Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
  • D06F39/02—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
  • D06F39/022—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents in a liquid state
• • 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
  • D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers 
  • D06F33/30—Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control 
  • D06F33/32—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
  • D06F33/37—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of metering of detergents or additives
• • 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
• • 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
  • D06F34/28—Arrangements for program selection, e.g. control panels therefor; Arrangements for indicating program parameters, e.g. the selected program or its progress
  • D06F34/32—Arrangements for program selection, e.g. control panels therefor; Arrangements for indicating program parameters, e.g. the selected program or its progress characterised by graphical features, e.g. touchscreens
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B5/00—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied
  • G08B5/22—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
  • G08B5/36—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission using visible light sources
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D25/54—Inspection openings or windows
• • 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
  • D06F2105/58—Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
  • F21Y2115/00—Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
  • F21Y2115/10—Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Definitions

• the invention relates to a washing machine and a method for displaying a filling level of a detergent container in a washing machine.
• the vacancy of a detergent container in a washing machine can be displayed, for example, on a display of the washing machine in text form.
• approaches are known in which the vacancy can be displayed by light emitting diodes.
• the present invention has the object to provide an improved washing machine and an improved method for displaying a level of a detergent container in a washing machine.
• Detergent container can be displayed.
• the detergent container acts as a light guide.
• the vacancy can be displayed directly on the detergent container. This has the advantage that, for example, when using several
• Detergent container for the user of the washing machine is immediately apparent which of the detergent container is empty.
• the vacancy indication by illuminating the
• Detergent container can be done, for example, in addition to the vacancy indicator in text form on a display of the washing machine.
• a particularly advantageous effect can be achieved, for example, if the detergent container is brought to a recognized vacancy by rhythmic light flashing.
• Detergent container and a control unit which is designed to control the light source as a function of a filling level of the detergent container.
• a washing machine can generally be understood as meaning a water-conducting household appliance. In particular, it may be at the washing machine to a
• Laundry treatment device also in the form of a washer dryer, act.
• a washing machine can also be understood to mean a dishwasher.
• the insertion compartment can be arranged above or below a washing drum of the washing machine.
• the insertion compartment may for example have a corresponding guide rail.
• the insertion compartment may be formed to receive two detergent containers.
• Detergent containers can be inserted side by side in the slot, which is also known as TwinDos system.
• a detergent container can be understood as an exchangeable cartridge for storing a textile treatment agent or another cleaning or care agent, for example also for cleaning the washing machine.
• the detergent container may be configured, for example, cylindrical or cuboid. Depending on the embodiment, the detergent container in the longitudinal direction horizontally, vertically or obliquely in the
• the detergent container can be manufactured in sections or completely from a transparent or translucent material, in particular a corresponding plastic.
• Detergent container which faces the front of the washing machine in the inserted state of the detergent container, and a front side opposite the back of the detergent container are made of the translucent material. Thus, for example, by illuminating the back of the front side are backlit.
• the detergent container for example, be inserted into the insertion compartment such that at least a portion of the end face in the inserted state of
• Detergent container is visible from the outside.
• a light source can be understood to mean a light bulb or a light-emitting diode or else an arrangement of a plurality of light bulbs or light-emitting diodes.
• the light source can be aligned with the inserted detergent container in order to be able to examine it in a targeted manner.
• the light source on a wall portion of Insertion compartment be arranged, for example on a rear or side wall or a floor or a ceiling of the insertion compartment.
• a control device can be understood as meaning an electrical device which processes sensor signals and outputs control and / or data signals in dependence thereon.
• Control unit may have an interface that may be designed in hardware and / or software.
• the interfaces can be part of a so-called system ASIC, for example, which contains various functions of the control unit.
• system ASIC system ASIC
• the interfaces are their own integrated circuits or at least partially consist of discrete components.
• the interfaces may be software modules that
• the light source may be arranged on a rear wall of the insertion compartment. Additionally or alternatively, the light source may comprise at least one light emitting diode. Under a rear wall of the insertion compartment, for example, a wall portion of the insertion compartment can be understood, which is opposite to an opening of the insertion compartment. The back wall may be opposite to the detergent container, if this in the
• Inserted slot is inserted, for example, so that the light source has a maximum distance of 3 cm to the detergent container.
• the controller may be configured to turn on the light source when the level reaches a lower threshold, the lower threshold representing an empty detergent container.
• the vacancy of the detergent container can be displayed directly on the detergent container.
• the control device can be designed to switch the light source alternately on and off when the level reaches the lower threshold. This may cause the detergent container to blink.
• the signal effect of the vacancy indicator can be increased.
• controller may be configured to turn off the light source when the level reaches an upper threshold, wherein the upper threshold represents a full detergent container. This can make an empty or full
• Detergent container can be displayed by simply switching the light source on or off.
• the controller may be configured to control the light source depending on a presence of the detergent container in the insertion compartment.
• the control unit may be designed to illuminate the insertion compartment in the absence of detergent container by means of the light source, so as to allow the user to insert the
• the washing machine can have a housing flap for closing the insertion compartment according to another embodiment.
• the control device can be designed to control the light source depending on a position of the housing flap.
• a housing flap can be understood, for example, as a pivotable or removable cover element for covering the opening of the insertion compartment.
• Embodiment can be ensured, for example, that the detergent container is illuminated only when the insertion compartment is open.
• the light source can be designed to emit light in a variable color spectrum.
• the controller may be formed to the
• the washing machine may comprise the detergent container, wherein this in the
• Inserted slot is inserted.
• the approach presented here also provides a method for indicating a level of a detergent container in a washing machine according to any one of the above
• This method can be implemented, for example, in software or hardware or in a mixed form of software and hardware, for example in a control unit.
• Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a portion of a washing machine according to an embodiment
• Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a drawer of a washing machine of Figure 1;
• FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a method according to an exemplary embodiment.
• FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a section of a washing machine 100 according to one exemplary embodiment.
• the section below shows one
• Washing drum of the washing machine 100 arranged insertion compartment 102 for insertion of a first detergent container 104 and a second detergent container 106.
• the insertion compartment 102 is accessible from an appliance front of the washing machine 100 from.
• the two detergent containers 104, 106 are each shown in a fully inserted state, in each of which one of the front side facing the housing front of the detergent container 104, 106 is visible.
• the detergent containers 104, 106 are exemplary cuboid
• the washing machine 100 is designed, for example, to backlight the respective detergent container within the insertion compartment 102 in such a way that the front side of the detergent container in question is clearly visible from the outside
• the detergent containers 104, 106 depending on the embodiment, completely or partially translucent, for example by using a transparent or translucent plastic as a container material.
• the insertion compartment 102 is closable according to this embodiment with a pivotable housing flap 108. According to one embodiment, the
• Washing machine 100 is formed to illuminate the detergent containers 104, 106 depending on a position of the housing door 108. For example, they are illuminated only when the housing door 108 releases the insertion compartment 102, as shown in FIG.
• FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an insertion compartment 102 from FIG. 1.
• the insertion compartment 102 is shown without the two detergent containers in the front view, so that a rear wall 200 of the insertion compartment 102 is visible. According to this
• Embodiment are on the rear wall 200, a first light source 202 for
• the insertion compartment 102 has only one light source for backlighting both detergent containers or only one of the two detergent containers.
• the light sources 202, 204 are, for example, two light-emitting diodes which are directed onto the detergent containers, here in each case on a rear side of the detergent containers, if they are inserted into the insertion compartment 102.
• the light sources 202, 204 each have more than one light emitting diode.
• the first light source 202 or the second light source 204 can also be attached to another wall section of the light source
• Insertion compartment 102 for example, on a side wall, a ceiling or a bottom of the insertion compartment 102, be placed.
• the two light sources 202, 204 are connected to a control unit 206 of the washing machine.
• a drive unit 207 of the control device 206 is designed to control the two light sources 202, 204 as a function of a respective fill level of the detergent containers.
• the control unit 206 for example, with a suitable
• Measuring device coupled to measure the respective level, of which the
• Control unit 207 receives a respective level representing measured value 208.
• the drive unit 207 evaluates the measured value 208 by comparing with a lower or upper threshold value, wherein the lower threshold value is empty
• Detergent container and the upper threshold represents a full detergent container.
• the drive unit 207 generates a
• the drive unit 207 generates the drive signal 210 to turn on the first light source 202 when the measurement 208 reaches the lower threshold. Conversely, the drive unit 207 generates the drive signal 210 in order to switch off the first light source 202 again when the measured value 208 reaches the upper threshold, for example after a refill or an exchange of the first
• Detergent container is the case. It is particularly effective when the first
• Detergent container is made by alternately turning on and off the first light source 202 by means of the Anêtsignais 210 when the vacancy is detected to blink.
• the activation of the second light source 204 by means of the activation signal 210 can be effected analogously to the activation of the first light source 202 as a function of the fill level of the second agent container.
• FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of a method 300 according to one exemplary embodiment.
• the method 300 for indicating a filling level of a detergent container in a washing machine can be described, for example, from that described above with reference to FIG. 3
• control unit are executed.
• the level of the detergent container is measured by a suitable measuring device of the washing machine, for example an optical measuring device, and the measured value representing the filling level is generated.
• the drive signal output uses of the measured value, the drive signal output to either switch the light source in the slot depending on the measured level on or off or alternately on and off.
• the level indicator is illuminated by two detergent containers
• the light sources are controlled by sensing the housing flap so that the light sources are turned on only when the housing door is opened.
• the backlighting of the detergent container not only the vacancy, but also the respective location of an empty detergent container is displayed. As a result, a better user guidance is realized.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
• Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=63722399

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Family Cites Families (15)

• 2017
  • 2017-10-10 DE DE102017123519.1A patent/DE102017123519A1/de active Pending
• 2018
  • 2018-10-01 CN CN201880065421.9A patent/CN111183253B/zh active Active
  • 2018-10-01 KR KR1020207013266A patent/KR102528190B1/ko active IP Right Grant
  • 2018-10-01 US US16/753,356 patent/US10975514B2/en active Active
  • 2018-10-01 EP EP18782043.6A patent/EP3695042A1/de active Pending
  • 2018-10-01 WO PCT/EP2018/076663 patent/WO2019072614A1/de unknown

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