EP3475477B1 - Method for the improved control of a water-bearing domestic appliance and domestic appliance suitable therefor - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a water-bearing household appliance with a drum for receiving objects to be treated, which has at least one perimeter with at least one radiation passage, a control device, a spectrometer which comprises at least one radiation source, at least one radiation detector and a microcomputer, wherein Microcomputer and control device are set up to exchange information with one another, so that data can be exchanged between spectrometer and control device. The invention also relates to a water-bearing household appliance suitable for carrying out this method.

Detergents and cleaning agents are generally used to clean objects in water-bearing household appliances. The composition of such detergents and cleaning agents is usually complex; in addition to washing-active substances, so-called surfactants, they often also contain bleaches, enzymes, water softeners, etc. In the cleaning process, however, the surfactants in particular are of great importance, since they lower the surface tension at the water-fat interface and are therefore decisive for the optimal removal of soiling from textiles, for example. There are basically three classes of surfactants, namely ionic, nonionic and amphoteric surfactants. In detergents and cleaning agents, anionic surfactants, especially alkylbenzene sulfates, are used in particular.

For example, greasy soiling is usually removed by the addition of surfactants to the soiling. These are then surrounded by surfactant and go into solution as a surfactant / dirt aggregate, ie the greasy dirt is dissolved in the water, for example in the form of a fat-water emulsion, and can be removed with the washing liquor or cleaning liquid.

The amount of detergent or cleaning agent (hereinafter collectively referred to as treatment agent) required for an optimal cleaning process cannot generally be predicted, as it depends on factors such as the type and degree of soiling, the load or the material of the objects to be treated , for example the type of textile, depends. In the normal household use of treatment agents, there is currently no precise determination of the actual need. It is often overdosed by a user because, for example, the contamination or the amount of load is overestimated. The consequence is an unnecessarily high environmental impact due to excessive consumption of treatment agents. In addition, in the event of an overdose, undesirable residues can also remain on the objects after cleaning. This can be disadvantageous, especially for people with allergies.

When cleaning and / or drying sensitive textiles in particular, damage can also easily occur, for example if a user mistakenly mixes sensitive and non-sensitive types of textiles or if he is not familiar with caring for the textiles. It would therefore be desirable to be able to follow the course of a treatment process in a water-bearing household appliance and to be able to intervene in it.

Furthermore, for example, contamination with microorganisms or organic impurities can result in unpleasant odors in water-carrying household appliances. A lack of hygiene when cleaning objects can be another consequence. It is often the case that such contamination occurs in places of the household appliance that are difficult to access or are not directly visible to a user. It would therefore be desirable to be able to determine hygienic impairments quickly and easily in order to then be able to initiate suitable measures.

Household appliances that carry water and are operated with volatile chemicals such as propane gas also pose a comparatively high safety risk. It would therefore also be desirable to be able to detect a leak or malfunction early on.

Water-bearing household appliances with improved controls are already known.

The publication DE 10 2012 017 323 A1 describes a water-bearing household appliance, in particular a laundry treatment device for washing laundry, with a treatment area, a metering pump, at least one treatment agent container and a display device, the treatment agent container serving to hold an amount of a flowable treatment agent that is sufficient for several treatments in the treatment area. The amount of treatment agent delivered by the metering pump is displayed by the display device and / or a residual amount of the treatment agent in the treatment agent container is displayed by the display device.

The publication DE 10 2010 002 773 A1 describes a dispensing system comprising a dispensing device that can be positioned inside a water-bearing household appliance for dispensing at least one preparation into the interior of the water-bearing household appliance, a cartridge that can be coupled to the dispensing device for storing at least one flowable preparation, and a conductivity sensor that is positioned in or on the dispensing device is that it is possible to determine the conductivity of washing or rinsing water while the water-bearing household appliance is in operation. The dosing system further comprises a control unit which is at least coupled to the conductivity sensor, with at least one preparation having a conductivity of at least 500 µS / cm, preferably at least 750 µS / cm, particularly preferably at least 1,000 µS / cm, very particularly preferably at least 2,500 µS / cm and the dispensing device is configured so that at least 20 ml, preferably at least 30 ml, particularly preferably at least 50 ml of this preparation is dispensed from the dispensing device into the interior of the water-bearing household appliance during operation of the water-bearing household appliance.

The publication DE 10 2010 039 611 A1 describes a dishwasher, in particular a domestic dishwasher, with a control device in which at least one wash program is stored for executing a wash cycle comprising several wash parts for cleaning and / or drying items to be washed, and with an operating device for entering operating commands for the control device. At least one operating command for executing an or is on the operating device several adaptation measures can be entered for at least one of the wash programs, by means of which the avoidance of stains on the wash ware and / or the drying result on the wash ware when carrying out the wash cycle is improved on the basis of the adapted wash program.

The publication DE 10 2014 212 294 A1 describes a water-bearing household appliance, with a number of actuators for performing a plurality of washing programs, a user interface for selecting one of the washing programs, a sensor for providing a sensor signal for specifying a parameter of a washing solution used for washing dishes, a determination unit for determining a sensor setting a plurality of predetermined sensor settings for the sensor, a control unit which is set up to control the actuators for carrying out the selected washing program by means of signal processing using the sensor signal, and an adaptation unit for adapting the signal processing as a function of the determined sensor setting.

The use of radiation sensors, e.g. IR sensors, to detect types of textile, fill level and amount of water in the drum of washing machines and tumble dryers is known.

The publication WO 2001/046509 A1 describes a device for treating textiles with a device for recognizing properties of a textile, the device comprising at least one transmitting and at least one receiving element for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic radiation and an evaluation circuit connected to the receiving element, the one being sent by the transmitting element and radiation reflected and / or transmitted by the textile can be received by the receiving element and evaluated in the evaluation circuit.

The publication DE 10 2015 100 395 A1 describes a spectrometer, in particular for installation in a sensor module with a radiation source and the following components defining a beam path or arranged along the beam path: a sample space for a fluid to be examined, a first lens, a diffraction element, a second lens, and a detector . Between the Specimen space and the diffraction element, a restriction aperture is provided to restrict the effective diameter of the beam impinging on the diffraction element.

The publication EP 0 816 551 B1 discloses an infrared temperature detection for a drum dryer control, in particular a dryer with a rotary drum for receiving and spinning moist articles to be dried, a heating device for heating the articles, a fan unit for passing air over the articles in the drum and an infrared detection device which provides a control signal corresponding to the temperature of the articles in the drum. There is also disclosed a method of detecting the completeness of a drying cycle in a dryer having a rotating drum and an infrared sensing device which provides a measurement of the temperature of the articles in the drum.

The publication EP 1242665 B1 describes a device for treating textiles with an evaluation circuit for recognizing the type of textile and / or the moisture content of an item of laundry. The device uses transmitting and receiving elements for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation as well as an evaluation circuit connected to the receiving element. A method for recognizing properties of a piece of textile, for example in a washing machine or a tumble dryer, is also described.

That U.S. Patent No. 5,396,715 describes a microwave tumble dryer and a method with fire protection, in which the temperature inside the drum is registered by means of an IR sensor and the operation of the dryer is interrupted when a predetermined value is reached, which indicates the burning of laundry.

The publication JP 2010 223871 A describes a pollution detector, a pollution removal system and a washing machine. The detector includes, inter alia, a light source for irradiating a contaminated detection point with light and a light receiving section for detecting a spectrum of reflected and / or transmitted light from this light source. The washing machine shown in Fig. 6 has a drum in a tub around a vertical Axis is rotatably oriented. This drum, which tapers upwards, has several drainage holes in the upper part along its perimeter. For dewatering, an aqueous liquid is driven upwards and through the dewatering holes as the drum rotates due to centrifugal forces. Since the area around these drainage holes tends to become biologically contaminated, the detection device in the tub should emit light from the light source into the vicinity of the drainage holes and evaluate the reflected light.

the US 2013/0312202 A1 describes according to claim 1 a method for operating a laundry treatment device with a rotatable drum which at least partially defines a treatment chamber into which laundry items can be received for treatment according to an automated operating cycle, the method comprising:
Receiving a weight signal indicating a weight of each item of laundry within the treatment chamber from a weight-determining device within the laundry treatment device; Receiving a volume signal, which indicates a volume of each item of laundry within the treatment chamber, from a volume-determining device within the laundry treatment device; and determining a qualitative load size of the laundry items in the treatment chamber based on both the weight signal and the volume signal. 13 illustrates that in particular a diode arrangement is used to determine the volume signal, the light-emitting diodes of which emit radiation in the direction of a side surface of the drum, the light-emitting diodes being oriented so that their radiation reaches different areas in the drum.

Against this background, it was the object of the present invention to provide a method which enables an improved control of a water-carrying household appliance. Preferably, a more environmentally friendly and safer operation of the household appliance should also be made possible. In addition, a household appliance suitable for carrying out this method is to be provided.

The solution to this problem is achieved according to this invention by a method for operating a water-bearing household appliance and a household appliance suitable for its implementation with the features of the corresponding independent Claims 1 and 8. Preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention and the household appliance according to the invention are listed in the respective dependent claims. Preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention correspond to preferred embodiments of the household appliance according to the invention and vice versa, even if this is not explicitly stated herein.

• (b) Emittieren von Strahlung von der mindestens einen Strahlungsquelle des Spektrometers in einem Wellenlängenbereich von λ₁ bis λ₂ durch den mindestens einen Strahlungsdurchlass, so dass Gegenstände in der Trommel mit der Strahlung beaufschlagt werden, und der mindestens eine Strahlungsdetektor die von den Gegenständen reflektierte Strahlung durch den mindestens einen Strahlungsdurchlass in mindestens einem Zeitintervall Δτ als ein Messsignal registriert;
• (c) Übermitteln des Messsignals an den Mikrocomputer, Auswerten des Messsignals mit einer im Mikrocomputer hinterlegten Auswerteroutine und Übermitteln des ausgewerteten Messsignals an die Steuereinrichtung; und
• (d) Auswählen und/oder Anpassen eines Betriebsprogramms durch die Steuereinrichtung in Bezug auf das ausgewertete Messsignal;
  wobei die Schritte (b) bis (d) einmal oder mehrmals durchgeführt werden.

The invention thus relates to a method for operating a water-bearing household appliance with a drum for receiving objects to be treated, which has at least one perimeter with at least one radiation passage, a control device, a spectrometer which comprises at least one radiation source, at least one radiation detector and a microcomputer , whereby the microcomputer and the control device are set up to exchange information with one another, so that data can be exchanged between the spectrometer and the control device, comprising the following steps:

• (b) emitting radiation from the at least one radiation source of the spectrometer in a wavelength range from λ ₁ to λ ₂ through the at least one radiation passage, so that objects in the drum are exposed to the radiation, and the at least one radiation detector reflects the radiation from the objects Radiation through the at least one radiation passage is registered as a measurement signal in at least one time interval Δτ;
• (c) transmission of the measurement signal to the microcomputer, evaluation of the measurement signal with an evaluation routine stored in the microcomputer and transmission of the evaluated measurement signal to the control device; and
• (d) selecting and / or adapting an operating program by the control device in relation to the evaluated measurement signal;
  wherein steps (b) to (d) are carried out one or more times.

The term “radiation permeability” or “radiation permeable” is to be interpreted broadly. "Radiation-permeable" in the context of the invention can mean the permeability for radiation in the entire spectral wavelength range or also refer, for example, to one or more defined wavelength ranges of the spectrum, such as infrared radiation or UV radiation.

According to the invention, it is restricted that the drum is in motion while the method is being carried out, that is to say, for example, rotates or reverses. Outside of the invention, the method can in principle also be carried out when the drum is at a standstill.

The method according to the invention additionally comprises the step (a) rotating the drum at a predetermined speed Dz.

If the drum rotates, then depending on the level of the speed Dz of the drum, the at least one radiation passage with a certain frequency Δ v S traverses a position which enables radiation to enter and exit the drum in step (b) of the method. The same applies to reversing the drum. This position is also referred to below as the corresponding position.

The configuration of the at least one radiation passage is not restricted according to the invention. It can be a material cutout in the drum, but it can also be, for example, an inlay made of radiation-permeable material, for example made of quartz glass or a plastic. According to the invention, the radiation passage is generally arranged on a lateral drum wall.

The shape of the radiation passage is also not restricted according to the invention; it can be a circular hole, but it can also be an elliptical recess or a rectangular or perimeter-spanning annular inlay. Likewise, the size is essentially only limited by a size that is sensible or permissible for a given operation.

In any case, according to the invention, the at least one radiation passage serves to ensure that radiation from a radiation source can get into the interior of the drum and reflected radiation can get out of the drum again.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the drum rotates in step (a) at a speed Dz of 20 to 200 rpm, more preferably at a speed Dz of 40 to 80 rpm.

Step (b) of the method according to the invention provides that radiation from the at least one radiation source is emitted in a wavelength range from λ ₁ to λ ₂ .

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the radiation is emitted continuously in step (b).

In this context, continuous means that the at least one radiation source of the spectrometer emits radiation without interruption while the method according to the invention is being carried out. In this way, it can be ensured that when the drum moves, irrespective of Δ v S, radiation is radiated into the interior of the drum when the at least one radiation passage is in the corresponding position.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the radiation is emitted with a predetermined radiation pulse frequency Δ v E in step (b)

According to the invention, the level of the pulse frequency is not restricted. However, the drum rotates, for example at a speed Dz, it is preferable is that the radiation pulse rate Δ v E advantageously chosen so that it coincides with the frequency of Δ v s at which the at least one radiation passage passes through the corresponding position. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, a connection is stored in the control device, which synchronizes the radiation pulse rate Δ E v with the dependent from the speed of the drum Dz frequency Δ v S. A predetermined starting position of the drum is preferably also taken into account.

According to the invention, there is no restriction as to whether, in step (b), the radiation is emitted in the entire wavelength range from λ ₁ to λ ₂ and / or at several individual wavelengths and / or partial ranges within this wavelength range.

According to the invention, the radiation detector registers the radiation reflected from objects located in the drum as a measurement signal in at least a period of time Δτ. The length of the time period Δτ is not restricted in the method according to the invention. However, it will depend on different variables.

The length of the time period Δτ can depend in particular on whether the drum is in motion. If the drum rotates, for example, at a speed Dz, so that the at least one radiation passage with a frequency Δ v S passes through the position which enables radiation to enter and exit the drum in step (b) of the method according to the invention, the length of the Period of time Δτ depend on this frequency. It applies here that the length of Δτ can decrease with a higher frequency Δ v S, that is to say with an increasing speed Dz.

The length of the time period Δτ can, however, also increase as the size of the at least one radiation passage increases. If, for example, the drum speed Dz remains the same, the at least one radiation passage is dimensioned larger, then Δτ will also be larger, since radiation reflected from the inside of the drum can reach the at least one radiation detector over a longer period of time.

Furthermore, the length of the time period Δτ will certainly also depend on the technical design of the radiation detector itself, with higher-quality radiation detectors, for example, being able to detect measurement signals with a high degree of accuracy even in comparatively short periods of time.

The length of the at least one time period Δτ is particularly preferably in the range from 1 ms to 100 ms. However, Δτ is very particularly preferably in the range from 1 ms to 10 ms.

The length of the time period Δτ can, however, also be based on the Allan variance, for example. The Allan variance sets the mean u of measurement signals, obtained in a first time interval i of length Δτ, with the mean value u of the measurement signals obtained in a second time interval i + 1 of length Δτ, and the number of time intervals M in accordance with the following formula (1) in relation. $${\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="\sigma "\; filenames="imgf0001.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">\sigma </figure-callout>}}^2\left(\tau \right)=\frac{1}{2\left(\mathrm{M.}-1\right)}{\displaystyle {\sum }_{i=1}^{\mathrm{M.}-1}\left({\bar{u}}_{i+1}\left(\mathrm{\Delta }\tau \right)\right)-{\left({\bar{u}}_i\left(\mathrm{\Delta }\tau \right)\right)}^2}$$

Depending on the time interval length Δτ, the statistical noise of measurement signals can be reduced to 1 / f noise. In this way, by varying the length of a time interval Δτ to τ _Allan, the signal-to-noise ratio can advantageously be set and thus the quality of the measurement signals can be improved.

In any case, the radiation reflected from objects located in the drum is registered as the measurement signal by the at least one radiation detector.

However, it should also be pointed out that the invention also makes it possible to determine properties of an aqueous liquid, e.g. washing liquor, or of a gas phase in the water-bearing household appliance. The fact that part of the emitted radiation is reflected by the drum, that is, does not pass through the radiation passages, can be used here. The radiation reflected on the drum can then in principle be evaluated with regard to components of the aqueous liquid or the gas phase.

Objects in the drum can be measured with the method according to the invention before, during and / or after a treatment in the water-bearing household appliance. Measuring comprises the exposure of radiation from the at least one radiation source of the spectrometer, as well as the registration of the measurement signal in the at least one time period Δτ by the at least one radiation detector.

Objects before a treatment here include objects that have not yet been subjected to any treatment in the water-bearing household appliance. Objects to be treated can therefore be objects which, for example, require refreshment, have one or more types of soiling or the like. Objects to be treated are usually at least partially dry Be objects. Depending on the type and / or degree of soiling, it is also conceivable that a certain amount of moisture is also present in the case of liquid soiling, which can result, for example, from spilling a beverage.

Objects during and / or after a treatment, on the other hand, include all objects that are and / or have been subjected to at least one treatment in the domestic appliance. The term treatment is to be understood broadly. According to the invention, a treatment is carried out in a controlled manner by the control device. It can be the mere moistening with a predetermined amount of water W _F , but also the partial or complete implementation of a treatment program.

According to the invention, the type of objects is not restricted. However, the objects are particularly preferably laundry items.

Treatment programs within the meaning of the invention are part of operating programs that can be carried out in a water-bearing household appliance. A treatment program can be a treatment program implemented at the factory in a water-carrying household appliance, one or more additional options or a user-defined treatment program. The term treatment program is therefore also to be interpreted very broadly here. Depending on the type and configuration of the water-carrying household appliance, a different number of treatment programs will be stored in the control device. For example, an expensive household appliance will have more treatment programs than an inexpensive one.

According to the invention, it is advantageous if data relating to a wavelength-dependent reflection behavior of at least one textile type, but preferably several textile types, of the objects located in the drum are stored in the control device and / or in an external server, so that they can be used for the measurement in step (b). and the evaluation in step (c) of the method according to the invention can be used.

Textile types are, for example, cotton, silk, polyester, linen, acrylic or mixed fabrics. With the method according to the invention it is then possible, for example, to identify individual pieces of textile located in the drum on the basis of the evaluated measurement signal (s).

In this case, data on the wavelength-dependent reflection behavior are preferably stored in such a way that the multiple individual wavelengths and / or partial ranges within the wavelength range from λ ₁ to λ ₂ include at least one wavelength in which no radiation is reflected. It is again preferred that the multiple individual wavelengths and / or partial ranges within the wavelength range from λ ₁ to λ ₂ include at least five wavelengths or wavelength ranges.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the wavelength range λ ₁ to λ _{2 is} in the infrared.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the wavelength range from λ ₁ to λ ₂ comprises at least one absorption band of at least one type of textile.

In particular, it is also advantageous if data on a wavelength-dependent reflection behavior of at least one type of textile with at least two degrees of moisture are stored in the control device and / or in an external server so that they can be used for the measurement in step (b) and the evaluation in step (c ) of the method according to the invention can be used.

If the water-bearing household appliance is a washer-dryer, for example, the drying process can be controlled very precisely in this way, for example, with regard to a desired degree of residual moisture. The degree of moisture before the start of the drying process can of course also be determined, so that the drying program can then be adapted very precisely to the type of textile and the degree of moisture.

According to the invention, it is also advantageous if in the control device and / or in an external server data on a wavelength-dependent reflection behavior at least one treatment agent for the objects located in the drum are stored so that they can be used for the measurement in step (b) and the evaluation in step (c) of the method according to the invention.

The wavelength range from λ ₁ to λ ₂ then preferably comprises at least two absorption bands of a treatment agent. This enables a content of the treatment agent to be determined more precisely.

According to the invention, the term “treatment agent” is to be interpreted broadly. It includes any solid and / or liquid preparation which is suitable for bringing about a treatment result on objects to be treated in a water-bearing household appliance. Treatment agents are, for example, detergents or cleaning agents. In general, the proportion of surfactants, in particular of anionic surfactants such as alkylbenzene sulfates, in such preparations will be high, usually more than 80%. For example, a surfactant concentration can be used to determine an amount of treatment agent.

There are numerous different treatment agents that differ in particular with regard to the vibration behavior of their molecules. The measurement signals will therefore depend very heavily on the treatment agent. The reflection and absorption properties for at least one, preferably several, treatment agents are advantageously stored in the control device and / or an external server, so that these properties can be used for the measurement in step (b) and the evaluation in step (c).

For the sake of simplification, however, it is also possible to limit oneself to particularly customary treatment agents, in particular detergents, for carrying out the method according to the invention and, if necessary, to use these as an indication of the amount of treatment agent.

Alkylbenzenesulfonates (LAS = linear alkylbenzenesulfonates) are particularly widespread as surfactants. These have a sulfone group attached to a benzene ring. The wavelength range from λ ₁ to λ ₂ particularly preferably therefore comprises oscillation bands in the range from 1100 nm, 1400 nm, 1700 nm, 1900 nm, 2100 nm nm or in the range from 2300 to 2500 nm, in particular two. This enables good quantitative detection of these surfactants in particular.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if data on a wavelength-dependent reflection behavior for at least one, but preferably several, standard soiling are stored in the control device and / or an external server, so that they can be used for the measurement in step (b) and the evaluation in step (c). of the method according to the invention can be used.

Standard soiling within the meaning of the invention is soiling which, in terms of its properties, covers the entire range of possible soiling on objects to be treated. Standard soiling is, for example, fats or oil from leftovers, colorings such as from tomatoes or red wine or grass, protein-containing soiling such as egg yolks, etc.

In particular, it is also advantageous if data on a wavelength-dependent reflection behavior for at least one, but preferably several toxins and / or allergens are stored in the control device and / or an external server, so that a user can identify the presence of such substances, for example via a display device , can be made aware and the control device can adapt a treatment program in step (d) of the method according to the invention, for example by an additional rinsing step in a washing machine.

In particular, it is also preferred that a user can select allergens to be detected via an operating unit. In this way, he can also modify the method according to the invention according to his needs.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if data on a wavelength-dependent reflection behavior for at least one, but preferably several volatile substances are stored in the control device and / or an external server, so that these are used for the measurement in step (b) and the evaluation in step (c ) of the method according to the invention can be used.

Volatile substances can, for example, be odor-causing substances that are released by organic contaminants or microorganisms. In this case, in step (d) of the method according to the invention, for example, a self-cleaning program can be selected by the control device or adapted accordingly in order to remove this contamination and thus draw the user's attention to insufficient hygiene.

Volatile substances can also be gases, such as propane gas, which can be used in heat pump tumble dryers. In this case, in step (d) of the method according to the invention, for example, a running program can be interrupted and a warning can be output to the user. Such a warning can then take place optically via a display, that is to say in words and / or pictures and / or by means of light signals, but also by means of a warning tone.

If the household appliance according to the invention is integrated into a wireless network, a security warning can in particular also be given to a user, e.g. via an app or SMS, and / or a notification to the fire brigade can take place.

In any case, the method according to the invention provides in step (d) that the control device selects and / or adapts an operating program for the objects in the drum in relation to the evaluated measurement signal based on the measurement signal evaluated and transmitted in step (c).

The term operating program is to be understood more broadly here than the term treatment program, as already described above. Operating programs contain treatment programs and also program sequences which are implemented in the water-bearing household appliance in addition to the treatment programs. An operating program can also be, for example, a self-cleaning program, but the output of information to a user, for example via a display device, or the transmission of information, for example via a wireless data connection as part of a network connection, is included herein under the term operating program. Operating programs therefore include all actions that can be carried out by the control device in a household appliance according to the invention.

If the water-bearing household appliance according to the invention is, for example, a washing machine and the user has accidentally put an item of silk laundry into the drum together with cotton items of laundry and has selected and already started a corresponding cotton treatment program, the control device can, for example, relate the treatment program accordingly adapt to the treatment of silk in order to prevent damage to this item of laundry. This can be done, for example, by adapting the temperature and / or the rotational speed and / or the rotational rhythm.

However, it is also possible that before the start the control unit outputs the detection of silk to the user and accordingly suggests a gentle program. Here the user also has the option of removing the silk item from the drum again.

It is also possible, for example, for a user to insert a single item of laundry into the drum to identify the type of textile. This is particularly advantageous if, for example, there is no care label on the item of laundry. A corresponding treatment program can then also be proposed here by the control device.

To evaluate the measurement signals in step (c), the microcomputer generally first generates at least one spectrum from the spectral measurement signal. According to the invention, the number of spectra generated is not restricted, but in particular it will also depend on the number and length of the time intervals Δτ.

In order to be able to carry out a quantitative evaluation of a spectrum, a spectrum is generally normalized to a standard. In this way, it is possible to compare a recorded spectrum with, for example, a calibration spectrum, but several recorded spectra can also be compared with one another, for example in order to track the decrease in a certain amount of a substance.

If the wavelength range λ ₁ to λ _{2 is} in the infrared, then Spectralon is preferably used as the standard.

A baseline can advantageously also be recorded before the method according to the invention is carried out. In particular, a more precise analysis can be achieved by subtracting the baseline from the evaluated measurement signals.

In order to obtain a spectroscopic image of several objects in the drum that is as complete as possible, in particular with a high load, it is preferred that the drum briefly reverses after each process pass. In this way, good mixing of the objects in the drum can be achieved and thus good measurement statistics. The method is then preferably repeated until the evaluated measurement results no longer change significantly.

If the water-bearing household appliance is a washing machine or a washer-dryer, appropriately designed laundry carriers can also be arranged in the drum for better mixing of items of laundry.

Evaluation routines for the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of spectra are usually diverse and will generally depend on the measurement signals obtained. According to the invention, the evaluation routine is therefore also not restricted. An evaluation based on the Lambert-Beer law using multivariate data analysis is preferably carried out, for example a principal components analysis with the non-linear iterative partial least squares algorithm and subsequent partial least squares regression, from which a response matrix is obtained can be.

The control device is advantageously also set up to store evaluated measurement signals. The control device can thus also collect empirical values by means of which the operation of the water-bearing household appliance can be continuously optimized. In this way, the needs of a user can be taken into account individually and an operation of the household appliance that is as environmentally friendly as possible can be implemented.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method additionally comprises a step (e) of cleaning the spectrometer.

The way in which the spectrometer optics are cleaned is not restricted according to the invention. Cleaning can already take place, for example, by bringing it into contact with aqueous liquid in the course of a treatment program if the household appliance according to the invention is, for example, a washing machine or a washer-dryer.

For example, rinsing liquid can also be brought directly to the spectrometer optics via a line in order to rinse them separately.

A sponge or a similar soft material can be attached to the outside of the drum, but also at a suitable point, which "wipes" past the spectrometer optics by rotating the drum.

• (b) Emittieren von Strahlung von der mindestens einen Strahlungsquelle des Spektrometers in einem Wellenlängenbereich von λ₁ bis λ₂ durch den mindestens einen Strahlungsdurchlass, so dass Gegenstände in der Trommel mit der Strahlung beaufschlagt werden, und der mindestens eine Strahlungsdetektor die von den Gegenständen reflektierte Strahlung durch den mindestens einen Strahlungsdurchlass in mindestens einem Zeitintervall Δτ als ein Messsignal registriert;
• (c) Übermitteln des Messsignals an den Mikrocomputer, Auswerten des Messsignals mit einer im Mikrocomputer hinterlegten Auswerteroutine und Übermitteln des ausgewerteten Messsignals an die Steuereinrichtung; und
• (d) Auswählen und/oder Anpassen eines Betriebsprogramms durch die Steuereinrichtung in Bezug auf das ausgewertete Messsignal;
  wobei die Schritte (b) bis (d) einmal oder mehrmals durchgeführt werden.

The invention also relates to a water-bearing household appliance with a drum for receiving objects to be treated, which has at least one perimeter with at least one radiation passage, a control device, a spectrometer which comprises at least one radiation source, at least one radiation detector and a microcomputer, with microcomputer and Control devices are set up to exchange information with one another, so that data can be exchanged between the spectrometer and control device, the control device being set up to carry out a method which comprises the following steps:

• (b) emitting radiation from the at least one radiation source of the spectrometer in a wavelength range from λ ₁ to λ ₂ through the at least one radiation passage, so that objects in the drum are exposed to the radiation, and the at least one radiation detector reflects the radiation from the objects Radiation through the at least one radiation passage is registered as a measurement signal in at least one time interval Δτ;
• (c) transmission of the measurement signal to the microcomputer, evaluation of the measurement signal with an evaluation routine stored in the microcomputer and transmission of the evaluated measurement signal to the control device; and
• (d) selecting and / or adapting an operating program by the control device in relation to the evaluated measurement signal;
  wherein steps (b) to (d) are carried out one or more times.

The control device is also set up to carry out the additional step, (a) rotating the drum at a predetermined speed Dz. Depending on the level of the speed Dz of the drum, the at least one radiation passage is passed through a position at a certain frequency Δ v S which enables radiation to enter and exit the drum in step (b) of the method. The same applies to reversing the drum.

According to the invention, the water-bearing household appliance is preferably selected from the group comprising a washing machine, a washer-dryer, a tumble dryer and a dishwasher. The water-bearing household appliance is preferably a washing machine or a washer-dryer. The water-bearing household appliance is very particularly preferably a washing machine.

The household appliance according to the invention generally has a treatment agent container and preferably also a dosing unit. The type and configuration of the dosing unit is not restricted according to the invention. It can be a dosing unit for manual dosing of treatment agent or an automated dosing unit.

In a preferred embodiment of the water-bearing household appliance according to the invention, the dosing unit is an automated dosing unit which is connected to the control device and can be controlled by the latter in order to dose treatment agent, for example if the dose falls below an optimal dose C _opt .

In a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance according to the invention, the drum has a predetermined start / stop position.

The manner in which such a start / stop position of the drum is implemented in the water-bearing household appliance is not restricted according to the invention. This can be a mechanical design, for example, but a specific drum position can also be stored in the control device, which is controlled, for example, before the method according to the invention is carried out.

The arrangement of the spectrometer in the water-bearing household appliance is limited according to the invention only to the extent that the application of radiation in a wavelength range from λ ₁ to λ ₂ through the at least one radiation passage, as well as the registration of the radiation reflected from objects located in the drum through the at least one Radiation transmission is possible in at least one time interval Δτ. The arrangement can be different depending on the embodiment of the household appliance and depends, among other things, on the type and structure of the water-bearing household appliance.

In a preferred embodiment, the water-bearing household appliance is a washing machine or a washer-dryer with a tub and a drum for receiving items of laundry, and the spectrometer is arranged in a recess in the tub jacket.

The spectrometer is then preferably also pivotably arranged and the alignment of the spectrometer can be controlled by the control device in such a way that preferably several perimeters of the drum, generally spaced perpendicular to the perimeter, with preferably several radiation passages, in particular holes, can be detected.

The configuration of the at least one radiation passage is not restricted according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the water-conducting household appliance according to the invention, the at least one radiation passage is a circular hole. In a further preferred embodiment of the water-bearing household appliance according to the invention, the diameter of the hole along the outside of the drum, that is to say in particular along the jacket surface of the drum, is 2 to 8 mm.

The drum can also have a plurality of holes along the at least one perimeter. In a preferred embodiment of the invention Water-carrying household appliance, the at least one perimeter is designed as a perforated ring. The drum particularly preferably has a multiplicity of such perforated rings.

In a further preferred embodiment of the water-bearing household appliance according to the invention, the at least one radiation passage is an elliptical hole.

The large semi-axis is then preferably ≦ 10 mm long, in particular 2 to 5 mm, and the small semi-axis is preferably ≦ 2 mm long.

In a further preferred embodiment of the water-conducting household appliance according to the invention, the at least one radiation passage is a transparent plastic inlay.

The shape and size of the transparent plastic inlay is not restricted according to the invention. It can be an elongated ellipse or an elongated rectangle, the longer extension in each case preferably being arranged in the direction of the perimeter. The plastic inlay can, however, also be a plastic ring, for example.

The plastic used for the inlay is particularly preferably IR-permeable.

The arrangement of the at least one radiation source and the at least one radiation detector relative to one another is selected according to the invention such that reflected radiation can be detected.

The at least one radiation source is not restricted according to the invention, so that, for example, an infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV) or UV-VIS (ultraviolet and visible range) radiation source can be used.

The at least one radiation source can be a broadband source, a tunable radiation source, but also a narrowband radiation source, such as an IR LED. The radiation source can also have optical aids, such as focusing optics, filter plates, filter foils or - varnishes or a MOEMS Fabry-Perot frequency filter, which can enable a wavelength range to be set. The spectrometer can also have several such radiation sources, which can also be different.

In a preferred embodiment of the water-bearing household appliance according to the invention, the at least one radiation source is a broadband source for emitting radiation in the infrared range.

The radiation source is particularly preferably used to emit radiation in the near-infrared range and is selected from the group comprising a tungsten-halogen lamp and a MOEMS black-body radiator.

The at least one radiation detector is also not restricted according to the invention. The radiation detector can, for example, be a broadband detector with at least one sensitive detector surface N. The radiation detector can, however, also have several sensitive surfaces N, or also a linear array of detector surfaces N, for example in the form of pixels. The detector can also have additional optical aids, such as a MOEMS Fabry-Perot frequency filter, narrow-band filters or even a dispersive wedge. The material from which the radiation detector is made is also not restricted according to the invention. However, the radiation detector preferably consists of at least one semiconducting material.

If the spectrometer is an IR spectrometer, the radiation source can be a tungsten halogen lamp with 5 filter plates for narrow-band excitation. The radiation detector then generally has 5 sensitive detector surfaces in order to detect the back-reflected radiation.

In the case of an IR spectrometer, the radiation source can also comprise narrow-band IR LEDs, preferably 5 such LEDs with multiplexing being provided. The radiation detector then has N sensitive detector surfaces and consists at least partially of indium gallium arsenide.

The radiation source of the spectrometer can also be a MOEMS black body radiator. The radiation detector then preferably consists of a sensitive detector surface N and has a MOEMS-Fabry-Perot frequency filter. In this way, a narrow band frequency sweep can be performed through the wide band.

The radiation source can also be a DFB laser and the radiation detector can have a sensitive detector surface N. The sensitive detector surface consists preferably at least partially of germanium. In this way, measurements can preferably be carried out as a function of time.

In particular for a household with networked devices, the water-bearing household device preferably additionally has an interface for wireless data transmission, the microcomputer and the control device then being set up for wireless information exchange with one another. The microcomputer can then also preferably be an external server or be implemented on it. In this way, the water-bearing household appliance is also suitable for operation in a network and can be operated using an external operating unit, for example a cell phone and / or a tablet PC, preferably via an app.

The water-bearing household appliance is then particularly preferably also integrated into a home network with at least one further household appliance. Information for controlling operating programs can then advantageously be transferred from one household appliance to another.

If the water-bearing household appliance is a washing machine, for example, a determined residual moisture for washed items of laundry can then be transmitted to a dryer in the home network and the drying program to be started can then be precisely adapted to the residual moisture.

In general, household appliances have at least one display unit which can be designed to output information in the form of text, images and / or characters, in color and / or black and white, static and / or animated. Information and / or warnings can preferably be sent to a user via the display device are issued. However, the display device is very particularly preferably an external display device, for example the touchscreen of a smart phone or tablet PC.

The invention has numerous advantages. So far it has not been possible to measure objects in the drum of a water-bearing household appliance with a spectrometer even while the drum is moving at only a short distance. In contrast, the invention enables a direct determination with only a small "sample to detector" distance. In this way, the current treatment program can be controlled individually and treatment agent can be saved, for example, by adapting the amount of treatment agent in the dosing phase individually to the prevailing conditions, i.e. for example to the amount of load and the degree of soiling of items of laundry. It has been shown that a user tends to dose the treatment agent too high. In this way, the treatment of objects in a water-bearing household appliance such as a washing machine can be carried out in a more environmentally friendly manner with the invention.

Furthermore, by determining the types of textile, the destruction of textiles in the event of incorrect loading by a user can be anticipated, for example if silk is accidentally washed with wool. Furthermore, the safety for a user is also increased, since volatile substances, such as propane gas, which can be released during operation of a propane gas heat pump dryer, can also be detected with the method according to the invention. By determining microbiologically relevant substances, hygiene in household appliances can also be improved. A determination of the moisture level also allows a tailor-made implementation of washing and drying programs.

Figur 1

zeigt eine nicht einschränkende Ausführungsform eines zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens geeigneten wasserführenden Haushaltsgeräts in Form einer Waschmaschine, in welcher das Spektrometer im Laugenbehältermantel innerhalb einer Aussparung positioniert ist.

Figur 2

zeigt in einer Ausführungsform eine schematische Darstellung des dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren zugrundeliegenden Messprinzips.

Further details of the invention emerge from the following description of non-limiting embodiments. Reference is made to the Figures 1 and 2 .

Figure 1

shows a non-limiting embodiment of a water-conducting household appliance suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention in FIG Form of a washing machine in which the spectrometer is positioned in the tub shell within a recess.

Figure 2

shows, in one embodiment, a schematic representation of the measurement principle on which the method according to the invention is based.

Figure 1 shows a water-conducting household appliance 1 designed as a washing machine for carrying out the method according to the invention. The washing machine 1 has a housing 12 in which a tub 2 is arranged, in which a drum 3 for receiving items of laundry is rotatably mounted about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the figure is. The highest water level 25 that can be reached in the tub 2 is shown schematically by a solid horizontal line.

In the embodiment shown here, a tub drainage line 17 is connected to a drain opening 26 in a bottom of the tub 2 and leads via a lint separator 19 to a suction side of a pump 14. A discharge line 13 is connected to a pressure side of the pump 14. The pump 14 is effectively connected to a speed-regulated drive motor 20, which can be configured, for example, as a permanent-magnet, multi-strand synchronous motor with a MOSFET component and a power sensor 15. The drain line 13 opens outside the housing, not shown here, in a house sewer line or a floor drainage system.

Figure 1 also shows an automated dosing unit 8 for treatment agent, which is connected to a dispensing bowl 11. Water coming from a fresh water line 10 can be supplied to the tub 2 via the dispensing bowl 11. For this purpose, there is a shut-off valve 9 in the fresh water line 10, which is activated by a control device 18 in accordance with a treatment program sequence.

In the jacket of the tub 2 there is a recess 4 in which an IR spectrometer 21 is attached. The IR spectrometer 21 comprises a broadband radiation source 5 which can emit IR radiation in the near-infrared range and which, in this non-limiting embodiment, is a tungsten-halogen lamp is realized. In this way the IR spectrometer 21 can emit radiation in a continuous spectrum from 300 nm to 3 μm.

In this embodiment, the absorption bands of polyester are to be excited in a broadband manner by means of the IR broadband source. Polyester shows absorption bands at 1180nm, 1237nm, 1266nm, 1285nm, 1322nm, 1387nm, 1410nm, 1483nm, 1514nm, 1594nm, 1661nm, 1908nm, 1953nm, 2083nm, and 2136nm. Other types of textile also show corresponding characteristic absorption bands in this wavelength range, which in embodiments can also be excited in a broadband manner.

In addition, the absorption bands of the frequently used surfactant LAS (linear alkylbenzenesulfonates) can also be used for the measurement. These are in the range from 1100 nm, 1400 nm, 1700 nm, 1900 nm, 2100 nm or in the range from 2300 to 2500 nm. The measuring range (λ ₁ to λ ₂ ) preferably extends from 900 nm to 1700 nm. In this way In embodiments, in addition to the identification of textile types, it is also possible, for example, to determine a type and / or amount of treatment agent.

In further embodiments, the degree of moisture can also be determined on the basis of the decreasing broadband intensity of the textile bands with increasing water content from the superposition of the water bands.

The IR spectrometer 21 also has a radiation detector 7 which, in this non-limiting embodiment, is an uncooled single-pixel detector made of indium-gallium-arsenide. A matrix detector can also be used, in particular a matrix sensor with a linear line array. A MOEMS Fabry-Perot frequency filter (not shown) is connected upstream of the detector 7. In this way, in this embodiment, the time-dependent broadband spectrum can be obtained by varying the distance between the resonator plates.

In this embodiment, the drum 3 has a perforated ring 35, the holes being circular and having a diameter on the outside of the drum of 2 to 5 mm, for example 2 mm. The IR spectrometer 21 is arranged in such a way that that IR radiation continuously emitted by the IR radiation source 5 can pass through a hole in the perforated ring 35 into the interior of the drum 3, so that the laundry items 22 in the drum 3 are exposed to the emitted radiation and the radiation detector 7 the reflected radiation can register through the hole as a measurement signal. In this embodiment, the drum 3 rotates at a speed of 60 rpm in the direction of rotation indicated by the arrow 23. The period of time Δτ in which the radiation detector 7 then registers the measurement signal is 1 ms in this embodiment.

The measurement signals registered by the radiation detector 7 are obtained here as a sensor signal (reflection) as a function of the time t and can then be converted into the broadband spectrum and evaluated with the aid of an evaluation routine stored in the microcomputer 6. The microcomputer 6 is integrated into the spectrometer 21 therein.

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the measurement principle on which the method according to the invention is based. The measuring principle is based on a reflection measurement. By means of a radiation source S, 27, radiation 31 is applied to a piece of textile 34 located in the drum of a water-carrying household appliance. The exposure to radiation 31 takes place through a hole in the drum outer wall 30 with a diameter D _L , it being advantageous to irradiate the hole as correctly as possible. After the radiation has interacted with the piece of textile 34, there is a diffuse back reflection of radiation that can be described by the Lambert-Beer law. The radiation 32 that is diffusely reflected back is then detected by the radiation detector D, 28 within a detector acceptance angle, identified herein as measuring spot 36. The arrow 33 indicates the direction of rotation of the drum. If the drum rotates at a speed Dz, the time period Δτ in this embodiment results from D _L / U * Dz with U as the circumference of the drum. The time period Δτ can therefore be varied, for example, by varying the level of the speed Dz, the drum circumference U and the hole diameter DL. This enables a flexible design for different types of spectrometers and water-bearing household appliances.

Reference number

1

Water-bearing household appliance, washing machine

2

Suds container

3rd

drum

4th

Tub recess; Recess in the tub

5

Radiation source, IR radiation source

6th

Microcomputers

7th

Radiation detector

8th

(automatic) dosing unit

9

Check valve

10

Fresh water pipe

11

Detergent bowl

12th

casing

13th

Drain pipe

14th

pump

15th

Service recorder

16

advertisement

17th

Suds container drain line

18th

Control device

19th

Lint separator

20th

Drive motor

21

Spectrometer, IR spectrometer

22nd

Laundry items

23

Direction of movement of the drum

24

Laundry carrier

25th

Water level

26th

Drain opening in the bottom of the tub

27

Radiation source, IR radiation source

28

Radiation detector

29

Drum outer wall

30th

Hole in the drum, hole in the drum shell

31

Emitted radiation, IR radiation

32

Detected reflected radiation

33

Direction of movement of the drum

34

Item of laundry in the drum interior

35

Perforated ring

36

Measurement spot within the detector acceptance angle

Claims (15)

1. Method for operating a water-conducting household appliance (1) with a drum (3) for holding articles to be treated, said drum (3) having at least one perimeter with at least one radiation passage (30, 35), a control facility (18), a spectrometer (21), which comprises at least one radiation source (5, 27), at least one radiation detector (7, 28) and a microcomputer (6), wherein microcomputer (6) and control facility (18) are designed to exchange information between one another, so that data can be exchanged between spectrometer (21) and control facility (18), wherein it comprises the following steps:

   (a) rotating the drum (3) at a predefined speed Dz,

   (b) emitting radiation (31) from the at least one radiation source (5, 27) of the spectrometer (21) in a wavelength region from λ₁ to λ₂ through the at least one radiation passage (30, 35) in such a manner that the radiation (31) is applied to articles (22, 34) in the drum (3) and the at least one radiation detector (7, 28) registers the radiation (32) reflected by the articles (22, 34) through the at least one radiation passage (30, 35) in at least one time interval Δτ as a measurement signal, if, depending on the level of the speed Dz of the drum (3), the at least one radiation passage (30, 35) passes a position, in which radiation is allowed to enter and leave the drum (3), with a defined frequency ΔvS;

   (c) transmitting the measurement signal to the microcomputer (6), evaluating the measurement signal using an evaluation routine stored in the microcomputer (6) and transmitting the evaluated measurement signal to the control facility (18); and

   (d) the control facility (18) selecting and/or adjusting an operating program in relation to the evaluated measurement signal;
   wherein the steps (b) to (d) are performed one or more times.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the radiation (31) is emitted with a predefined radiation pulse frequency ΔvE in step (b).
3. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the radiation (31) is emitted continuously in step (b).
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the wavelength region from λ₁ to λ₂ includes at least one absorption band of at least one textile type.
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims 2 or 4, where dependent upon claim 2, characterised in that the radiation pulse frequency ΔvE is selected in such a manner that it corresponds to the frequency ΔvS.
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the drum (3) rotates in step (a) at a speed Dz of 20 to 200 rpm.
7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it also comprises: step (e) cleaning the spectrometer (21).
8. Water-conducting household appliance (1) with a drum (3) for holding articles to be treated, said drum (3) having at least one perimeter with at least one radiation passage (30, 35), a control facility (18), a spectrometer (21), which comprises at least one radiation source (5, 27), at least one radiation detector (7, 28) and a microcomputer (6), wherein microcomputer (6) and control facility (18) are designed to exchange information between one another, so that data can be exchanged between spectrometer (21) and control facility (18), wherein the control facility (18) is designed to perform a method which comprises the following steps:

   (a) rotating the drum (3) at a predefined speed Dz,

   (b) emitting radiation (31) from the at least one radiation source (5, 27) of the spectrometer (21) in a wavelength region from λ₁ to λ₂ through the at least one radiation passage (30, 35) in such a manner that the radiation (31) is applied to articles (22, 34) in the drum (3) and the at least one radiation detector (7, 28) registers the radiation (32) reflected by the articles (22, 34) through the at least one radiation passage (30, 35) in at least one time interval Δτ as a measurement signal, if, depending on the level of the speed Dz of the drum (3), the at least one radiation passage (30, 35) passes a position, in which radiation is allowed to enter and leave the drum (3), with a defined frequency ΔvS;

   (c) transmitting the measurement signal to the microcomputer (6), evaluating the measurement signal using an evaluation routine stored in the microcomputer (6) and transmitting the evaluated measurement signal to the control facility (18); and

   (d) the control facility (18) selecting and/or adjusting an operating program in relation to the evaluated measurement signal;
   wherein the steps (b) to (d) are performed one or more times.
9. Household appliance (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that the household appliance (1) has a treatment agent container and an automatic dosing unit (8) for dosing treatment agent, which is connected to the control facility (18).
10. Household appliance (1) according to one of claims 8 to 9, characterised in that the at least one radiation source (5, 27) is a broadband source (5, 27) for emitting radiation (31) in the infrared region.
11. Household appliance (1) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterised in that the household appliance (1) is a washing machine or washer/dryer with a tub (2) and the spectrometer (21) is arranged in a cutout (4) in the tub casing.
12. Household appliance (1) according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterised in that the drum (3) has a predefined start/stop position.
13. Household appliance (1) according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterised in that the at least one radiation passage (30, 35) is a hole (30).
14. Household appliance (1) according to claim 13, characterised in that the hole (30) is elliptical.
15. Household appliance (1) according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterised in that the at least one radiation passage (30, 35) is a transparent plastic inlay.

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