a distance between a first electrode formed by the laundry drum or arranged on the laundry drum and a stationary second electrode is changed by a loading change of the laundry drum, such that a change in capacitance between These electrodes, which are at different electrical potentials, a load of the laundry drum can be determined.

The DE 10 2012 217 975 A1 describes a household appliance with a battery-free sensor unit for detecting at least one operating parameter of the household appliance, wherein the power supply of the sensor unit by means of a so-called energy harvesting, in which electrical energy is provided for the operation of the sensor unit from a non-electrical size.

It is the object of the invention to provide an improved laundry treating appliance with a reduced cost for determining operating parameters.

This object is achieved by a laundry treatment appliance with the features of claim 1. Particularly advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The laundry treating appliance of the invention comprises a machine housing having a loading opening; a door for closing the loading opening; a tub arranged in the machine housing; a washing drum arranged in the tub and rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation with at least two Wäschemitnehmern on its inside; and a sensor system with a plurality of electrodes, which form at least one capacitive sensor in pairs. According to the invention, the sensor system in or on at least two Wäschemitnehmern the laundry drum each have two electrodes. According to a first aspect of the invention, the two electrodes in or on a laundry pickup each form a pair of electrodes of a capacitive sensor and the laundry treating appliance further comprises a control device which is designed to use the capacitance values and / or a temporal behavior of the capacitance values of the at least two capacitive sensors Sensors to determine at least one operating parameter of the laundry treatment device. According to a second aspect of the invention, two electrodes in or on adjacent washing elements of the laundry drum each form a pair of electrodes of a further capacitive sensor and the laundry treatment device further comprises a control device which is designed to use the capacitance values and / or a temporal behavior of the capacitance values of the at least two further capacitive sensors to determine at least one operating parameter of the laundry treatment device. The first aspect and the second aspect may be realized individually or in combination within the scope of the invention.

According to the invention, instead of using specific sensor systems for different operating parameters, a sensor system having a plurality (ie, at least two) electrodes for forming capacitive sensors is used to determine operating parameters of the laundry treatment appliance from the capacitance values and / or their temporal behavior. The capacitive sensors formed by the electrodes are inexpensive and allow easy evaluation of the measurement signals. In addition, construction and assembly of the so formed capacitive sensors and it can be dispensed with the use of parameter-specific sensors.

Each electrode pair of the sensors forms a (further) capacitance whose capacitance value depends on the dielectric constant of the medium / the media combination between the electrodes. A capacitive sensor preferably contains, in addition to such an electrode pair, a sensor circuit connected to the pair of electrodes, which generates measurement signals in accordance with the capacitance values. The sensor circuits determine which two of the existing electrodes each form a pair of electrodes. The sensor circuits preferably have switches to enable and disable pairing of the electrodes. Depending on the number of electrodes provided (pairs), the sensor system comprises a larger number of such sensor circuits or a correspondingly combined sensor circuit system.

The control device is designed to determine at least one operating parameter of the laundry treatment appliance from the measurement signals of the sensor system. Depending on the number and arrangement of the electrodes of the sensor, different capacitive sensors can be formed, so that a plurality of different operating parameters can be determined. The determination of an operating parameter by the control device can be carried out on the basis of the measuring signals of a capacitive sensor or the measuring signals of a plurality of capacitive sensors.

The laundry treating appliance is preferably a washing machine or a dryer. The axis of rotation of the laundry drum preferably extends substantially horizontally or substantially vertically, but may also have any orientation.

The at least one operating parameter of the laundry treatment device, which can be determined from the capacitance values and / or a temporal behavior of the capacitance values of the at least two capacitive sensors, is preferably selected from a wash liquor level in the tub, a temperature of the wash liquor and a speed of the laundry drum. The at least one operating parameter of the laundry treatment device, which can be determined from the capacitance values and / or a temporal behavior of the capacitance values of the at least two further capacitive sensors, is preferably selected from a loading of the laundry drum, a moisture of a load of the laundry drum and an imbalance of a load of the laundry drum ,

In addition to the sensors provided according to the invention, the laundry treatment appliance can naturally also have further sensors for determining further operating parameters.

In the combined embodiment of the two aspects of the invention, the sensor system has electrodes which are combined in pairs with a plurality of other of these electrodes for forming the capacitive sensors or the further capacitive sensors or can be combined. By such multiple coupling of the electrodes, a larger number of capacitive sensors can be formed with a small number of electrodes, i. be determined with a smaller number of electrodes more different operating parameters.

According to the invention, the sensor system has a plurality of electrodes which are arranged on an inner side of the laundry drum, more precisely in or on the laundry carriers on the inside of the laundry drum. As a result, the capacitance values of the (further) capacitive sensors formed by the electrodes are directly influenced by the medium in the laundry drum (wash liquor, laundry, wet laundry, etc.), which are also related to a large part of the operating parameters of the laundry treatment appliance that are decisive for the program sequence. In addition, it is possible by the arrangement of the electrodes (pairs) on a moving component and the correspondingly time-varying measurement signals to determine further and possibly more complex operating parameters.

In one embodiment of the invention, the sensor additionally has a plurality of electrodes, which are arranged on an inner side of the tub or on an inner side of the door.

In one embodiment of the invention, the energy supply of the sensor is at least partially by means of energy harvesting.

• 1 eine Vorderansicht des Innern eines Wäschebehandlungsgeräts der Erfindung;
• 2 eine Seitenansicht des Innern eines Wäschebehandlungsgeräts der Erfindung;
• 3 eine Darstellung zum Erläutern einer Sensorik eines Wäschebehandlungsgeräts gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;
• 4 eine Darstellung zum Erläutern des Ermittelns des Waschlaugenpegels als Betriebsparameter des Wäschebehandlungsgeräts mit der Sensorik von 3;
• 5 eine Darstellung zum Erläutern des Ermittelns der Waschlaugentemperatur als Betriebsparameter des Wäschebehandlungsgeräts mit der Sensorik von 3;
• 6 eine Darstellung zum Erläutern des Ermittelns einer Beladung der Wäschetrommel, einer Unwucht der Beladung oder einer Feuchtigkeit der Wäsche in der Wäschetrommel als Betriebsparameter des Wäschebehandlungsgeräts mit der Sensorik von 3; und
• 7 eine Darstellung zum Erläutern des Ermittelns der Drehzahl der Wäschetrommel als Betriebsparameter des Wäschebehandlungsgeräts mit der Sensorik von 3.

The above and other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of preferred, non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In it show, mostly schematically:

• 1 a front view of the interior of a laundry treatment device of the invention;
• 2 a side view of the interior of a laundry treatment device of the invention;
• 3 a representation for explaining a sensor of a laundry treatment appliance according to an embodiment of the invention;
• 4 a representation for explaining the determination of the wash liquor level as an operating parameter of the laundry treatment appliance with the sensors of 3 ;
• 5 a representation for explaining the determination of the wash liquor temperature as the operating parameters of the laundry treatment appliance with the sensors of 3 ;
• 6 a representation for explaining the determination of a load of the laundry drum, an imbalance of the load or a moisture of the laundry in the laundry drum as operating parameters of the laundry treatment appliance with the sensors of 3 ; and
• 7 a representation for explaining the determination of the rotational speed of the laundry drum as operating parameters of the laundry treatment appliance with the sensors of 3 ,

Based on 1 and 2 First, the general structure of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present invention will be explained.

The laundry treatment appliance, for example a washing machine or a dryer, has a machine housing 10 in which a tub 12 suspended vibratory ( 14 ). Inside the tub 12 there is a laundry drum 16 around a rotation axis 18 is rotatably mounted. The rotation axis 18 is oriented substantially horizontally in this embodiment, but may also be oriented substantially vertically or at other angles. On the inside of the cylindrical shell of the laundry drum 16 are several (here: three) Wäschemitnehmer 20 intended.

The machine housing 10 has a loading opening 22 on, through which the inside of the laundry drum 16 is accessible, allowing a user laundry in the laundry drum 16 fill and get out of the laundry drum 16 can take. The laundry drum 16 and the tub 12 have corresponding openings in the region of the loading opening 22 , The loading opening 22 is through a door 24 closable. As in 1 are indicated in the machine housing 10 also a drive 26 for the laundry drum 16 and a controller 27 arranged and is on the machine housing 10 also a control panel 28 intended.

To determine various operating parameters of the laundry treatment appliance, this has a sensor that communicates with the control device 27 (wired or wireless) is connected. The control device 27 Controls the user by the control panel 28 selected program sequence depending on the current operating parameters. Among the operating parameters of the laundry treatment appliance, the control device 27 can determine based on the measurement signals of the sensor, include, for example, the wash liquor level in the tub, the temperature of the wash liquor, the load of the laundry drum, the moisture of the loading of the laundry drum, the imbalance of the load of the laundry drum, the speed of the laundry drum and the like.

The sensor system of the laundry treatment appliance according to the invention has a plurality of electrodes 30 on the inside of the laundry drum 16 in / at the laundry 20 the laundry drum 16 is arranged. In addition, the sensor system of the laundry treatment appliance according to the invention can have a plurality of electrodes 32 on the inside of the tub 12 and / or multiple electrodes 34 on the inside of the door 24 respectively.

The electrodes 30 . 32 . 34 can be combined in pairs by means of suitable sensor circuits to form capacitive sensors. Here are the combinations of the electrodes 30 . 32 . 34 preferably variable so that one electrode can be combined with several other electrodes.

In the case of the electrodes 30 on the laundry drum 16 The energy supply of the capacitive sensors, for example by means of so-called. Energy Harvesting. For example, from the temperature of the wash liquor or the rotation of the laundry drum 16 Energy to be supplied to the sensors with electrical energy.

3 shows an embodiment in which in each of the Wäschemitnehmer 20 the laundry drum 16 two electrodes 30 are placed. In the case of three Wäschemitnehmern 20 So can three capacitive sensors with electrode pairs 30 each within a Wäschemitnehmers 20 which are the capacity values C1 . C2 respectively. C3 to have. In addition, in this case, three more capacitive sensors with electrode pairs 30 each of two adjacent Wäschemitnehmern 20 which are the capacity values CA . CB respectively. CC to have.

The capacity values C1 . C2 . C3 . CA . CB , CC of these capacitive sensors depend on the medium 36 between the respective electrode pair 30 , more precisely from its dielectric constant. In the case of the laundry treating appliance, the medium is 36 in particular to the wash liquor and / or the (wet) laundry in the laundry drum 16 and (moist) air in the unoccupied part of the laundry drum 16 , In the in 3 exemplified state with a wash liquor only in the lower part of the laundry drum 16 In particular, the capacity value differs CC from the capacity values CA and CB and the capacity value C2 from the capacity values C1 and C3 ,

Based on 4 to 7 Below are some examples of ways to Determining various operating parameters of the laundry treatment appliance with the aid of the above-described sensors of 3 explained in more detail.

4 shows the determination of the wash liquor level in the tub 12 or in the laundry drum 16 ,

The left part of fig 4 essentially corresponds 3 , To determine the wash liquor level, the three capacitive sensors are used, which are the three electrode pairs 30 each within a Wäschemitnehmers 20 are formed and the three capacity values C1 . C2 respectively. C3 to have.

The right part of the figure 4 shows the temporal waveforms of a capacitance value C1 . C2 or C3 for a low wash liquor level ( A ), a middle wash liquor level ( B ) and a high wash liquor level ( C ). Is the pair of electrodes located? 30 within the wash liquor, the sensor generates the signal level 1 otherwise the signal level 0 , With a corresponding calibration of the sensor system, the signal level of the wash liquor level can be determined very accurately in this way on the basis of the time periods. If an upper limit is exceeded, a too high wash liquor level is detected.

5 shows the determination of the temperature of the wash liquor in the tub 12 or in the laundry drum 16 ,

5 essentially corresponds 3 , To determine the wash liquor temperature, the three capacitive sensors are used, those from the three electrode pairs 30 each within a Wäschemitnehmers 20 are formed and the three capacity values C1 . C2 respectively. C3 to have.

As with the temperature of the wash liquor 36 whose dielectric constant changes, the capacitance values also change C1 . C2 . C3 of the three electrode pairs 30 depending on the temperature of the wash liquor 36 ,

6 shows the determination of the load of the laundry drum 16 , the moisture of the laundry in the laundry drum 16 or an imbalance of the load in the laundry drum 16 ,

6 essentially corresponds 3 , For determining the said operating parameters, the three capacitive sensors are used, which consist of the three electrode pairs 30 each of two adjacent Wäschemitnehmern 20 are formed and the three capacity values CA . CB respectively. CC to have.

Depending on how much laundry is in the laundry drum 16 is also different amounts of laundry in the area between two adjacent Wäschemitnehmern 20 available. Accordingly, the dielectric constants of the medium (laundry, laundry and air, air) are also between a pair of electrodes 30 different, which causes different capacity values.

Since the dielectric constant of the laundry changes with the humidity of the laundry, the capacitance values of the sensors also change as a function of how wet the laundry is in the region between a pair of electrodes 30 is.

Depending on the distribution of the laundry in the laundry drum 16 There is different amounts of laundry in the different areas between two adjacent Wäschemitnehmern 20 , Consequently, from a comparison of the three capacity values CA . CB . CC , In particular, taking into account the temporal course of these capacity values, an unequal distribution of the laundry and thus an imbalance are concluded.

7 shows the determination of the speed of the laundry drum 16 ,

The left part of fig 7 essentially corresponds 3 , To determine the speed, the three capacitive sensors are used, which consist of the three electrode pairs 30 each within a Wäschemitnehmers 20 are formed and the three capacity values C1 . C2 respectively. C3 to have.

The right part of the figure 4 shows the temporal waveforms of the three capacitance values C1 . C2 and C3 , If there is a pair of electrodes 30 within the wash liquor, the associated capacitive sensor has a lower capacitance value. When turning the laundry drum 16 go through the three Wäschemitnehmer 20 and thus also their electrode pairs 30 one after the other the lower part of the tub 12 in which is the wash liquor 36 is located so that in 7 shown, periodic and time-shifted waveforms. From the periods of these waveforms thus can the speed of the laundry drum 16 be determined.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

machine housing

12

tub

14

suspension

16

washing drum

18

axis of rotation

20

laundry agitator

22

loading port

24

door

26

drive

27

control device

28

control panel

30

Electrodes on the laundry drum

32

Electrodes on the tub

34

Electrodes on the door

36

medium

Claims (6)

A laundry treating appliance, comprising: a machine housing (10) having a loading opening (22); a door (24) for closing the loading opening (22); a suds container (12) arranged in the machine housing (10); a washing drum (16) arranged in the washing tub (12) and rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (18) with at least two washing elements (20) on its inside; and a sensor system having a plurality of electrodes (30, 32, 34) which form at least one capacitive sensor in pairs, characterized in that the sensor system in each case has two electrodes (30) in or on at least two laundry carriers (20) of the laundry drum (16), the two electrodes (30) in or on a Wäschemitnehmer (20) each form a pair of electrodes of a capacitive sensor and / or two electrodes (30) in or on adjacent Wäschemitnehmern (20) of the laundry drum (16) each form an electrode pair of another capacitive sensor and the laundry treatment appliance further comprises a control device (27) which is designed to use at least one operating parameter from the capacitance values (C1, C2, C3) and / or a temporal behavior of the capacitance values (C1, C2, C3) of the at least two capacitive sensors of the laundry treatment appliance, and / or is designed to use the capacity values (CA, CB, CC) and / or a temporal behavior n of the capacitance values (CA, CB, CC) of the at least two further capacitive sensors to determine at least one operating parameter of the laundry treatment appliance. Laundry treatment device after Claim 1 in which the electrodes (30) in or on the laundry drivers (20) are connected to sensor circuits, the sensor circuits having switches for selectively switching on and off the pairing of the electrodes (30), the capacitive sensors or the further capacitive sensors to build. Laundry treatment device after Claim 1 or 2 in which the sensor further comprises a plurality of electrodes (32) disposed on an inner side of the tub (12) and / or a plurality of electrodes (34) disposed on an inner side of the door (24). Laundry treatment appliance according to one of the preceding claims, in which the energy supply of the sensor system is effected by means of energy harvesting. Laundry treatment appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one operating parameter of the laundry treatment appliance, which can be determined from the capacitance values (C1, C2, C3) and / or a temporal behavior of the capacitance values (C1, C2, C3) of the at least two capacitive sensors, is selected from a wash liquor level in the tub (12), a temperature of the wash liquor and a speed of the laundry drum (16). Laundry treatment appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one operating parameter of the laundry treatment device, which can be determined from the capacitance values (CA, CB, CC) and / or a temporal behavior of the capacitance values (CA, CB, CC) of the at least two further capacitive sensors , is selected from a loading of the laundry drum (16), a humidity of a load of the laundry drum (16) and an imbalance of a load of the laundry drum (16).

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