EP0898008B1 - Method for determining the loading of a laundry drier - Google Patents
Method for determining the loading of a laundry drier Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0898008B1 EP0898008B1 EP98114947A EP98114947A EP0898008B1 EP 0898008 B1 EP0898008 B1 EP 0898008B1 EP 98114947 A EP98114947 A EP 98114947A EP 98114947 A EP98114947 A EP 98114947A EP 0898008 B1 EP0898008 B1 EP 0898008B1
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- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- frequency
- pulses
- measurement signal
- microcontroller
- laundry
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F34/04—Signal transfer or data transmission arrangements
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2103/02—Characteristics of laundry or load
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2103/02—Characteristics of laundry or load
- D06F2103/08—Humidity
- D06F2103/10—Humidity expressed as capacitance or resistance
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
- D06F58/32—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers
- D06F58/34—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers characterised by the purpose or target of the control
- D06F58/36—Control of operational steps, e.g. for optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
- D06F58/38—Control of operational steps, e.g. for optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of drying, e.g. to achieve the target humidity
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method for determining the amount of loading a clothes dryer according to the preamble of claim 1.
- the drying process plays alongside the moisture and the type of laundry that is usual is dried in a drum, including the load the dryer plays a big role. Therefore, for various reasons, it is about for accurate remaining time prediction, for optimal control of the drying process or for customized heating output, advantageous, the load to determine the dryer.
- Methods for determining the amount of loading of are from the prior art Tumble dryers known, which are based on the evaluation of temperature or temperature gradient measurements, on the current draw of the motor to move the laundry drum or based on a measurement of the electrical capacity of the drum.
- DE 4 403 625 A describes a method for determining the loading quantity of Tumble dryers are known, in which the signal duration of the resistance measuring device is used as a measure of the load.
- DE 29 45 696 A1 describes a method for determining the amount of loading known from tumble dryers, in which the electrical conductivity of the laundry is used becomes.
- two electrodes are attached in the drum, which temporarily touch the laundry when the drum is rotated and by means of which determines the electrical conductivity.
- This master value signal which with the Movement of laundry in the drum varies and has impulses is to a threshold circuit connected to the concern of a piece of laundry, even in dry ones State on the electrodes indicates by a hit signal of constant height delivers, which is then integrated.
- the integration of this Hit signals represent a measure of the load of the tumble dryer that is used for Control of the drying process can be used.
- the present invention is therefore based on the object of a method for determination the loading amount of tumble dryers of the type mentioned in the beginning to improve that the measure of laundry loading with digital building blocks simple is to be further processed, and also a more reliable determination of the loading quantity very little conductive laundry items is made possible.
- the frequency of the pulses of the measurement signal of the electrical conductivity of the laundry determined and used as a measure of the load.
- edges of the conductance measurement signal are advantageously detected, in particular by forming a time derivative (differentiation) and by determining it Frequency determines the frequency of the pulses of the conductance measurement signal.
- the pulses of the conductance measurement signal compared with a threshold value and by counting the pulses from a certain Threshold per unit of time, the frequency of the pulses is determined that the Exceed or fall below the threshold. Because the comparison with a threshold particularly easy by using a comparator or a Schmidt trigger can be implemented in terms of circuit technology, the invention in this way particularly can be used easily and inexpensively.
- the frequency of this Impulse determined and used as a measure of the amount of loading.
- Triggering pulses of constant duration will make the occurrence extremely short or extreme long pulses avoided with a limited temporal responsiveness of the subsequent components make it difficult to reliably determine the load.
- the determination of the frequency of the pulses of the Conductivity measurement signal carried out by means of a microcontroller, the frequency determination enabled with a low component cost and as a rule central Control device of the dryer directly via the necessary information on the load quantity can dispose of.
- each of the aforementioned steps can advantageously be carried out in the course of the processing of the conductance measurement signal for determining the frequency of its pulses also in one digital electronic computer or a microcontroller can be implemented. Because a function is carried out in an already existing microcontroller will always result in a saving that would otherwise have to be carried out Function necessary device and thus a lower component and circuit complexity, which also leads to a lower probability of failure of the dryer leads.
- the determination of the frequency of the pulses of the conductance measurement signal but also the determination of all others as a measure of the loading quantity serving frequencies performed particularly advantageously with a microcontroller become.
- the frequency measurement, whatever impulses or events, can be with a microcontroller with very little circuitry and very high accuracy Carry out, as opposed to analog circuits, digital signals can process particularly advantageously.
- the comparison of the conductance measurement signal with a predetermined one can be particularly advantageous Carry out the threshold with a microcontroller. This can be done using the microcontroller assigned or implemented in it analog / digital converter can be used or a special input of the microcontroller, such as an input with Schmidt trigger or comparator that can perform this comparison function.
- this must be analog Process signals only with an intermediate analog / digital converter is possible.
- the latter can be assigned externally to the microcontroller or also in be integrated.
- an assigned analog / digital converter can be processed by both analog and also digital signals all previously mentioned methods are carried out, so that in a tumble dryer also use several of the aforementioned methods can come.
- FIG. 1 shows a schematic circuit structure to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention.
- the drum 1 has an electrode 12, wherein as second electrode serves the drum 1 itself.
- the drum 1 is connected to the mass 5 of the dryer and the electrode 12 connected to a constant voltage 6 via a series resistor 13.
- the laundry in the drum 1 has a laundry resistance 14, on the one hand over the drum 1 with the mass 5 of the dryer and on the other hand via the electrode 12 with the Resistor 13 is connected and thus forms a voltage divider with this.
- a measurement signal 15 is obtained which serves as a measure of the laundry conductance.
- This Conductivity measurement signal is connected to the input of a differentiator 2, the one Output signal 21 generated.
- This output signal 21 of the differentiator 2 is in turn connected to the input of a monostable multivibrator 3, the Output signal 31 finally connected to an input of a microcontroller 4 is.
- the load of the tumble dryer is determined when moving the laundry in the drum 1 by rotating it.
- the laundry gets at least at times in contact with the electrode 12, which is a time-varying conductivity measurement signal 15 results. Every time the electrode 12 is touched by a piece of laundry or any change in that measured between the electrode 12 and the drum 1 Laundry resistance 14, the conductance measurement signal 15 jumps or have an impulse. The number of these pulses per unit of time is therefore a measure of the load of the dryer. Because the conductance measurement signal is very irregular and determining the frequency of the pulses is difficult, this signal must be suitable be processed. For this purpose, the slope of the pulses is determined using a differentiator 2 of the conductance measurement signal 15 is determined and thus detected by their edges.
- each of the detected edges which are contained in the output signal 21 of the differentiator 2 are, triggers a pulse of constant duration by means of a monostable multivibrator 3.
- the output signal 31 of the monostable multivibrator 3, which the pulses more constant Duration is connected to a digital input of a microcontroller 4.
- the Microcontroller 4 counts the pulses of signal 31 received per unit of time and determines them so their frequency, which is a direct measure of the load quantity.
- the solution according to the invention thus becomes a method for determining the loading quantity created a dryer with which the measure of the load is available in digital form. This makes it easier to process through digital Building blocks, especially by a microcontroller, and a more precise determination the load quantity possible.
- a microcontroller for control of the drying process, it is possible in this way that directly in the microcontroller the necessary information on the load quantity is available.
Description
Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge eines Wäschetrockners nach dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1.The present invention relates to a method for determining the amount of loading a clothes dryer according to the preamble of claim 1.
Beim Trocknungsvorgang spielt neben der Feuchte und der Art der Wäsche, die üblicherweise in einer Trommel getrocknet wird, unter anderem auch die Beladungsmenge des Wäschetrockners eine große Rolle. Daher ist es aus verschiedenen Gründen, etwa zur genauen Restzeitvorhersage, zur optimalen Steuerung des Trocknungsprozesses oder zur bedarfsangepaßten Heizleistungsabgabe, von Vorteil, die Beladungsmenge des Wäschetrockners zu bestimmen.The drying process plays alongside the moisture and the type of laundry that is usual is dried in a drum, including the load the dryer plays a big role. Therefore, for various reasons, it is about for accurate remaining time prediction, for optimal control of the drying process or for customized heating output, advantageous, the load to determine the dryer.
Aus dem Stand der Technik sind Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge von Wäschetrocknern bekannt, die auf der Auswertung von Temperatur- bzw. Temperaturgradientenmessungen, auf der Stromaufnahme des Motors zum Bewegen der Wäschetrommel oder auf einer Messung der elektrischen Kapazität der Trommel beruhen.Methods for determining the amount of loading of are from the prior art Tumble dryers known, which are based on the evaluation of temperature or temperature gradient measurements, on the current draw of the motor to move the laundry drum or based on a measurement of the electrical capacity of the drum.
Aus der DE 4 403 625 A ist ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge von Wäschetrocknern bekannt, bei dem die Signaldauer der Widerstandsmeßeinrichtung als Maß für die Beladung verwendet wird.DE 4 403 625 A describes a method for determining the loading quantity of Tumble dryers are known, in which the signal duration of the resistance measuring device is used as a measure of the load.
Ferner ist aus der DE 29 45 696 A1 ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge von Wäschetrocknern bekannt, bei dem der elektrische Leitwert der Wäsche herangezogen wird. Gemäß dieser Druckschrift sind in der Trommel zwei Elektroden angebracht, die bei einer Drehung der Trommel die Wäsche zeitweise berühren und mittels derer der elektrische Wäscheleitwert bestimmt wird. Dieses Leitwertsignal, das mit der Bewegung der Wäsche in der Trommel variiert und Impulse aufweist, ist an eine Schwellenwertschaltung angeschlossen, die das Anliegen eines Wäschestückes, selbst in trokkenem Zustand, an den Elektroden anzeigt, indem es ein Treffersignal konstanter Höhe abgibt, das anschließend integriert wird. Je häufiger und je länger ein Wäschestück an den Elektroden anliegt, desto häufiger und länger sind die Treffersignale und desto höher ist der Wert der Integration dieser Treffersignale. Somit stellt die Integration dieser Treffersignale ein Maß für die Beladungsmenge des Wäschetrockners dar, das zur Steuerung des Trocknungsprozesses verwendet werden kann.Furthermore, DE 29 45 696 A1 describes a method for determining the amount of loading known from tumble dryers, in which the electrical conductivity of the laundry is used becomes. According to this document, two electrodes are attached in the drum, which temporarily touch the laundry when the drum is rotated and by means of which determines the electrical conductivity. This master value signal, which with the Movement of laundry in the drum varies and has impulses is to a threshold circuit connected to the concern of a piece of laundry, even in dry ones State on the electrodes indicates by a hit signal of constant height delivers, which is then integrated. The more often and the longer a piece of laundry applied to the electrodes, the more frequent and longer the hit signals and the higher is the value of the integration of these hit signals. Thus, the integration of this Hit signals represent a measure of the load of the tumble dryer that is used for Control of the drying process can be used.
Bei Anwendung dieses Verfahrens zur Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge von Wäschetrocknern ergeben sich im wesentlichen folgende Nachteile.When using this method to determine the load of laundry dryers The following disadvantages essentially arise.
Die Integration eines an sich digitalen Treffersignales hat den Rückfall zu einem analogen Signal zur Folge, das mit digitalen Komponenten nicht weiterverarbeitet werden kann. In modernen Wäschetrocknern werden aber vorzugsweise digitale Bausteine, insbesondere Mikrocontroller, zur Steuerung eingesetzt, so daß ein zu verarbeitendes Analogsignal nachteiligerweise einen erhöhten Aufwand erfordert. So fällt bei Verarbeitung eines Analogsignales durch einen digitalen Baustein ein zusätzlicher Schaltungsaufwand zur Analog/Digital-Wandlung an.The integration of a digital hit signal per se has a relapse to an analog one This results in a signal that cannot be processed further with digital components can. In modern tumble dryers, however, digital modules are preferred, in particular Microcontroller, used for control, so that an analog signal to be processed disadvantageously requires an increased effort. So falls with processing an analog signal through a digital module, additional circuitry for analog / digital conversion.
Ferner kann es bei sehr trockener und sehr wenig leitfähiger Wäsche durch den Einsatz einer einfachen Schwellenwertschaltung dazu kommen, daß durch den geringen Leitwertunterschied zwischen Anliegen und Nichtanliegen dieses Wäschestückes an den Elektroden ein Erfassen der Wäscheberührung nicht möglich ist.It can also be used for very dry and very little conductive laundry a simple threshold circuit that the small conductance difference between concerns and non-concerns of this laundry item to the Electrodes cannot detect the touch of laundry.
Der vorliegenden Erfindung liegt deshalb die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge von Wäschetrocknern der eingangs genannten Art derart zu verbessern, daß das Maß für die Wäschebeladung mit Digitalbausteinen einfach weiterzuverarbeiten ist, und eine sicherere Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge auch bei sehr wenig leitfähigen Wäschestücken ermöglicht wird.The present invention is therefore based on the object of a method for determination the loading amount of tumble dryers of the type mentioned in the beginning to improve that the measure of laundry loading with digital building blocks simple is to be further processed, and also a more reliable determination of the loading quantity very little conductive laundry items is made possible.
Diese Aufgabe wird durch die Merkmale des Anspruchs 1 gelöst.This object is solved by the features of claim 1.
Erfindungsgemäß wird zu diesem Zweck die Frequenz der Impulse des Meßsignals des elektrischen Leitwertes der Wäsche bestimmt und als Maß für die Beladungsmenge verwendet. Je höher die Frequenz, desto häufiger berührt ein Wäschestück die Elektroden und desto größer ist die Wäschebeladung des Trockners. Dadurch wird erreicht, daß das Maß für die Beladungsmenge in digitaler Form vorliegt, was eine Weiterverarbeitung durch digitale Bausteine, insbesondere Mikrocontroller, und die Berücksichtigung bei der Steuerung des Trocknungsprozesses wesentlich vereinfacht.According to the invention the frequency of the pulses of the measurement signal of the electrical conductivity of the laundry determined and used as a measure of the load. The higher the frequency, the more often a piece of laundry touches the electrodes and the greater the laundry load of the dryer. This ensures that the measure of the loading quantity is available in digital form, which means further processing through digital components, in particular microcontrollers, and taking them into account Controlling the drying process much easier.
Vorteilhafterweise werden die Flanken des Leitwertmeßsignals erfaßt, insbesondere durch Bildung einer zeitlichen Ableitung (Differenzierung), und durch Bestimmung deren Frequenz die Frequenz der Impulse des Leitwertmeßsignals bestimmt. Durch die Erfassung der Flanken des Leitwertmeßsignals wird eine Unabhängigkeit von dessen absoluter Höhe und damit von der Leitfähigkeit der Wäsche erreicht. Somit ist auch bei sehr wenig leitfähiger Wäsche eine zuverlässige Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge möglich.The edges of the conductance measurement signal are advantageously detected, in particular by forming a time derivative (differentiation) and by determining it Frequency determines the frequency of the pulses of the conductance measurement signal. By capturing the edges of the conductance measurement signal becomes independent of its absolute Height and thus reached by the conductivity of the laundry. So even with very with less conductive laundry, a reliable determination of the load quantity is possible.
Nach einer weiteren vorteilhaften Ausführung werden die Impulse des Leitwertmeßsignals mit einem Schwellenwert verglichen und durch Zählung der Impulse ab einer gewissen Schwelle pro Zeiteinheit wird die Frequenz der Impulse bestimmt, die den Schwellenwert über- oder unterschreiten. Da sich der Vergleich mit einem Schwellenwert durch Einsatz eines Komparators oder eines Schmidt-Triggers besonders einfach schaltungstechnisch verwirklichen läßt, kann auf diese Weise die Erfindung besonders einfach und kostengünstig eingesetzt werden.According to a further advantageous embodiment, the pulses of the conductance measurement signal compared with a threshold value and by counting the pulses from a certain Threshold per unit of time, the frequency of the pulses is determined that the Exceed or fall below the threshold. Because the comparison with a threshold particularly easy by using a comparator or a Schmidt trigger can be implemented in terms of circuit technology, the invention in this way particularly can be used easily and inexpensively.
Vorteilhafterweise lösen entweder die erfaßten Flanken des Leitwertmeßsignals oder gegebenenfalls das Über- oder Unterschreiten eines Schwellenwertes durch das Leitwertmeßsignal jeweils einen Impuls konstanter Dauer aus, wobei dann die Frequenz dieser Impulse bestimmt und als Maß für die Beladungsmenge verwendet wird. Durch die Auslösung von Impulsen konstanter Dauer wird das Auftreten extrem kurzer oder extrem langer Impulse vermieden, die bei einem begrenzten zeitlichen Reaktionsvermögen der nachfolgenden Komponenten die zuverlässige Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge erschweren.Advantageously, either solve the detected edges of the conductance measurement signal or, if necessary the conductance measurement signal exceeds or falls below a threshold value each a pulse of constant duration, then the frequency of this Impulse determined and used as a measure of the amount of loading. Through the Triggering pulses of constant duration will make the occurrence extremely short or extreme long pulses avoided with a limited temporal responsiveness of the subsequent components make it difficult to reliably determine the load.
Auf besonders vorteilhafter Weise wird die Bestimmung der Frequenz der Impulse des Leitwertmeßsignals mittels eines Mikrocontrollers durchgeführt, der die Frequenzbestimmung mit einem geringen Bauteileaufwand ermöglicht und als in der Regel zentrale Steuereinrichtung des Wäschetrockners direkt über die notwendige Information zur Beladungsmenge verfügen kann.The determination of the frequency of the pulses of the Conductivity measurement signal carried out by means of a microcontroller, the frequency determination enabled with a low component cost and as a rule central Control device of the dryer directly via the necessary information on the load quantity can dispose of.
Ferner kann vorteilhafterweise jeder der vorgenannten Schritte im Verlauf der Verarbeitung des Leitwertmeßsignals zur Bestimmung der Frequenz deren Impulse auch in einem digitalen Elektronikrechenwerk bzw. einem Mikrocontroller implementiert werden. Dadurch, daß eine Funktion in einem ohnehin vorhandenen Mikrocontroller ausgeführt wird, ergibt sich auf jeden Fall immer eine Einsparung der sonst zur Durchführung dieser Funktion nötigen Vorrichtung und somit ein geringerer Bauteile- und Schaltungsaufwand, was auch zu einer geringeren Ausfallwahrscheinlichkeit des Wäschetrockners führt. Furthermore, each of the aforementioned steps can advantageously be carried out in the course of the processing of the conductance measurement signal for determining the frequency of its pulses also in one digital electronic computer or a microcontroller can be implemented. Because a function is carried out in an already existing microcontroller will always result in a saving that would otherwise have to be carried out Function necessary device and thus a lower component and circuit complexity, which also leads to a lower probability of failure of the dryer leads.
So kann wie bereits erwähnt die Bestimmung der Frequenz der Impulse des Leitwertmeßsignals, aber auch die Bestimmung aller anderen als Maß für die Beladungsmenge dienenden Frequenzen besonders vorteilhaft mit einem Mikrocontroller durchgeführt werden. Die Frequenzmessung, welcher Impulse oder Ereignisse auch immer, läßt sich mit einem Mikrocontroller mit sehr geringem Schaltungsaufwand und sehr hoher Genauigkeit durchführen, da dieser im Gegensatz zu Analogschaltungen gerade digitale Signale besonders vorteilhaft verarbeiten kann.As already mentioned, the determination of the frequency of the pulses of the conductance measurement signal but also the determination of all others as a measure of the loading quantity serving frequencies performed particularly advantageously with a microcontroller become. The frequency measurement, whatever impulses or events, can be with a microcontroller with very little circuitry and very high accuracy Carry out, as opposed to analog circuits, digital signals can process particularly advantageously.
Besonders vorteilhaft läßt sich der Vergleich des Leitwertmeßsignals mit einer vorbestimmten Schwelle mit einem Mikrocontroller durchführen. Dazu kann ein dem Mikrocontroller zugeordneter oder in ihm implementierter Analog/Digital-Wandler verwendet werden oder auch ein besonderer Eingang des Mikrocontrollers, wie ein Eingang mit Schmidt-Trigger oder Komparator, der diese Vergleichsfunktion ausführen kann.The comparison of the conductance measurement signal with a predetermined one can be particularly advantageous Carry out the threshold with a microcontroller. This can be done using the microcontroller assigned or implemented in it analog / digital converter can be used or a special input of the microcontroller, such as an input with Schmidt trigger or comparator that can perform this comparison function.
Bei manchen Ausführungsformen muß beim Einsatz eines Mikrocontrollers dieser analoge Signale verarbeiten, was nur mit einem zwischengeschalteten Analog/Digital-Wandler möglich ist. Letzterer kann extern dem Mikrocontroller zugeordnet oder aber auch in diesen integriert sein. Bei Verwendung eines Mikrocontrollers mit zugeordnetem Analog/Digital-Wandler können durch die Verarbeitungsmöglichkeit von sowohl analogen als auch digitalen Signalen alle bisher genannten Verfahren ausgeführt werden, so daß in einem Wäschetrockner auch mehrere der vorgenannten Verfahren zur Anwendung kommen können.In some embodiments, when using a microcontroller, this must be analog Process signals only with an intermediate analog / digital converter is possible. The latter can be assigned externally to the microcontroller or also in be integrated. When using a microcontroller with an assigned analog / digital converter can be processed by both analog and also digital signals all previously mentioned methods are carried out, so that in a tumble dryer also use several of the aforementioned methods can come.
Weitere Einzelheiten, Merkmale und Vorteile der vorliegenden Erfindung ergeben sich aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung einer Ausführungsform unter Bezugnahme auf die Zeichnung. Darin zeigt die einzige Figur einen schematischen Schaltungsaufbau zum Durchführen einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.Further details, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to FIG the drawing. In it, the only figure shows a schematic circuit structure to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention.
Wie aus der Zeichnung ersichtlich, weist die Trommel 1 eine Elektrode 12 auf, wobei als
zweite Elektrode die Trommel 1 selbst dient. Zur Gewinnung des Wäscheleitwertes ist
die Trommel 1 mit der Masse 5 des Wäschetrockners verbunden und die Elektrode 12
über einen Vorwiderstand 13 an eine Konstantspannung 6 angeschlossen. Die Wäsche
in der Trommel 1 weist einen Wäschewiderstand 14 auf, der einerseits über die Trommel
1 mit der Masse 5 des Wäschetrockners und andererseits über die Elektrode 12 mit dem
Widerstand 13 verbunden ist und somit mit diesem einen Spannungsteiler bildet. An
dem Verbindungspunkt zwischen dem Wäschewiderstand 14 und dem Widerstand 13
wird ein Meßsignal 15 gewonnen, das als Maß für den Wäscheleitwert dient. Dieses
Leitwertmeßsignal ist mit dem Eingang eines Differenziergliedes 2 verbunden, das ein
Ausgangssignal 21 erzeugt. Dieses Ausgangssignal 21 des Differenziergliedes 2 ist
wiederum mit dem Eingang eines monostabilen Multivibrators 3 verbunden, dessen
Ausgangssignal 31 schließlich mit einem Eingang eines Mikrocontrollers 4 verbunden
ist.As can be seen from the drawing, the drum 1 has an
Die Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge des Wäschetrockners geschieht bei Bewegung
der Wäsche in der Trommel 1 durch deren Drehung. Dabei gerät die Wäsche zumindest
zeitweise in Berührung mit der Elektrode 12, was ein zeitlich veränderliches Leitwertmeßsignal
15 zur Folge hat. Bei jeder Berührung der Elektrode 12 durch ein Wäschestück
oder bei jeder Veränderung des zwischen der Elektrode 12 und der Trommel 1 gemessenen
Wäschewiderstandes 14 wird das Leitwertmeßsignal 15 einen Sprung bzw.
einen Impuls aufweisen. Somit ist die Anzahl dieser Impulse pro Zeiteinheit ein Maß für
die Beladungsmenge des Wäschetrockners. Da das Leitwertmeßsignal sehr unregelmäßig
und die Bestimmung der Frequenz der Impulse schwierig ist, muß dieses Signal geeignet
aufbereitet werden. Dazu wird mit einem Differenzierglied 2 die Steigung der Impulse
des Leitwertmeßsignals 15 bestimmt und somit von deren Flanken erfaßt. Jede
der erfaßten Flanken, die im Ausgangssignal 21 des Differenziergliedes 2 enthalten
sind, löst mittels eines monostabilen Multivibrators 3 einen Impuls konstanter Dauer aus.
Das Ausgangssignal 31 des monostabilen Multivibrators 3, das die Impulse konstanter
Dauer aufweist, ist an einen Digitaleingang eines Mikrocontrollers 4 angeschlossen. Der
Mikrocontroller 4 zählt die pro Zeiteinheit empfangenen Impulse des Signals 31 und bestimmt
so deren Frequenz, die ein direktes Maß für die Beladungsmenge ist.The load of the tumble dryer is determined when moving
the laundry in the drum 1 by rotating it. The laundry gets at least
at times in contact with the
Somit wird durch die erfindungsgemäße Lösung ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge eines Wäschetrockners geschaffen, mit dem das Maß für die Beladungsmenge in digitaler Form vorliegt. Dadurch ist eine einfachere Verarbeitung durch digitale Bausteine, insbesondere durch einen Mikrocontroller, und eine genauere Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge möglich. Bei Verwendung eines Mikrocontrollers zur Steuerung des Trocknungsvorganges ist es auf diese Weise möglich, daß im Mikrocontroller direkt die notwendige Information zur Beladungsmenge zur Verfügung steht.The solution according to the invention thus becomes a method for determining the loading quantity created a dryer with which the measure of the load is available in digital form. This makes it easier to process through digital Building blocks, especially by a microcontroller, and a more precise determination the load quantity possible. When using a microcontroller for control of the drying process, it is possible in this way that directly in the microcontroller the necessary information on the load quantity is available.
Claims (11)
- Method for determining the load quantity of a laundry drier, in which the laundry is moved in a drum, the electrical conductivity of the laundry is determined by means of electrodes which contact the laundry at least periodically and the measurement signal of the electrical conductivity has pulses, characterised in that the frequency of the pulses of the measurement signal (15) of the electrical conductivity is determined and serves as a measure for the load quantity.
- Method according to claim 1, characterised in that a detection of the flanks of the conductivity measurement signal is carried out, particularly by formation of a time derivative (differentiation) and the frequency thereof serves as a measure for the load quantity.
- Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the pulses of the conductivity measurement signal are compared with a threshold value and the frequency is determined of those pulses which exceed or fall below the threshold value.
- Method according to claim 2, characterised in that each of the detected flanks triggers a pulse of constant duration and the frequency of these pulses serve as a measure for the load quantity.
- Method according to claim 3, characterised in that a respective pulse of constant duration is triggered on each exceeding or falling below of the predetermined threshold and the frequency of these pulses serve as a measure for the load quantity.
- Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the determination of the frequency is carried out by means of a microcontroller (4).
- Method according to claim 2, characterised in that the detection of the flanks of the conductivity measurement signal and/or the determination of the frequency of the detected flanks is carried out by means of a microcontroller (4).
- Method according to claim 3, characterised in that the comparison of the pulses of the conductivity measurement signal with a threshold value and/or the determination of a frequency of the pulses which exceed or fall below the threshold value is or are carried out by means of a microcontroller (4).
- Method according to claim 4, characterised in that the detection of the flanks of the conductivity measurement signal and/or the triggering of each pulse of constant duration and/or the determination of the frequency of the pulse of constant duration is or are carried out by means of a microcontroller (4).
- Method according to claim 5, characterised in that the comparison of the conductivity measurement signal with a threshold value and/or the triggering of a pulse of constant duration on each exceeding or falling below and/or the determination of the frequency of the pulse of constant duration is or are carried out by means of a microcontroller (4).
- Method according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterised in that an analog-to-digital converter, which processes analog signals occurring in the method, is associated with the microcontroller (4).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19736422 | 1997-08-21 | ||
| DE19736422A DE19736422A1 (en) | 1997-08-21 | 1997-08-21 | Method for determining the load of a tumble dryer |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP0898008A1 EP0898008A1 (en) | 1999-02-24 |
| EP0898008B1 true EP0898008B1 (en) | 2002-06-26 |
Family
ID=7839743
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP98114947A Expired - Lifetime EP0898008B1 (en) | 1997-08-21 | 1998-08-07 | Method for determining the loading of a laundry drier |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6466037B1 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0898008B1 (en) |
| DE (2) | DE19736422A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE19960310A1 (en) * | 1999-12-14 | 2001-06-28 | Bsh Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete | Device and method for measuring the load in a laundry treatment device |
| DE10200975C2 (en) * | 2001-03-02 | 2003-08-28 | Whirlpool Co | Procedure for changing the program sequence for a household clothes dryer |
| KR100480725B1 (en) * | 2002-11-26 | 2005-04-07 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Apparatus for sensing a laundry weight of dryer |
| KR100480929B1 (en) * | 2003-08-12 | 2005-04-07 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Method for controlling drying of tumble drier |
| CA2505565C (en) * | 2005-04-28 | 2008-09-16 | Camco Inc. | Apparatus and method for controlling a clothes dryer |
| PL1988209T3 (en) * | 2007-04-30 | 2011-10-31 | Electrolux Home Products Corp Nv | Method of controlling a tumble laundry drier |
| CA2629495A1 (en) * | 2008-04-18 | 2009-10-18 | Mabe Canada Inc. | Apparatus for controlling a clothes dryer |
| DE102008025496A1 (en) * | 2008-05-28 | 2009-12-03 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Measuring arrangement for determining information of current loading of laundry dryer, has electrode arrangement, where estimated electrical admittance of electrode arrangement is used for information retrieval instead of ohmic conductance |
| DE102008041265A1 (en) * | 2008-08-14 | 2010-02-18 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Condensation dryer for drying laundry, has controller provided with evaluation unit that evaluates difference between conductance and marginal conductance in view of presence of unallowable operating condition |
| US8578627B2 (en) | 2010-10-21 | 2013-11-12 | Whirlpool Corporation | Method and apparatus for moisture sensor noise immunity |
| JP5974291B2 (en) * | 2012-09-19 | 2016-08-23 | パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 | Clothes dryer |
| JP5974290B2 (en) * | 2012-09-19 | 2016-08-23 | パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 | Drum type washer / dryer |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE4403625A1 (en) * | 1994-02-05 | 1995-08-10 | Miele & Cie | Laundry dryer uses resistance measuring device |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2945696C2 (en) * | 1979-11-13 | 1982-12-30 | Ako-Werke Gmbh & Co., 7988 Wangen | Circuit arrangement for controlling a clothes dryer |
| DE3171805D1 (en) * | 1981-06-19 | 1985-09-19 | Verzinkerei Zug Ag | Method of drying laundry and machine for carrying out the method |
| US4422247A (en) * | 1981-06-29 | 1983-12-27 | Whirlpool Corporation | Low voltage sensor for a dryer |
| US4738034A (en) * | 1985-12-16 | 1988-04-19 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Drying machine |
| US5450015A (en) * | 1994-02-24 | 1995-09-12 | Forte Technology, Inc. | Apparatus for measuring impedance to determine a property of a material |
| US5514973A (en) * | 1994-07-11 | 1996-05-07 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of Agriculture | System for analyzing moisture content of materials such as cotton |
-
1997
- 1997-08-21 DE DE19736422A patent/DE19736422A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1998
- 1998-08-07 EP EP98114947A patent/EP0898008B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-08-07 DE DE59804563T patent/DE59804563D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-08-21 US US09/138,348 patent/US6466037B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE4403625A1 (en) * | 1994-02-05 | 1995-08-10 | Miele & Cie | Laundry dryer uses resistance measuring device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE19736422A1 (en) | 1999-02-25 |
| DE59804563D1 (en) | 2002-08-01 |
| US6466037B1 (en) | 2002-10-15 |
| EP0898008A1 (en) | 1999-02-24 |
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