EP3348697A1 - Appareil avec un ou plusieurs senseurs - Google Patents

Appareil avec un ou plusieurs senseurs Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3348697A1
EP3348697A1 EP17151124.9A EP17151124A EP3348697A1 EP 3348697 A1 EP3348697 A1 EP 3348697A1 EP 17151124 A EP17151124 A EP 17151124A EP 3348697 A1 EP3348697 A1 EP 3348697A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
appliance
electronic
sensor
operating module
heater
Prior art date
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP17151124.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Andrea SAPONARO
Roberto Bottos
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Electrolux Appliances AB
Original Assignee
Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Electrolux Appliances AB filed Critical Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority to EP17151124.9A priority Critical patent/EP3348697A1/fr
Priority to PCT/EP2017/083942 priority patent/WO2018130396A1/fr
Priority to EP17826226.7A priority patent/EP3568515B1/fr
Publication of EP3348697A1 publication Critical patent/EP3348697A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
    • A47L15/42—Details
    • A47L15/46—Devices for the automatic control of the different phases of cleaning ; Controlling devices
    • 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
    • D06F34/14—Arrangements for detecting or measuring specific parameters
    • D06F34/16—Imbalance
    • 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
    • D06F34/14—Arrangements for detecting or measuring specific parameters
    • D06F34/20—Parameters relating to constructional components, e.g. door sensors
    • 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
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/04—Heating arrangements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L2401/00—Automatic detection in controlling methods of washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware, e.g. information provided by sensors entered into controlling devices
    • A47L2401/30—Variation of electrical, magnetical or optical quantities
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L2401/00—Automatic detection in controlling methods of washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware, e.g. information provided by sensors entered into controlling devices
    • A47L2401/32—Vibration or sound detection
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L2401/00—Automatic detection in controlling methods of washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware, e.g. information provided by sensors entered into controlling devices
    • A47L2401/34—Other automatic detections
    • 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
    • D06F2103/24—Spin speed; Drum movements
    • 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
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/10—Temperature of washing liquids; Heating means therefor
    • 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
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/46—Drum speed; Actuation of motors, e.g. starting or interrupting
    • 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
    • D06F25/00—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry and having further drying means, e.g. using hot air 
    • 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
    • D06F34/14—Arrangements for detecting or measuring specific parameters
    • D06F34/22—Condition of the washing liquid, e.g. turbidity
    • D06F34/24—Liquid temperature
    • 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
    • D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers 
    • D06F58/26—Heating arrangements, e.g. gas heating equipment

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to appliances.
  • the present invention refers to appliances that comprise one or more electrical, electronic and/or electromechanical components and sensor devices implemented for performing operating procedures of the appliance.
  • Appliances both domestic and professional, of any typology (e.g., dishwashers, laundry machines, refrigerators, ovens, etc.) generally comprise a plurality of electrical, electronic and electromechanical components (e.g., sensors, displays, user interfaces, actuators, heaters, motors, relays, etc. ) for performing their intended operation.
  • electrical, electronic and electromechanical components e.g., sensors, displays, user interfaces, actuators, heaters, motors, relays, etc.
  • appliances features a large number of sensor devices (e.g., measuring temperatures, flow rates, liquid levels, humidity, pressures, positions/oscillations/displacements of moving parts, etc.) exploited for achieving an accurate control of the appliance and allowing for an increasingly automated operation thereof.
  • sensor devices e.g., measuring temperatures, flow rates, liquid levels, humidity, pressures, positions/oscillations/displacements of moving parts, etc.
  • an electronic control board or control unit, is provided in order to manage the operation of the plurality of electrical/electronic/electromechanical components and sensor devices.
  • Each electrical/electronic/electromechanical component or sensor device is operatively coupled with corresponding input/output ports of the electronic control board in order to receive (electric) power from, and/or exchange (i.e., receive and/or transmit) signals with, the electronic control board.
  • connection elements usually one or more wirings for each electrical/electronic/electromechanical component and sensor device, has to be provided within the body of the appliance running from the electronic control board to the respective electrical/electronic/electromechanical component or sensor device.
  • the electronic control board has to comprise a corresponding great number of input/output ports in order to being properly connected to each one of the electrical/electronic/electromechanical component or sensor device.
  • vibration/displacement sensors arranged for providing indication of an extent of displacements to which moving parts of an appliance are subjected during operation, requires a careful wiring and placement in their operating position in order to correctly provide such displacement indication even in case of vigorous movements of the moving part to which are mounted.
  • a vibration sensor is provided by US 2009/151398 that discloses a washing machine including a housing, a tub disposed in the housing, a laundry drum rotatably mounted in the tub, and an anti-vibration device on the tub.
  • EP 2597187 discloses a drum-type washing machine adapted to have a mode for selecting a detection axis along which vibration values in a water tank in three-dimensional directions, which have been detected by a vibration detector, indicate a maximum value, and for restarting a spin-drying operation when the vibration value detected along this detection axis exceeds a first threshold value defined for each rotation-speed range of a rotary drum but is less than a second threshold value, in spin-drying processes.
  • the Applicant has noted that a substantial portion of the workload of the electronic control board is due to generate control signals for efficiently managing the operation of each of electrical/electronic/electromechanical component and acquiring information from the sensor devices comprised in the appliance.
  • the Applicant has tackled the problem of devising an improved solution able to overcome, at least partly, the drawbacks of the prior art.
  • the Applicant has found that providing a concept of electrical/electronic/electromechanical components comprising one or more sensors designed to detect values and/or values variations of one or more physical parameters which are not related with the operation of the electrical/electronic/electromechanical components, but are exploited by the electronic control board for managing the operation of the appliance, greatly simplifies the design, the manufacturing and the maintenance of the appliance.
  • electrical/electronic/electromechanical components may be further provided with on-board processing capabilities that allows a simplified and effective managing of the electrical/electronic/electromechanical components within the appliance.
  • An aspect of the solution according to one or more embodiments of the present invention relates to an appliance.
  • the appliance comprises a control circuitry provided for managing the operation of the appliance, and at least one operating module comprising an electric/electronic/electromechanical component provided for performing one or more specific tasks required for the appliance operation, the at least one operating module comprising at least one sensor arranged to detect values of one or more physical parameters. Said at least one sensor is arranged to detect values of one or more physical parameters which are not related to the one or more specific tasks performed by the electric/electronic/electromechanical component of the operating module.
  • the at least one operating module further comprises a managing element being in communication relationship with the control circuitry, the managing element being configured for controlling the execution of the one or more specific tasks of the at least one electric/electronic/electromechanical component.
  • the managing element is configured for controlling the execution of the one or more specific tasks of the at least one electric/electronic/electromechanical component based on electric signals received from the control unit.
  • the managing element is electrically coupled with the at least one sensor, and is configured to manage the detected values of one or more physical parameters detected by the at least one sensor.
  • the managing element is further configured for receiving and forwarding to the control circuitry the detected values of one or more physical parameters detected by the at least one sensor.
  • the detected values of one or more physical parameters is transmitted from the at least one sensor to the control circuitry as electric signals.
  • the managing element is further configured for pre-processing said electric signals provided by the at least one sensor.
  • said pre-processing comprises filtering, amplifying and/or digitalizing the electric signals provided by the at least one sensor.
  • the managing element comprises a microprocessor, microcontroller or an application-specific integrated circuit.
  • the at least one operating module is mounted to a portion of the appliance capable of moving during the operation of the appliance.
  • the at least one sensor is arranged for detecting parameters associated with a movement of the at least one operating module corresponding to a movement of the portion of the appliance to which the at least one operating module is mounted.
  • the at least one sensor comprises an accelerometer for determining an acceleration along three-dimensional axes to which the at least one operating module is subjected.
  • the at least one sensor comprises a gyroscope for determining a radial velocity to which the at least one operating module is subjected.
  • the at least one sensor comprises a magnetometer for detecting an orientation of the at least one operating module based on measurements of Earth's magnetic field along three-dimensional axes.
  • the at least one operating module comprises at least one further sensor, the at least one further sensor being arranged to detect values of one or more physical parameters which are related to the one or more specific tasks performed by electric/electronic/electromechanical component of the operating module.
  • the appliance is a laundry washing machine or a laundry washing/drying machine comprising a washing tub enclosing a rotatable drum for containing items to be washed and/or dried.
  • the at least one operating module is a heating module mounted to the washing tub, and the electric/electronic/electromechanical component is a heater arranged for heating a fluid with which, in operation, the heater is at least partly in thermal contact.
  • the heating module comprises a heating portion comprising the heater, an electronic portion comprising an electronic switch, the electronic switch being arranged for selectively actuating the heater in order to achieve and maintain a desired temperature, or set of temperatures, of the fluid with which, in operation, the heater is at least partly in thermal contact, and a sealing member arranged for maintaining separated the electronic portion from the heater, once the heating module is mounted to the tub.
  • a sealing member arranged for maintaining separated the electronic portion from the heater, once the heating module is mounted to the tub.
  • at least one part of the electronic switch is provided in thermal contact with the sealing member in order to disperse heat generated during operation.
  • the electronic switch is arranged for electrically insulating the managing element and the heater.
  • the appliance is a laundry washing machine or a laundry washing/drying machine comprising a washing tub enclosing a rotatable drum for containing items to be washed and/or dried.
  • the electric/electronic/electromechanical component is a drum motor arranged for rotating the rotatable drum during the operation of the appliance.
  • Figures 1A to 1C are a schematic perspective view and perspective views with removed parts of an appliance, particularly a (domestic) laundry machine 100 in which an embodiment according to the present invention may be applied.
  • laundry machine 100 should be considered only as a non-limiting example of an appliance in which an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented. Indeed, embodiments of the present invention may be applied to any kind of appliances (both for domestic and professional use) comprising one or more electrical/electronic/electromechanical components, in the following referred to as e-components for short, designed for performing on or more specific tasks required for the appliance operation and an electronic control board, or control unit comprising a suitable control circuitry designed for managing whole operation of the appliance.
  • the laundry machine 100 is a machine for treating laundry, such as for example a laundry washing machine or a laundry washing/drying machine, of the front-loading type.
  • laundry machines of the top-loading type may also benefit from the solution according to the present invention.
  • the laundry machine 100 comprises a casing or cabinet 105 preferably substantially parallelepiped-shaped, which encloses a washing tub, or simply tub, 107 (as shown in Figures 1B and 1C ) preferably substantially cylindrically-shaped, wherein the laundry is treated, along with any other component of the laundry machine 100 necessary for its operation (e.g., hydraulic, electronic and electromechanical components).
  • the tub 107 houses a rotatable drum 110 preferably substantially cylindrically shaped, which, in operation, rotates about an axis A in order to tumble the laundry to be washed.
  • the tub 107 is suspended in the casing 105 in such a way to be substantially free to oscillate during its operation.
  • the tub 107 is connected to the casing 105 in a movable manner by means of suspension elements 111 (e.g., spring elements, for example extension springs) and damping elements 112 (e.g., shock absorbers).
  • suspension elements 111 e.g., spring elements, for example extension springs
  • damping elements 112 e.g., shock absorbers
  • the tub 107 comprises, in a backside or backwall 107a thereof, a shaft opening 107b, in which a drum rotor shaft 110a is inserted.
  • the rotor shaft 110a is attached to the drum 110 and rotatably connected by means of a transmission apparatus 115 to a, preferably electric, drum motor 120 comprised in the laundry machine 100 in order to rotate the drum 110 during operation.
  • the drum motor 120 is preferably, although not limitatively, positioned in a bottom position with respect to the casing 105.
  • the transmission apparatus 115 may comprise a transmission belt or chain 115a coupled with a pair of pulleys 115b and 115c, of which a first pulley 115b is mounted to the drum rotor shaft 110a while a second pulley 115c is mounted to a motor shaft 120a.
  • the drum motor 120 is preferably mounted to a lower portion of the tub 107, thus the drum motor 120 is integral with the tub 107 and they oscillates together during operation. In this way, also the drum motor 120 and the rotor shaft 110a are substantially integral and any oscillation does not affect a tensioning of the chain 115a between the pulleys 115b and 115c.
  • the rotating movement may be transferred to the drum in any other known manner; for example, a motor may be directly connected to the drum (so called “direct drive”), with the motor shaft coinciding to the drum shaft.
  • a loading/unloading opening is advantageously provided on a front side of the laundry machine 100.
  • the loading/unloading opening is closable by a door 125 (as shown in Figure 1A ), which is hinged, preferably, to the casing 105 by means of a hinge (not shown in the figures).
  • the tub 107 is provided with a tub opening 107c, and the drum 110 is provided with a drum opening.
  • the tub opening 107c is aligned with the loading/unloading opening provided in the casing 105, and with the drum opening of the drum 110.
  • a bellows 130 preferably made of an elastomeric and waterproof material, is mounted in a watertight manner (such as by gluing, by welding, by interference fitting, etc.) to a border of the loading/unloading opening and is coupled with a border of the tub opening 107c.
  • the tub 107 is fluidly connected to a hydraulic apparatus (not shown in the drawings) adapted to provide washing liquids (e.g., water mixed with detergents) in the washing tub 107 for treating the laundry therein, and to exhaust such liquids once used.
  • washing liquids e.g., water mixed with detergents
  • the hydraulic apparatus comprises electromechanical valve components (e.g., solenoid valves) that are actuated in order to selectively allow water, detergents, softeners and/or other laundry-treating liquids and/or powders in the tub 107.
  • electromechanical valve components e.g., solenoid valves
  • a heating module (not shown, but described in the following with reference Figure 2 wherein the heating element is indicated as a whole by numerical reference 205) is provided coupled with the tub 107 in order to selectively heat water/washing liquids therein contained.
  • a receiving aperture 107d is provided in a lower portion of the tub 107 and sized in order to receive the heating module and allowing a heating portion thereof (not shown, but described in the following with reference Figure 2 wherein the heating portion is indicated as a whole by numerical reference 210) to protrude within the tub 107 in its working position.
  • a rim of the receiving aperture 107d may be provided with fasteners (e.g. snap-fitting or bayonet mounting fastening arrangements and/or fastening arrangements designed to cooperate with additional fasteners, such as for example threaded or unthreaded bores for receiving screws, bolts and nuts, rivets, etc.) in order to fix the heating element to the tub 107.
  • the laundry machine 100 may possibly comprise also a drying air apparatus (not shown) fluidly connected with the tub 107 adapted to heat up and blow drying air into the tub and draw therefrom moisturized cool air.
  • a drying air apparatus (not shown) fluidly connected with the tub 107 adapted to heat up and blow drying air into the tub and draw therefrom moisturized cool air.
  • a user interface 140 is advantageously provided, preferably, although not limitatively, on a top portion 105t of the casing 105.
  • the user interface 140 may comprise a control panel 140a for selecting laundry treatment cycles (e.g., a set of operations and parameters designed for treating peculiar fabrics, such as wool items) to be carried out by the laundry machine 100, and a drawer 140b for loading laundry-treating products (e.g., detergents, softeners, bleachers, etc.).
  • the laundry machine 100 is advantageously provided with a (main) control unit 150 (schematically denoted as a dashed rectangle in Figure 1A ), e.g. comprising an electronic board on which at least one (central) control circuitry 150a is provided.
  • the control circuitry 150a comprises one or more microprocessors/microcontrollers, an application-specific integrated circuit - ASIC - or a similar electronic control component and, possibly, further processing circuitry such as a Digital Signal Processor - DSP -, etc. ) adapted to control the laundry machine 100 operation, which is preferably, although not necessarily, placed in a top position inside the casing in order to be less prone to contacts with liquids or humidity possibly leaking from the tub 107.
  • control unit 150 is further arranged for supplying power (e.g., at one or more DC and/or AC voltage values) and interacting with the e-components comprised in the laundry machine 100 - such as for example the drum motor 120, electromechanical valves, pumps and impellers of the hydraulic apparatus, one or more heating elements for heating water / washing liquids / air, the user interface 140a, etc. - in order to manage an execution of selected laundry-treating operations featured by the laundry machine 100.
  • power e.g., at one or more DC and/or AC voltage values
  • the control unit 150 is further arranged for supplying power (e.g., at one or more DC and/or AC voltage values) and interacting with the e-components comprised in the laundry machine 100 - such as for example the drum motor 120, electromechanical valves, pumps and impellers of the hydraulic apparatus, one or more heating elements for heating water / washing liquids / air, the user interface 140a, etc. - in order to manage an execution of selected laundry-tre
  • control unit 150 comprises a power supply circuitry 150b, along with control circuitry 150a mentioned above.
  • the power supply circuitry 150b of the control unit 150 is arranged for receiving the AC mains to which the control unit 150 is connected - e.g., by means of a power cord (such connection is omitted in the figures for the sake of simplicity and since well-known in the art) - and converts the AC voltage received in one or more DC voltages adapted to power electronic components (e.g., such as a 5 VDC).
  • the power supply circuitry 150b of the control unit 150 may be also designed for providing a power supply at high voltage - e.g., a voltage ranging from 100V to 275 V, such as for example 110V or 220V, preferably but not limitatively an AC high voltage.
  • the power supply at high voltage is provided to e-components which requires high voltages for their operation (e.g., heaters and the drum motor 120).
  • a stand-alone power unit may be provided instead of having the power supply circuitry 150b integrated in the control unit 150.
  • the laundry machine 100 is further provided with one or more load sensing devices, i.e. sensors, arranged for providing a (electric) signal indicative of physical parameters associated with the laundry machine 100 operation that are exploited for an accurate and effective provision of the laundry-treating operations.
  • load sensing devices i.e. sensors, arranged for providing a (electric) signal indicative of physical parameters associated with the laundry machine 100 operation that are exploited for an accurate and effective provision of the laundry-treating operations.
  • the laundry machine 100 may comprise one or more temperature sensors for monitoring a water and/or air temperature inside the tub 107, weight sensors for estimating a weight of laundry items loaded in the drum 110, humidity sensor estimating a humidity of laundry items loaded in the drum 110, oscillation and/or vibration sensors for estimating an extent of displacements of the tub 107 during operation, flowmeters for assessing an amount of water and/or washing liquids/powders introduced in the tub 107, etc.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a heating module 205 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the heating module 205 is at least partly in thermal contact with the fluid contained in the tub 107 during the laundry machine operation 100.
  • the heating module 205 comprises a heating portion 210 and an electronic portion 215.
  • the heating element portion 205 comprises a heater 220.
  • the heater 220 comprises a substantially cylindrical body with a predetermined diameter and length and including a core heating wire embedded in a stainless metal alloy that, in its turn, is possibly coated with a protective layer.
  • the heater 220 is configured (e.g., bent) to have a serpentine or zigzag shape.
  • the heater 220 further comprises a couple of (electric) terminals 225a and 225b at its free ends for receiving an electric power supply (as described in the following).
  • the terminals 225a and 225b selectively receive a power supply at an (AC) high voltage (as described in the following).
  • a sealing member 230 is coupled with the heater 220.
  • the sealing member 230 is arranged in order to maintain the terminals 225a and 225b spaced apart by a predetermined distance (e.g., a distance adapted to prevent arc discharges between terminals due to voltage differences therebetween).
  • the sealing member 230 is disposed in order to maintain separated, preferably in a watertight manner, the terminals 225a and 225b from the rest of the heater 220, once the latter is disposed in the tub 107 of the laundry machine 100 and, in operation, is in direct contact with water and/or washing liquid in order to heat it.
  • the sealing member 230 is substantially parallelepiped-shaped and comprises a couple of through holes, each of which designed to receive a portion of the heater 220 and to be sealed in a watertight manner.
  • the heater 220 is coupled with the sealing member 230 in such a way that the terminals 225a and 225b protrude from a first (dry) face of the sealing member 230 (on the left of the sealing member 230 in the example of Figure 2 ) opposite to a second (wet) face of the sealing member 230 from which the rest of the heater 220 protrudes (on the right of the sealing member 230 in the example of Figure 2 ).
  • the sealing member 230 is designed to fit in a watertight manner a corresponding the receiving aperture 107d provided in the tub 107 of the laundry machine 100 in such a way that the heater 220 protrudes inside the tub 107 while the electronic portion 215 remains outside the tub 107, once the heating module 205 is mounted to the tub 107.
  • the sealing member 230 is disposed in order to maintain separated, preferably in a watertight manner, the whole the electronic portion 215 from the heater 220 of the heating module 205, once the latter is mounted to the tub 107.
  • the electronic portion 215 is mechanically coupled with the sealing element 230 in such a way the heating module 205 forms an integral unit.
  • the electronic portion 215 of the heating module 205 comprises an electronic board 235 (or any other similar support medium adapted to support electronic components and provide/support interconnections among such electronic components) on which an electronic circuit designed for operating (as described in the following) the heating module 205 may be advantageously provided.
  • the electronic board 235 may be fastened to the sealing element 230.
  • the electronic board 235 and the sealing element 230 may be provided with matching fasteners, e.g. matching snap-fitting or bayonet mounting matching fastening arrangements and/or fastening arrangements cooperating with additional fasteners such as for example threaded or unthreaded bores for receiving screws, bolts and nuts, rivets, etc.
  • the electronic circuit may comprise a local control circuitry, or managing element 240 (comprising for example a microprocessor, microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit - ASIC - or a similar electronic control component), and an electronic switch, such as for example a triac 245.
  • a local control circuitry or managing element 240 (comprising for example a microprocessor, microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit - ASIC - or a similar electronic control component), and an electronic switch, such as for example a triac 245.
  • the managing element 240 is configured for managing the operation of the heating module 205, and particularly of the triac 245.
  • the managing element 240 is configured for operating in a manner substantially independent from the control circuitry 150a of the control unit 150 of the laundry machine 100 (as described in the following).
  • the electronic circuit comprises one or more sensors that are adapted to detect values of physical parameter(s) affected by the operation of the heating module 205.
  • such one or more sensors comprised in the electronic circuit are connected to the managing element 240 that may advantageously exploit the values of the physical parameter(s) detected by such one or more sensors for managing the heating module 205 operation (as further described in the following).
  • the electronic circuit comprises a temperature sensor 250.
  • the temperature sensor 250 may comprise a probing end 250a provided in proximity of the heater 220 beyond the sealing member 230 (in order to sense water/washing liquid temperature provided in the tub 107), but in electric connection with the electronic board 235.
  • the electronic circuit further comprises a connector terminal 255 in order to couple the latter with the control unit 150, e.g. by means of electric wirings 260.
  • the electric wirings 260 supply power (e.g., at a DC voltage such as for example 5 V) to the managing element 240.
  • the electric wirings 260 further deliver power supply at (AC) high voltage for operating the heater 220.
  • the electronic portion 215 may comprise a power adapter arrangement designed to adapt the high voltage, provided to the heating element 205 by means of the electric wirings 260, for supplying power to the managing element 240. In this case, only the power supply at (AC) high voltage is fed to the heating module 205.
  • the terminals 225a and 225b of the heater 220 are selectively fed with the high voltage delivered by the electric wirings 260 to the connector terminal 255 of the heating module 205.
  • the provision of the high voltage at the terminals 225a and 225b of the heater 220 is controlled by activating/deactivating the triac 245.
  • the triac 245 is managed by the managing element 240.
  • the first terminal 225a of the heater 220 is connected to a first main terminal of the triac 245 while a first output, of the connector terminal 255 is connected to a second main terminal of the triac 245.
  • a control terminal of the triac 245 is connected to the managing element 240.
  • the second terminal 225b of the heater 220 is connected to a second output of the connector terminal 255.
  • an electric insulation is implemented between the managing element 240 (and other electronic members of the electronic circuit) that generally operates at a DC voltage and the heater 220 receiving the high voltage.
  • the triac 245 may comprise an opto-triac (known in the art and not herein described for the sake of brevity). It should be noted that different electronic switches may be used for controlling the heater 220 in alternative embodiments of the heating module 205 according to the present invention and, at the same time, for ensuring insulation between DC and AC voltages, such as for example opto-thyristors or solid state relays.
  • the electronic switch implemented in the heating module 205 according to the present invention, is arranged for electrically insulating the managing element 240 and the heater 220.
  • Such arrangement of the electronic circuit allows the managing element 240 selectively powering the heater 220 by controlling the operation of the triac 245 (as further described in the following).
  • At least one part of the triac 245 is provided in thermal contact with the sealing member 230 in order to disperse heat generated during operation.
  • the sealing member 230 is preferably made of a heat conductive material such as for example a metal (e.g., stainless steel).
  • a surface of the triac 245 - preferably a heat sink surface implemented in electronic power members known in the art, such as in case of triacs - may be attached (e.g. by means of an electrically insulating but thermally conductive resin, e.g. a resin comprising mica) to the first face of the sealing member 230 facing the electronic board 235.
  • an electrically insulating but thermally conductive resin e.g. a resin comprising mica
  • the heat generated during the triac 245 operation is effectively dispersed by the sealing member 230 without requiring an ad hoc heat sink to be provided attached to the triac 245.
  • thermally coupling the triac 245 sealing member 230 allows the triac 245 operating at a temperature comprised within an optimal working temperatures range without the need for further heat sinking elements (thus reducing the overall cost and weight of the heating module 205).
  • the heat transmitted from the triac 245 to the sealing member 230 is then transmitted to the water/washing liquid in contact with the second face of the sealing member 230 facing the inside of the tub 107 (when the heating module 205 is coupled with the latter).
  • the heat generated by the triac 245 operation is not merely dispersed in the environment, but it is transmitted to the water/washing liquid and concurs to warming the water/washing liquid together with the heat provided by the heater 220.
  • the heating module 205 may further comprise one or more additional sensors designed to detect values and/or values variations of one or more physical parameters which are not related with the operation of the heating module 205.
  • such one or more additional sensors designed to detect values and/or values variations of one or more physical parameters may be comprised in the electronic circuit of the electronic portion 215.
  • the additional sensors may be operatively connected to the managing element 240 of the electronic circuit.
  • the heating module 205 comprises one or more displacement sensors, i.e. sensors designed to detect a movement, such as oscillations or rotations/rotary movements of the heating module 205 preferably, although not limitatively, during laundry treating procedures implemented by the laundry machine 100.
  • the electronic circuit comprises one or more displacement sensors, generally denoted with the reference 265 in Figure 2 , designed to detect a movement, such as oscillations or rotations/rotary movements of the heating module 205 during the laundry machine 100 operation (as described in the following).
  • a movement such as oscillations or rotations/rotary movements of the heating module 205 during the laundry machine 100 operation (as described in the following).
  • the displacement sensors 265 provided in the electronic circuit may comprise an accelerometer for determining an acceleration (e.g., measured in m/s 2 ) along at least one among three-dimensional axes, but preferably along all three three-dimensional axes (preferably centered on the accelerometer) and/or a gyroscope for determining a radial velocity (e.g., measured in rad/s) to which the heating module 205 is subjected.
  • an accelerometer for determining an acceleration (e.g., measured in m/s 2 ) along at least one among three-dimensional axes, but preferably along all three three-dimensional axes (preferably centered on the accelerometer) and/or a gyroscope for determining a radial velocity (e.g., measured in rad/s) to which the heating module 205 is subjected.
  • the displacement sensors 265 may also comprise (as an addition or an alternative to the accelerometer and/or the gyroscope) a magnetometer for detecting an orientation of the heating module 205 based on measurements of Earth's magnetic field along three-dimensional axes (preferably centered on the magnetometer).
  • displacement sensors 265 may be provided as an addition or as an alternative to the displacement sensors of above without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • the displacement sensors 265 are advantageously exploited for assessing an intensity of vibration, oscillations and/or rotary/eccentric movements of the tub 107 (which is arranged for moving during the laundry machine 110 operation as known) to which the heating module 205 is attached.
  • the heating module 205 may further comprise a casing (not shown) arranged for enclosing at least the electronic portion 215 of the heating module 205, i.e. the electronic board 235 and all the electric and electronic components mounted thereon, particularly the managing element 240 , the triac 245, the terminals 225a and 225b yet allowing the connector terminal 255 to couple with the electric wirings 260.
  • a casing not shown
  • the casing is a substantially watertight enclosure that protects the electronic portion 215 from foreign matters (e.g., dirt) and water and/or moisture.
  • the casing may be shaped and/or provided with coupling appendages and/or recesses in order to allow a simple mounting of the heating module 205 in its position within the laundry machine 100 (e.g., protrusions and/or receptacles suitable for snap-fitting or bayonet mounting, and/or bored tabs or hooks for fastening means such as screws) instead or in addition to the fasteners provided on the electronic board 235 as described above.
  • coupling appendages and/or recesses in order to allow a simple mounting of the heating module 205 in its position within the laundry machine 100 (e.g., protrusions and/or receptacles suitable for snap-fitting or bayonet mounting, and/or bored tabs or hooks for fastening means such as screws) instead or in addition to the fasteners provided on the electronic board 235 as described above.
  • the control circuitry 150a of the control unit 150 of the laundry machine provides to the heating module 205 an indication of a desired temperature, or set of temperatures, for the water/washing liquid in the tub 107, for example based on a laundry-treating procedure selected by a user through the user interface 140a.
  • Such indication is preferably transmitted from the control circuitry 150a of the control unit 150 to the heating module 205 as an electric, preferably digital, signal over the electric wirings 260.
  • the indication of a desired temperature or set of temperatures is received, and preferably stored, by the managing element 240; e.g., such temperature(s) indication is stored in a memory portion, not detailed in the figures, comprised in the managing element 240 or in a separate memory element (not shown in the figures) of the electronic portion 215 of the heating module 205.
  • the managing element 240 selectively actuates the triac 245 and, accordingly, the heater 220 in order to achieve and maintain the desired temperature, or set of temperatures, of the water/washing liquid in the tub 107.
  • the operation of the heater 220 may be performed in a manner completely independent from the control circuitry 150a of the control unit 150.
  • the managing element 240 exploits the temperature sensor 250 in order to monitor temperature values and trends during the advancement of the laundry-treating procedure and to adjust the heat generated by the heater 220 by leveraging the actuation of the triac 245 in order to control the water/washing liquid in the tub 107.
  • the displacement sensors 265 acquires information regarding the displacement of the tub 107 with respect to the casing 105 (generally caused by oscillations and vibration of the tub 107 generated the laundry machine 100 operation).
  • such displacement information is transmitted from the displacement sensors 265 to the electronic managing element 240, generally in the form of electric signals.
  • the managing element 240 is configured for pre-processing electric signals provided by the displacement sensors 265.
  • the managing element 240 is configured for filtering, amplifying and/or digitalizing the electric signals provided by the displacement sensors 265 accordingly generating corresponding pre-processed electric signals.
  • the displacement information may be forwarded to the control circuitry 150a of the control unit 150 by the managing element 240, in the form of the pre-processed electric signal.
  • the displacement information may be stored in the memory portion of the managing element 240 and may be forwarded to the control circuitry 150a of the control unit 150 upon request from the latter and/or at predetermined time instants.
  • the displacement sensors 265 provided on the heating module 205 allow avoiding design and producing a further sensor module for monitoring the displacement of the tub 107. Accordingly, this avoids the need for providing a dedicated housing for such sensor module, reduces the wiring complexity within the laundry machine 100 and simplifies an assembling of the laundry machine 100.
  • the heating module may comprise displacement sensors directly connected to the control board by means of independent wirings, i.e. bypassing the managing element of the heating module.
  • a simpler heating module may be provided.
  • the simpler heating module is provided only with the temperature sensor (such as the temperature sensor 250) and with the one or more displacement sensors (such as the displacement sensors 265).
  • the simpler heating module does not comprise a managing element (such as the managing element 240).
  • the temperature sensor and the one or more displacement sensors are independently wired to the control unit of the laundry machine.
  • one or more displacement sensors may be provided (in alternative or in addition to the displacement sensors provided in the heating module) on a different e-component mounted to the washing tub (or a different portion of the laundry machine capable of moving at least during operation).
  • one or more further displacement sensors may be provided in the drum motor 120 in case the latter is mounted to the washing tub 107 (as shown in Figures 1B and 1C ).
  • one or more other operating modules e-components of the laundry machine 100 may further comprise one or more additional sensors designed to detect values and/or values variations of one or more physical parameters which are not directly related or required for managing the operation of such e-component (on which are provided) without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • stand-alone sensor modules may be provided with one or more typology of sensors.
  • stand-alone sensor modules may comprise two or more sets of one or more sensor each of which devised for detecting and monitoring values and/or values variations of one or more respective physical parameters.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
EP17151124.9A 2017-01-12 2017-01-12 Appareil avec un ou plusieurs senseurs Withdrawn EP3348697A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP17151124.9A EP3348697A1 (fr) 2017-01-12 2017-01-12 Appareil avec un ou plusieurs senseurs
PCT/EP2017/083942 WO2018130396A1 (fr) 2017-01-12 2017-12-20 Appareil comprenant un ou plusieurs capteurs
EP17826226.7A EP3568515B1 (fr) 2017-01-12 2017-12-20 Appareil avec un ou plusieurs senseurs

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP17151124.9A EP3348697A1 (fr) 2017-01-12 2017-01-12 Appareil avec un ou plusieurs senseurs

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EP3348697A1 true EP3348697A1 (fr) 2018-07-18

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EP17826226.7A Active EP3568515B1 (fr) 2017-01-12 2017-12-20 Appareil avec un ou plusieurs senseurs

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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DE102023202068A1 (de) 2023-03-08 2024-09-12 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Verfahren zum Beurteilen der Betriebsweise eines Haushaltsgeräts zur Pflege von Wäschestücken auf Basis von unterschiedlichen Temperaturwerten, sowie Haushaltsgerät

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102004019343A1 (de) * 2003-12-22 2005-07-14 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Elektrische Schnittstelle für wasserführende Haushaltsgeräte
EP1607729A1 (fr) * 2004-06-18 2005-12-21 Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KG Dispositif pour la détection d'un mouvement oscillatoire d'un tambour d'une machine à laver
US20090151398A1 (en) 2007-12-18 2009-06-18 Bsh Home Appliances Corporation Anti-vibration device
DE102011007515A1 (de) * 2011-04-15 2012-10-18 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Einrichtung zur Überwachung einer im Betrieb schwingenden Vorrichtung eines Haushaltgeräts, Haushaltgerät zur Pflege von Wäschestücken sowie Verfahren zum Betreiben eines Haushaltgeräts
EP2597187A1 (fr) 2011-02-23 2013-05-29 Panasonic Corporation Lave-linge du type à tambour
DE202013104838U1 (de) * 2012-10-31 2013-12-16 Steelco Spa Elektronische Architektur für die Fernverwaltung von Geräten, insbesondere Waschgeräten
DE102012222196A1 (de) * 2012-12-04 2014-01-02 E.G.O. Elektro-Gerätebau GmbH Sensoreinrichtung und Elektrohaushaltsgerät mit einer solchen Sensoreinrichtung

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102004019343A1 (de) * 2003-12-22 2005-07-14 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Elektrische Schnittstelle für wasserführende Haushaltsgeräte
EP1607729A1 (fr) * 2004-06-18 2005-12-21 Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KG Dispositif pour la détection d'un mouvement oscillatoire d'un tambour d'une machine à laver
US20090151398A1 (en) 2007-12-18 2009-06-18 Bsh Home Appliances Corporation Anti-vibration device
EP2597187A1 (fr) 2011-02-23 2013-05-29 Panasonic Corporation Lave-linge du type à tambour
DE102011007515A1 (de) * 2011-04-15 2012-10-18 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Einrichtung zur Überwachung einer im Betrieb schwingenden Vorrichtung eines Haushaltgeräts, Haushaltgerät zur Pflege von Wäschestücken sowie Verfahren zum Betreiben eines Haushaltgeräts
DE202013104838U1 (de) * 2012-10-31 2013-12-16 Steelco Spa Elektronische Architektur für die Fernverwaltung von Geräten, insbesondere Waschgeräten
DE102012222196A1 (de) * 2012-12-04 2014-01-02 E.G.O. Elektro-Gerätebau GmbH Sensoreinrichtung und Elektrohaushaltsgerät mit einer solchen Sensoreinrichtung

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WO2018130396A1 (fr) 2018-07-19
EP3568515A1 (fr) 2019-11-20
EP3568515B1 (fr) 2024-02-07

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