EP2601339B1 - Household appliance for drying laundry items and method for determining a measurement variable correlated to a level of dryness - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a household appliance for drying laundry items. The household appliance comprises a measuring device for determining a measured variable correlated with a degree of drying of the laundry items. The measuring device comprises two measuring electrodes arranged at a distance from each other, which are arranged in the domestic appliance in such a way that they touch the items to be dried during operation of the domestic appliance. The measuring device also comprises a circuit arrangement coupled to the measuring electrodes. The circuit arrangement can bring about a current flow through the measuring electrodes, detect an electrical washing voltage dropping between the measuring electrodes and determine the measured variable as a function of the detected washing voltage. The invention also relates to a method for determining a measured variable correlated with a degree of drying of items of laundry with the aid of a measuring device in a domestic appliance in which the items of laundry are dried.

It is state of the art to determine the degree of dryness of laundry items in a tumble dryer or a washer-dryer. In this way, the drying process can be completed when the laundry is dry according to a specification. In the present case, the interest is directed in particular to the measurement of a conductance or an ohmic resistance of the items of laundry. Based on the conductance can then be deduced the degree of drying of the laundry items; the conductance is a measure of the degree of dryness. The relationship is that the lower the conductance or the greater the resistance of the laundry, the drier the laundry is.

The conductance of the laundry items can be determined, for example, with the aid of a direct current, which flows through the laundry items due to a DC voltage applied to the electrodes. It is disadvantageous that the electrical direct current can force chemical reactions, and galvanic effects can occur. Due to the galvanic effects creates a polarization voltage, which of the Degree of drying of the laundry depends. This polarization voltage generally falsifies the measured value of the resistance of the laundry items. A remedy here creates a method as described in the document EP 0 942 094 B1 is described. The polarization voltage between the measuring electrodes and the laundry items is determined there, and this polarization voltage is taken into account in the determination of the electrical conductance of the laundry items. The polarization voltage is subtracted from the laundry voltage. In this state of the art, the circumstance is disadvantageous that a dead time must elapse between the determination of the conductance and the determination of the polarization voltage, during which the current flow through the laundry items is interrupted or at least greatly reduced. This dead time can be up to 10 seconds. A rapid determination of the degree of drying of the laundry or the determination of the instantaneous degree of drying is therefore not possible.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a way, as in a domestic appliance of the type mentioned, the respective instantaneous degree of drying of the laundry items can be determined without the result being falsified by a polarization voltage.

This object is achieved by a domestic appliance and by a method, each with the features of the corresponding independent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are subject matter of the dependent claims and the following description.

An inventive household appliance is designed for drying laundry items. It comprises a measuring device which serves for determining a measured variable correlated with a degree of drying of the laundry items. The measuring device comprises two measuring electrodes arranged at a distance from one another. The measuring electrodes can touch the items to be dried during operation of the household appliance. The measuring device also comprises an electronic circuit arrangement, which is coupled to the measuring electrodes. The circuit arrangement is designed to cause a current flow through the measuring electrodes, to detect an electric laundry voltage dropping between the measuring electrodes and to determine the measured variable as a function of the detected laundry voltage. The circuit arrangement is designed such that in Operation of the domestic appliance a direction of the current flow through the measuring electrodes repeatedly - in particular periodically - is changed.

According to the invention, an effect is thus achieved in that, unlike in the prior art, an alternating current is conducted through the measuring electrodes rather than a direct current. The current direction is namely repeatedly changed. In this way, it is possible to determine the measured variable with a high accuracy, without the measurement of the measured variable being distorted by galvanic effects. By changing the direction of the current flow is namely prevented that a polarization voltage between the laundry and the measuring electrodes is formed. Unlike in the subject matter of the publication EP 0 942 094 B1 Thus, the polarization voltage must not be determined, and the measurement no longer needs to be corrected. In contrast to this prior art, it is not necessary to wait until a dead time has elapsed, and the measured quantity can be determined quickly. Thus, the current value of the measured variable can be determined.

So with the help of the measuring device, a measured variable is determined, which is correlated with the degree of drying of the laundry. By way of example, the degree of drying itself-for example a percentage-and / or a conductance of the items of laundry and / or an ohmic resistance of the items of laundry can be determined as the measured variable. In addition or as an alternative, however, it is also possible to consider the laundry voltage dropping off the items of laundry as a measured variable.

Changing the direction of current flow through the measuring electrodes can be done in different ways. For example, this can be done in such a way: an electrical potential is alternately applied to one of the measuring electrodes and a different electrical potential is applied to the respective other measuring electrode. This means that at a certain time at one of the electrodes is a lower potential, while at the other measuring electrode is a higher potential. These potentials can be repeatedly exchanged with each other, whereby the applied voltage across the electrodes is repeatedly reversed polarity. In this way, a rectangular, periodically alternating electrical voltage between the measuring electrodes can be applied with minimal technical effort and a rectangular, periodically alternating current can be generated. By such Approach is also prevented that forms a polarization voltage between the measuring electrodes and the laundry. In this embodiment, namely, the measured variable is measured bipolar and electrically symmetrical, because the voltage applied to the measuring electrodes electrical potentials are repeatedly exchanged or reversed.

As already stated, the direction of the current flow through the measuring electrodes can be changed periodically. For example, the circuit arrangement can be designed such that the direction of the current flow is changed at a frequency which lies in a value range from 300 Hz to 500 Hz. This frequency can be for example 400 Hz. Thus, the pulse length of the voltage pulses or the current pulses is relatively short, so that the effect of electroplating on the measuring electrodes is reduced to a minimum. It is thus also possible to conduct the conductance measurement relatively quickly, namely in the millisecond range.

In the circuit arrangement, the measured variable is determined, in particular, as a function of the electrical washing voltage, which drops in the case of a flow of electrical current through the laundry between the two measuring electrodes. In one embodiment, it is provided that two different values of the laundry voltage are used to determine the measured variable: on the one hand, the value of the laundry voltage, which adjusts for the one direction of the current flow, and, on the other hand, the value of the laundry voltage, which is different for the other direction Current flow sets. The laundry voltage is therefore detected in this embodiment for both directions of the current flow, and the measured variable is determined as a function of two values of the laundry voltage. In this way, the measured variable can be determined even more accurately. In this way, it is possible to reduce the influence of possibly occurring galvanic effects on the determination of the measured value to zero as a whole. Ideally, the laundry voltage for both directions of the current flow should be equal in magnitude. Now, if a difference between the laundry voltage, which sets for one direction of the current flow, and the laundry voltage, which is adjusted for the other direction of the current flow, so this is a sign that parasitic between the measuring electrodes by galvanic effects Elements - such as parasitic voltage sources - have formed. For the determination of the measured value, an average value can therefore be determined from the value of Laundry voltage, which is adjusted for the one direction of the current flow, and the value of the laundry voltage used, which adjusts for the other direction of the current flow. Thus, the measured variable can be determined with high accuracy.

In one embodiment, the circuit arrangement has a voltage divider, which comprises an Ohmic laundry resistance of the items of laundry coupled to the measuring electrodes. In this embodiment, the current flow is effected by this voltage divider. By using a voltage divider, the laundry voltage dropping off the items of laundry can be detected with the least possible effort and with the greatest precision.

The voltage divider may have a first ohmic resistance and a second ohmic resistance. Via the first resistor, a first of the measuring electrodes can alternately be coupled to a first electrical potential and to a second electrical potential different from the first potential. By contrast, the second measuring electrode can be alternately coupled to the first and the second electrical potential via the second resistor in push-pull relation to the first measuring electrode. This means that the second measuring electrode is coupled to the respective other electrical potential than the first measuring electrode. Thus, at a certain time, the first measuring electrode can be coupled to the first electrical potential while the second measuring electrode is coupled to the second potential. At a subsequent time, however, the first measuring electrode can be coupled to the second potential and the second measuring electrode to the first potential. Thus, in this embodiment, the resistances of the laundry are connected in series with the first and second resistors, and an electrical voltage that is equal to a difference between the first and second potentials is dropped across this series connection. In this way, it is possible to effect a symmetrical current flow through the measuring electrodes, the current strength of which is the same for the two directions of the current flow. Precisely because of the galvanic effects can be prevented.

The first electrical potential is preferably a positive potential. The first potential may be, for example, in a value range of 3 V to 7 V; For example, it can be 5V. The second electrical potential is preferably one with respect to the first Potential lower, positive potential or a reference potential (ground), in particular a potential of 0 V. Thus, only a positive potential is required for the generation of a rectangular alternating voltage; the circuit arrangement does not have a negative potential - namely a negative potential with respect to the reference potential. It thus eliminates the generation of a negative potential with the associated disadvantages, namely additional components and the associated effort.

The circuit arrangement can also have a second voltage divider different from the first voltage divider. The second voltage divider may have a total resistance that is greater in magnitude than the first voltage divider. The circuit arrangement can be designed such that after reaching a predetermined value by the measured variable, the current bypassing the first voltage divider - namely bypassing the resistors of the first voltage divider - is passed through the second voltage divider. Also, the second voltage divider may include the laundry resistance of the laundry items. By such an approach, a larger overall measuring range of the measured variable can be achieved. This embodiment is based on the fact that the ohmic resistance of the laundry items during the drying process is getting bigger. Thus, the amplitude of the laundry voltage detected between the measuring electrodes becomes larger. If, after reaching the predetermined value by the measured variable - for example, the laundry resistance - the current passed through the opposite to the first voltage divider high-impedance second voltage divider, so reduces the tapped at the measuring electrodes partial voltage (laundry voltage). Thus, the amplitude of the laundry voltage remains in a certain range of values, and it can be a microcontroller used to evaluate the laundry voltage, which can measure the laundry voltage in a limited range of values. This embodiment also has the advantage that the washing voltage dropping between the measuring electrodes can be measured with an improved resolution and thus with highest accuracy.

The second voltage divider may also comprise two ohmic resistors, namely a first resistor and a second resistor. After reaching the predetermined value by the measured variable can then be the first measuring electrode on the first resistor of the second voltage divider are alternately coupled to the first potential and the second potential, while the second measuring electrode - in push-pull to the first measuring electrode - can be coupled via the second resistor of the second voltage divider alternately with the first potential and the second potential. The resistances of the second voltage divider are preferably larger in magnitude than the resistances of the first voltage divider.

It proves to be particularly advantageous if the circuit arrangement comprises switching means which serve to change the direction of the current flow. In this way, it is possible to change the direction of the current flow through the measuring electrodes without much effort. The switching means may, for example, be switched between a first switching state in which they couple the first measuring electrode to the first electrical potential and the second measuring electrode to the second electrical potential, and a second switching state in which they connect the first measuring electrode to the second potential and the first measuring electrode couple the second measuring electrode with the first potential. In the first switching state of the switching means, the current flow is thus effected in one direction, while in the second switching state of the switching means, the current flows in the other direction.

• Die Schaltungsanordnung kann einen Mikrocontroller aufweisen, und die Schaltmittel können in den Mikrocontroller integriert sein. Sind die Schaltmittel nicht in den Mikrocontroller integriert, so müssen sie als externe Schaltmittel vorgesehen sein. Dann kann ein standardisiertes Bauteil - nämlich der Mikrocontroller - eingesetzt werden, ohne dass zusätzliche, vom Mikrocontroller separate Bauelemente - nämlich separate Transistoren und dergleichen - eingesetzt werden müssen. Die Schaltungsanordnung kommt somit insgesamt mit einer sehr geringen Anzahl von Bauteilen aus und kann entsprechend kompakt aufgebaut werden; insbesondere kann dadurch auch wertvoller Bauraum im Hausgerät gespart werden.

With regard to the switching means, two different embodiments are provided in principle:

• The circuit arrangement may comprise a microcontroller, and the switching means may be integrated in the microcontroller. If the switching means are not integrated in the microcontroller, they must be provided as external switching means. Then, a standardized component - namely the microcontroller - can be used without additional, separate from the microcontroller components - namely, separate transistors and the like - must be used. The circuit thus comes out with a total of a very small number of components and can be constructed correspondingly compact; In particular, thereby valuable space can be saved in the household appliance.

• einen ersten Schalter, über welchen die erste Messelektrode über den ersten Widerstand des ersten Spannungsteilers mit dem ersten elektrischen Potential koppelbar ist, und/oder
• einen zweiten Schalter, über welchen die erste Messelektrode über den ersten Widerstand des ersten Spannungsteilers mit dem zweiten Potential, insbesondere dem Bezugspotential, koppelbar ist, und/oder
• einen dritten Schalter, über welchen die zweite Messelektrode über den zweiten Widerstand des ersten Spannungsteilers mit dem ersten Potential koppelbar ist, und/oder
• einen vierten Schalter, über welchen die zweite Messelektrode über den zweiten Widerstand des ersten Spannungsteilers mit dem zweiten Potential koppelbar ist, und/oder
• einen fünften Schalter, über welchen die erste Messelektrode über den ersten Widerstand des zweiten Spannungsteilers mit dem ersten Potential koppelbar ist, und/oder
• einen sechsten Schalter, über welchen die erste Messelektrode über den ersten Widerstand des zweiten Spannungsteilers mit dem zweiten Potential koppelbar ist, und/oder
• einen siebenten Schalter, über welchen die zweite Messelektrode über den zweiten Widerstand des zweiten Spannungsteilers mit dem ersten Potential koppelbar ist, und/oder
• einen achten Schalter, über welchen die zweite Messelektrode über den zweiten Widerstand des zweiten Spannungsteilers mit dem zweiten Potential koppelbar ist.

In an alternative embodiment, the switching means of a microcontroller of the circuit arrangement are separate switching means. The switching means can here, for example Have electrical switch, namely in particular transistors. It is preferable to use bipolar transistors. For example, the switching means may include the following electrical switches:

• a first switch, via which the first measuring electrode can be coupled to the first electrical potential via the first resistor of the first voltage divider, and / or
• a second switch via which the first measuring electrode can be coupled via the first resistor of the first voltage divider to the second potential, in particular the reference potential, and / or
• a third switch, via which the second measuring electrode can be coupled to the first potential via the second resistor of the first voltage divider, and / or
• a fourth switch, via which the second measuring electrode can be coupled to the second potential via the second resistor of the first voltage divider, and / or
• a fifth switch, via which the first measuring electrode can be coupled to the first potential via the first resistor of the second voltage divider, and / or
• a sixth switch, via which the first measuring electrode can be coupled to the second potential via the first resistor of the second voltage divider, and / or
• a seventh switch via which the second measuring electrode can be coupled to the first potential via the second resistor of the second voltage divider, and / or
• an eighth switch, via which the second measuring electrode can be coupled via the second resistor of the second voltage divider to the second potential.

The use of separate switching means has the advantage that no powerful microcontroller is required; the circuit arrangement comes with a simple microcontroller, which only has to provide digital control signals for controlling the switching means.

A provided within the scope of preferred embodiments of the invention microcontroller is primarily the implementation of the measurement method according to the invention. With regard to the further use of the measurement results thus obtained in a method for drying items of laundry, the microcontroller may optionally also carry out the control of further components of the household appliance and thus use the measured values itself; It is also conceivable that the microcontroller alone is used to operate the circuit arrangement and to carry out the measurement method and dissipates the measurement results obtained to a further microcontroller, which is responsible for controlling the actual drying process using the measurement results. This can be done in particular via corresponding digital interfaces.

The two measuring electrodes can be arranged for example in a laundry drum of the household appliance, which is designed to receive the laundry items. In principle, one of the measuring electrodes can be formed by the laundry drum itself. However, in order to ensure a symmetrical current flow through the measuring electrodes, the two measuring electrodes are preferably separate from the laundry drum components. The measuring electrodes are preferably attached to the laundry drum in such a way that they are electrically insulated from one another.

As a rule, the laundry drum is electrically short-circuited in a domestic appliance with a protective conductor, that is to say an electrical conductor of a power network, which serves for safety. The electrical coupling may result, for example, via a bearing on which the drum is rotatably mounted. If the laundry drum is electrically coupled to the protective conductor, it can be provided in one embodiment that the laundry drum of the household appliance is biased with an electrical potential, which lies in the amount between the first and the second potential. In this way it is prevented that an unbalanced leakage current (also known as "body flow") flows through the laundry drum and the protective conductor to earth. Thus, the protective conductor has no negative influence on the measurement of the laundry voltage. This potential can be equal to an average of the first and the second potential.

According to the invention, a method is additionally provided which serves for determining a measured variable correlated with a degree of drying of items of laundry in a household appliance, namely with the aid of a measuring device. In the household appliance, the laundry items are dried. It becomes a current flow through two to each other causes spaced arranged measuring electrodes. An electric laundry voltage dropping between the measuring electrodes is detected, and the measured variable is determined as a function of the detected laundry voltage. A direction of current flow through the measuring electrodes is changed repeatedly.

The preferred embodiments presented with reference to the domestic appliance according to the invention and their advantages apply correspondingly to the method according to the invention and vice versa.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures and the following description of these figures. All the features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures alone are not only in the respective specified combination, but also in other combinations or alone in the context of Invention usable.

Fig. 1

in schematischer und höchst abstrakter Darstellung ein Hausgerät gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform; und

Fig. 2

in schematischer und höchst abstrakter Darstellung ein Hausgerät gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to individual preferred embodiments, as well as with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

in schematic and highly abstract representation of a domestic appliance according to a first embodiment; and

Fig. 2

in schematic and highly abstract representation of a domestic appliance according to a second embodiment.

In the figures, the same and functionally identical elements are each provided with the same reference numerals.

An in Fig. 1 illustrated domestic appliance 1 is a tumble dryer in the embodiment. The domestic appliance 1 comprises a laundry drum 2, in which laundry items 3 are accommodated. The laundry items 3 are dried in the household appliance 1. The laundry drum 2 may be stored horizontally in the domestic appliance 1, for example, they can be rotated about a horizontal axis of rotation. The laundry drum 2 may be electrically coupled to a protective conductor PE.

The laundry items 3 have an ohmic resistance in Fig. 1 is symbolized schematically by an element 4. The laundry resistance 4 is therefore not a component of a circuit, but the electrical resistance of the laundry items 3. Wet laundry items 3 have a low resistance 4, and the relationship is that the dryer the laundry items 3, the greater the laundry resistance 4. The laundry resistance 4 is inversely proportional to a conductance of the laundry items. 3

Now, the interest of determining the laundry resistance 4, which represents a measure of a degree of drying of the laundry items 3 applies. For this purpose, a measuring device 5 is provided in the domestic appliance 1, which has two measuring electrodes, namely a first measuring electrode 6, as well as a second measuring electrode 7. The measuring electrodes 6, 7 are attached to the washing drum 2, namely such that they are electrically insulated from each other are. The measuring electrodes 6, 7 are arranged at a distance from each other, for example at two opposite sides of the laundry drum 2. The measuring electrodes 6, 7 may be arranged, for example, on a circumference of the laundry drum 2 along its diameter. The measuring electrodes 6, 7 touch the laundry items 3 during operation of the domestic appliance 1, so that the laundry resistance 4 is coupled to the measuring electrodes 6, 7. It can be said that the laundry resistance 4 is electrically connected between the measuring electrodes 6, 7.

The measuring electrodes 6, 7 are electrically coupled to a circuit arrangement 8, which serves for determining the laundry resistance 4 and thus the degree of drying of the laundry items 3. The circuit arrangement 8 includes a microcontroller 9 as a control device. The circuit arrangement 8 also comprises a circuit node 10, to which a positive electrical potential V _{1 is} provided. The potential V ₁ may be, for example, 5V. At the circuit node 10 thus results in a DC electrical voltage of 5V, namely with respect to a reference potential 11 (ground).

The microcontroller 9 is used in the circuit arrangement 8, in the context of the present explanation primarily the implementation of the measuring method to be described below. With regard to the further use of the measurement results thus obtained in a method for drying the laundry items 3, the microcontroller 9 can also carry out the control of the further components of the domestic appliance 1 and thus use the measured values themselves; It is likewise conceivable for the microcontroller 9 to be used solely for operating the circuit arrangement 8 and for carrying out the measurement method, and to transfer the obtained measurement results to a further microcontroller, not shown in the drawing, which controls the actual drying process using the measurement results. This can be done in particular via corresponding digital interfaces.

The circuit arrangement 8 comprises a first voltage divider 12, which has two ohmic resistors, namely a first resistor 13 and a second resistor 14. Via the first resistor 13, the first measuring electrode 6 is coupled to a node 15, at which alternately the potentials V ₁ and the reference potential 11 can be provided. By contrast, the second measuring electrode 7 is coupled via the second resistor 14 to a node 16, on which the potential V ₁ and the reference potential 11 are likewise alternately provided, namely in a push-pull manner to the node 15.

The circuit arrangement 8 also comprises a second voltage divider 17, which likewise has two ohmic resistors: a first resistor 18 and a second resistor 19. The first measuring electrode 6 is coupled to a node 20 via the first resistor 18 of the second voltage divider 17. At the node 20, the potential V ₁ and the reference potential 11 may alternately be provided. Accordingly, the second measuring electrode 7 is coupled to a node 21 via the second resistor 19 of the second voltage divider 17. The potential V ₁ and the reference potential 11 may alternately be provided at the node 21, namely in push-pull relation to the node 20.

The first voltage divider 12 thus results in a series circuit of the resistors 13, 14 and the laundry resistance 4. If now a falling between the measuring electrodes 6, 7 electrical laundry voltage U _W , so can the Laundry resistance 4 can be determined, and the degree of drying of the laundry items 3 can be determined. By analogy, the second voltage divider 17 is a series connection of the resistors 18, 19 and the laundry resistance. 4

The circuit arrangement 8 also includes switching means 22, by means of which the nodes 15, 16, 20 and 21 can be electrically connected to the potential V ₁ or the reference potential 11. The switching means 22 comprise a first NPN bipolar transistor 23, whose emitter is connected to the node 15 and whose collector is connected to the circuit node 10. The base of the bipolar transistor 23 is coupled to the microcontroller 9. A second NPN bipolar transistor 24 may couple the node 15 to the reference potential 11: The collector of the second bipolar transistor 24 is connected to the node 15 while the emitter is connected to the reference potential 11. The base is also coupled to the microcontroller 9. The switching means 22 also comprise a third NPN bipolar transistor 25 whose collector is connected to the circuit node 10 and whose emitter is connected to the node 16. The base of the third bipolar transistor 25 is also coupled to the microcontroller 9. A fourth NPN bipolar transistor 26 may couple node 16 to reference potential 11; the emitter is connected to the reference potential 11 while the collector is connected to the node 16.

The switching means 22 also comprise a fifth NPN bipolar transistor 27, via which the node 20 can be coupled to the circuit node 10. The emitter of the bipolar transistor 27 is connected to the node 20, and the collector is connected to the circuit node 10. The base is coupled to the microcontroller 9. The node 20 can be coupled to the reference potential 11 via a sixth NPN bipolar transistor 28. The emitter of the bipolar transistor 28 is connected to the reference potential 11, while its collector is connected to the node 20. The base is coupled to the microcontroller 9. Via a seventh NPN bipolar transistor 29, the node 21 can be electrically coupled to the circuit node 10. Namely, the bipolar transistor 29 has its collector connected to the circuit node 10 and its emitter connected to the node 21. Its base is coupled to the microcontroller 9. Finally, the node 21 can be coupled to the reference potential 11 via an eighth NPN bipolar transistor 30. The collector of the bipolar transistor 30 is connected to the node 21, and the emitter is connected to the reference potential 11.

The bipolar transistors 23 to 30 are driven by the microcontroller 9.

As already stated, the microcontroller can the falling of the laundry articles 3 voltage detect 9 U _W. For this purpose, the first measuring electrode 6 is coupled via an ohmic measuring resistor 31 to a measuring input 32 of the microcontroller 9. Accordingly, the second measuring electrode 7 is coupled via a further ohmic measuring resistor 33 to a second measuring input 34 of the microcontroller 9. A lying between the measuring resistor 31 and the first measuring electrode 6 node 35 is coupled via a capacitor 36 to the reference potential 11. In addition, a node 37 lying between the measuring resistor 31 and the first measuring input 32 is coupled to the reference potential 11 via a capacitor 38. Correspondingly, a node 39 lying between the second measuring electrode 7 and the measuring resistor 33 is coupled to the reference potential 11 via a capacitor 40; a lying between the measuring resistor 33 and the second measuring input 34 node 41 is coupled via a capacitor 42 to the reference potential 11. The microcontroller 9 thus measures the voltages applied to the capacitors 38 and 42 and can thus close back to the laundry voltage U _W. More specifically, the microcontroller 9 detects the voltage applied to the nodes 37 and 41 potentials whose difference is a measure of the laundry voltage U _W. Depending on the laundry voltage U _W, in turn, the laundry resistance 4 and thus also the degree of drying of the laundry items 3 can be determined, for example with the aid of a stored table.

In addition, protective elements are provided in the circuit arrangement 8, namely in the form of NPN bipolar transistors 43 to 46. The bipolar transistors 43 to 46 have the task of limiting the electrical potentials occurring at the measuring electrodes 6, 7. The respective bases of the bipolar transistors 43 to 46 are electrically short-circuited to the respective emitter. The collector of the bipolar transistor 43 is connected to the circuit node 10 to which the potential V _{1 is} provided. The emitter of this bipolar transistor 43 is connected to the node 35. The node 35 is also connected to the collector of the bipolar transistor 44, and the emitter of this Bipolar transistor 44 is connected to the reference potential 11. In analogy, the node 39 is connected-symmetrically-to the emitter of the bipolar transistor 45 and to the collector of the bipolar transistor 46. The collector of the bipolar transistor 45 is connected to the circuit node 10, while the emitter of the bipolar transistor 46 is connected to the reference potential 11.

During operation of the domestic appliance 1, the microcontroller 9 determines the laundry resistance 4 and thus the degree of drying of the laundry items 3 and can thus calculate the time required for the proper completion of the drying process , The drying process is thus completed when the laundry items 3 are dry.

In the case of wet laundry items 3 or with low laundry resistance 4, the bipolar transistors 23 to 26 are controlled by the microcontroller 9 in such a way that the positive potential V ₁ and the reference potential 11 alternately applied to the node 15, while alternately the respective other potential V ₁ at node 16 or 11 than at node 15 is applied. This polarity reversal occurs, for example, at a frequency of 400 Hz. It therefore flows through the measuring electrodes 6, 7 and thus also through the laundry items 3, a direct current I whose direction is constantly changed. This change of direction occurs due to the periodic reversal of the potentials V ₁ and 11 at the nodes 15 and 16. It can be said that the current I is a symmetrical, rectangular current.

While the direction of the current flow I is constantly changed by the measuring electrodes 6, 7, the microcontroller 9 detects the amplitude of the washing voltage U _W , namely at the measuring inputs 32, 34. This amplitude of the washing voltage U _W can vary slightly, depending on which Direction of the current I flows. This slight change in the amplitude can be attributed to possibly existing galvanic effects within the laundry drum 2. However, the microcontroller 9 detects the amplitude of the laundry voltage U _W both for the one direction of the current flow I and for the other direction of the current flow I. These amplitudes, the microcontroller 9 average and an average of the amplitudes of the determination of the laundry resistance 4 basis. In this way it is achieved that possibly still existing polarization voltage has no influence whatsoever the accuracy of the determination of the laundry resistance has 4. By such a difference measurement, thus, the degree of drying of the laundry items 3 can be determined with the highest accuracy.

When wet laundry 3 so only the first voltage divider 12 is traversed by current, while the bipolar transistors 27 to 30 are not driven and thus the second voltage divider 17 is not energized. The second voltage divider 17 is high-impedance compared to the first voltage divider 12 and has a higher total resistance. The total resistance of the first voltage divider 12 may be, for example, 100 kΩ, while the total resistance of the second voltage divider 17 may be 1.2 MΩ. This means that the resistors 13, 14 of the first voltage divider 12 can each have a resistance value of 50 kΩ, while the resistors 18, 19 of the second voltage divider 17 can each have a resistance value of 600 kΩ.

During the drying process, the laundry items 3 are getting drier, and it increases the laundry resistance 4. Also, the amplitude of the laundry voltage U _W increases. If only the first voltage divider 12 were used for the entire drying process, then the microcontroller 9 would have to measure the amplitude of the laundry voltage U _W over a relatively large measuring range. To avoid this situation, starting at a certain value of the laundry voltage U _W or the laundry resistance 4 is no longer the first voltage divider 12, but instead the second voltage divider 17 is used. If the amplitude of the washing voltage U _W thus reaches the predetermined value, then the bipolar transistors 23 to 26 are no longer actuated, but instead the bipolar transistors 27 to 30. The bipolar transistors 27 to 30 are actuated analogously. The node 20 is alternately - with the above Frequency - with the potential V ₁ and the reference potential 11 applied, and the node 21 with the other potential V ₁ or 11. Then the measuring electrodes 6, 7 are connected to the high-resistance resistors 18, 19 of the second voltage divider 17, so that also reduces the falling between the measuring electrodes 6, 7 partial voltage. The microcontroller 9 can thus measure the laundry voltage U _W with a better resolution, and the measuring range of the microcontroller 9 can be passed through almost twice.

The laundry resistance 4 is thus measured bipolar and symmetrical. The circuit arrangement 8 is namely constructed electrically symmetrical, so that galvanic effects are avoided within the laundry drum 2.

As already stated, the laundry drum 2 is usually electrically coupled to the protective conductor PE, namely for example via a bearing. In order to avoid that over the washing drum 2 and the protective conductor PE electrical leakage flows to earth, in the embodiment, the laundry drum 2 and the protective conductor PE is electrically biased, namely with respect to the reference potential 11. For example, the laundry drum 2 is acted upon by a potential which is in terms of amount by half less than the potential V ₁ . For this purpose, a voltage divider 47 may be provided, which picks up the potential V ₁ at the circuit node 10 and divides it by means of resistors 48, 49. The laundry drum 2 or the protective conductor PE can be coupled via a resistor 50 to a node 51 located between the resistors 48, 49. The resistors 48, 49 and 50 may each have a resistance of 10 kΩ.

• Widerstände 13, 14: jeweils 50 kΩ,
• Widerstände 18, 19: jeweils 600 kΩ,
• Kondensatoren 36, 40: jeweils 10 pF (können auch entfallen),
• Kondensatoren 38, 42: jeweils 100 pF,
• Widerstände 31, 33: jeweils 4,7 kΩ.

The components of the circuit arrangement 8 can be dimensioned, for example, as follows:

• Resistors 13, 14: each 50 kΩ,
• Resistors 18, 19: each 600 kΩ,
• Capacitors 36, 40: each 10 pF (can also be omitted),
• Capacitors 38, 42: each 100 pF,
• Resistors 31, 33: each 4.7 kΩ.

In Fig. 2 the domestic appliance 1 is shown according to a further embodiment of the invention. The operation of the measuring device 5 is according to the embodiment Fig. 2 essentially the same as in the embodiment according to FIG Fig. 1 , The structure of the measuring device 5 is similar, so that below only the differences are discussed in more detail:

The circuit arrangement 8 here includes a microcontroller 9 'in which switching means (22 in FIG Fig. 1 ) are integrated. The microcontroller 9 'now has four connections, namely a first connection 52 (corresponds to the node 15 in FIG Fig. 1 ), a second port 53 (corresponds to node 16 in FIG Fig. 1 ), a third port 54 (corresponds to node 20 in FIG Fig. 1 ) and a fourth terminal 55 (corresponding to node 21 in FIG Fig. 1 ). The first terminal 52 is coupled to the first measuring electrode 6 via the first resistor 13 of the first voltage divider 12, while the second terminal 53 is coupled to the second measuring electrode 7 via the second resistor 14 of the first voltage divider 12. Accordingly, the third terminal 54 is coupled to the first measuring electrode 6 via the first resistor 18 of the second voltage divider 17, while the fourth terminal 55 is coupled to the second measuring electrode 7 via the second resistor 19 of the second voltage divider 17. The microcontroller 9 'is also connected to the circuit node 10 (potential V ₁ ).

The function of the capacitors 38 and 42 now take over the capacitors 38a and 38b and 42a and 42b respectively. These are connected between the respective terminals 52, 54, 53, 55 and the reference potential 11.

The microcontroller 9 'is also used in the circuit arrangement 8, in the context of the present explanation, primarily to carry out the measuring method to be described below. With regard to the further use of the measurement results thus obtained in a method for drying the items of laundry 3, the microcontroller 9 'can additionally carry out the control of the other components of the domestic appliance 1 and thus use the measured values themselves; It is also conceivable that the microcontroller 9 'alone serves to operate the circuit arrangement 8 and to carry out the measuring method and dissipates the measurement results obtained to a further microcontroller, not shown in the drawing, which controls the actual drying process using the measurement results. This can be done in particular via corresponding digital interfaces.

In the case of wet laundry items 3 (in the first measuring range before the laundry voltage U _{W reaches} the predetermined value), the microcontroller 9 'alternately provides the potential V ₁ and the reference potential 11 at the first terminal 52. On the other hand, the respective other potential is provided at the second connection 53 than at the first connection 52.

Before the washing voltage U _{W reaches} the predetermined value, the third and the fourth connection 54, 55 serve as measuring inputs (compare 32, 34 in FIG Fig. 1 ). About the terminals 54, 55 so the laundry voltage U _{W is} measured.

If the laundry voltage U _{W reaches} the predetermined value or the laundry resistance 4 increases, the potentials V ₁ and 11 are no longer provided at the terminals 52, 53, but at the terminals 54, 55 used as measuring inputs at which the washing voltage U _{W is} measured.

Also in the embodiment according to Fig. 2 Thus, the laundry resistance 4 is measured bipolar and symmetrical. There are four ports 52 to 55 provided in the microcontroller 9 ', which are used in pairs depending on the measuring range of the laundry voltage U _W as inputs or outputs.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

household appliance

2

washing drum

3

laundry

4

wash resistance

5

measuring device

6

measuring electrode

7

measuring electrode

8th

circuitry

9

microcontroller

9 '

microcontroller

10

circuit node

11

reference potential

12

voltage divider

13

resistance

14

resistance

15

node

16

node

17

voltage divider

18

resistance

19

resistance

20

node

21

node

22

switching means

23

NPN bipolar transistor

24

NPN bipolar transistor

25

NPN bipolar transistor

26

NPN bipolar transistor

27

NPN bipolar transistor

28

NPN bipolar transistor

29

NPN bipolar transistor

30

NPN bipolar transistor

31

measuring resistor

32

measuring input

33

measuring resistor

34

measuring input

35

node

36

capacitor

37

node

38, 38a, 38b

capacitor

39

node

40

capacitor

41

node

42, 42a, 42b

capacitor

43

NPN bipolar transistor

44

NPN bipolar transistor

45

NPN bipolar transistor

46

NPN bipolar transistor

47

voltage divider

48

resistance

49

resistance

50

resistance

51

node

52

connection

53

connection

54

connection

55

connection

I

current flow

PE

protective conductor

U _W

laundry voltage

V ₁

potential

Claims (14)

1. Domestic appliance (1) for drying articles of laundry (3), comprising a measuring device (5) for determining a measurement variable (4, U_W) correlated with a degree of drying of the articles of laundry (3), wherein the measuring device (5) comprises:

   - two mutually spaced-apart measuring electrodes (6, 7) which are so arranged in the domestic appliance (1) that in operation of the domestic appliance (1) they contact the articles of laundry (3) to be dried and

   - a circuit arrangement (8) which is coupled with the measuring electrodes (6, 7) and which is constructed to produce a flow of current (I) through the measuring electrodes (6, 7), to detect an electrical laundry voltage (U_W) dropping between the measuring electrodes (6, 7) and to determine the measurement variable (4, U_W) in dependence on the detected laundry voltage (U_W),
   characterised in that
   the circuit arrangement (8) is constructed to repeatedly change the direction of the flow of current (I) through the measuring electrodes (6, 7).
2. Domestic appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the circuit arrangement (8) is constructed for the purpose of applying in alternation an electrical potential to one of the measuring electrodes (6, 7) and a different electrical potential to the respective other measuring electrode (6, 7).
3. Domestic appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the circuit arrangement (8) is constructed for the purpose of changing the direction of the flow of current (I) at a frequency lying in a value range of 300 Hz to 500 Hz.
4. Domestic appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the circuit arrangement (8) is constructed to determine the measurement variable (4, U_W) not only in dependence on the laundry voltage (U_W), which is set for one direction of the flow of current (I), but also in dependence on the laundry voltage (U_W), which is set for the other direction of the flow of current (I).
5. Domestic appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the circuit arrangement (8) has a voltage divider (12), which comprises a laundry resistance (4) of the articles of laundry (3), the resistance being coupled with the measuring electrodes (6, 7), and the circuit arrangement (8) is constructed to produce the flow of current (I) through the voltage divider (12).
6. Domestic appliance (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the voltage divider (12) comprises a first resistive resistance (13), by way of which a first one of the measuring electrodes (6) can be coupled in alternation with a first electrical potential (V₁) and a second electrical potential (11) different from the first potential (V₁), and a second resistive resistance (14), by way of which the second measuring electrode (7) can be coupled in alternation to the first and second potentials (V₁, 11) in push-pull arrangement to the first measuring electrode (6).
7. Domestic appliance (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that the first electrical potential (V₁) is a positive potential and the second electrical potential (11) is a positive potential smaller by comparison with the first potential (11) or a reference potential (11).
8. Domestic appliance (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the circuit arrangement (8) has a second voltage divider (17), which has an overall resistance greater in terms of amount by comparison with the first voltage divider (12), and the circuit arrangement (8) is constructed to produce the flow of current (I) through the second voltage divider (17), with bypassing of the first voltage divider (12), after the measurement variable (4, U_W) has reached a predetermined value.
9. Domestic appliance (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that the second voltage divider (17) comprises a first resistive resistance (18) and a second resistive resistance (19) and that after the measurement variable (4, U_W) has reached the predetermined value the first measuring electrode (6) can be coupled in alternation to the first potential (V₁) and the second potential (11) by way of the first resistance (18) of the second voltage divider (17), whereas the second measuring electrode (7) can be coupled in alternation to the first potential (V₁) and the second potential (11) by way of the first resistance (19) of the second voltage divider (17) in push-pull arrangement to the first measuring electrode (6).
10. Domestic appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the circuit arrangement (8) comprises switching means (22) for changing the direction of the flow of current (I).
11. Domestic appliance (1) according to claim 10, characterised in that the circuit arrangement (8) comprises a microcontroller (9') and the switching means (22) are integrated in the microcontroller (9').
12. Domestic appliance (1) according to claim 10, characterised in that the switching means (22) are switching means (22) separate from a microcontroller (9) of the circuit arrangement (8).
13. Domestic appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a first one of the measuring electrodes (6) can be coupled in alternation to a first electrical potential (V₁) and a second electrical potential (11) different from the first potential (V₁) and the second measuring electrode (7) can be coupled in alternation to the first and the second potentials (11, V₁) in push-pull arrangement to the first measuring electrode (6), wherein a laundry drum (2) of the domestic appliance (1) can be acted on by an electrical potential which in terms of amount lies between the first and second potentials (11, V₁).
14. Method of determining a measurement variable (4, U_W), which is correlated with a degree of drying of articles of laundry (3), with the help of a measuring device (5) in a domestic appliance (1), in which the articles of laundry (3) are dried, comprising the steps:

    - producing a flow of current (I) through two mutually spaced-apart measuring electrodes (6, 7) which are so arranged in the domestic appliance (1) that they contact the articles of laundry (3) to be dried,

    - detecting an electrical laundry voltage (U_W) dropping between the measuring electrodes (6, 7) and

    - determining the measurement variable (4, U_W) in dependence on the detected laundry voltage (U_W),
    characterised in that
    the direction of the flow of current (I) through the measuring electrodes (6, 7) is repeatedly changed.

Images