EP2659047A1

EP2659047A1 - A washing machine that determines colors of items to be washed

Info

Publication number: EP2659047A1
Application number: EP11805030.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tevfik Inal; Yavuz Sahin
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2010-12-30
Filing date: 2011-12-22
Publication date: 2013-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 2031-12-22
Also published as: EP2659047B1; WO2012089605A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) comprising a drum (2) wherein the laundry is placed, a loading port (3) through which the laundry is loaded into and unloaded from the drum (2) by the user, a bellows (4) disposed at the loading port (3), a cover (5), covering the loading port (3), providing access into the drum (2), one or more than one light dependent resistor (11) disposed on the bellows (4), that detects the light intensity inside the drum (2) and which changes in value depending on the light intensity inside the drum (2) and more than one light source (10) disposed on the glass (7) and a control unit (13) providing the color of the laundry placed into the drum (2) to be determined and providing the washing process to be started in accordance with these data.

Description

A WASHING MACHINE THAT DETERMINES COLORS OF ITEMS TO BE WASHED

The present invention relates to a washing machine that makes color detection before starting the washing process.
In washing machines wherein the algorithm that should be used in the washing process is determined with the least intervention by the user, it is important to perform the most suitable of the washing programs by detecting the color and amount of the laundry. The weight, type and color of the laundry play an important role in determining the washing program. Various sensors and light dependent resistors are used for color detection. The color of the laundry is detected by illuminating the interior of the drum with light sources and measuring the light intensity reflected from the laundry inside the drum by means of sensors. The graphic illustrated in Figure 3 shows the change in the resistance value of the laundry in close colors like yellow and white measured by the light dependent resistor, depending on the amount of laundry loaded into the drum. A measured resistance value intersects the curve that shows the resistance change in both the white and yellow laundry on the graphic. Thus, errors occur in color detection of laundry that are close in color like yellow and white colored laundry since the same resistance value is read for these two colored laundry in different drum loading rates. The measured value changes depending on the drum loading rate.
In the state of the art International Patent Application No. WO2010/076157 A1, a washing machine is described wherein the washing process is performed by detecting the color of the laundry by means of the light dependent resistor before starting the washing process.
In the state of the art International Patent Application No. WO99/32875 A1, a washing machine is described wherein the color of the laundry is determined depending on the wavelength of the rays of light that are emitted by the light sources in different colors situated inside the washing machine and then that are reflected from the laundry placed into the drum.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine wherein the color of the laundry is determined before starting the washing process.
The washing machine realized in order to attain the aims of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a cover providing access into the drum, having a frame and a glass seated into the frame and at least one light dependent resistor disposed on the bellows, that detects the light intensity inside the drum and the value of which changes depending on the light intensity inside the drum.
The washing machine of the present invention comprises more than one light source disposed on the glass such that the light intensity detected by the light dependent resistor is provided to change depending on the drum loading rate and a control unit providing the color of the laundry placed into the drum to be determined according to the detected light intensity and providing the washing process to be started in accordance with these data.
The glass comprises a circular base remaining inside the drum, a side wall surrounding the base and extending inwards the drum between the inner periphery of the frame and the base.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the glass comprises more than one light source placed on the base at different elevations. Accordingly, as laundry is loaded into the drum, some of the light sources are blocked. Therefore, the light intensity reflected from the laundry changes and the light intensity reaching the light dependent resistor decreases. Additionally, the distance between the laundry and the light dependent resistor also decreases. Thus, in different drum loading rates, different colors always have a trend in approximately the same resistance values due to the change in light intensity and the change of distance between the laundry and the light dependent resistor. The possibility of two colors having the same resistance value and/or getting the same resistance value in different loading rates and thus the errors that occur in color detection depending on the drum loading rate are minimized. Thus, depending on the drum loading rate, the color detection for the laundry is provided to be performed correctly and precisely by getting the change in light intensity under control.
In a derivative of this embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine comprises light sources on the base at different elevations, the distance therebetween increasing while moving away from the lower portion of the side wall. As the amount of laundry loaded into the drum increases, the luminance inside the drum is expected to decrease in order to detect the color of the laundry correctly. In order to provide this, lesser number of light sources are placed at the upper portion of the base.
In an embodiment of the present invention, more than one light source is disposed at the lower portions of the side walls. The light sources are disposed successively to be one over the other and to be one after another in the horizontal and the vertical planes. The light sources form more than one row in the horizontal and the vertical planes. It is important to illuminate the drum completely in terms of correctness in color detection. By disposing the light sources as mentioned above, even when there is small amount of laundry in the drum, the errors in detection of laundry color are minimized in the control unit since the interior of the drum is completely illuminated.
In an embodiment of the present invention, more than one light source is disposed at the lower portion of the side wall and on the base at different elevations. More light sources are disposed on the side wall compared to the base, to be one after another and form several rows both in the horizontal and the vertical planes. Thus, by means of the light sources disposed on the lower portion of the side wall, a sensitive color detection is maintained in detecting the color of the small amount of laundry at the lower side of the drum and/or in separating the laundry of light tone colored laundry from the white laundry. Thus, the errors in detecting the color of the laundry depending on the drum loading rate are prevented.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the light sources placed on the side wall have a higher light intensity than the light sources disposed on the base. Thus, the errors in color detection are minimized when there is small amount of laundry inside the drum, even if the colors of the laundry are close to each other since the interior of the drum is illuminated.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine comprises two light dependent resistors, one on the bellows, the other on the surface of the cover facing the outside environment. The light dependent resistor disposed on the surface of the cover facing the outside environment provides a reference measurement by measuring the light intensity of the outside environment. In the control unit both of the resistance values are compared and the color of the laundry is determined by evaluating the two measurement values.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the light sources emit light in different colors like red, green and blue and in different intensities. The light intensity varies depending on the color of the light emitted by the light source and the light being reflected or absorbed by impinging on the laundry. Thus, the color of the laundry is determined in the control unit.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a filter in different colors is disposed in front of the light dependent resistor. The light reflected from the laundry passes through the filter before passing through the light dependent resistor and the color of the light reflected from the laundry is determined depending on the light passing through the filter or being absorbed by the filter.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the glass is covered with a film which prevents the light in the outer environment from leaking into the drum even when the cover is closed.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine comprises a display that conveys the color of the laundry in the drum to the user and/or displays the washing program selected accordingly and/or conveys the information on which detergent should be used with respect to the color of the laundry to the user.
By means of the present invention, a washing machine is realized that eliminates the inaccurate detections in determining the color of the laundry with the light dependent resistor depending on the drum loading rate, that increases the accuracy of color detection with respect to the amount of laundry inside the drum and that determines the color of the laundry before starting the washing process.
A washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:
Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a washing machine.
Figure 2 - is the schematic view of a washing machine.
Figure 3 - is the graphic of light dependent resistor value – drum loading rate showing the change in light dependent resistor value depending on the drum loading rates in a state of the art embodiment.
Figure 4 - is the graphic of light dependent resistor value – drum loading rate showing the change in light dependent resistor value depending on the amount of load in the washing machine of the present invention.
Figure 5 - is the schematic view of the glass in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 - is the schematic view of the glass relating to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 - is the schematic view of the glass relating to yet another embodiment of the present invention
Figure 8 - is the schematic view of a washing machine wherein a filter is placed.
Figure 9 - is the schematic view of the glass relating to an embodiment of the present invention
The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Washing machine
Drum
Loading port
Bellows
Cover
Frame
Glass
Base
Side wall
Light source
, 101. Light dependent resistor
Filter
Control unit
Display
Tub

The washing machine (1) comprises a drum (2) wherein the laundry is placed, a tub (15) wherein the drum (2) is disposed, a loading port (3) through which the laundry is loaded into and unloaded from the drum (2) by the user, a bellows (4) extending between the loading port (3) and the tub (15) orifice, a cover (5), covering the loading port (3), providing access into the drum (2) and having a frame (6) and a control unit (13) that provides control of the washing process (Figure 1).
The cover (5) comprises a frame (6) and a glass (7) disposed on the cover (5) and seated into the frame (6). When the cover (5) is closed, the frame (6) almost bears against the loading port (3) and the glass (7) contacts with the laundry situated inside the drum (2) depending on the drum (2) loading rate (Figure 1 and Figure 2).
The washing machine (1) comprises one or more than one light dependent resistor (11) that detects the light intensity in the drum (2) and which changes in value depending on the light intensity inside the drum (2). The light dependent resistor (11) is an electronic element, the detected resistance value of which changes as the light intensity changes. The light dependent resistor (11) is disposed on the bellows (4) and at the upper side of the bellows (4).
The washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises more than one light source (10) disposed on the glass (7) so as to change the light intensity detected by the light dependent resistor (11) depending on the drum (2) loading rate. The control unit (13) provides the color of the laundry placed inside the drum (2) to be determined with respect to the detected light intensity and provides the washing process to be started in accordance with these data.
The interior of the drum (2) is illuminated by means of the light source (10). As the intensity of the light emitted from the light source (10) and reflected from the laundry increases, the resistance value measured by the light dependent resistor (11) decreases. As the amount of laundry placed into the drum (2) increases, the total light intensity emitted by the light sources (10) into the drum (2) decreases. For each laundry added, the light dependent resistor (11) reads a different value even for the same color laundry (Figure 4). This value does not change much with respect to the drum (2) loading rate. The intensity of light reflected by impinging on the laundry changes in reverse proportion with the laundry and the resistance value read by the light dependent resistor (11). As the drum (2) loading rate increases, the distance between the laundry and the light dependent resistor (11) also decreases and the resistance value measured by the light dependent resistor (11) also increases. The graphic illustrated in Figure 4 shows, in different drum (2) loading rates, the resistance value measured by means of the light dependent resistor (11) and the change of this value as the amount of laundry loaded into the drum (2) is changed when the interior of the drum (2) is illuminated with blue color and the laundry placed into the drum (2) has blue, green, yellow and white colors. As the drum (2) loading rate increases, the intensity value of the light falling on the light dependent resistor (11) being dependent on the distance between the laundry and the light dependent resistor (11) is eliminated by changing the total intensity of the light emitted from the light source (10) and reflected from the laundry. The resistance value of differently colored laundry measured by the light dependent resistor (11) by changing the light intensity has a certain trend without being dependent on the drum (2) loading rate and the color, intensity, etc of the light in the drum (2) and different colors, white (B), yellow (S), blue (M) etc. can also be discerned from each other in different drum (2) loading rates depending on the illumination of the drum (2) (Figure 4). Thus, in different drum (2) loading rates, different colors always have a trend in approximately certain resistance values due to the change in light intensity and the change of distance between the laundry and the light dependent resistor (11). Thus, the possibility of the resistance value measured by the light dependent resistor (11) being the same for two colors or for more than two colors in different loading rates is minimized (Figure 4). The errors in color detection depending on the drum (2) loading rates are minimized and the changes in light intensity inside the drum (2) can easily be detected by the light dependent resistor (11).
The glass (7) comprises a circular base (8) that remains inside the drum (2), a side wall (9) surrounding the base (8) and extending towards inside the drum (2) between the frame (6) and the base (8).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises more than one light source (10) placed on the base (8) at different elevations (Figure 5). Thus, as laundry is loaded into the drum (2), front of the light sources (10) are blocked gradually and intensity of the light reaching the light dependent resistor (11) is decreased. Additionally, the distance between the laundry and the light dependent resistor (11) also decreases.
In a derivative of this embodiment, the washing machine (1) comprises more than one light source (10), disposed on the base (8) at different elevations such that the distance there between increases while getting away from the lower portion of the side wall (9) (Figure 9). Thus, as laundry is loaded into the drum (2), the light intensity inside the drum (2) decreases. Since lesser number of light sources (10) are situated at the upper portions of the base (8), the said decrease rate increases and color detection is improved.
In an embodiment of the present invention, more than one light source (10) is disposed at the lower portion of the side wall (9) (Figure 6). The light sources (10) are disposed at the lower portion of the side wall (9) so that one is over the other and one is after another successively in the horizontal and vertical planes. The light sources (10) are arranged to form more than one row in the horizontal and vertical planes. If the drum (2) is not illuminated sufficiently and when small amount of laundry is placed into the drum (2), the colors of the laundry are detected erroneously due to insufficient amount of light since the laundry does not entirely cover the surface of the drum (2). The drum (2) is provided to be completely illuminated by arranging more than one light source (10) at the lower portion of the side wall (9) to be in multiple rows of one over the other. Thus, the errors in color detection occurring in the control unit (13) that originate from placing small number of light sources (10) and thereby illuminating the interior of the drum (2) insufficiently are prevented.
In an embodiment of the present invention, more than one light source (10) is disposed at the lower portion of the side wall (9) and on the base (8) at different elevations (Figure 7). More light sources (10) are disposed on the side wall (9) as compared with the base (8), so as to form several rows both in the horizontal and the vertical planes. The light intensity increases as the number of light sources (10) increase. The light sources (10) are placed both on the base (8) and on the side wall (9) in greater numbers as compared with the base (8) so that they are blocked as laundry is loaded into the drum (2) and they provide the interior of the drum (2) to be illuminated such that there is no error in color detection. By means of the light sources (10) on the base (8) and the side wall (9) at different elevations inside the drum (2) that are blocked as laundry is loaded into the drum (2), an inverse proportion is formed between the amount of laundry and the intensity of light falling on the light dependent resistor (11). As laundry is loaded into the drum (2) the distance between the laundry and the light dependent resistor (11) decreases and thereby the intensity of light reaching the light dependent resistor (11) by reflecting from the laundry increases. By placing the light sources (10) on the base (8) and the side wall (9) and arranging them more intensively on the side wall (9), the light sources (10) at the bottom are blocked as the drum (2) loading rate increases. Thus, the intensity of light reflected from the laundry is provided to decrease. Thus, the errors in color detection originating from drum (2) loading rate are decreased or eliminated.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the light sources (10) emitting light of different intensities are disposed on the base (8) and the side wall (9). The light sources (10) disposed on the lower part of the side wall (9) have greater light intensity value than the light sources (10) located on the base (8). Thus, more light with higher intensities is emitted from the lower side of the drum (2) into the drum (2). As laundry is loaded into the drum (2) the light sources (10) at the lower side are blocked. Small amount of laundry is away from the light dependent resistor (11) and since the interior of the drum (2) gets dark in case of insufficient illumination, errors occur in color detection. Therefore, the color detection of laundry with even close colors is performed correctly by disposing light sources (10) emitting light with higher intensities on the side wall (9), since the interior of the drum (2) is illuminated even if small amount of laundry is placed into the drum (2).
In another embodiment of the present invention, two light dependent resistors (11, 101) are used in the washing machine (1). One of them is located on the bellows (4) and measures the light intensity inside the drum (2). The second light dependent resistor (101) located on the surface of the cover (5) facing the outside environment measures the light intensity in the outside environment. Thus, a reference measurement is provided to be taken. The measurements made by two light dependent resistors (11, 101) are evaluated by the control unit (13). The intensity of light from the outside environment that changes the light intensity inside the drum (2) is measured by the said light dependent resistor (101) and the calibration value of the light dependent resistor (11) situated on the bellows (4) is changed depending on the light intensity of the outside environment. Taking the reference measurement minimizes or eliminates the possible errors in color detection resulting from the light intensity in the outside environment affecting and changing the light intensity in the interior environment. The color of the laundry is detected by evaluating together and comparing both of the two detected resistance values in the control unit (13).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the light sources (10) disposed on the base (8) and the side wall (9) emit light in different colors like red, green and blue and in different intensities. Thus, the environment is illuminated first with red light which is reflected back from the laundry comprising the red light therein before the red color is absorbed. Thus, the laundry comprising the red color are detected. Similarly, illumination is provided with blue and green lights successively thereby detecting the laundry comprising blue and/or green colors. In this embodiment wherein the interior of the drum (2) is illuminated, the colors like yellow and white that are close to each other are easily detected when the drum (2) is illuminated with blue light (Figure 4).
In an embodiment of the present invention, a filter (12) in different colors like red, green and blue are placed in front of the light dependent resistor (11) (Figure 8). Thus, the light reflected by impinging on the laundry passes through the filter (12) before being conveyed to the light dependent resistor (11). Here, the light is absorbed or reflected depending on the color of the laundry and the filter (12). If the light reflected from the laundry is the same color as the filter (12), the light is reflected by passing through the filter (12). The light intensity changes depending on the absorption or reflection state and the color of the laundry is detected. For example, if the light that is emitted from the light source (10) and reflected from green colored laundry passes through the green filter (12) placed in front of the light dependent resistor (11) then green colored light is reflected and the color is determined in the control unit (13) by measuring a resistance value for the green light.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the glass (7) is coated with a low light transmittance film so that the possible effect of the light in the environment wherein the washing machine (1) is situated, on changes of the light intensity inside the drum (2) can be eliminated. Thus, when the cover (5) is closed, the light is prevented from leaking into the drum (2) from the outer environment.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a display (14) that conveys the color of the laundry in the drum (2) to the user and/or displays the washing program selected accordingly and/or conveys the information on which detergent should be used with respect to the color of the laundry to the user (Figure 1). Thus, the user is provided to be guided by conveying data regarding the color of the laundry and/or the next washing program, selection of detergent etc. steps after the color detection operation in the control unit (13) is completed in the washing step.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the light dependent resistor (11) does not perform measurement when the cover (5) is open, but performs measurement when the cover (5) is closed and when the cover (5) is opened and then closed, all measurements performed previously are set to zero.
By means of the present invention, the light emitted from more than one light source (10) disposed on the side wall (9) and/or the base (8) is delivered onto the laundry. Color detection of the laundry is made in accordance with the value of light intensity reflected from the laundry and reaching the light dependent resistor (11). Depending on the position of the light sources (10), the color of laundry inside the drum (2) that is completely illuminated and the color of even small amount of laundry at the lower portion of the drum (2) as well as the laundry with colors close to each other is provided to be correctly detected.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited by the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

A washing machine (1) comprising

- a drum (2) wherein the laundry is placed,

- a tub (15) wherein the drum (2) is disposed ,

- a loading port (3) through which the laundry is loaded into and unloaded from the drum (2) by the user,

- a bellows (4) extending between the loading port (3) and the tub (15) orifice,

- a cover (5), covering the loading port (3), providing access into the drum (2), having a frame (6) and a glass (7) seated into the frame (6),

- one or more than one light dependent resistor (11) disposed on the bellows (4), that detects the light intensity inside the drum (2) and which changes in value depending on the light intensity inside the drum (2) and

- a control unit (13) that provides control of the washing process,

characterized by more than one light source (10) disposed on the glass (7) such that the light intensity detected by the light dependent resistor (11) is provided to change depending on the drum (2) loading rate and a control unit (13) providing the color of the laundry placed into the drum (2) to be determined according to the detected light intensity and providing the washing process to be started in accordance with these data.
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the glass (7) having a circular base (8) that remains inside the drum (2), a side wall (9) surrounding the base (8) and extending towards inside the drum (2) between the inner periphery of the frame (6) and the base (8).
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by more than one light source (10) placed on the base (8) at different elevations.
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 3, characterized by more than one light source (10) placed on the base (8) at different elevations so that the distance there between increases while getting away from the lower portion of the side wall (9)
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 4, characterized by more than one light source (10) placed on the lower portion of the side wall (9).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 5, characterized by more than one light source (10) placed on the lower portion of the side wall (9) to be one over the other and one after another successively in the horizontal and vertical planes.
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 6, characterized by more than one light source (10) placed on the lower portion of the side wall (9) to be more than one row.
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 7, characterized by more than one light source (10) placed on the base (8) at different elevations and on the lower portion of the side wall (9) so as to form more than one row.
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 8, characterized by the side wall (9) where the light sources (10) placed thereon have higher light intensity than the light sources (10) disposed on the base (8).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by at least one light dependent resistor (11) placed on the surface of the cover (5) facing the outside environment.
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by more than one light sources (10) disposed on the base (8) and the side wall (9) that emit light in different colors from one another like red, green, blue (RGB) and at different intensities.
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 10, characterized by at least one colored filter (12) placed in front of the light dependent resistor (11).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the glass (7) which is coated by a film with low light transmittance.
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by at least one display (14) that conveys the color of the laundry in the drum (2) to the user and displays the washing program selected accordingly and conveys to the user the information on which detergent should be used with respect to the color of the laundry.
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the light dependent resistor (11) which does not perform measurement when the cover (5) is open and performs measurement when the cover (5) is closed.